"Acorn"y Little Thanksgiving Idea

After I saw this acorn treat idea on the website, The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I decided my children must make them for their teachers as a treat for the upcoming Thanksgiving break.

Of course, being that I just looked at a picture and didn't read directions, I didn't realize I needed mini Nilla Wafers instead of regular ones. So, ours didn't turn out quite as well. But the 7-year-olds didn't care.

All you need is Hershey's Kisses, Mini Nilla Wafers (or regular-sized), and a butterscotch chip. Some melted chocolate or almond bark or even icing to put it all together, and let the kids go!

We put four in a bag and added a little note that said: "Acorn"y little gift to say: I'm Thankful for You!
Because well, we're just acorny like that!

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Leftover Halloween Candy Treats {Recipe}

Sometimes just sending the leftover Halloween candy into the office to get rid of it doesn't work. People see right through that attempt at getting rid of it. So, I try to repackage it... into Cupcakes, Brownies and this year, Rice Krispies Treats.

What You Need:
6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
1/4 cup (half of a stick) butter
10-oz. bag marshmallows
Various chocolate candy (We used about 25-30 pieces.)

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Halloween Leftovers Treats

If your kids ended up with a serious haul of Halloween Candy like mine did... you need something to do with all of those treats. Click the links below for the recipes.

Leftover Halloween Candy Brownies

Leftover Halloween Candy Cupcakes

Monster Cookies 

(Use leftover candy in place of the chocolate chips and M&Ms.)

... And stay tuned, I have another idea that we're planning to make with the kiddos after school today!

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Easy Monster Cupcakes - 5 Ways

I found some Candy Eyeball Sprinkles at the store this week... so, I had no choice, I had to make some quick Monster Cupcakes for Halloween.

I thought I'd show what you could do with a few different, easy-to-find decorating tips. The tips are labeled in the picture above. I think my favorite is the easiest... Wilton Tip #233 in a messy pile. The center cupcake.
(Click on the picture to see the cupcakes larger and in more detail.)

My kids' teachers and our neighbors will hopefully enjoy their simple little monsters.

Click the Links Below to See:
Easy Monster Cake
Halloween Cupcake Ideas 
How to Make a Cake Mix Taste Homemade
Basic Buttercream Icing Recipe

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Easy Pumpkin Creme Brulee {Recipe}

I love Creme Brulee. It is such a decadent, rich, perfect dessert.
I've long wanted to create a pumpkin creme brulee recipe for fall because it seems like that carmelized sugar yumminess on top is just the right flavor to go with spiced pumpkin.
This recipe did not disappoint.

What You Need:
 2 cups half & half
1 tsp. vanilla extract
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  (OR 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/8 tsp. ground cloves)
2-3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

Yield: Six 1/2 cup custards 

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Pumpkin Cake Pops - Many, many ways

I have done Pumpkin Cake Pops in so many different ways...

Right-Side Up...

And Upside Down...

Colorful & Glittery...

With Sticks...

And Without.

All of them taste amazing thanks to The Best Pumpkin Cake Recipe!

Click the Links Below to See How to Make Each Variety:
Basic Pumpkin Cake Pops
Pumpkin Cake Pops- Upside Down
Glittery & White Pumpkin Cake Pops
Pumpkin Cake Bites (no sticks)
Pumpkin Cake Pop Video

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Apple Cider Doughnuts {Recipe}

The perfect fall breakfast... apple cider doughnuts. And these are actually not terribly unhealthy for you-- if you can look past the sugar coating.

What You Need:
(Yield: about 1 1/2 dozen large donuts, 3-4 dozen small donuts)
2 large eggs (beaten)
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt best)
3/4 cup apple cider
1/2-1 tsp. ground cinnamon (to taste)

For the cinnamon-sugar coating:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
* paper lunch sack & gallon plastic bag

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars {Recipe}

Apples, caramel sauce, cheesecake... what could be better??

What You Need:
For the Crust & Topping:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped, toasted pecans
1 tsp. salt (if using unsalted butter)
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, chilled

For the Filling:
4-6 apples, thinly sliced
1 - 1 1/2 cups caramel sauce*
2- 8 oz. block cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

*Note: You can make your own caramel sauce, or you can buy a jar of caramel ice cream topping, or you can also melt about 6-8 oz. of caramel candies with 1/2 cup evaporated milk on the stove or in the microwave.

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Fall Cake Decorating Classes -- Don't Miss Out!

Courtesy: TwinCities.com

I have a slew of cake decorating classes coming up, all over the Twin Cities. Join me for one!
Click the title of each class to find out registration information for that class.

Creepy Cupcakes

Sunday, October 2 - 2-4pm 

Crystal Community Center

*Parent/Child Class

Halloween Cake Pops

Monday, October 28 - 6-9 pm

Fridley High School

Cake Decorating 101

Mondays November 1 & 8 - 6-9 pm

Maplewood Middle School

*Two sessions for this class

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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Pecans {Recipe}

Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting... nothing beats that!
This recipe has a fluffy cream cheese icing, though, and it is so rich and tasty, it's worth the extra effort.
Top it off with a candied pecan (or a candy corn pumpkin for the kids), and you're set.

What You Need:
For the Cupcakes:
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup melted butter
½ cup apple sauce
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs (at room temperature)
½ cup buttermilk (or soured milk- ½ Tbsp. vinegar + ½ cup milk)
1- 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)

For the Icing:
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1- 8 oz. block of cream cheese

For the Pecans: 
2-3 cups pecan halves (or other nuts)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2-1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
either 1 Tbsp. meringue powder + 3 Tbsp. water OR 1 egg white + 1 Tbsp. water

Yield: About 30-40 standard cupcakes

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Cinnamon Apple Cut-Out Cookies {Recipe}

I like to start the school year off right... that means, for me, that I send in bribes gifts to my boys' teachers. This year, I tried these Cinnamon-Apple flavored cut-out cookies.

What You Need:
For the Cookies:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg (at room temperature)
3 Tbsp. apple juice concentrate (defrosted)

For the icing
1 lb. powdered sugar (approx. 4 cups)
3 Tbsp. meringue powder
1/4 cup water
3 Tbsp. apple juice concentrate
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Back-to-School Treats & Eats

It's hard to believe that in some parts of the country, it's almost time for back-to-school. We still have a good month of summertime ahead of us. But I thought I'd share some of my past back-to-school or teacher ideas for those of you whose summer is coming to an end.

Back-To-School Cookies for the Teacher

Simple ABC & 123 Cookies

Pencil Cookies

Easy Crayon Cookies

Apple Cookies for Teacher

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Apple Cake Pops

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Teacher Appreciation Week

Monday starts Teacher Appreciation Week.
Don't forget to do something nice for the amazing teachers in your life. Below you will find my favorite ideas for teachers.

Teacher Appreciation Cookies

Easy A-B-C 1-2-3 Cookies

Apple Cake Pops

Apple Cookies

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Crayon & Pencil Cookies

Kid-Friendly Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

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