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Showing posts with the label VALENTINES DAY

Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a
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Peanut Butter (hearts) Chocolate Cookies
And My New Favorite Coffee
#MyBaristaMoment

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This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias #CBias  Laurel & Hardy Spaghetti & Meatballs Bacon & Eggs Peanut Butter & Chocolate Coffee and Cookies What do they all have in common?  They're perfect pairings! Putting your original spin on an iconic duo is not a task to approach half-heartedly .  There's a lot of history and greatness to live up to.  Coffee and Cookies -- sounds simple enough, but consider this: Perhaps you can liven up a mediocre cookie by dipping it in a cup of good coffee, but if you're starting out with a humdrum cup of Joe, your ship is sunk before its even leaves the dock.   I'm thrilled -- genuinely thrilled -- to tell you that after four "I CAN eat just one" batches of "eh" trial cookies, I finally came up with a keeper.  I'm even more excited that the coffee tasting that inspired this new recipe creation was a success.  Here'
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Owl Valentine Featuring Smarties Candies
(#IAMaSmartie)

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Whooo's ready for some Valentine fun? I can't help myself -- Valentines Day brings out the kid in me. I love all the kitch, the whimsy and the nostalgia that this sweet holiday brings. So when an opportunity popped up to take part in the Smarties Valentine's Day campaign from  Collective Bias , I revved up my Big Wheel, rearing to go for a trip down memory lane.  (You can read more about my shopping adventures HERE on Google +.) If I close my eyes I can almost hear it: The satisfying crinkle of cellophane as you untwist the polka dotted ends of a roll of Smarties candies.  Inside, a party of pastels -- orange green, white, purple, pink and yellow.  The little dimpled dots are just a soft crunch away from dissolving into sweet-tart oblivion on your tongue! Longtime readers may recall the cake I made several years ago for a friend whose daughter is a Smarties fanatic.  Being a fellow Smartie-lover, I was only too happy to oblige! S
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a-MAZE-ing School Valentines ~
Free Printable & Project

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  Earlier this week I shared the Warm-Fuzzy Valentines that my girls and I made last year. This year, we're making these fun and colorful valentines with mini heart mazes attached.  They're a-MAZE-ingly easy and fun to make! Here's what you need: "a-MAZE-ing Valentine" Printable (Download free HERE ) Heavy white cardstock Large removeable glue dots Small plastic maze puzzles (purchased mine from Oriental Trading ($7 for 72 pieces) Optional: Decorative edge shears Step 1:  Download the free template HERE .  Print on heavy white cardstock. Step 2:  Cut out with regular or decorative edged scissors. Step 3:  Place a glue dot on the back of a maze. Step 4:  Center in place over the green heart on the card and press to adhere.
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Warm Fuzzy Valentine Luv Bugs~
A cute & easy Valentine idea

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I love to put together Valentines with a little something special for the recipient to keep as a token of the holiday.  So last year, my girls and I made these sweet little "Luv Bugs".     If you were in a child in the 70s' these googly-eyed pompom critters with big feet might evoke some nostalgia.  Back then we called them Weepuls and Warm Fuzzies.  They  have the same charming effect on kids today as they did back them. This year, we found our critters at Michael's crafts  in a bag of 18 for just $2.99. The Valentines are simple to put together.  You can download the tags for free HERE : Print on cardstock or photo paper, then cut out.  Use large glue dots to affix the Luv Bugs to the tags.  That way, you don't use up the adhesive on the feet (they're stickers) and the kids can put them on their shoulders later! Your child can sign the back of the tag. And there you have it!  Adorable little Luv Bugs!
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Smitten Kittens, Retro Valentines, and "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Linky Party #5

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Welcome to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday!   If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  strut your stuff   just after the features below. Welcome to the party!   This week I have some "party favors" for you. Please feel free to download and get crafty with the vintage-style valentines above and below:   Retro Valentine Printable _________________________________ This week, I'm giving my regards to a group of people I've grown quite SMITTEN with: --THE REGULARS-- the cast of creative characters that have blessed this nest by linking up to "A Little Birdie Told Me" the whole month of January long _________________________________ Here's  what this swell group of birds linked up this week: Christine from Christine & Co. transformed this ordinary compositi
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OWL VALENTINE TREATS -- Whoooo do you love?

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- The idea for these sweet little owls came to me a few weeks ago. Remember a few weeks ago?  Candy canes, Chocolate Santas, and gingerbread in every size, shape and form, but not a single heart-shaped valentine "Peep" to be found. Fortunately, my friend Holly saved the day when she scored a few boxes at a local drugstore. My posts have been awfully long lately, so I'm keeping this intro short and sweet. Here are the instructions for making Chocolate Dipped Valentine Owls on a Stick made from heart-shaped marshmallow "Peeps": Marshmallow Valentine Owls --MATERIALS-- --Heart-shaped Peeps (Our local store only had the pink, sugar-free type.  The regular version is red and should be available in most stores with a large Valentine candy section). -- Valentine's Day M&Ms (or just the white M&Ms if you're able to find them) -- A Food Writer Pen in black (available in the cake decorating section of most major craft stores
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