Category Archives: Fun Stuff

Gift in a Jar – Brownie Mix

Dessert, Fun Stuff March 28, 2013 Leave a comment

Credits for this recipe go to my friend Sarah Graham Elton who posted it on her Facebook page.  This is

Brownie in a jar

Brownie in a jar

another “gift in a jar” recipe.  Make a few batches for yourself to keep on hand for company or last minute chocolate cravings!  Another plus, you know what all the ingredients are.

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips or walnuts

 Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients together and place in a zip lock baggie and store in your pantry or pour into a mason jar to give as a gift.

To make the brownies add the following ingredients and be sure to write this on your zip lock baggie or add a cute little card to your gift.

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Stir the following ingredients to dry mix:

  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Spray a 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and pour batter into the pan. Bake for about 20 minutes or until center is firm to the touch.

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Appetizers, Dessert, Fun Stuff March 13, 2013 Leave a comment
Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters
Credit to my Sister-In-Law Karen Coleman

Yields 24-30
Strawberry Prep:
Carefully slice the tip of the bottoms of the strawberry flat to get them to stand upright.  Use a huller or spoon to empty out the strawberry. Do not scrape too far down, you want a solid bottom, with no holes.
Once the strawberries have been emptied, use a paper towel to pat the outside of the strawberries dry.

Ingredients:

  • 30 Strawberries

Margarita Mix:

  • 1 box Strawberry Jell-O, 3oz.
  • 8 ounces tequila
  • 6 ounce Cointreau
  • Coarse salt for garnish

Directions:

  1. Boil one cup of hot water in a saucepan, then add in Jell-o powder and whisk until powder is completely dissolved, about 2 minutes.
  2. Set aside. Measure out 1/4 cup of cold water and set aside.
  3. Combine tequila and Cointreau, in cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  4. Add liqueur mixture to cold water and stir to combine.
  5. Then add cold liqueur mixture to hot Jell-O mixture and stir to combine.
  6. Pour final Jell-O mix into strawberries and chill overnight.
  7. Use a moistened brush to wet the edge of the strawberries, dip and rotate the strawberries in salt to rim.
  8. Garnish with cut lime triangles to finish.

Vanilla Sea Salt

Dessert, Fun Stuff, Vanilla Bean Sea Salt March 7, 2013 1 Comment

sea salt caramelAnother gift idea to go along with the Vanilla Bean Extract, and Vanilla Bean Sugar Cubes. Vanilla Bean Sea Salt will add a delightful flavor to homemade caramels, chocolates, sweet and salty brownies, and chocolate icings.  Package in a pretty jar and you have a great gift for the gourmet cook in your circle.

Vanilla Sea Salt

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sea salt
  • 4 vanilla beans, split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine sea salt and vanilla seeds. Use the tips of your fingers to rub the vanilla seeds into the sea salt until they are thoroughly combined.

2. Spoon salt into individual jars, cover tightly, label, and store in a cool, dry place for a couple of weeks to blend the flavors.

 

Vanilla Bean Sugar Cubes

Dessert, Fun Stuff, Vanilla Bean Sugar Cubes March 6, 2013 Comments: 3

Package these little gems in a pretty jar and give alongside your vanilla bean extract

Sugar Bean Cubes

Sugar Bean Cubes

as a homemade gift. This recipe comes from Janet Johnston.

Ingredients

  • 4 Madagascar vanilla beans
  • 3 cups white sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure Madagascar vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

  1. Cut the 4 vanilla beans into 1/2-inch pieces and grind to a coarse powder in a coffee grinder or food processor.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, vanilla bean powder and extract until thoroughly combined (when the extract is completely incorporated the mixture will look a bit like dough).
  3. Pour the sugar mixture into an 8 by 8-inch pan and spread out evenly to a 1/2-inch thickness.
  4. Next, use a knife to score out 1/2-inch by 1/2-inch cubes by running the knife the length of the pan every 1/2-inch and the width of the pan every 1/2-inch.
  5. Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the pan from oven and let cool. Once cooled, carefully flip the pan over onto a large cookie sheet to remove the sugar. Allow to cool completely, and then gently break into cubes along the scored lines.To “round” the edges of the cubes gently pour them into a big pot with a cover and lightly shake. Check and repeat if necessary. Pour the cubes from the pot into a small holed colander or sifter and sift off any sugar particles that can be reserved as granulated vanilla bean sugar!