Red Velvet Cupcakes

Nothing says "HOLIDAY" like red velvet...am I right, or am I right? :)

We had our Christmas party at church last week, and one of the delicious treats I took to share were these cupcakes.

I make this next statement with seriousness eeking out of my fingertips; these are my favorite cupcakes in the entire world. My friend, Casey, has a sister who makes fan-stinking-tastic red velvet cupcakes, and for years now I thought hers took the cake (literally). Sorry to say, Casey, but your sis is going to have to step up her game to beat off these little devils. (I mean that in the nicest way, Case. You know I love ya.)

Ladies. Gentlemen. Take this recipe. Bake. Share with the world. World will be happier. Love will spread. Life will be good.

What You Need

1 pkg. red velvet cake mix

1 pkg. JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1 pkg. Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)** The recipe calls for 4 cups, but I actually only used 3 cups. It was plenty sweet!!**

1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make it
1. Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes, blending dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Cool.
2.Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon 1-1/2 cups into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small corner off bottom of bag. Insert tip of bag into top of each cupcake to pipe about 1 Tbsp. frosting into center of cupcake.
3.Frost cupcakes with remaining frosting. . Keep refrigerated.
I garnished my cupcakes with these festive and edible snow flakes that Erin had put in my birthday box of presents. You could also shave little curls of white chocolate, use sprinkles, or create (or purchase) cupcake toppers. Of course, the cupcake is mind blowing enough on it's own...it doesn't really need anything else. :)

warning: These cupcakes are like crack. Eat one and you are addicted. Andre ate five in one day. If you know Andre, you know that him eating FIVE in one day would be the equivalent of me going without crafting for a year. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it.

Enjoy.

Last Minute Printables!

O printables! O printables!
How I love downloading
O printables! O printables!
How I love downloading
Not only free when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O printables! O printables!
How I love downloading.....

Ok, so maybe a bit silly, but it's late....and I do love free printables! If you are still struggling to get your packages wrapped up with craftiness, try making life a wee bit easier by using these little beauties....

OrangeYouLucky

ALittleLovelyBlog

ALittleLovelyBlog
eighteen25
These should be able to get you through...

Glitter it Up!

For the past couple of months (thanks, Erin) I have been kind of obsessed with incorporating clothespins into crafts. I decided I must use them in my Christmas wrapping. I can't remember if Erin (A Bird and A Bean) put this idea in my head, or if it was just me....we tend to see to share a brain at times... Anyhoo- I saw this little idea somewhere out there in blog land, can't remember where, and thought it was just the kind of **SPARKLE** I needed for my packages.
1. Start with some regular ole clothespins. I bought mine at the Dollar Tree. 12 for a buck or something. (love it!)
2.I used Mod Podge, but I would have used a gloss coat spray if I already had some. There was no run to the store for me!
3.I bought some really pretty glitter (Not Martha's, but some other brand I can't remember...don't you all just love my short term memory?) Sprinkle with glitter, and tap a little to release excess. Allow glue to dry.

These would be great for packages year round, on party favors, or attach magnets on the back to use them on the fridge!

Chocolate Owls

I wanted to make a little something for Cash's Sunday school class, AND I was dying to use the new candy mold Andre bought as one of my birthday presents! Together it came....owls for the kids. The owls were oh so cute, and again, I just melted some yummy chocolate and poured. Presto! Done.
I tried to incorporate owls into Christmas some way, so on the note I wrote, "Guess 'hoo hoo' is coming to town? Merry Christmas!" Kind of lame and corny, but they're kids...and they probably only cared that it was chocolate. Anyway, wrapped them hoot hoots up in cellophane, tied with ribbon, and added the card...they were distributed (and received!) with joy.

Chocolate Filled Cookie Cutters

Another fun, easy, and ohhh so tasty gift idea. These are the perfect union between personable gift and delightful treat. :)

Here's what you need:

*chocolate to melt (I splurged and went for the Ghirardeli)
*chopped nuts, dired fruits, broken up bits of candy or candy cane (I just went with pecans because I had them on hand.)
*cellophane bags
*tag
*ribbon

How to do it:

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or by pulsing with heat in the microwave. Stir in the dried fruit, nuts or candy.

2. Arrange the cookie cutters on the parchment or freezer paper, making sure the sit absolutely flat against the paper so that no chocolate leaks under the edges.

3. Holding the cooking cutter in place with one hand, carefully pour the melted chocolate mixture into the center of the cookie cutter until it reaches the top rim of the cutter.

4. Continue to fill the cookie cutters until you have used up all the chocolate. Allow the candy to harden completely before peeling up from the paper.

5. Slip each filled cookie cutter into a small clear gift bag and tie at the top with a ribbon and tag. Store in a cool place.

Our First Gingerbread House

My fabulous fifth grade teammate (one of them...I have THREE!) gave Cash and Luc a gingerbread house kit. Cash and I went at it yesterday, and totally tackled this project. Cash did a great job, too. I had to put all the frosting on, but he attached all the candy to the house himself. He was really psyched about the whole thing, and is very proud of the outcome. I had never made one, myself, so I really enjoyed it, too!

Thanks "TeeCee" for a great gift. We love you!! (Isn't she just the prettiest?)

Here is Cash with the house after "phase 1" of building.

Bookmark

Here's another idea that is easy on the purse strings....(does anyone even say that anymore?) It's for all the book lovers out there who can appreciate a fun bookmark. :)
I bought these gigantic paperclips at the Dollar Tree for $1.00, and there are 4 in a package. (Score!) I had some left over flowers from an earlier adventure, so I just hot glued a flower to a paperclip. Then I attached a small circle of felt onto the back. And...done... pretty sweet, huh?
I bet you all are wondering who's going to get these???