Candy "Bar"

I have been spending the weekend gathering ideas for an upcoming bridal shower and found these pictures of the candy bar at the baby shower we threw for my nephew's parents. We went with an "It's a Boy" theme in blue.

After gathering all the blue candy we could find (including $40 worth of Berry Blue Jelly Bellies, don't ask) we made treat bags by stamping little brown bags with a boy stamp in blue ink. Yeah, that's the same "boy" from the bathroom sign but it didn't stop anyone from filling their bags.)

Happy Valentine's Day

I received an email from my husband's friend who wanted a special Valentine gift for his wife. He told me she loves peanut butter cups so they were my inspiration. I immediately thought of peanut butter and chocolate cake balls. The cake is German chocolate with crushed peanut butter cups baked inside, the icing is chocolate, also with crushed peanut butter cups and the coating is peanut butter flavored candy melts. I used a fondant cutter to make the cut-outs and heart impressions in the peanut butter cups. To my delight, the recipient loved her gift. Happy Valentine's Day all.

Valentine Inspiration

Sugar Cookies

A very Happy Birthday to my boss who is also a shoe lover like myself. I made the presentation extra special by packaging them in a parchment lined shoe box.

I used Paula Deen's recipe for these cookies as well as the sugar cookies I made for Christmas.

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract ( I used 1/2 tsp)
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and almond extract until combined.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to sugar mixture, beating until smooth. Wrap dough in heavy-duty plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with assorted snowflake cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Chill dough 15 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes ( I baked mine 8 minutes), or until edges are very lightly browned. Let cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.