Gingerbread Men Cookies

Only 5 Days Till Christmas!

My little gingerbread men are decked out in peppermint and ready to celebrate this most wondrous holiday!

Wouldn't Santa just love these..I know my Santa would! 

I wanted to try Kim's, aka  The Partiologist, gingerbread recipe.
I'm so glad I did. I love it.

The dough was very easy to work with and even though I've never been a huge fan of gingerbread, this was really good!

On a surface lightly dusted with flour, roll out cookie dough and cut using your favorite cutters.

Bake @ 375 for 5-6 minutes.

When I came across this cutter set at Michael's, I knew exactly how I would use it!

I can find no link online but as of two days ago they still had them in stock.

It's a "Celebrate It" brand 9 piece gingerbread man set.

I wanted it for the sweet little cutters including the scarf, tie, sunglasses etc. 

I already had the hat, heart and mustache cutters from other sets also purchased at Michael's.

Coat each cutter liberally with cooking spray.

Now what goes better with gingerbread than peppermints?

Let's melt some while the cookies are cooling!

It's so easy. Just check out my mittens ornaments or these peppermint stockings!

One of my favorite peppermint crafts was this mini-mug house I made a couple of years ago.

Unwrap candies and place on a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.

Bake @ 325 degrees for 10 minutes or until melted.

Remove pan from oven and immediately and firmly, press cutters into candy.

Let sit for about 4 minutes. Remember as these cutters are metal they will still be fairly warm.

 Just make sure the candy is cut through. Gently pick up the candy to press the piece out of the cutter and lay it back flat on the pan till cooled.

Pretty in peppermint!

I like the way these turned out.

That hat. That tie. Soooo cute!

I used mini chocolate chips for the eyes and attached them along with the peppermint pieces with some canned, ready-made chocolate frosting.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Wishing You All the Merriest of Merry Christmases!

Sweet thoughts, Karen

Grinch Candy Spoons

Grinch Candy Spoons!

Ah! This story gets me every time!

I also made these Grinch lollipops a couple of years ago.

To make the Grinch candy spoons, you will need:
yellow oval sprinkles
black confetti sprinkles
black string licorice
white Sixlets
white sparkling sugar
Bugles
red, green and white candy melts
candy writer pen
not pictured: corn syrup, paintbrush, wax paper, heart sprinkles

 Attach black sprinkles to yellow "eyes" with corn syrup.

I forgot to take photos for making the eyebrows.
Basically I just used my scissors to cut and trim them from the black string licorice. Super easy.

After I saw these adorable bugle Santa hats at Shelly's Cookies & Cups, I knew the Grinch would love to have one of his own! 

Instead of marshmallows, I used Sixlets for the hat tip.

Melt candy melts @ 50% power in 30 second intervals stirring each time until melted and smooth.

Dip Bugle in red melts, attach candy ball and hold a few seconds till set. Lay on wax paper till firm.
Dip bottom end of bugle into white melts, sprinkle on white sugar and let set till completely set.

*i used the tip of a spatula to clear the excess melted candy from hat opening to ensure it would sit atop the Grinch's head.

 Melt green candy melts at 30 second intervals @ 50% power stirring each time until melted and smooth.

Dip spoon into melted candy and clean excess from edges.
Place candy eyes and eyebrows.
I then rested mine on the curve of a fork until candy hardened.

 Time to Grinch up his face.
I gave one Grinch a sweeter face with curved eyebrows and a kind smile.

Using the black candy writer, draw his nose and mouth.

 Feeling Christmasy yet?

Don't forget the Grinch.
I know he's mean and hairy and smelly.
His hands might be cold and clammy,
but I think he's actually kinda...
Sweet!

Merry Christmas!

Comments fill me with cheer!

Sweet thoughts, Karen

National Cookie Day~3 Faves From the Archives

National Cookie Day!

I love cookies.

 I grew up with tons of homemade cookies (thanks Mom!) and I made sure my kids did too. Currently my grandbabies are enjoying that same sweet tradition. Between my daughter and myself, there is no shortage.

As far as pretty cookies go I am not the greatest-by far-decorator. That said I do have a couple that I had a lot of fun with. They both happen to be snowman cookies.

I also have one yummy chocolate chip rendition I'm including for this little round-up!

Just click on the link below each photo for the how-tos and recipes.

Happy Baking!

 Snowballs of Fun Snowman Cookies

3D Snowman Cookies

 Ultimate Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet thoughts, Karen