Chocolate
Dipped Spoons
Stir a little chocolate sweetness into a mug of coffee, espresso
or hot chocolate.
Plastic spoons
6 ounces white dipping chocolate
6 ounces dark dipping chocolate
- Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper.
- Put the white and dark chocolate in separate bowls and
melt each type of chocolate in the microwave. Microwave
at half power for 1 minute.
- Stir thoroughly. Continue to
microwave and stir at 15-second intervals until smooth and
completely melted.
- Dip a spoon into the bowl, covering both sides completely.
Place the spoon on the cookie sheet & rest the spoons
handle on the cookie sheet edge.
- Make some spoons using white chocolate and others using
dark chocolate.
- Drizzle a contrasting chocolate color over each spoon.
- Refrigerate until chocolate is completely hardened.
- Wrap each spoon in cellophane, and bind it around with
a piece of seam binding, or ribbon.
Home Made Dog
Treats
Fido will love chomping on these tasty & healthy dog treats!
- Preheat the oven to 275°.
- In a large bowl: combine the flour, oatmeal, wheat germ,
peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey, baking powder and water.
- Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Roll the dough out to a ½-inch thick on a lightly
floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on baking
sheets.
- In a small bowl, mix together the egg and milk. Brush
the glaze on the biscuits.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pans, and bake for an
additional 20 - 30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and
firm.
Hot
Cocoa Mix
Everyone will love sipping on this rich hot chocolate!
For a hot cocoa twist, try different flavored coffee creamer.
5 cups powdered milk
2 cups powdered coffee creamer
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, sifted*
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
miniature marshmallows, optional
- With a wire whisk, thoroughly mix dry ingredients together.Stir
in marshmallows. Divide mix into containers.
- Attach instructions to jar: To use, fill mug one third
full
of cocoa mix and then stir in hot water.
* For a richer, darker cocoa mix, use Dutch cocoa.
Yields: 11 cups cocoa mix
Cookie
Mix in a Jar
Give the sweetest gift of all... cookies!
Cookie Mix Recipe: Chocolate Graham Cookies (Cookie Mix
in a Jar)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 package M&M® mini-baking bits
(either milk chocolate or semi-sweet)
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
canning jar
Combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon in a bowl and set
aside. Evenly layer the ingredients in a 1-quart mason jar
making sure to pack each layer down as you go.
Layer the ingredients in the following order, bottom to top:
- brown sugar
- granulated sugar
- flour mixture
- graham cracker crumbs
- M&M's®
Wipe the lip of the jar and secure the lid on tightly. Attach
the following instructions:
Baking Instructions
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) of unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, egg, milk and
vanilla at high speed. Stir in the contents of the jar,
until combined.
Drop by heaping Tablespoonfuls about 2 inches
apart. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until set (do not overbake).
Enjoy!
Food
Gift Decoration Ideas
Any way you wrap it, your recipient will be appreciative!
To decorate a:
Bag - It is easy to dress up a paper or cellophane
bag. Line the bag with tissue paper. Use a hole punch, craft
knife or scissors to poke holes or make slits in the bag;
lace ribbon, string, buttons and/or decorative objects (sprigs
of juniper, boxwood, greenery, jingle bells through the bags.
Bottle - Tie ribbons, raffia or twine around the neck
of each bottle. Attach a homemade gift tag or small ornament.
Dish - Check discount stores and flea markets for
unique plates, serving bowls, platters or tins. Stack the
baked goods in a bowl, oversized mug, or canister and then
wrap in cellophane and with a decorative bow.
Gift Tag - Personalize your gift tags! Start with
scrapbook paper, cardboard, cookie cutters, felt, wood or
premade tags. Then add your own special touches with glitter,
ribbon, beads, stickers, puffy paint, or markers.
Save your
holiday cards and turn them into next years gift tags - just
cut out the design or desired shape, thread and label it.
Jar - Cut a circle of fabric, tissue or wrapping paper
3" to 4" larger than the jar lid. Hold the circle
in place with a rubber band and then tie a ribbon over the
rubber band. ©2002 Faith Heinauer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR-
Faith
Heinauer is a caterer, cookbook author, columnist, and
the creative force behind her website, http://www.breakeggs.com
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