365 Days of Pinterest Day 29 - Valentines Day Gingerbread Men :)

365 Days of Pinterest Day 29 - Valentines Day Gingerbreadmen :)

I started trying to make these guys in December.  I wanted to send them as a gift to a friend.  Alas I couldn't find a recipe I  liked the taste of, then I just kept messing up the recipe .... So finally after many batches of not so perfect gingerbread men .. I have perfected the art!  ... but its February, so the candy canes are out and Iv added some fun hearts .. hence .. the Valentines Day gingerbread man :)

Yes I did find this recipe on Pinterest .. a Martha Stewart recipe, but the original called for coarse salt which stayed in chunks and didn't taste to great, so I replace it with table salt .. and perfection.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup  molasses

Edible Ingredients for decorating;

       I bought fun toppings from the bulk barn

       I also bought Wiltons Valentines Day mix from Micheals

       ~Conversations hear candies

       ~Heart candies

Frosting;

I tried three methods and found the Wiltons icing in a piping bag with a tip the easiest method.  The pumps in the cans came out too fast to control.  The Cake Mate brand does not dry hard, it stays in a soft frosting consistency, so if you stack them on a plate or mail them to a friend the frosting will smear.

Wilton Icing in the jar or pump.

If you are going to use the jar you will need a icing bag and tip.  I bought mine from Micheals.  

Making the cookie;

Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a medium bowl; set aside.                   

        Mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes; mix in spices and salt. Mix in egg and molasses, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Add flour mixture; mix on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half; pat into two disks. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour.

        Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Now Decorate;

Pipe on your frosting.  In the photo I'm using the Wiltons icing from the jar in a bag.

If you are using the Cake Mate icing from the can you can sprinkle the toppings directly on the cookie. 

 If its the Wiltons iceing you will have to put the toppings in a plate.  

Press your man into the toppings.

next use the iceing like glue to attach the eyes and buttons

Finito!!

Super Cute

365 Days of Pinterest Day 22 - DIY SIDEWALK PAINT :)

Cute Cute Cute 

Day 21 of my 365 days of testing interesting Pinterest Pins and this is one for the family :)  .. Sidewalk Paint!!!  Yup sidewalk paint not sidewalk chalk .. 

why do we do these things?.....

so they will "GET OFF YOUR PHONEEEEE!!!"

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Corn Startch

Water

Food color

Paint brushes .. big ones from the dollar store will do

a cupcake tin

bowl for mixin

Start by mixing one part water and one part corn startch in a big bowl ...

I let my nieces and nephews do this in the backyard .. I think mixing the concoctioin was just as fun if not more fun then actually painting with it ..

mix mix mix

put your 'paint' in a cupcake baking tin

drop in your food color .. do you know that McCormick and Betty Crocker both have neon food coloring!!!!  Perfect!

stir stir stir

 paint away

at first you may think that its not working as it will look a little translucent and lack color .. 

but as it dries ... then the real color comes out 

 .... Pants are optional

.... Dogs are a must

Pretty :)

Verdict .. great pin .. fun and easy, really works well .. very cheap and easy to clean .. 

can we  talk about the 203 year old home we bought now .. next time ..DIY my 200 year old French Provincial home ... cant wait!!!!

sneak peak ... my foyer!!  .... we have not moved in yet and the rest of the home is covered in ceiling to wall wallpaper .. so I may be hesitant to share those photos :)

365 Days Of Pinterest Day 21 - Monkey Bread ~ STICKY GOOEY CINNAMON BUN GOODNESS!!!

Tears in my eyes when I think about how yummy these are!!!!!!! TEARS IN MY EYES!

Day 21 of my 365 days of Pinterest ...this pin was called Monkey Bread .. its basically like cinnamon buns but so so SO much better!!  I can not believe how easy and unbelievably yummy these are!!!  

What You Will Need

•  Refrigerated Biscuit Dough, Cut Into Thirds (I used Pilsbury grands)
•  Butter
•  Sugar
•  Ground Cinnamon
•  Sweetened, Condensed Milk (they call it the nectar of the south .. mmmmm)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Add 1/2 teaspoon butter to muffin tins. Sprinkle in sugar and cinnamon.

Cut refrigerated biscuit dough into thirds. Place three into each muffin tin.

Top with 1/2 teaspoon butter. Sprinkle on more sugar and cinnamon.

Allow dough to rise, if applicable, or just go ahead and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Remove from oven and immediately drizzle plenty of sweetened condensed milk over the top of each one. Eat them all.  Do the 4 min workout Pin from Pinterest hence no need to feel guilty :)

HEAVEN!

so easy so yum!  Verdict; one of my fav recipies ever!

my baby girl putting in her fake spacers (earrings)

Find of the week... cute little green heart bowl ... from the 

dollar store .. whattttttttt!