I Want S'more Caramel Corn

I have been dying to make some sort of smore inspired caramel corn for several months now.  I finally had the time to develop this great recipe:

1 batch of air popped pop corn (or 2 bags of microwave popcorn)

place the popcorn in a greased 9x13 or larger pan and put it into the oven at 220 while you make the caramel

For the caramel:

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 tbsp molasses

1 tsp cinnamon

 Mix all of the ingredients together and bring to a boil over medium heat in a very heavy pan. 

 Once the mixture comes to a rolling boil (i.e. a boil that you cannot stir down) then you remove it from the heat and mix in 1 tbsp of baking soda.  It is going to foam up.  This is the right thing.  Baking soda is going to make the caramel crisper.

 Stir the caramel sauce around until you have all of your warmed popcorn coated. 

You need to keep the caramel corn in the oven at 220 for the next hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

 While your caramel corn is cooking, you should cut up 1 bag of mini candy bars into thirds.  You could use chocolate chips, but I love the look and taste of the candy bars.  Once the caramel corn is totally cool, you can mix in 2 cups of mini marshmallows and the candy bars.  You could also add some mini graham crackers like teddy grahams, but the caramel has a flavor similar to a graham cracker. 

Featured on Very Berry Handmade

This morning a very special thanks goes out to Very Berry Handmade for featuring our Doctor Kit Pattern in her spotlight on Folksy Patterns.  If you don't know already, Folksy is our newest venue for selling our patterns.  It's pretty much a UK version of Etsy.

If you haven't seen this pattern before, I would like to tell you a couple of things about it.  First it is so easy to sew.  There are lots of pieces, which gives a big impact when you look at it, but it is truly a beginner pattern.  Each piece is incredibly easy to put together.  Secondly, this pattern really is a must have if you have toddlers/preschoolers to gift to.  They LOVE this pattern.  Belle, Maggie, and Kamille will actually spend hours playing with this Doctor Kit. I added some great elements you don't get in the cheap plastic kits, like bandages, splints for broken arms, a face mask, nurse's hat, and blood pressure cuff. 

PRICE COMPARISON

On Amazon, the plastic kits range from $14.95 to $39.99 (For Melissa and Doug).  They are full of small pieces that really aren't for toddlers (plus they get lost).   I bought a plastic kit for Kamille last Christmas and the stethoscope was broken by the end of the day.  Most of the pieces a lost or thrown away.  For the same $15.00 you could as the plastic and cardboard kit, you could make the pattern kit with LOADS of extra pieces.  You could probably make 2 kits for the same price.  (And I only say that b/c the pattern is $6.00). 

DIY Break & Bake Cookie Dough Tutorial

I love making cookies with Kamille, but I always seem to be throwing away most of a batch of uneaten cookies.  So, I decided to try making my own break and bake style cookies so that I could have the convenience of refrigerated cookie dough, but have all natural ingredients.

I started with my favorite cookie recipe.  I usually just use the recipe off of the nestle morsels (then I substitute whole wheat flour and flax seed meal for the white flour).  Plus, I like to make without eggs, so I substitute milk for the eggs.  It makes a chewy, delicious cookie.

Once I finished making my batter, I refrigerated it for 2 hours, until the dough was really stiff.

   

Next, I lined a small pan - I think that it is about 5"x5" with wax paper. 

Then I filled the pan about 1" deep with cookie dough.  I pressed it flat. 

Next, I cut it into sections, cutting about 1/2 way through the dough.

Finally, I wrapped the wax paper around the cookie dough, lifted the whole package out of the pan, and sealed it into an airtight gallon Ziploc freezer bag. 

You can keep cookies in the freezer for up to 3 months (the store bought kind last longer in the freezer and fridge because they are full of preservatives).  The dough will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

To use, you take them out of the freezer and let them defrost before baking. 



Free Tutorial Friday - How to Make Mini Hats

See Mini Hats Down And Dirty and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

Here is my super simple and speedy tutorial on mini hats.  I use hot glue to make them so simple.

Happy Crafting!

Momma Loves Her Coffee

Another night of nebulizing Kamille has left me in the fog that I really believe only other moms can understand.  It's only 9 am, but I have actually already been awake for 4 hours.  Sad - I know.  I still haven't made it through my first cup of coffee.  I should put a poll on our blog - how many times have you nuked your cup today?  If I actually got to drink a delicious, hot cup of coffee that had not been reheated about 6 times throughout the morning, it would be like having caviar for the first time.  I really wouldn't know what to do with myself. 

Anyhoo - I came up with this great little treasury featuring some lovely coffee themed items that would make great Christmas or birthday gifts. 

'Coffee - A Love Story' by c1h8r9is

I truly could not decide if this should be titled, coffee - mommy's little helper instead. But whatever the case, you can see what kind of morning I'm having. Thank you to all of the great artists out there who make etsy possible and check out this treasury on my blog www.boutiqueit.blogspot.com.

Upcycled Modern Sta... UptownAvenue $52.00	Single Sample of Ha... DowntownRoaste... $2.25	Coffee Bean Bag - B... ChellaBellaDes... $38.00
Autumn Spirals Mug ... LaPellaPottery $18.00	Honey Yellow Cup Co... natalya1905 $15.00	Coffee stain (set o... MeadowTea $20.00
Hand Knitted Finger... CuffeShop $45.00	CARAMEL CREAM Organ... katherynmd $12.95	CAFE MOCHA coffee i... rosemarygrace $3.50
Fun Coffee Bean Bow... PinchAndPull $19.99	large - Zombie Love... barbaradonovan $35.00	COFFEE cup Vinyl De... HouseHoldWords $12.00
Coffee mug and bean... JustJaynes $42.00	the Cocoa Bean Clut... aeolistdesign $64.00	Carved Monogram Mug... mudpie2 $42.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Plus, here is a fun breakfast idea for kids.  I started doing this a few years ago because my niece was using so much syrup on her pancakes. 

I start with organic, locally milled buckwheat pancake mix and I add flax seed meal and wheat germ.  No one in our family complains and the are many benefits to the flaxseed meal. 

I add in the milk and make tiny pancakes, about 1".  One great plus is that these cook really fast so they are great for hungry little tummies. 

Then, I either make a tiny stack of pancakes or put out a little ramekin with a touch of syrup in it.  (They really barely use the syrup this way.)

By the way, mini pancakes cold, topped with whipped maple butter and some bacon crumbles make yummy appetizers.  You can also top them with whipped cream and fresh fruit, preserves, etc. 

Good morning and Happy Craftings!