Festive Candy Bark

This recipe is one of my favorites from Kraft Canada. A great recipe when you are short on time or even to give as a gift.



Ingredients
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted,
divided 6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted 1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S White Chocolate, melted
1/4 cup each red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces

Directions
Sir half the nuts into each bowl of chocolate.

Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet, alternating colours of chocolates. Swirl with knife. Top with chocolate pieces; press gently into chocolate with back of spoon.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

DIY Holiday Centerpiece

image: allureeventcouncelling.com

One of my go-to ways to decorate for the holiday season is to simply take a few clear vases and fill with ornaments, greenery or cranberries. Or fill the bottom of the vase with artificial snow and top with your favorite ball ornaments. Put a few of these filled vases together for a beautiful centerpiece. So pretty and takes only a few minutes to put together for the holidays.







Images: countryliving.com
Clockwise from top left thoughtfullysimple.com, top right potterybarn.com, bottom right potterybarn.com, bottom left thisnext.com

Glitter Reindeer DIY Decoration

{image via livingetc.com}

I am all about reindeer. It all began with that adorable little reindeer named Rudolph. To this day it is my all time favorite Christmas special and I could watch it a thousand times before Santa's big day. To create your own take a simple reindeer figurine or toy and cover with glitter. Wouldn't this little deer be great on a holiday table setting or as a centerpiece, or even on a mantle? So cute!

Drippy Icing Cake

This cake was my first attempt at a drippy icing cake adapted from Andrea Sweetcake's cakes on Flickr. It was a last minute birthday cake and there are a few things I think could use some work but it turned out okay. I love making little gumpaste figures such as bears and other animals and this little kitten was no exception.

DIY Cupcake Stand

Spotted this awesome diy cupcake stand tutorial from cakejournal. An easy way to create a beautiful cake stand that can be decorated according to your theme.

DIY Candy Buffet Lollipop Displays

Saw these awesome DIY Candy Buffet Displays from Hostess with the Mostess. Super cute and pretty simple to include in a baby shower or adapted to fit in with any special event.
For instructions on how to check out the Hostess with the Mostess daily blog.

Chocolate-Marshmallow Pillows

During the Christmas season I am all about the yummy sweets...well, maybe that is year round. Can't help my sweet tooth!



Cookies
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) double chocolate chunk cookie mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 egg
2/3 cup chopped pecans
12 large marshmallows, cut in half
Frosting
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, oil, water, egg and pecans until soft dough forms.
2. On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart.
3. Bake 7 minutes. Remove from oven; immediately press marshmallow half lightly, cut side down, on top of cookie. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or just until marshmallows begin to soften. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in 1-quart nonstick saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Add whipping cream, butter and vanilla; blend well. Stir in powdered sugar until smooth.
5. Spread frosting over each cooled cookie, covering marshmallow. Let stand until frosting is set.