Here are a few of our favorite ideas we want to share with you:

• Party Poppin’ Popcorn- This treat is SO EASY to make and everyone LOVES it! Pop microwave white popcorn in the bag. Spread out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle with white chocolate or white candy melts.

• Easy Ranch Cheese Ball – You might be tempted to just buy a cheeseball at the store, but this one is so simple and delicious it’s really worth just making it yourself! Everyone who has tasted this asks for the recipe – they’re always surprised when we tell them how easy it was. Click here to be taken to Mama’s Kuntry Kitchen for the ingredients and directions.

• Yummy Avocado Bruschetta– This is so easy to make and sure to please a hungry crowd. It combines all the flavors you love about your favorite guacamole – creamy avocado, spicy onion, savory tomato, garlic, lime and cilantro – all served as a unique appetizer. Click here to be taken to Mama’s Kuntry Kitchen for the recipe.

• Party hat cookies! We love these white chocolate dipped Oreos topped with a gold fondant star & an ice cream cone party hat. The fondant is sprayed gold with edible food coloring mist, then dusted with edible pearl gold dust. The hat is a ice cream cone tip that was sprayed with pearl white edible mist and also brushed with edible gold dust. We topped it with a snowflake sprinkle that is dusted gold.

Brighten up your house and prepare for New Years by creating decorations and projects full of gold, glitter and sparkle. Take a look at these easy ideas that you can throw together quickly with minimal effort.

• Glitter Champagne Bottles/Glasses- If you love glitter then you will want to make your Champagne bottles extra sparkly by applying spray adhesive then sprinkle glitter over adhesive. Repeat spraying the adhesive and sprinkling the glitter all around the bottle until it’s completely covered in glitter.
• Sequin Backdrop- If you have a circle puncher then this is really easy to do! Just punch out of gold wrapping paper and glue, tape or tie up the circles to craft paper or gold wrapping paper, or even silver wrapping paper
• Balloon Wall– Such an easy idea, just tape up gold and silver balloons.
• Thumbtack Gold Candles- Grab your candles around the house and place gold round
  thumb tacks in the candle to make your own golden sparkle candle.
• Glitter Bowtie Pasta Garland- Spray paint bow-tie pasta then tie together with gold string to make an easy garland.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

‘Tis the season to be YUMMY!  We are going to fill you in on our favorite DIY edible gifts that will leave your lucky gift recipients begging you for more! These are a far cry from the fruitcake that you receive every year from your Great Aunt Myra!

If you’re caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy this time of year, it can be easy to forget that some of the best presents are those you make yourself. This year, consider whipping up edible goodies straight from your kitchen to give as your holiday gifts. Not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself, but you’ll also avoid the long lines at the mall and save yourself a ton of money.

Depending on your skill level and the amount of time you have to spare, you can make a large batch of the same thing for each person or make several smaller customized batches to better suit a variety of tastes. But whatever you decide to make, be sure to set aside ample time for preparation and packaging. If needed, give yourself one afternoon to cook and another to wrap it all up.

The biggest thing to remember about DIY edible gifts is that presentation matters but, it doesn’t have to be elaborate. Whether it’s a little piece of ribbon around a mason jar, a handwritten label on a glass bottle, or a carefully wrapped care package everyone is guaranteed to appreciate the time, effort, and deliciousness you put into an edible present.
Below are a few easy edible gift ideas for the holiday host or hostess, they can all be whipped up in a few short minutes and are easily tote-able from place to place.

Chocolate Chow Mein Clusters

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup chow mein noodles
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts

Time to Whip it up!

1. In a microwave, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips, stir until smooth. Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts until well coated.
2. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set. Yield: 8 clusters.

Savory Roasted Rosemary Almonds

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw almonds
• 4 large sprigs fresh rosemary, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Time to Whip it up!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cover the baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine all spices in a bowl and add the olive oil and almonds, tossing to coat the almonds completely.
2. Spread the almonds on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Wa-lah! Holiday gift giving made easy!

Enjoy!