4th of July Cookies- Pops!

What happen when a cookie and a lolly pop get married? They have cookie-pops!

What a yummy way to celebrate our Independence!!

You've gotta make these! They are so easy!!

 First of all, I admit that I totally cheated! In our house my husband is the baker and he makes the most AH-MAZING cookies. So I will not even try to compete. Instead I just use the family recipe that My Aunt Nestle Toll House passed down to me. Had he been home I would have sent Aunt Nestle packing.

This is what you need:
Cookies- from scratch or from Nestle
Popsicle sticks (one per two cookies)
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted buttered, softened
1 TBL milk

 Make your filling while the cookies are baking:
on medium speed beat together confectioners' sugar, butter and milk until smooth, thick frosting is created.

 Use a few drop sof food coloring to color a bit of the frosting. I didn't measure. I'd say maybe 1/8 of a cup.

 Let your cookies cool completely

 Spread about two tsp. of filling onto flat side of one cookie.

 Press a Popsicle stick into frosting, then sandwich with a second cookie (flat side down). Refrigerate until firm.

 I used skewers and that is why I am giving you the benefit of my mistake you can use lollipop sticks, but I really think Popsicle sticks would work best.

 Tie wit a decorative bow.

 So cute and so yummy!

 Happy Independence Day!

Happy Baking!
XOXO,
 Amy

RIP- Halloween Cupcakes

How cute are these to satisfy your Halloween craving?

While I was waiting in a doctor's office (something I do a lot since I have four kids) I saw this cute little recipe for a chocolate cake with "RIP" Headstones made out of cookies. I loved the idea and wanted to make it, but I thought cupcakes would be easier. No cutting and serving and plates and forks to worry about that way:)

So I guess I cheated a little bit because I didn't make the cake or frosting from scratch, but I did add an extra egg and a teaspoon and a half of vanilla to a white cake mix. And besides, My friend who is an expert at making cupcakes and frosting from scratch says she likes store bought chocolate frosting better than homemade anyway:)

So you will need:

Cake mix- whatever flavor is your favorite Prepare as directed adding extra egg and teaspoon and a half vanilla extract

Cup cake liners

2 cans Chocolate frosting

Milano Cookies from Pepperage Farm (Vanilla wafers would also work)

Basically you make your cupcakes according to the directions on the box. Let cool completely (put in freezer for a half hour if needed)

Fill a zip lock bag with chocolate frosting and cut a very tiny slit in one corner to pipe "RIP" onto cookie.

Frost cup cakes, cut a slit in the top of the cup cake with a knife for the cookie to be inserted into the cupcakes.

note: if you use a chocolate cake recipe you can crumble a little of the cake in front of the headstone to look like freshly turned dirt. I didn't do this because I used a vanilla cake.

So Yummy and so fun!

Happy Crafting!

xoxo, Amy

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