Give your loved ones something you know they will like...something they won't have to return, try on, pretend to love or wear every time they see you.
Unlock your inner Martha this season!
And making and baking does not have to be hard! We are gonna show you a few of the yummiest, easiest and super cute Goodies as Gift ideas we could find *
You know when you get those "retro" tins filled with store bought butter cookies that are so fake tasting they actually taste like old coconuts instead of butter?
Well, save the tin...feed the cookies to the furry friends in your local park....and replace them with something you made!
Everyone will swoon...we promise.
Great way to give edible gifts...in a cake stand! A GIFT IN A GIFT!
Bark is minty, melty, smooth, creamy and chocolatey...UM HI...YOU CAN"T GO WRONG! Sorry for yelling ;)
Ingredients
17 ounces good-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Baker's), finely chopped
30 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed (about 6 ounces)
7 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Directions
- Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12-x-9-inch rectangle on foil.
- Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water.
- Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
- Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes.
- Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.
- Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F.
- Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.
- Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges.
- Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles.
Oh...if you are too busy to make...Williams Sonoma has the yummiest bark around and it comes in a tin.
Not quite as cute as this vintage one we found on Etsy but almost....cuz the Etsy one you made!!!
OK sorry.. create truffles or fudge balls...roll into cocoa and place in this super ridiculously cute turq egg crate!!!! Wrap with celophane and a big black and white striped bow and tada!
Best gift ever!
Are you in the mood to make some crazy yummy cookies like the ones from Bittersweet LA?
**Bittersweet LA does not use mixes we are told...they only make super yummy homemade goodies**
OK..OK it's time for the reason we did this post...the thing that would make Mrs. Fields proud...
Magic Cookie Bars
- 1 cup whole wheat graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1 Tb brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
- 1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 cups flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
1. Preheat oven to 325°F . Line a 8x8-inch baking pan.
2. In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, oatmeal, brown sugar, and butter; mix well.
Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of baking pan.
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips, coconut and pecans on top. Pour the condensed milk evenly.
4. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until slightly golden on top.
5. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.
Oh...and the best part? Besides the flavor that is...they take 40 min start to finish! Wooo hooo!
Homemade Vanilla Hot Cocoa powder...and the wrapping is almost as yummy as what is inside.
Grab some vintage-y MS labels from you local Michael's Crafts, ribbon, old school lunch bags and a silvery Sharpie and your friends will vote you best gift giver.
All of the above gifts make AMAZING Host gifts as well or just thank you for people in your life or neighbors (the ones you like...we can think of something else to put in that hot cocoa bag above for the neighbors you don't like but this is a nice post so we will be good).
Festive poster containers make suuuper rad cookie holders! Go to Container Store for some!