Sugar Scrubs

This was the best $3.99 I spent this holiday season.  I made 6 of the 24 recipes and gave them to my kids teachers for Christmas gifts and to my female relatives on Christmas.  The recipes were super easy to follow and everyone LOVED them!  I can't wait to make more of the summery flavors when the weather gets warmer.
At Michael's, I found glass jars for $1.00.  I used Avery labels 8163 to print the titles for the jars.  I think I was able to make most of these for under $3.00 each.  On Amazon, I found these adorable wooden spoons that I tied to each jar to help scoop out the sugar scrub.  It made the jars look so cute!  http://www.amazon.com/BambooImportsMN-Small-Bamboo-Spice-Spoons/dp/B004FW32BI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334466407&sr=8-3
I also bought some small jars and a basket that held 6 of the small jars and made some gifts with all 6 flavors of scrub in them.  These are going to make great birthday gifts this year!!!




Here is the original pin:

Source: tatertotsandjello.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Reese peanutbutter cup cookies

These are going to be a new staple in my Christmas cookie platters!  So easy to make and super yummy.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball, smaller side down. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Here is the original pin:

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Halloween Party

This is the first time I really used pins.  Last year I started hosting a small Halloween gathering before we walked around our neighborhood trick-or-treating.  This year the party grew in size.  When I saw these pins I knew exactly what I needed to make!

Here are the pins:

Source: tasteofhome.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: divinedinnerparty.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Source: hostessblog.com via Kristen on Pinterest

S'more Bars

These are outstanding!  I will definitely making them again.  And the author gave a tip to make these in a disposable pan.  I highly recommend this tip.  It made it so easy to cut and serve.

S'More Bars:
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt (optional)
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (approximately 5 full graham crackers)
1 tsp baking powder
2 or 3 super-sized (5 oz.) chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (or mini marshmallows if you must!)


Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom of  pan.

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt.

Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. 

Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. Two 5 oz. Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly [for 8 by 8] side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer. [use 3 Hershey's for 12 by 8 pan]

Spread marshmallow fluff evenly over the chocolate layer.

Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the creme. This is most easily done by putting the second half of the dough in a gallon size freezer bag. Use your palms or rolling pin to flatten it out, and then use scissors to cut down both long sides of the bag, so it will open up book-style. Open it up carefully, and the dough will stick on one side of the bag. Then place the bag, dough side down, on the other three layers. From there peel the bag up and carefully spread the dough where it is uneven.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely or almost completely for the melty factor before cutting into bars. 

Here is the original pin:

Source: theaprongal.com via Kristen on Pinterest