Firecracker Brownie Bombs!

Firecrackers for the Fourth of July?

Yes! And let's make 'em edible!

How can we possibly make the already yummy Ghirardelli brownie mix even more delish? Stuff 'em with Milky Way bars. Um, yeah!

Before we tuck into our family cookouts, BBQ picnics, baseball games and fireworks, let us remember to give thanks for all the men that were willing to fight for the freedoms we enjoy in this wonderful land of America. This wonderful land that we call Home!

 Cross section of this fabulous firecracker brownie!

Yes, those are chocolate chips AND Milky Ways!

 Make your brownies according to directions on box.

I usually sub buttermilk for the water, but I was out and they were still good!

I also add vanilla. I'm using vanilla powder. 

 Decorations for my brownies include, sprinkles, licorice ropes and dipping chocolate.

Spray brownie pop pan liberally.

I bought two pans as my Ghirardelli mix will make 18 brownies. 

Scoop small amount of batter into prepared pan.

Top with mini Milky Way bars.

Fill each well with additional brownie batter.

I baked my brownies at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Make sure to let your brownies cool completely before removing from pan.

I did not and as you can see they were still a bit too soft.

 Dip, drench and cover in melted Ghirardelli chocolate.

I used a lollipop stick to make the indention for the candy "wick" and decorated with sprinkles.

Now let the festivities begin! 

POP goes the Firecrackers!

May you all be Blessed with a wonderful Fourth of July!

Sweet thoughts, Karen 😊

Airplane Marshmallow Pops

Summertime-Vacation Time-Play Time!

Any way you say it, it's just plain fun time!

And speaking of planes, here's a fun edible craft to get you all ready for take-off!

I used regular and mini marshmallows, blue candy melts, gray fondant, silver pearl dust, blue lollipop sticks and an airplane cookie cutter.

Pop three marshmallows on each lollipop.

Melt candy melts according to directions on package and dip each pop into melted candy. 

I just💗this blue!!

Lay marshmallow pops on parchment paper till set.

Roll out fondant, coat cookie cutter in powdered sugar and press into fondant.

I tried to find a smaller airplane cutter, but alas I got stuck with my big bird..hahaha!

In the end, I decided to trim a little off the nose and wings and while still too large for my liking, I just rolled with it.

 To achieve that slight curve to my planes, I let them rest on a flower former. You could use an empty paper towel roll just as well.

Oops! Let's dust those planes with some pearl dust first.

There! That's better. All shined up and ready to fly! 

Hmm...then I thought my plane was too plain😉, so I added a nose piece. And a heart, cause I 💖 hearts!

Now for those fluffy clouds which I made by flattening the mini marshmallows. Sweet little puffs of soft candy!

I hope you all have a great summer and enjoy your vacation time!

My awesome hubby and I will be celebrating our 26th anniversary in a few days with a trip to Italy.

I am beyond excited and hope to share some of my photos with you all when we return!

Have a sweet day, Karen 😊

National Chocolate Chip Day Archive Recipes

Happy National Chocolate Chip Day!

Let's celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day! 'Cause of course we're all celebrating, right? I'm sharing two of my favorite chocolate chip cookies recipes.

The first one up just does it for me. I mean, coconut AND chocolate?!! Woohoo!

Click here for my recipe!

The other one is this scrumptious recipe from David Leite. It's "oh my goodness", good!

Click here for that recipe.

Hope you all have an awesome, chocolate chip kinda day!

Happy celebrating, Karen

Happy Easter Peeps

Hello, Peeps!

Today we have a no bake, no fuss, no kidding, Peeps treat!

I was in Publix a couple of weeks ago when these beautiful, green, Hostess Sno Balls caught my eye!

They would be so adorable topped with Peeps-and so, I did!

I will tell you the only thing hard about making these was not being able to take a sample bite. And they smelled SO good! You see, I am kinda on a sweets fast. Yep. Day #16 of 60! I can do it!

But, if you're not on a sugar strike, (what was I thinking) lucky you, cause I'm pretty sure you're gonna think these taste amazing!

Pictured, are the items you'll need.

Now, let's make the green frosting for the grass. Just squeeze a few drops of food coloring in the frosting and stir.

Next time, I will use regular frosting instead of the marshmallow. It was a little too stringy for piping grass.

How sweet is this little Peeper?!

Attach candy eyes to the Peeps with tiny dabs of frosting. 

Insert toothpick and press into cupcake.

Pipe grass and place candies.

I think the kids are going to 💙 these!

Just hanging with my Peeps!

That's all folks!

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!

Making life sweet, Karen 😊

Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies

So I never thought I would say these words→I killed my KitchenAid!

The old white workhorse had become a much loved and necessary countertop apparatus.

 Arriving on a distant Christmas morning back in '97, she was gifted to me by my sweet hubby. She was beautiful and I could hardly wait to see what she could do! And just as I suspected, she could do anything!

Inspired by our MeMaw (who had passed just two months before), my sister and I began taking the first of four cake decorating courses. Bringing royal icing to our classes was a requirement and it only took making one batch to realize a stand mixer was a must-have.

I loved my first one, but like I said, I killed it. Killed it trying to make my first ever batch of cinnamon rolls. Still scared to try them again just yet..saving that for another day.

 So I walk into the shop the other day and my honey surprises me with a brand new KA! It's bigger, better, stronger and..RED!

What to make? Well, with a pantry brimming with cookie mix-ins and my Mom's fave candy being Butterfingers, I went with Butterfinger cookies. So easy, I just added a bag of Butterfinger chips to my classic Peanut Butter Cookie recipe. I also made a ganache to dip the cookies in and sprinkled with additional chips. These cookies are a winner!

Oh my but don't these look good?!

Beginning with a classic peanut butter cookie dough, we'll add to it a bag of Butterfinger chips.

I used two bags of Butterfinger bits. One for the cookie recipe and one for sprinkling on the finished dipped cookies.

This recipe will make 52 cookies. Umm..53 if you count the yummy cookie dough bite I had to sample! 😉

Out with the old ..to make room for the new.

The first stick of butter. Am I too sentimental?

Creaming, mixing, stirring, adding.

I'm loving the horsepower. Does a mixer even have horsepower?

Since I'm using Butterfingers, I'm shaping them like Butterfingers. Well, kinda anyways.

Bake cookies and cool.

Ghirardelli chips and heavy cream equals ganache!

Heat cream just to a boil, pour over your bowl full of chocolate, let sit a couple of minutes to melt, stir till smooth, lick the spoon!

Let's dip these beauties...mmmmm!

Sprinkle with Butterfinger bits.

Let sit till chocolate sets.

Recipe yields 52-53 dipped cookies!

I have to say, I think next time I'll try making the ganache with semi-sweet chocolate, although my taste-testers liked these just the way they were!

Thanks for stopping by Sugartown Sweets.

Have a sweet day, Karen 😋