Free Paper Winter Snow Globe You Can Make

by | Nov 6, 2014

This is a spectacular Winter Snow Globe you can make and display in your home. Then, when you’re finished, just fold it up and put it away. This is also excellent if you want to send it to family and friends.

Just click here for the free templates.

This is definitely what takes paper crafting to the next level. I hope you enjoy this snow globe and will make several for family and friends.

 

Mickey And Friends Fall Recipe Cards

by | Nov 2, 2014

Don’t You Just Love Them!!!

Image is compliments of http://family.disney.com

Minnie, Mickey and Daisy are available to give you a hand in getting your favorite fall recipes in order. You may want to print out dozens on either card stock or plain copy paper. I prefer the card stock, but use what works best to you.

I don’t know about you, but some colorful recipe cards are exactly what I need to get in the mood to bake up batches of cookies, pies and other delicious fall concoctions. When I see these cards in my recipe box, I immediately know to pay attention to them.

These are also great when you’re sharing recipes with family and friends.

Here’s your first recipe Mickey and Mini’s Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

This is what you’re going to need:
  • Dig in the kitchen cupboards and drawers for: mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer, wooden spoon
  • 2 cups of flour — your choice, try out the gluten free variety that seems really popular
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup softened butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg that you’re going to beaten ever so lightly
  • 1 cup cooked pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Goodness, I never thought this list was going to end!

You’re going to need some more stuff to put these delicious whoopie pies together:

  • For you fancy and seasoned bakers out there, you’ll need a Pastry bag with 3/4-inch  opening OR, if you want to do it the easy way, I’d go for a Large Plastic Food Storage Bag and snip out a lower corner, but don’t snip it out now 🙂
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Cream cheese frosting — use your recipe or go for the store bought — or use a frosting of your choice

Let’s get these whoopie pies made, shall we:

  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In a second mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy.
  4. Beat in the egg, pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
  5. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture.
  6. Then spoon the batter into the pastry or plastic food storage bag. Once it’s filled, snip off a corner, if you’re using a plastic food storage bag. You may want to experiment with your snips 🙂
  7. For the Mickey faces, pipe 2.5-inch blobs of batter on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, not too close. Remember, you need two for each whoopie pie. Use a clean fingertip to gently flatten the blobs into uniform circles. You’re going to have to keep your fingertip clean, so a wet paper towel works well or you can dip your fingertip in water — the batter is going to be sticky.
  8. Pipe small ear blobs at the top of each batter face, keeping them as close in size as possible. Again, use a wet fingertip to flatten them.
  9. Pop them in the oven and bake the Mickey pumpkin cakes until they spring back when you press down on the center. This will take 8 to 10 minutes.
  10. Take them out of the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Spoon cream cheese frosting into a pastry bag or get another handy dandy plastic food storage bag and snip off the corner.
  12. Pair up the baked pumpkin cakes, matching the shapes and sizes as best you can.
  13. Working with one pair at a time, turn one of the cakes face down and pipe moderate mounds of frosting on the face and ears.
  14. Top the frosted cake with its match and gently press down to spread the filling and hold the whoopie pie together.

Well, there you have it. And, I would say it is definitely worth it when you see your kids gobble them up. There is definite satisfaction in knowing you made these yourself. The big plus for me is knowing exactly what’s in it.

Enjoy the recipe cards and this great Mickey and Mini Mouse Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe.

Apple Apple Pie Recipe

by | Oct 27, 2014

I absolutely love, love, love apple pie!

I got hooked on using a small scoop to empty out an apple, then seeing what I could put inside.

I liked the idea of having single serving items. Similar to stuffed peppers. It seemed as though those were made just for me. I know it seems silly, but there is something about it that seemed special. Now, with these Apple Apple Pies I am in heaven.

I do love baked apples, but baked apples with a top crust . . . heaven! And what is inside is the stuff of a great apple pie. This is a great treat you can serve any time, but wouldn’t it be something special for Thanksgiving! You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to make this absolutely delicious.

I don’t know about you, but baking an apple pie and cutting into it, then saving the left-overs in the pie tin or on a plate all wrapped up looks kind of sad. These Apple Apple Pies are single serving or you can half them with a friend and the remaining ones are still intact and inviting.

Well, let’s see how to make this delicious apple pie. You’ll need:

  • 4 to 6 Granny Smith Apples that can stand upright on their own. You’re making individual pies here and want them to stand up straight and tall to impress your guests.
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • You can make your own pie crust or buy it already made

Now, let’s put these pie together:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
  2. Wash your apples. Pat dry with a cloth or paper towel.
  3. Cut the tops off the apples and discard.
  4. Carefully get out the seeds and husks or whatever the unappealing stuff that makes up the core of the apple. You want to be careful so you don’t damage the outside of the apple.
  5. You can use a spoon, melon baller or small scoop to dig out the inside of the apple. You’re going to want to chop this up and use it for your pie filling. Now, there is a fine art to this. You need to go slowly and carefully. Or if this is too much for you, dig it out however you choose and then cut up another apple or two to add to the filling. Or buy the canned apple pie filling in the store. There are always alternatives. That can be our secret.
  6. In a bowl, you’re going to put your apple pieces and mix up the sugars and cinnamon. You can make adjustments to the ingredients to taste.
  7. Fill up your hollowed out apples with the apple pie filling.
  8. Roll out your dough. Cut in 1/4 wide strips and make a lattice work pattern over the top of each apple.
  9. Put the apples in a 8″ x 8″ pan. You want to add water to over the bottom of the pan.
  10. Cover with foil and back for about 20 to 25 minutes.
  11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the apple filling is soft and the crust is a nice golden brown.
  12. Let cool before serving. I do like to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but some people may want a hunk of cheddar cheese to go with their apple apple pie. However you decide to serve it, it will be delicious.

There you go! Something different and very eye appealing.