Dessert

Valentine’s Day Popcorn Pops

2 · Jan 16, 2014 · 4 Comments

Hello Whipperberry friends! Jenn here again from Clean and Scentsible. It seems like Christmas was just yesterday but Valentine's Day will be here before you know it! Today I'm sharing these fun Valentine's Day popcorn pops with you – they're a quick and easy way to spread a little love!

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn {this is approximately 5 tbsp. of unpopped kernals}
3 cups mini marshmallows
2 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
red food coloring
3/4 -1 cup Smarties {these are the Canadian Smarties which are similar to M&Ms in the States!}

Directions

Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl {I actually ended up using 2 bowls so I had more mixing space}
Heat the marshmallows, butter, and salt in a large heavy saucepan over medium to low heat stirring continuously until the marshmallows are melted. Add food coloring by drops to make your desired pink color. I just wanted mine a faint pink so I only used about 5-6 drops.
Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn gradually, mixing it well. You can use a greased spoon to do this but I found that it was easiest to grease my hands with butter to mix. {The butter should help to protect your hands from the heat but make sure it is not too hot!} Add the candy.
Shape into balls or use a heart shaped cookie cutter if you would like to do hearts. If you are using the cookie cutter, grease the inner borders and press the popcorn inside the cookie cutter until your shape is formed. Press popcorn firmly together once the cookie cutter is removed to hold.
Insert sucker sticks. For mine I used the basic sucker stick and then added a paper straw over top of it to give it extra strength.
Wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Makes approximately 8 {3 inch diameter} balls.

There are lots of fun ways that you could package them up – add some baker's twine, tie them up in a cellophane bag, or add a cupcake liner and some washi tape! Feel free to get creative – I always find that the packaging is the best part! 🙂

If you would like any of the printables, just head over to Clean and Scentsible for a free download!

If you are looking for other Valentine's Day ideas, you might also like…

Photo Handprint Card / Valentine's Day Teacher Gift / Quick and Easy Valentine's Day Breakfast

I would also love to have you join me on my Household Organization Diet – a year long project to get organized once and for all!

You can always connect with Clean and Scentsible here: FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER

Thanks so much to Heather for having me! I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! 🙂

Three Santa Approved Cookie Recipes and a For Santa Printable Sign

1 · Dec 22, 2013 · 2 Comments

This post brought to you by Pillsbury // It’s almost time my friends… We’ve worked on making goodies for our family and friends and now it’s time to make some cookies for the big guy himself! While you’re planning your cookie-baking day with the kiddos — and maybe even coordinating fun touches like classic bistro aprons for front-of-house teams to bring a cheerful, coordinated vibe to your holiday hosting — we’ve got THREE Santa-approved cookie recipes for you.

The kiddos and I have come up with three Santa Approved cookie recipes that are for sure going to be a hit with the big guy and anyone else who has a chance to give them a try. They are so easy to make, they will be a perfect way to bake with the little ones in your life.

On the top left spot we have a fabulous Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie. Top right, we have a Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookie and in the bottom spot, a bit of Egg Nog heaven… Little Egg Nog Bites. Each one of these cookies are high on Santa’s favorite flavors list, so… They should be a big hit! Here are the recipes and a bonus printable For Santa printable sign!

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie Recipe

1 box of Pillsbury Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Mix

1 stick of softened butter

1 egg

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 container Creamy Supreme® Peppermint Frosting

1 container Holiday Funfetti® Rudolph Red Vanilla

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, mix the Peppermint Cookie Mix according to package directions. Add chocolate chips and 1/2 of the peppermint candy bits and combine. Scoop into 2 inch size balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in a 350˚ oven for 11 minutes. Remove from oven let cool on pan for one minute and then transfer to a cooling rack.

Once they are completely cool they are ready to decorate. Place the Peppermint Frosting in the microwave for 30 seconds and pour into a Ziploc bag. Cut a SMALL hole in the corner of the bag and drizzle the frosting over the cookies. Repeat with the red frosting. Sprinkle with the remaining peppermint candy bits. Yields 12-14 cookies.

Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe

1 box of Pillsbury Dark Chocolate Cake Mix

1/4 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

In a large bowl combine cake mix, oil, eggs & chocolate chips. Scoop into 2 inch size ball and roll in powdered sugar.

Cover with the powdered sugar and place on a baking sheet.

Bake at 350˚ for 11 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet and then place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Yields 14-16 cookies.

Little Egg Nog Bites Recipe

1 box of Pillsbury Traditional Sugar Cookie Mix

1 stick of softened butter

1 egg

2 teaspoons rum extract

1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg

2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

1 cup sugar

Directions

In a large bowl combine cookie mix, butter, egg, rum extract, 1/4 a teaspoon of nutmeg and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine the sugar and remaining nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice, mix well.

Roll cookie dough into 1 inch size balls and roll in spiced sugar mixture. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in a 350˚ oven for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for one minute then transfer to cooking rack to cool completely. Yields 24-30 small cookies.

Free “For Santa” Printable Sign

Now, you need to have a nice sign to label Santa’s cookies! I have created a simple one for you to use. All you need to do is click on this link and down load the PDF file. The directions are on the printable sheet.

For Santa Printable Sign

Now, you should be all set… You have three different fabulous and easy cookie recipes and a printable sign for Santa. You will for sure be on his Nice List this year!!

Disclaimer // I am on the Pillsbury Celebrations Starter crew and have received product and compensation for this post. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are 100% my own. ©/® The J.M. Smucker Company. Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, used under license.

Caramel Popcorn Chocolate Bark Recipe

0 · Dec 19, 2013 · 2 Comments

Hello Whipperberry readers! Jenn here again from Clean and Scentsible! With only SIX days left until Christmas, I thought that you might be able to use a quick and easy Christmas treat! This caramel popcorn chocolate bark recipe is SO yummy and would make a great neighbor or hostess gift too!

Ingredients

600 grams milk chocolate
3 cups Crunch N Munch or other caramel popcorn
1/2 cup sliced almonds
chocolate M&Ms

Directions

Line a baking sheet with parchment or non stick aluminum foil.
Place sliced almonds on a baking sheet and bake at 350 F. Stir every 2 minutes until golden brown.
Break the chocolate up into smaller pieces and place in a microwave-safe bowl.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave on 50% power. Start with 60 seconds, stir, and then continue to microwave in 30 second intervals until melted {stirring well between each interval}. Do not overheat the chocolate!
Pour the melted chocolate onto the baking sheet and spread with a spatula.
Place the popcorn into a ziploc bag and crush the popcorn into smaller pieces. Sprinkle over top of the chocolate.
Add the toasted almonds and M&Ms. Press lightly into the chocolate. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for approximately one hour and then break up the chocolate into pieces.

If you are looking to make this for a gift, head on over to Clean and Scentsible for this cute paper treat box tutorial {and free Christmas tag printable!} All you need is a couple of pieces of scrapbook paper!

I hope you get a chance to stop on by to see some of my other Christmas ideas as well!

Christmas Mantel / Lego Snowglobes / Fun Christmas Breakfast Ideas

You can also always connect with me here: FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas season filled with love, family, and happiness! Thanks, as always, to Heather for having me! Merry Christmas!

Minty Muddy Chex Party Mix // A Fun Holiday Goodie

2 · Dec 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Ahhhh, I love this time of the year! Everyone is starting to focus more on family and getting ready for the holidays. I know in our house with the weather cooling down we are also slowing down and doing more things together like watching movies and playing games together. With all that… We are constantly on the look out for good snacks. One of our all time favorite is the iconic Chex® Party Mix. You can never go wrong when you are snacking on Chex® Party Mix!

Let's start with the cereal it's self… They have EIGHT different flavors! Seven of them are gluten free (Wheat Chex® cereal is not. For more Nutritional information please visit this site and make sure you read each label.) They have everything from Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® and even some super fancy ones like Chocolate, Vanilla and even Apple Cinnamon Chex® Cereal. All of them are like blank canvases when it comes to making Chex® Party Mix. Seriously… The sky is the limit. Don't believe me, check out the Chex® Party Mix Recipe site and you'll see all kinds of fun ideas. The nice thing about the party mix is that, yes… you get to have some of those scrumptious treats that we all crave but, you also get a nice helping of some good whole grains from the Chex® Cereal. Win / win!

The kiddos and I decided to create our own salty & sweet Chex® Party Mix recipe to have around the house. We call it Minty Muddy Chex® Mix and it's a fun flavor combination of sweet chocolate, Jiff's Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Spread, Peanut butter pretzels and salty Corn Chex® Cereal. It's sweet and nutty all at the same time. The bonus… It only takes 15 minutes to make!

Minty Muddy Chex® Party Mix Ingredients

8 cups Corn Chex® cereal

2 cups Vanilla Chex® cereal

1 cup butter

1 cup Jiff's Whipped Peanut Butter Chocolate Mint Spread

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 vanilla

1/2 cup powdered sugar

salt

1 cup mini M&M's

2 cups Rold Gold peanut butter pretzels

Minty Muddy Chex® Party Mix Directions

Start with a small microwave safe bowl. Add a 1/2 a stick of butter, the chocolate chips and the Jiff Whipped Peanut Butter Chocolate Mint Spread. Microwave in 30 second segments until the mixture has melted and is nice and smooth. Remove from Microwave and stir in vanilla. Place 3 cups of Corn Chex® into a large bowl and drizzle chocolate mixture on top. Carefully fold the chocolate mixture into the Corn Chex® Cereal. Place the chocolate covered cereal into a large Ziplock bag and add powdered sugar into the bag. Seal bag and shake the bag until the chocolate covered cereal is covered with the powdered sugar. Pour out onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Place in the refrigerator to set.

In another small microwave safe bowl or measuring cup, add the remaining butter. Place in Microwave for 45-60 seconds or until melted. Add the remaining Corn Chex® cereal into a large microwave safe bowl and drizzle the butter over the top. Add a generous amount of salt to the bowl and gently fold in the butter and salt into the cereal. Once the mixture is mixed well, place in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the microwave and place in the refrigerator to cool for a few minutes.

Once your salty and sweet mixture is cool and set, place into a large bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

Now, this snack is fabulous to share with family and friends during all of your favorite activities. This year I am going to make up several large batches and then bag them up as a fun holiday treat to share with neighbors, friends, co-workers, the mailman… anyone really!

This post brought to you by Chex® cereal. I have been compensated and given free product for my time & commitment, but all opinions are 100% mine

Dessert

Ingredients

Directions

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie Recipe

Directions

Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe

Directions

Little Egg Nog Bites Recipe

Directions

Free “For Santa” Printable Sign

Ingredients

Directions

Minty Muddy Chex® Party Mix Ingredients

Minty Muddy Chex® Party Mix Directions

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