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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

Valentine DIY: "Nuts About You" Circus Peanut Valentines {free printable}

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An old-time candy (circa 1800) get's a new twist for Valentine's Day! I think the kids will go "nuts" for these, don't you?   Circus Peanut Valentines Circus Peanut Candy (4 per Valentine) Free printable Valentine inserts (download HERE ) Pretzel bags (sold in the cake/candy section of most craft stores) String/twine To assemble:  Download the sheet of valentine card inserts.  You can print directly on to the blank side of a piece of patterned scrapbook paper for an easy double-sided look.  Or, cut 4.5 x 1.75 strips from patterned scrapbook paper; then, print the inserts on regular printer paper.  Trim, then insert both pieces into the bag, back-to-back.  I found that the peanuts were easiest to place once the paper had already been inserted and centered inside the bag.  Once peanuts are in place, tie off ends of bag with string or twine.

Crustless Spinach Gruyere Quiche -- Slimmed down for the New Year

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An opportunity to review the Old World 6-piece Stoneware Baking Set from Temp-tations® , combined with a family resolution to eat more healthily, led me to the creation of this slimmed-down version of a classic dish that is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner -- Spinach Gruyere Quiche . My experience with the Temp-tations® ( by Tara McConnell ) stoneware has been exceptional.  The pieces are beautifully made, bake food evenly, and are easy to clean.  They are reasonably priced -- my 6 piece set which includes a 9" fluted deep dish pie plate and four 12 oz. mini pie dishes sells for just $29.95.  The set comes in your choice of 11 different colors. This week, I'll be posting a giveaway with for a chance to win a Temp-tations® Old World 6-piece Stoneware Baking Set of your own! In addition to the great selection, style and quality, the thing I like best about Temp-tations is the collection of incredible recipes available for free on the webs

10 Creative DIY Valentine Projects

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  I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal.  As you may have observed, by the time I post a tutorial for the holiday project I've done with my family, the holiday is likely to be 48 hours from being a memory.   So, this year, with plenty of time to plot, plan and enjoy with your family, I present 10 creative, fun, whimsical and sweet ideas for Valentine's Day: Remember these guys from your childhood? Roll the pencil between your palms and their hair goes wild.  Tutorial:  Crazy Hair Pencil Valentines   This project is a treat, an activity and card all in one. Tutorial:  Butter Cookie Tic-Tac-Toe These elegant cards are made from watercolor paper and contain a tiny love note in the beak of the messenger bird. Tutorial:  Par Avion Messenger Bird Valentines This is a frugal upcycling craft. The tiny crowns are made from cardboard tubes. Tutorial:  Mini Upcycled Paper Crowns Here's a sweet idea: Pre-made he

Marzipan Pigs ~ Wishing You a Very Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year! I am thankful to a good friend for reminding me of the New Year tradition of making marzipan pigs.  Last night our families gathered and after a delicious dinner, a walk in the crisp evening air, and some rollicking conversation, we sat down with our children, got our hands nice and sticky, and created a passel of perfect pink porcines. The tradition of making and giving Glücksschwein (lucky pigs) made from marzipan during the winter holidays dates back to Germany in the Middle Ages, where the pig was a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.  According to German tradition, the "Schwein" (pig) brings good luck over the coming 12 months.  Other traditional symbols of good luck are the toadstool (Fliegenpilze) and four-leaf clover (vierblättrige Kleeblätter). Making the pigs was a fun way to connect with our past and look toward the future with our girls.  The project was easy to do too.  We purchased pre-made marzipan from the grocery sto

New Year Craft: How to Make a Spin Drum Noise Maker

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  The New Year is nearly upon us. Here's a festive little project for a mini spin drum ~ The perfect noise maker to help usher in the new year. We made ours with odds and ends from around the house -- a cardboard tube, a paper lunch sack, some silver string, glitter, glue and a handful of beads.  Round up some supplies from around your house and follow the directions below to add some joyful noise to your New Year's celebration! New Year Noise Maker Mini Spin Drum Makes 4 1 cardboard tube cut into 4 1" rings 1 paper lunch bag a pencil and scissors Mod Podge and a paintbrush 4 12" lengths of string or twine 4 1/4" wood dowels Paint (I used silver spray paint) 8 beads  A glue gun or tacky glue 8 print-outs of the New Year Watch Face (download below) Glitter Small hole punch or awl   Step 1:  Use a small hole punch or awl to punch a hole in each cardboard ring.  I used a small hole punch, then used my pencil t

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas

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This sublime little scene from my trip to the mountains this past weekend captures the essence of my Christmas wish for you:  Peace, Hope, Joy and a liberal dusting of Sparkle. With a grateful heart for the happiness you bring to my little corner of the world, Jenn

Handmade Gift Idea: Swedish Tea Cake Baking Kit

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  This recipe comes from the Swedish side of my husband's family.  The buttery little tea cakes are delicious warm or cold with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. If you have a set of mini tart tins (Sandbakelser tins) sitting around, this is a recipe that will put them to good use. If you don't have a set, you're going to want to get one! While holiday shopping online this year, I came across a set of  36 Sandbakelser tins on Amazon for less than $14 ( HERE ).  I decided to break up the set to turn our family recipe into a mason jar baking kit for holiday gifts.   I measured and funneled the dry ingredients into a wide-mouth mason jar, set down a flattened baking cup, and inserted a dozen tins on top.  Then, I topped the jar off with a paper doily and a custom label bearing the recipe. Swedish Tea Cake Baking Kits Whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup almond flour (meal) per jar. Funnel into a wide-mout