14 Last Minute Foods to Dip and Sprinkle for Valentine's Day

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Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, but you still have time to make one or two of these 14 Last Minute Foods to Dip and Sprinkle for Valentine's Day! They don't take very long, and after only a few minutes in the fridge for the chocolate to set up, they are ready for gift giving!

Chocolate Dipped Mini Pretzel Sticks

Chocolate Dipped Mini 'Nilla Wafers

Chocolate Dipped Cashews

Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats

Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Graham Crackers

Chocolate Dipped Graham Crackers

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Cutouts

Chocolate Dipped Fortune Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Ridged Potato Chips

Chocolate Dipped Red Velvet Oreos

Chocolate Dipped Lemon Biscotti Bites

Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Wafer Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Frozen Bananas

Chocolate Dipped Popped Corn Chips

There are so many ways to wrap these treats up as a little "thinking of you" gift. 

Here are a few:

Three of these chocolate dipped treats placed in a colorful tin or a cute box make the perfect little gift for someone special. 

Place chocolate dipped Red Velvet Oreo's or Vanilla Wafer Cookies in a stack and put them in a tall thin bag tied with a decorative red ribbon.

Place chocolate dipped pretzel sticks in a cute bag and attach it to a nice bottle of premium beer.

Box up the Lemon Biscotti Bites and add them to a mug with some tea for a nice surprise for someone special.

Just a note:

I used Trader Joes Milk Chocolate for dipping. I melted it in a double boiler. If you do not have one, make one by stacking a small pot on top of a big pot. Fill the big pot about 1/4 high with water, put the small pot on top and place chocolate in it. The small pot must not touch the water. Set the heat to low, and allow the chocolate to melt. 

Thank you for stopping by today!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Halloween Creatures Marshmallow Pops!

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These fun Halloween Creatures Marshmallow Pops are easy to make, and just plain fun! They are perfect to give together as a bunch, or separately!

Halloween Creatures Marshmallow Pops!

Kraft StackerMallows

Sticks for Marshmallows

Americolor Orange,Violet, Electric Green, Super Black

Ribbon

Candy Corn

Start by putting a black base color on two marshmallows.

Let dry.

Pipe a pumpkin outline on top of the black.

I didn't show it here,sorry. But after some

experimentation, I think the pumpkin looks better 

with a black base.

Fill in the pumpkin outline by going up and down

 inside the pumpkin. It gives it texture and dimension.

Draw Jack O'lantern faces on the pumpkin.

Pipe a green base on the marshmallow.

Let dry.

Using black frosting, pipe the hair on Frankenstein.

Fill in the hair.

I like the black base on Frankenstein also, 

so when I made it again I added it.

Add a little stitch to Frankie's cheek.

Two make the bolts, dip two mini marshmallows in green frosting.

Let dry.

Give Frankie his eyes and mouth.

Attach a bolt to each side of his head.

Isn't he cute?

Base coat another marshmallow with purple.

I don't know why it looks blue. Maybe too much light?

Outline and fill in some hair for Dracula.

Add eyebrows, eyes and a mouth.

Finish the eyes, and Dracula is done!

I used black and orange straws for these guys, 

but cookie sticks would work also.

I added the ghost at the last minute.

Pretty simple, add a white base and eyes!

Wrap each of the creatures in plastic 

and tie with a ribbon. I had an empty jar

that I poured candy corn in, and stuck

the pops down in it. I cut them all different sizes,

so they could be stacked all around the jar.

 Tie ribbon around the jar, and you are done!

Thanks for joining me today!

Baby Cookies on Cookie Journey Thursday

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Thanks for joining me for Cookie Journey Thursday! My son's friend had a baby girl recently, and he asked me if I would send some cookies to celebrate this special occasion. Well, you know I said yes! This is what I made.

 Whenever I make cookies as a gift, I like to send the cookies in something the recipient can use.

 

I found this pink basket and matched up some pretty receiving blankets to put in the basket. The blankets also gave me a color scheme to use. I just love the light and dark pink with a little light green. I made the icing  that I always use, and I colored some of it light pink using Americolor #132, some darker pink, using Americolor #164, and the rest light green using very little Wilton Willow Green.

The Bib:

Outline the bib with the light pink.

Immediately fill in.
Let dry completely.
 I am not happy with the way there is a distinction
between the outlining and the fill. At first I thought it might be
because I live in a very dry climate, but after checking into it more,
I think it was because I did not make the icing thin enough.

Using a #2 tip and the light green, I randomly piped
some mini petals on the bib. I just made four very short
lines in the pattern shown. 

Then using a #2 tip, and some dark pink, I piped small little dots
in the middle of each one.

The Rattle:

Pipe and fill in the top ball and the bottom ball on the rattle.
I decorated this rattle several times before I was happy with it.

I thought I had more pics of the work in progress on the rattle,
so I apologize. I piped and filled in the light green areas.
Then I piped and filled in the light pink center.
When it was completely dry, I piped a little scroll design,
and added the two dark pink dots.

I thought the top ball needed something, so I piped the same scroll
design on it, and added the two side dots.

The Onesie: 

 I piped and filled in the onesie with light green.
I let it completely dry, then I piped along the design of a onesie.
I wasn't too sure what design to use, so I looked through
lots of outlined onesie cookies online, and found one I liked.
I followed the design along the edges of the onesie, then I went
back and piped on the extra, like at the neck and the sleeve.

After everything was dry, I put little dots on the onesie
in light pink and dark pink.

The Bottle:

I outlined and filled in the base of the bottle.
Let dry completely.

I tried several ways to decorate the band that goes
across the bottle, but I wanted something with a
little texture. So, I took the light green, and I squiggled
across the band area, and then I squiggled back across it.

I think it added just the right amount of dimension.

I piped and filled in the nipple part of the bottle with
dark pink.

I finished the baby bottle by adding
a design like on the bib, only
bigger. I still used the #2 tip,
but when I piped out the light green,
 I pushed a little more icing thru the
tip, making the piping thicker.

The Monogram:

Pipe and the fill in the circle cookies.

I added the initials of the baby in light pink and the
little heart, like I made here.

 After all the cookies were dry, I dropped them in little cello
bags and tied coordinating curly ribbon around the bags.
Don't they look festive?

I unfolded each of the receiving blankets, and bunched them
together in the bottom of the basket, then I covered
the blankets with the cookies.  I added a little card
and sent them on their way.

What do I need to work on?
I need to work on my icing consistency and my
outlining. Circles are a problem for me.

What do you think?
Thanks for joining me today.

Next week I am making cookies for my son.
He will need the nourishment for finals!!
Hope to see you soon!