Halloween Candy Baskets DIY Craft To BOO It Forward

This shop, Halloween Candy Baskets DIY Craft To BOO It Forward, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #BOOItForward #CollectiveBias

BOO it forward with these DIY Halloween Candy Baskets in eight fun Halloween-themed shapes. Craft your own using the free printables.

 

Halloween-Themed Shaped Candy Baskets

DIY Craft To BOO It Forward with FREE Printables!

 

Hooray, it’s October! I love Halloween, and I am always trying to think of fun things to make it special for those around me. So, today, I am sharing this easy DIY craft that is perfect for spreading some spooky cheer! Let’s do Some Friendly Neighborhood BOO’ing.

Who to BOO

We always love to BOO the neighborhood kids, but we also plan to BOO Luke’s 86-year-old dad and his friends down at the donut shop. They have been meeting there each morning for decades.

These Halloween candy baskets are great for a classroom party, any group get-together, you name it. BOO your local fire department, police station, or hospital. BOO It Forward and get everyone in the Halloween spirit. The FREE Printables make them a snap and come in pre-colored or color-your-own options.

 

It’s easy to purchase the MARS® Variety bag for your BOO Kit. Just hover over the shoppable image above to click through to Walmart.com and buy it!
Now, what good would a candy basket be without some candy to fill it? My choice is the 400 piece MARS® Spider-Man Chocolate/Sugar Variety Bag! This bag is loaded with SNICKERS®, Skittles®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, Starburst®, and 3 MUSKETEERS® — can we all say, YUM?! You can find some cute stickers, tissue paper, bags, and cards from American Greetings too.

Let’s get crafting!

Halloween Candy Baskets

Supplies:

  • Free Printables – Download Here: Pre-Colored Shapes or Color-Your-Own Shapes
  • Cardstock
  • Glue Stick
  • Colored Pencils, Markers, Crayons, etc.
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Bone Folder (or another flat edge)
  • Paper Cutter (helpful, but optional)

Directions:

  1. Print your choice of pre-colored or color-your-own Halloween shapes.
  2. Cut out the shapes leaving a flat edge at the bottom, and an edging around the shape. These shapes will be the sides of your candy basket.

  1. Measure and mark cardstock. You will need two pieces cut for each basket — one for the basket (3-1/2 inches x 7 inches) and one for the handle (7 inches x 1 inch).
  2. Cut the cardstock for all the baskets you will be making.

  1. On the cut out Basket card stock, measure in 1/2 inch from the long edges on each side. Draw a line with a pencil, then score each pencil line with a bone folder or other flat-edge.
  2. Fold the scored long edges inward.

  1. Cut notches into the 1/2 inch folded edges to make it easier to fit the basket onto the shapes.
  2. Lay the notched basket cardstock flat and place glue on notches, both edges.
  3. Fold the notches to a right angle so the glued sides are on the outside of the basket.
  4. Attached glued notches to a pair of matching Halloween-themed shapes in a U-type shape, so there is an opening at the top. You will be able to move and adjust the notches to fit each shape as needed. Make sure that your shapes are turned the same way with the flat edge at the bottom.
  5. Let glue set.
  6. Dab glue on both ends of the handle, and attach to the top inside of the basket cardstock. Let glue set.

  1. Print a BOO Card for your basket.

BOO It Forward

Voila! You now have a spooktacular Halloween Candy Basket! Now, throw a party or BOO a friend and share your Halloween spirit.

Don’t forget you can get the Spider-Man Homecoming DVD & Blu-Ray on October 17th at Walmart.

Want to send some Halloween spirit to loved ones across the country? No problem, Create your own BOO Kit online and have it sent to them. Then, they can BOO It Forward too!

You can only find this product at Walmart!

Follow @snickers, @skittles, and @AmericanGreetings on Facebook.

Enjoy making the Halloween Candy Baskets!

 

You may like these other Halloween DIY craft ideas: Haunted Mirror – An Eerie Halloween DIY Decor and DIY Creepy Spider Candles.

 

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Halloween Candy Display Ideas To Delight

Get creative with your Halloween candy. Check out these frightfully fun and easy Halloween Candy Display Ideas and delight your trick-or-treaters! #Halloween

Thanks to Oriental Trading for providing some of these products.

 

Halloween Candy Display Ideas To Delight

Easy, Creative and Frightfully Fun

 

Halloween is always a frightfully good holiday. I love to decorate and make things extra fun for anyone who stops by, especially the cutest little trick-or-treaters. One way I do this is by displaying my Halloween candies. Why just have candy tossed in a bowl, when you can make it festive? Check out these easy and creative ideas…

Bubbling Cauldron of Candy

 


Make your cauldron bubble using a package of Stretchable Spider Webs. I used a large cauldron and edged it with the webbing, pulling and fluffing it out, then place a bowl in the top of the cauldron that was large enough to sit at the top. I fluffed the spider webbing over the edge of that bowl and filled with candy. The spider web is lightweight and flutters in the breeze for a really cool effect.

 

Hanging Cauldron

 


This idea takes a smaller cauldron, a hanging plant stand, plant chain, and hook. We drilled holes below the lip of the cauldron to put the chain through and attached it to the hook. Then, the cauldron just hangs from the stand. Fill it with Halloween Candy.

 

Jack-O’-Lantern and Black Cat Display

 


These adorable Halloween Candy Buffet Buckets come in a set of three sizes — perfect for separating treats. I used one for candy, one for glow bracelets and Halloween card, and one for mini flashlights and holiday pencils. Placed on a table with a black plastic tablecloth and Halloween Silhouette Table Skirt, pumpkins and one of my Silhouette Cat Yard Stakes.

 

It’s not hard or expensive to make Halloween frightfully fun with these spooktacular Halloween Candy Display Ideas. They are great for parties too — Enjoy!

Want more Halloween fun? Don’t miss:

The Legend Of The Jack-O’-Lantern

The Pumpkin Prayer – Halloween Activity

Carving & Lighting Tips and Tricks – Pumpkin Carving

Halloween Mantel Decor Orange, Black, and Purple

 

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18 Decorative String Lights DIY Ideas

Everybody loves twinkling lights. So, let’s have fun and get creative with some great DIY ideas for decorative string lights for home decor and parties! #StringLights #DIY #Craft

 

18 Decorative String Lights DIY Ideas

Get creative for any occasion or just because!

 

Light is an essential part of decorating. It sets a mood, creates ambiance, and delights. So why not add some pizzazz to ordinary string lights for your home decor, outdoor living spaces, entertaining, and more. Decorative string lights are perfect for everyday life or special occasions and holidays.

I have collected a roundup of amazing DIY ideas to awe and inspire you. Enjoy!

Paper Star Lights Garland from Lia @ Lia Griffith

 

DIY Candy Lights from Brittany @ Oh Happy Day

 

DIY Plastic Bottle Flower String Lights from Ana for Bob Vila

 

Origami String Lights DIY from Louise @ The Tiny Honeycomb

 

Vintage Mold Tins DIY Strand Lights from Chelsea for Homedit

 

How To Make Polka Dot Ping Pong String Lights from Claire @ Heart Handmade UK

 

DIY Cupcake Liner Flower Lights from Steph @ Oh Happy Day

 

Star Light Star Bright Light Garland from Monica @ on Makes Things

 

Firefly String Lights from Mallory Jane @ Hayseed Homemakin’

 

Black Cats and Friendly Ghosts String Lights from Rubyellen @ Cakies

 

DIY Dixie Cup Light Garland from Rhiannon @ Rhiannon Bosse

 

Egg Carton Flowers DIY String Lights on Instructables

 

DIY Cactus Shrinky Dinks String Lights from Rose and Haley @ Popcorn & Chocolate

 

How To Make Origami Lights with Scrapbook Paper from Tara @ Unsophisticook

 

DIY Pineapple String Lights from Drawn To DIY

 

DIY Monogrammed Paper Pendant Lighted Banner from OnceWed

 

Pineapple Lights From Plastic Easter Eggs from Jennifer @ Jennifer Perkins

 

Mini Fabric Lamps from Nod @ Honest to Nod

 

 

So many creative, fun, and festive ideas, right? I hope you have been inspired, and I would love to hear about any ideas you have for decorative string lights.

Looking for other fun ideas for party decor? Check out Room Dividers – A Simple DIY Party Decor

 

 

 

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9 Easter Cocktails Every Bunny Will Love

A collection of 9 recipes for festive Easter Cocktails that every bunny will love. Celebrate in style this spring with these fun holiday themed drinks.

9 Easter Cocktails

Every Bunny Will Love

 

I love celebrating holidays and making them special. Decorations, great food, and family traditions are always fun. But sometimes, it seems, the holiday focus is more geared around children. So, today, I am putting some adult into Easter with some fun and tasty Easter Cocktails for those who are 21 and over.

You will be amazed at how clever and simple these recipes are. I can’t wait to wow my guests.

Bunny up to the bar and give these holiday cocktails a try!

Click on the Cocktail name below the photo to get the recipes.

Cottontail Martini from Michael at Inspired by Charm

Buzzed Peeps Easter Cocktail from Melissa at The Farm Girl Gabs

Cotton Candy Margarita from Darcie at Such The Spot

Speckled Egg Mimosas from Erin at Style Me Pretty

Chocolate Creme Egg Easter Cocktail Shots from Laura at Little Stuff

Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktails from Kirbie at Kirbie’s Cravings

Peeptini Easter Cocktails from April at April Golightly

Easy Chocolate Creme Egg Martini Recipe from Katie at A Fork’s Tale

Carrot Mimosas from Kare at Kitchen Treaty

 

There is a recipe for every bunny, whether you are looking for something elegant and stunning or sweet and adorable, we’ve got the Easter Cocktails for you. I hope you have a lovely Easter celebration!

Are looking for some other fun ideas or maybe even new traditions for your family this Easter? You will definitely want to check out these awesome Easter Ideas…

Easter Jelly Bean Prayer Poem

 Sidewalk Chalk Tutorial

What every you do, have a Happy Easter!

 

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Spiced Rum Truffles Miracle Pill – Inspired by The Princess Bride

You are going to love this candy recipe inspired by The Princess Bride – Spiced Rum Truffles Miracle Pill. See the how-to video tutorial. #MovieMonday #PrincessBrideRecipes

 

Spiced Rum Truffles Miracle Pill

A Recipe Inspired by The Princess Bride Movie

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so that means it is time for a swashbuckling good romantic comedy — The Princess Bride. I’ve joined together with some wonderful bloggers to bring you recipes, DIY projects, crafts, and more all inspired by this hilarious feel good movie. You will find things that are great for kids and adults, whether it is a special date night for two or a full blown party. Enjoy!

When Inigo Montoya and Fezzik find Westley dead in the Pit of Dispair, they take him to see Miracle Max (played by Billy Crystal) looking for nothing other than, well, a miracle. Miracle Max tells them that he needs to know what Westley has to live for.

Inigo Montoya: He’s dead. He can’t talk.

Miracle Max: Whoo-hoo-hoo, look who knows so much. It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive.

So, Miracle Max uses a fireplace bellow to push air into Westely to find out his reason for living — true love.

Miracle Max: Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world – except for a nice MLT – mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomatoes are ripe. [smacks his lips]

Miracle Max: They’re so perky, I love that.

Miracle Max and his wife, Valerie, proceed in making a Miracle Pill that will restore Westley’s life. And that is the inspiration for this yummy recipe!

Valerie: The chocolate coating makes it go down easier, but you have to wait fifteen minutes for full potency, and he shouldn’t go in swimming after for at least–

Miracle Max: An hour–

Valerie: Yeah, an hour–

Miracle Max: A good hour.

Spiced Rum Truffles Miracle Pill Recipe

 

Ingredients:

  • 2-1/2 Cups – Vanilla Wafer Cookies, crushed
  • 2 Tablespoons – Cocoa
  • 1 Cup – Icing Sugar (super-fine sugar)
  • 1/2 Cup – Spiced Rum
  • 2 Tablespoons – Corn Syrup (light or dark)
  • 1 Cup – Pecans or Walnuts, chopped
  • 1-1/2 to 2 Cups – Chocolate Chip Morsels (Or Dipping Chocolate)
  • Paraffin Wax (optional)

Directions:

  1. Crush Vanilla Wafer Cookies
  2. In a large bowl, sift Cocoa and Sugar
  3. Mix Spiced Rum and Corn Syrup, then stir into sugar cocoa mixture
  4. Add crushed cookies and nuts
  5. Mix until well blended
  6. Shape mixture into small balls, then flatten them slightly to create an oblong “pill” shape
  7. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Add paraffin wax if you choose.
  8. Dip each pill individually until fully coated with chocolate.
  9. Tap off excess chocolate, and place on a marble slab or wax paper to dry.
  10. May be refrigerated, but not necessary.

 

 

So, there you have it, a tasty version of Miracle Max’s Miracle Pill. Do keep in mind that these are for adults 21+ only. Sorry kids. They would make a lovely date night movie snack.

Here’s a Printable Recipe just for you:

5 from 1 reviews
Spiced Rum Truffles Miracle Pill - Inspired by The Princess Bride
 
Prep time
Total time
 
A tasty treat inspired by the movie The Princess Bride. A sort of chocolate-covered rum ball. Quick and easy to make.
from:
Type: Candy
Serves: 4 dozen
Ingredients:
  • Ingredients:
  • 2-1/2 Cups - Vanilla Wafer Cookies, crushed
  • 2 Tablespoons - Cocoa
  • 1 Cup - Icing Sugar (super fine sugar)
  • 1/2 Cup - Spiced Rum
  • 2 Tablespoons - Corn Syrup (light or dark)
  • 1 Cup - Pecans or Walnuts, chopped
  • 1-1/2 to 2 Cups - Chocolate Chip Morsels (Or Dipping Chocolate)
  • Paraffin Wax (optional)
Directions:
  1. Crush Vanilla Wafer Cookies
  2. In a large bowl, sift Cocoa and Sugar
  3. Mix Spiced Rum and Corn Syrup, then stir into sugar cocoa mixture
  4. Add crushed cookies and nuts
  5. Mix until well blended
  6. Shape mixture into small balls, then flatten them slightly to create an oblong "pill" shape
  7. Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Add paraffin wax if you choose.
  8. Dip each pill individually until fully coated with chocolate.
  9. Tap off excess chocolate, and place on a marble slab or wax paper to dry.
  10. May be refrigerated, but not necessary.
3.5.3226

 

 

Check out all of The Princess Bride inspired posts!

 Loading InLinkz ...

Miracle Max: Have fun stormin’ da castle.

Valerie: Think it’ll work?

Miracle  Max: It would take a miracle.

It would be absolutely INCONCEIVABLE if you haven’t seen this movie, but if you’ve been mostly dead or something, you’ve got to watch this family classic!

 

Find out Which The Princess Bride Character Are You? by taking this fun quiz!

I took the quiz, and I am…

I’d love to hear what character you are. Enjoy the Spiced Rum Truffles Miracle Pills!

 

 

 

 

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Recipe Roundup – Top 16 Recipes of 2016

It’s the end of the year, and that means it is time to reminisce and take a look back over 2016. Today, we want to revisit the top 16 recipes of the year and bring you a tasty recipe roundup in the process. Get your taste buds ready!

 

Top 16 Recipes of 2016

A Recipe Roundup from Life With Lorelai

We’ll start with number 16 and work our way to the number one recipe on the blog this past year.

16.

Pumpkin Rice Pudding

 

15.

Mini Taco Scoops

 

14.

Skittles Ice Cream Sandwiches

 

13.

Polska Kielbasa and Caramelized Onions

 

12.

How To Make A Killer Cake

 

11.

Peanut Butter & Raspberry Smoothie

 

10.

Strawberry Jalapeño Glazed Chicken

 

9.

Chinese New Year Cookies or Haystacks

 

8.

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding

 

7.

Sugar Cookies

 

6.

Snickers Mini Pudding Parfaits

 

5.

Breakfast B.L.T.

 

4.

Caramel Creme Pie

 

3.

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake

 

2.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

 

May we have a drum roll, please…

We are proud to announce the TOP RECIPE of 2016

1.

Smore’s Cookies

 

2016 has been a yummy year! We look forward to sharing more wonderful recipes with you in the coming year. Have a happy, safe, and healthy New Year!

 

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S’mores Cookies Recipe

Turn a traditional summer treat into a cookie you can’t resist with this S’mores Cookies Recipe! These were a big hit at our mini family reunion a couple of weeks ago.

 

S’mores Cookies Recipe

You know you’ll want s’more…

 

A couple weeks ago, Luke’s cousin and his family drove down from Idaho for a visit, and of course, Disneyland. Will has two kids, 7 and 4. It was so much fun meeting Will and his family, and listening to the remembered stories they shared. Luke hadn’t seen his cousin, Will, in decades.

In fact, the last Luke and his brother had spent time with Will was a road trip, when Will was 12-years-old. They were all heading to Luke’s aunt’s house (Will’s grandma). It was the typical kids stuff on the trip–the picky eater stopping at dive diners on the road, and having to be convinced it was the only food for miles and miles. The highlight of the trip was when Luke and his older brother let Will drive on the open roads of Kansas, with a promise of silence. Of course, the first thing out of Will’s mouth when they arrived… “They let me DRIVE!”

There were loads of laughs and plenty of great food. All us local family’s brought tasty dishes. I took my Spinach, Strawberry & Pine Nuts Salad with Strawberry-Jalapeño Vinaigrette, and I was also in charge of cookies. My thoughts turned to the flavors of summer, bright refreshing citrus and one of my childhood favorites, S’mores. (My sister and I used to stick a marshmallow on the end of a fork and toast it over the electric stovetop burner, to make these yummy treats at home. Mmm…so good. LOL)

I decided to make Lemon Ricotta Cookies, S’mores Cookies, and good old-fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies. Nobody could walk by the cookie display without grabbing at least one, if not more.

Today, I’m sharing my recipe for S’mores Cookies. I know you will love them, because one isn’t enough!

S’mores Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

All-purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, light Brown Sugar, Butter, Graham Crackers, Eggs, Vanilla Extract, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Marshmallows, Chocolate Candies.

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

  • Grind or Crush Graham Crackers into fine crumbs. (Start with one package,  8 rectangles. You may need a few more).
  • Unwrap and / or break Chocolate Candies, if needed.
  • In a bowl, add Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt. Whisk to mix well.
  • In a large bowl, or stand mixer, cream softened Butter, Granulated Sugar, and Brown Sugar.
  • Add 3/4 Cup fine Graham Cracker crumbs, mix well.
  • Crack Eggs open and add one at a time, stirring slightly after each.
  • Pour in Vanilla Extract, and mix.
  • Add Flour mixture a little at a time, and mix until combined.
  • Spoon out about 1-1/2 to 2 Tablespoons of dough. Roll into a ball.
  • Roll the dough ball in the remaining graham cracker crumbs, until lightly coated.
  • Place coated cookie dough on prepared baking sheet, 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart.
  • Bake ONE sheet at a time!
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are just starting to crack a bit. They should still be soft.

  • While the cookies are baking, cut Marshmallows in half using kitchen shears. You will need one half per cookie.
  • When cookies come out of the oven, you will need to work fast.

  • Turn off the oven, and set it to Broil, make sure the oven rack is close, but not too close.
  • Top each cookie with marshmallow, cut-side down.
  • Place the marshmallow-topped cookies under the broiler. WATCH carefully. Let the marshmallows toast to golden brown.
  • Take the cookies out of the oven, and IMMEDIATELY push chocolate candy into the center of the hot toasted marshmallow.
  • Switch oven back to Bake, and repeat with the next cookie sheet.
  • Allow cookies to cool, and chocolate candy to set-up again on wire racks.

 

Will’s 4-year-old daughter, Abigail, LOVED these S’mores Cookies! Luke’s brother snapped this photo after all the kids and their parents returned from spending a little time at the beach. Isn’t it a great shot? He even caught cookie crumbs in Abigail’s teeth. LOL

 

You’ll want s’more… better grab the Printable Recipe!

 

5 from 1 reviews
S'mores Cookies Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Traditional summer treat turned cookie! You're going to love these S'mores Cookies.
from:
Type: Dessert
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
  • 1-1/4 Cup - All-purpose Flour
  • 1/4 Cup - Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup - Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 Sticks - Butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 8 Rectangular Graham Crackers - about 1 Cup. (Grind or Crush into fine crumbs)
  • 2 - Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon - Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon - Baking Powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon - Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon - Salt
  • 12 large - Marshmallows (cut in half) may need a few more.
  • 24 - Chocolate Candies (unwrapped and / or broken) may need a few more.
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  3. Grind or Crush Graham Crackers into fine crumbs. (Start with one package, 8 rectangles. You may need a few more).
  4. Unwrap and / or break Chocolate Candies, if needed.
  5. In a bowl, add Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt. Whisk to mix well.
  6. In a large bowl, or stand mixer, cream softened Butter, Granulated Sugar, and Brown Sugar.
  7. Add 3/4 Cup fine Graham Cracker crumbs, mix well.
  8. Crack Eggs open and add one at a time, stirring slightly after each.
  9. Pour in Vanilla, and mix.
  10. Add Flour mixture a little at a time, and mix until combined.
  11. Spoon out about 1-1/2 to 2 Tablespoons of dough. Roll into a ball.
  12. Roll the dough ball in the remaining graham cracker crumbs, until lightly coated.
  13. Place coated cookie dough on prepared baking sheet, 1 to 1-1/2 inches apart.
  14. Bake ONE sheet at a time!
  15. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are just starting to crack a bit. They should still be soft.
  16. While the cookies are baking, cut Marshmallows in half using kitchen shears. You will need one half per cookie.
  17. When cookies come out of the oven, you will need to work fast.
  18. Turn off the oven, and set it to Broil, make sure the oven rack is close, but not too close.
  19. Top each cookie with marshmallow, cut-side down.
  20. Place the marshmallow-topped cookies under the broiler. WATCH carefully. Let the marshmallows toast to golden brown.
  21. Take the cookies out of the oven, and IMMEDIATELY push chocolate candy into the center of the hot toasted marshmallow.
  22. Switch oven back to Bake, and repeat with the next cookie sheet.
  23. Allow cookies to cool, and chocolate candy to set-up again on wire racks.
3.5.3208

 

 

Make these amazing cookies for your next get-together or just beacuse… enjoy!

 

 

 

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Easy Valentines Ideas

Today, we have some super cute and super easy Valentines DIY Ideas for you from Regular Contributor, Michelle James. These are perfect for anyone…enjoy!

Easy Valentine’s Day Ideas

Make an Impression with these DIY Valentines

I can’t believe we are almost done with the first month of 2016. Wow! What this means to me is Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. This is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you. Then, you are scrambling to get Valentines ready for the kids, your friends, your co-workers, etc.

I have come up with some easy Valentine ideas that you can throw together quickly without any trouble at all.

 

Easy Valentine Ideas

Supplies needed:

  • Scrapbook paper and Stickers – Valentine themed – I am using Echo Park Blowing Kisses Collection. It is the same one I used for my card class. I love making cards and these were a lot of fun.
  • Raffia
  • Adhesive
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Scissors
  • Stapler and staples
  • Ink – Optional
  • Candy Bars – full size
  • Candy Bars – fun size

Step 1

Measure the width of the full size candy bar. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper that is just slightly smaller and will wrap around and overlap. Mine ended up being 6×6.

Step 2

Ink the edges of the paper. This is an optional step and you can’t see it very much but I don’t like to see the white core of the paper. This takes that away and gives it a more finished look. But, if you are making these for the entire Kindergarten class; then, it may be a step to skip, and save yourself some time.

 

Step 3

Place adhesive on the back of the piece at the top and the bottom. Place one of the sides with the adhesive onto the candy bar, and wrap it around as tight as you can.

 

I did the same thing for the smaller, fun size candy bars.

 

 

Step 4

For the smaller candy bars, I like to place a few in a bag or baggie and create a fun topper. This is something everyone loves to receive.

There are several bag choices.

 

I wanted a clear bag since I had spent some time decorating the actual candy but you could use a brown or patterned bag and decorate that instead. This would be super cute.

I chose the plain baggie because the cello swirly bag was a little too big.

Step 5

Place the candy inside the baggie, then create a topper. Measure the width of the baggie, and cut a piece that is slightly wider and long enough to fold over.

I added another piece on top of the folded piece, and then added some raffia to the top.

Step 6

Place the baggie between the two folded ends and staple in place.

 

Step 7

Decorate the larger candy bars with raffia and some stickers.

 

So, there you have it. Some easy Valentine ideas that will surely impress everyone you give them to. Enjoy!
~Michelle

Visit Michelle at her blog, Michelle James Designs!

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Best Homemade Fudge Ever – Recipe

Regular Contributor, Deborah Ward, brings us her recipe for the Best Homemade Fudge.

 

The Best Homemade Fudge

A Traditional Christmas Food

 

I love homemade fudge! I love it so much that I only allow myself to make it once a year. The week of Christmas is special in our household. It’s the one week that we don’t worry about calories, sugar, fat, or any of those other “bad” things. My home is magically transformed into Mrs. Claus’s cozy kitchen. Dreams of chex mix, cookies, pie, rolls, and, of course, fudge dance through our heads.

I love all of the foods unique to this season that have become family traditions. My grandmother always made turkey soup and chex mix with bacon grease and Cayenne pepper. Both of these things my mother now makes to keep the tradition alive. My dad loves to make his grandmothers special recipe rolls and “tea cakes”, which are a hard, less sweet cookie. So delicious! He is always good for a Christmas wild-card. One year he made fruit cake using rum and bourbon. It was actually very yummy. And, my sister always makes her special peppermint cake. Since we won’t be spending Christmas together this year, I bet my husband will ask me to make that. He loves it!

Since moving to So Cal, we’ve learned about a holiday traditional. Tamales! I never would have guessed, but you won’t find me complaining. I love them so much!! One of my husband’s employees gave him a dozen homemade tamales for a Christmas gift. Yum!

I’ve played around with various fudge recipes, and even bought easy to make fudge kits at the store, but could never quite find a recipe that everyone loved. Hubs wants peanut butter, Tiny Dancer doesn’t want nuts, but I do. Finally, I found a recipe that I was able to tweak, and create the perfect, just right for us, homemade fudge.

Homemade Fudge

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 cups mini-marshmallows
  • 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to:

  • Line an 8” square baking pan with foil.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Add in marshmallows, chips, and vanilla, and stir for 1 minute, or until everything is melted and combined.
  • Add mixture to foiled baking pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until solid.
  • Once firm. Remove from pan by lifting foil edges. Cut into one inch pieces.

Suggestions:

  • Add ½ cup of nuts.
  • Substitute other types of chips. (i.e. milk chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, etc.)

Here’s a Printable Recipe just for you!

5 from 1 reviews
Best Homemade Fudge Ever - Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Best Homemade Chocolate Fudge - a Traditional Christmas Food
from:
Type: Candy
Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 cups mini-marshmallows
  • 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
  1. Line an 8” square baking pan with foil.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Add in marshmallows, chips, and vanilla, and stir for 1 minute, or until everything is melted and combined.
  4. Add mixture to foiled baking pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until solid.
  5. Once firm. Remove from pan by lifting foil edges. Cut into one inch pieces.
Notes
Suggestions:

Add ½ cup of nuts.

Substitute other types of chips. (i.e. milk chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, etc.)
3.5.3208

 

I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas full of love, family, and all of your favorite traditional foods!

 

Visit Deborah at her blog, Kentucky to Cali!

 

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Candy Corn Cookies Recipe

If you are a regular reader of Life With Lorelai, you will remember that we put out a Call for Contributors & Guest Posters a while back. Well, I am thrilled to welcome the first of our Regular Contributors today, Deborah Ward, with Candy Corn Cookies. See her brief bio at the end of the post.

 

Deborah is bringing a frightfully delicious recipe to us… Are your taste buds ready?

Candy Corn Cookies

With the change in months comes a change in mindset. Yesterday, my mind was still in summer, but today all I can think about is Halloween and everything fall. And, since a girl (or boy) cannot live on pumpkin spice lattes alone, I decided to bake up some cookies.

For these amazing Candy Corn Cookies I used a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, left out the chocolate chips, and added chocolate candies in candy corn colors in their place. I also decided to jazz them up a little bit by melting down some white chocolate with candy corn colored flecks candy bars and drizzling it on top. The results are out of this world. So delicious their scary. So amazing they’ll haunt your dreams. You get the picture.

Ingredients:

 

1 8oz bag of Orange, Yellow, and White Chocolate Candies

1 bag small size White Chocolate Candy bars (with yellow and orange flecks)

½ cup shortening
½ cup butter

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp baking soda

 

How to:

(Preheat oven to 375 F)

  1. In a large mixing bowl (or bowl of your stand mixer) beat butter and shortening on medium for 30 seconds.
  2. Add half of the flour, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until combined.
  3. Beat in remaining flour.
  4. Divide candies (not bars) in half. Chop up one half and leave the others whole. Add to cookie dough mixture and stir by hand.
  5. Drop dough onto an ungreased cookie pan in 2 inch balls.
  6. Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  7. Cool on wire rack.

Real Life Candy Crush! I used my hand chopper for this task.

Chopping up half of the candy will make the cookies less dense and easier to munch on.

 

For Chocolate Drizzle Topping:

  1. Remove candy bars from their wrappers, break apart, and place in a medium sized microwaveable bowl.
  2. Microwave for 15 seconds on high, then stir. Repeat this process until all of the chocolate are melted.
  3. Dip a large spoon into the chocolate and then wave it back and forth over the cookies.
  4. Allow chocolate to harden.

 

 

Here’s a Printable Version of the Recipe:

5 from 1 reviews
Candy Corn Cookies Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A frightfully delicious Halloween Cookie recipe.
from:
Type: Dessert
Ingredients:
  • 1 8oz bag of Orange, Yellow, and White Chocolate Candies
  • 1 bag small size White Chocolate Candy bars (with yellow and orange flecks)
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ tsp baking soda
Directions:
  1. (Preheat oven to 375 F)
  2. In a large mixing bowl (or bowl of your stand mixer) beat butter and shortening on medium for 30 seconds.
  3. Add half of the flour, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until combined.
  4. Beat in remaining flour.
  5. Divide candies (not bars) in half. Chop up one half and leave the others whole. Add to cookie dough mixture and stir by hand.
  6. Drop dough onto an ungreased cookie pan in 2 inch balls.
  7. Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
  8. Cool on wire rack.
Notes
This recipe is from Life With Lorelai's Regular Contributor, Deborah Ward from the blog, Kentucky to Cali.
3.4.3177

 

Just a warning: Your family will be banging at the kitchen door with their torches and pitchforks, so make extra.

Happy October,

Deborah

 

Visit Deborah at her blog, Kentucky to Cali!

Do you have a favorite Halloween Cookie?

 

 

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