Mini Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

These look amazing..what fun..Go here to get directions..

Best Cucumber Sandwiches ever..

If I had a signature appetizer  when I cater it would be these little sandwiches..because I get asked to make these a lot..the bride at a wedding I did last year wanted cucumber sandwiches..and my thoughts were "yuck" they are pretty but "yuck" but it was her wedding and so I looked for the best recipe I could find..this one comes from Pampered chef and it is incredible..I will even share my secret ingredient..don't tell anyone because remember , its a  secret.

1- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
1/2 cup mayo
1 pkg. Italian Seasoning salad mix
cucumber sliced very thin..I use English cucumbers because they have less seeds
dill weed
I put all the ingredients Except cucumber and dill weed in my kitchen aid and mix but you could  use a hand mixer also
Now for the secret ingredient..lean in close, make sure nobody is behind you..
"I buy the wheat black bread from Cheese cake factory" when you get it make sure you bake it at 350 degrees for about 10 min. they didn't tell me that before and it dried out quick..it makes it crisper on the outside and soft on the inside..you slice 1 inch slices (you get about 22 slices)  and spread with cream cheese mixture..I put it in my cupcake tip decorator bag because it has a big tip and pipe it on..if you do that you need to double the recipe because you need a little more. Place cucumber on top with a little dill weed..great for appetizers this holiday season..
P.S. you can also use a baguette for the bread..

Christmas Candy and Labels

Cashew Bark

Ingredients

1/2 – 3/4 lb. roasted, salted cashews
14 oz. good quality milk chocolate

Directions

1. Prepare a jelly roll or similar sized cookie sheet or pan with parchment paper.

2. Break the chocolate into a medium glass bowl, and microwave on high in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is almost completely melted (my chocolate was there by a minute and a half). Stir the chocolate to melt any small pieces that may still be floating around.

3. Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment lined pan. Spread to the edges with a spoon. You may want to tap the bottom of the pan against the counter to even out the chocolate and remove any small air bubbles that may be trapped.

4. Sprinkle the cashews (or whatever nut or candy you may be using) evenly over the surface of the chocolate. Place the pan in the refrigerator for an hour or so to cool. After the bark is cooled, break it into manageable pieces and package.

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 pound pecan halves
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one baking sheet.
2. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

Labels for both:

http://www.domestifluff.com/downloads/domestifluff-barklabels.pdf

http://www.domestifluff.com/downloads/domestifluff-pecanlabels.pdf

Thank you http://www.domestifluff.com/ for your wonderful ideas..

Easy as Pie..Cornbread

Corn Bread

Ingredients:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
3 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 t.salt
1/3 cup soft shortening, butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare cake mix according to directions.  Save half (2 cups) for cupcakes etc. for corn bread, combine dry ingredients in bowl and mix well.. Cut in shortening until well blended..Beat egg and milk together.  Add to dry ingredients and blend slightly.  Add cake batter to corn bread mixture.  Blend thoroughly, Pour mixture into 2 greased square baking pans.  Bake for 20-25 min.  Yield 18 pieces.

Great with chili or just butter and honey..Enjoy

Fun way to wrap pumpkin or any kind of bread..

Pumpkin Bread all dolled up..Clip art here..Pumpkin bread wrapped in paper sack with scrapbook paper  and burlap with tag attached.. you could make mini loafs and put on each table setting for Thanksgiving or for neighbors and friends..

Pie in a Jar..

Love this idea..what a great gift for a single person or teacher, neighbor, friend..Go here for directions

Then add this for the top of the lid...Sooo Cute..Go here for download

Thanksgiving Cuteness..

These are too cute..how fun to set next to each plate on Thanksgiving or for a party..Go here for full directions..