Marshmallow Christmas Ornaments!

It's time to make the Christmas Ornaments!

..and shop, and bake, and decorate...

So I wanted to create something cute & fun, but it also had to be easy. I love easy :o)

Mini candy canes, mini marshmallows, regular size marshmallows, white dipping chocolate & sprinkles are all you need.

 I use Ghirardelli dipping chocolate, but candy melts (in any color or flavor) would also work just as well.

 My marshmallows today are strawberry...yum!

 I've always enjoyed playing with my food..especially candy.

 Turn the regular size marshmallow on its side, then place the mini on top. Slowly press the tip of the candy cane into the mini and through almost to the bottom of the larger marshmallow.

And there you have it..so cute already!

 getting ready to dip...

There are no pictures of the candy being dipped! I 
was really into the process and FORGOT :o)
As I dip each ornament, I give it a few seconds to make sure the chocolate is finished dripping. Then gently place it on a wax lined pan to set.

I LOVE these Wilton sprinkles!

I crushed up a candy cane to decorate this one.

Triple Sweet!

This would be fun with the kids too..

I took a LOT of pictures..

I really did!

Maybe too many?

Do you all take lots of pics too? ..or is it just me?!

These would also be cute as party table place cards.
 Just pipe a name or initial on the dipped marshmallow.

Or as a cute small gift, place an ornament in a small cello bag and tie with a pretty ribbon.

Christmas is only two weeks away, but you still have plenty of time to make these :o)

Wishing you Christmas Joy 

and Happy Creating

from

Sugartown Sweets!

Reese's Christmas Tree Farm!

Reese's Christmas Trees!
I've had Christmas Trees on my mind a lot lately!  

Not only have we been on the "Great Christmas Tree Hunt of 2011", but

Friday was my mother-in-law's birthday. It hit me in the morning...I'd forgotten her one request of Reese's brownies.

I know, I know, they've been done to death..but she LOVES them!

S0, I left work early (I've got a very lenient boss who also happens to be my hubby) to make a quick stop at the store and start baking.

I decided to not only bake each cupcake with a Reese's cup, but to also place one on top.

*Ding*  That's when the idea popped into my head to decorate those trees!

Now for the basics. Several years ago I purchased one of the "Cake Mix Doctor" cookbooks.

I love tips and I found two that I've used ever since. 

Whatever brownie mix you use, substitute buttermilk for the water and add vanilla.

 Add the oil and eggs as usual.

 Now for the buttermilk...

.

 and a little vanilla. I used 1 tablespoon.

 I so love visiting the cake decorating aisle of EVERY store !

 Here comes the fun part....

 Reese's! I may have eaten a couple..

 Press one candy into the center of the batter..

 ready to bake @ 350 for 20 minutes. Let cool.
Pipe a little icing onto the cupcake to set the candy tree into.

 We have regular and white chocolate covered trees!

 As my time was very limited, I picked up a couple of tubes of Cake-Mate ready to use decorator icing. 

 This little guy could have used a little more icing at the bottom!
Just buy a few different sprinkles and colored sugars to experiment with. So much FUN!

And this little guy was my favorite :o)

Hope you're all enjoying this wonderful Christmas season!

Happy Baking from Sugartown Sweets!

Hot Chocolate on a Spoon!

 My very favorite time of year is HERE!! 

My husband and I were in Gatlinburg over Thanksgiving weekend. I saw something cute in a store and decided to try it at home...only I wanted to "up the cute factor"! 

Dipping chocolate, mini marshmallows, festive colored plastic spoons and food writer pens is all you need.

I got mine @ a cake decorating shop, but Walmart sells "Betty Crocker Easy Writers".

Mmmmmelting..........

 Just get a big ol' dip of chocolate..

hold the spoon level like this for several seconds. This lets the chocolate set up a bit..then you can place your marshmallows on top.

This is how I saw it in the store. (Nancy's Candy Co.) was the name on the tag. I thought they were so cute. But I thought, this can be so much cuter! 

 That's when I broke out my "food writer pens"!
Food Writers equals instant cuteness :o)
Just place your finished spoons on a wax paper lined cookie sheet .

I love it! 

Sweet~Sweet~Sweet!

There are so many possibilities. You could use any Christmas themed marshmallows. I think the gingerbread men are adorable.

But today, I only have the mini marshes.

Tie these up with ribbon in a cello bag and you have an easy, quick & sweet gift on hand as you need them!

Look at these sweet little guys :o)

All you need is a mug of hot milk..now just stir with your spoon till it melts down into wonderfulness!

Merry Christmas and Happy Baking from

Sugartown Sweets!

Best Ever Banana Bread!

Yummy, Homemade Banana Bread!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody! I sure do have a lot to be thankful for in 2011. Tomorrow my house will be filled with family, food and LOVE! 

For nearly 20 years, I've been baking a Banana Bread for Thanksgiving dinner. I've been cleaning my house(for days) and grocery shopping(with a list). So...how did I happen to be "sugar short"? My recipe calls for a cup and a half (groan), and I have only 3/4 of a cup!! Well, after a minor melt-down...I decided to try subbing the remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup light brown sugar. IT WORKED!!

 Here is the delicious revised Banana Bread.

This is what you want your bananas to look like.

Here we go..mixing the flour with the granulated and light brown sugar!

Canola oil...

Eggs..

 Love the Moist-iness that the yummy buttermilk adds to the bread...

When my bananas reach the perfect ripeness, I put them in the refrigerator till I'm ready to bake. 

 Whoo hoo! Looks like baby food!

I usually dust with sugar instead of flour when I grease my cake pans. But, since I'm "sugar short".....

 Ready to bake.

Roasted Pecan Clusters

These are Amazing! I found this recipe in a Southern Living cookbook many years ago and they were an instant family favorite. I make several batches throughout the year, but especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You're gonna love 'em!
These are Super Simple & Super Delicious!

Dr. Seuss Cupcakes!

Green Eggs & Ham Cupcakes! My grandson wanted a Dr. Seuss birthday party...so I got busy in the kitchen :o)

 Just make your favorite cupcakes. I went the easy route with Pillsbury cake mix.

 This is my first time working with fondant. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I used a package of white and a package of  bright colors. 

 I pinched off what I needed, then covered the rest so it wouldn't dry out. Sooo much fun!

 Sprinkle cornstarch on your rolling/cutting surface. I love the Wilton fondant roller.

 Here we go....

 Ice your cupcake...

 Then with a cookie cutter sized to match the top of the cupcake, cut out a fondant circle. Place the fondant circle in your palm, turn the cupcake over and gently press.

 Now just smooth the fondant with your palm. I then used a slightly damp paper towel to dust off the cornstarch. 

 Yay! We did it!

 For the egg I rolled an uneven ball of white fondant smooth. Then I rolled a smaller uneven ball smooth right on top of the "egg". Use your round cookie cutter making sure the "yolk" is in the center when you cut it. 

These turned out cute...and even better, they were so easy!

Having a GREAT time in Sugartown Sweets kitchen!

My 2nd Post! Pretty in Pink Birthday Cookies

I knew I wanted to make something special for my sister-in-law's birthday this weekend. Bakerella  and Bake at 350 are two of my favorite blogs. Well, when I saw these adorable Posie Cake cookies on "Bake at 350", I knew I had to try them! With the pretty colors and simple lines, to me, they are the perfect cookie! :o)