Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Airheads Back To School Cupcakes

I'm so excited to post these cute little cupcakes!

This is my first sponsored post (woo hoo and yippee goes right here)!
Any and all opinions (plus the huge candy stash) are my own.
Yay to finally getting to say these super fun words!

Okay..are you ready to craft with Airheads?

These colorful and tasty bars of candy have been around since 1986. 
But it wasn't until a couple of years ago that I actually tasted them for myself. Yum!
Cherry is my favorite with the white mystery a close second. 

Lucky for me I am using both of these flavors today!

So these little Airheads are going "Back To School"..how brilliant of them.

Airheads Rule!
For some fun, you can follow Airheads and Airheads Xtremes on Facebook. 
I created a couple of crafts using the Airheads Xtremes a while back. 
You can see those by clicking here and here
Wall-to-Wall Airheads!
Bake your favorite cupcakes and ice smooth. I wanted a fun flavor as my cupcake base, so I added one unsweetened Kool-aid packet to my boxed cake mix. Cherry of course!
Items needed to make the "notebook paper" toppers.
~fondant roller
~foodwriters
~circle cutter-I used a 2 inch size
~sharp scissors (I have a pair that I use solely for food items)
~parchment paper
~non-stick spray
~straight edged object-such as a ruler
It takes nearly one full size bar of candy to make one "notebook paper" round. Soften in microwave for five seconds. You might want to do a test run with your own microwave first. 
You do not want to melt the candy, just slightly soften it.

Roll the candy into a ball. I rolled my candy out on a sheet of parchment paper. No sticking! 

Lightly spray your cutter with non-stick spray. Wipe off excess and you can now easily cut your candy. I gathered the leftover candy scraps to see if they could be reused. Yes! Just soften again in the microwave. 

Use a ruler or straight edge to draw lines as pictured above with blue and red food color pens.
Items needed to make candy apples.
~cherry and watermelon airheads
*~fondant tools: dog bone and pick
~chocolate jimmy sprinkles
~scissors

Let's make an apple with cherry Airheads!
While we're at it, let's make some cute little green apples too!

Cut a small piece of candy. Again, soften in microwave for about five seconds. Roll into a small little ball. I used my fondant tools to make an indention and small hole in top of the apple. Press in candy sprinkles for the stem. 

I used my scissors to freehand cut a tiny little green leaf. Just press it into the apple beside the stem.

*If you do not have these fondant tools, try improvising with items found in your utensil drawer.
I used my Wilton Cut-Outs set for the letters. Until I put this post together, I didn't know this set was obsolete. In the updated version, there is just a slight 7/8 in. difference in size.  
Click here for the link to the new set. 

To make the letters, cut a small piece of candy and soften. No need to roll these into a ball. Just flatten with fondant roller. Lightly spray cutter and press firmly into candy. 

I used the rounded handle of a paintbrush to gently press letter out.
You may not need to do this with the newer set.
Place the "notebook paper" toppers on cupcakes.
Place all other candy pieces on topper.
The natural tack of the Airheads will keep the decorations in place.
Got Airheads?
Make sure you keep your decorated cupcakes in a cool place.
The heat will melt these little babies.
Wishing You a Blessed Day From
Sugartown Sweets!

Thanks for stopping by.  :o)

Comments are welcome as are new members to my blog!

~Post Sponsored By Airheads~

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Popcorn Mix Recipe aka Kitchen Sink Snack Mix!


Popcorn Snack Mix aka Kitchen Sink Popcorn Candy Mix!

I used all these fun add-ins for my munchy, crunchy, chewy, chocolaty, marshmallowy, nutty, caramelly, peanut buttery, popcorny..whew..snack mix!

My kiddos gave this treat a 10!
And honestly, when I'm working on a post I don't normally sample..but I couldn't stop myself. And yum!
No exaggeration. No kidding. Whole Foods people!
I used this popcorn

Then dumped in the peanuts..
..and mini marshmallows.
Now for the chocolaty goodness..
When I saw Beth over at Hungry Happenings using Coconut candy melts..I knew I had to have some. She made some super cute and yummy Polka Dot Fudge.

I thought it would be a pretty great popcorn coating. Yes! Melt some.
After mixing well to coat all the goodies (put on some food safe gloves and get your hands in it), pour out onto a parchment line baking sheet and let set.

Here's where you sample some..ya know..just to make sure it's as yummy as I say it is.   ;)

Popcorn Snack Mix Recipe

1 bag 10 oz. bag coconut candy melts (or your favorite flavor)
1 bag microwave popcorn (I used Orville Redenbacher naturals simply salted)
1 cup peanuts
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup Milky Way simply caramel bites
1/2 cup Musketeers bites
1/2 cup Rolo minis
1/2 cup Reese's pieces
1/2 cup Reese's peanut butter cups minis
1/2 cup Raisinets
1/2 cup M&Ms minis

Combine all ingredients (except candy melts) in big bowl.
Melt coconut candy melts in microwave @ 50 percent power for one minute. Stir candy and continue melting at 30 second intervals and stirring till completely melted. Pour over popcorn mix and stir or mix with hands until all ingredients are coated. Pour out onto parchment lined baking sheet till set. Enjoy!
Sweet & Happy Snacking From
Sugartown Sweets..
Where Comments are Encouraged
And New Members are Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Ultimate Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies


Dark Chocolate Chunks, Coconut Oil, Coconut Extract, plus Dried Unsweetened Coconut are what make these cookies Ultimate and just plain Delicious!

I started with my childhood favorite Toll House cookie recipe (thanks for all those yummy cookies Mom!) and adapted it to satisfy my coconut cravings!

I've said this before, and I'm sure I can't be the only one..but I do not like the icky stringy texture of shredded coconut. Just love the flavor!

 Already using several of Bob's Red Mill products at our house, they have made me a shredded coconut lover by drying this beloved fruit. It is now a new staple in our fridge! 

Coconut extract. I sneak a little in a lot of things I make and bake. I love the flavor it adds to my sweets, including these Homemade Caramels!

We're adding Dark Chocolate Chunks (yum!) and Coconut Oil (that's right) to the mix..
I mean, c'mon..you're gonna love these cookies!
After mixing up the dough, refrigerate at least an hour.
I like how pretty the cookie mounds look when I use my cookie scoop.
Bake @ 375 for 9-11 minutes.
I baked my first batch with 2-hour refrigerated dough.
I waited till the next day to bake the second batch. Win!
Karen's Ultimate Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
*adapted from Toll House cookie recipe*

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (i use this sea salt)
1 stick butter (softened)
1/2 cup coconut oil (this is my favorite)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon coconut extract
12 ounce pkg. dark chocolate chips (love Whole Foods 365)
1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut (i found my 12 oz. bag for $4.39 @ Publix)

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
Cream butter, coconut oil, sugar, brown sugar and coconut flavor in mixer bowl.
Add eggs and beat well.
Gradually add flour mixture mixing to combine.
Stir in chocolate chunks and coconut.

Refrigerate cookie dough.
I like it best when chilled at least overnight to 24 hours.

Bake @ 375 9-11 minutes.

Enjoy Your Day..and Your Cookies!

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

Shark Week Lollipops!


"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...."
I made Shark Lollipops!

I was 10 years old back in the summer of 1975 when the first Jaws movie came out. Haha, I remember thinking about that when we made our first trip to the shore the following summer. It must not have affected me too much...I loved the ocean!

In a few short weeks we will be taking our family vacation to the beach with all our kiddos. It will be made even sweeter this year as we have our brand new addition to the family..Miss Lydia has made her debut!

In the meantime, we're watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and I have the perfect snack..
SHARK Lollipops! Now that's something you can sink your teeth into!

Click here for another shark craft!
Walmart has these adorable blue gummy sharks @ less than a dollar a bag. You will also need hard Jolly Ranchers and white candy pearls.
You will also need a baking sheet, parchment paper and lollipops sticks. I like the 8 in. or longer sticks.
Place the Jolly Ranchers on your parchment lined baking sheet. I crushed the green candies in a baggie and placed between the blue to mimic ocean plants.

Immediately upon removing from oven, insert lollipop stick and place candies. Let cool.
I'm going up for some air!
Stay Sweet & Enjoy Shark Week!

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