Cake pops tutorial

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Mrs. Flescher

Easter egg, chick and bunny cake pops! They were a hit with both the kids and adults.

Cake Pop Tutorial
(as per my interpretation of Bakerella’s video tutorial)
Ingredients:
One box of your favorite cake mix or your own favorite cake recipe.
One can of your favorite frosting
1-2 bags of candy melts (or chocolate chips and 2-3 TBLS cooking oil mixed)
Cake decorations of your choice

Tools and Supplies
Mixing bowls (one microwave safe bowl)
13×9 cake pan
Parchment paper
Cookie sheet
Lollipop sticks
Styrofoam block for standing pops in once complete.
Decorating accessories of your choice. I used Wilton Decorating Frosting and decorator tips.

Directions:
1. Prepare cake and bake in 9×13 or larger pan.
2. Allow to cool.
3. Cut cake in quarters. Working with one quarter at a time, break in half and rub halves together over large mixing bowl to crumble. I found it best to have small crumbles, and wonder if this may even work better if you let the cake set overnight uncovered befor crumbling.
4. Once cake is crumbled, add Prepared frosting starting with about half the can, adding more as necessary until you get a nice soft doughy consistency. (Think something between refrigerator cookie dough and regular cookie dough.)
5. Roll dough into balls (or egg shapes for Easter egg pops) and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Allow to refrigerate at least an hour to set up befor skewering.
6. Once cake balls are set up. Melt your candy melts in the microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until melted. Working quickly, dip tip of lolli about 1/2 inch into melted candy or chocolate, push tip 1/2 way into ball, then dip ball into melts, coating completely. Allow the excess to drip off into the bowl, rolling the pop back and forth between your finger tips. Then push other end of stick into styrofoam block and allow to set until hardened.
7. If you plan on piping, let the candy harden first. If you want to sprinkle them with sprinkles or colored sugar, you will need to do that before the melts set up completely.
Presentation: I let mine sit over night then placed small cellophane bags over them and tied it with curly ribbon to make them a little more fancy. I also wrapped my block in brightly covered wrapping paper for a nice table presentation.

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Pop! Goes the Easter Bunny

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Mrs. Flescher

Easter Cake Pops

My mother in law hosted a huge Easter celebration this year, and I knew there would be lots of kids, so I wanted to make something fun and special for the kids to take home, and really, what is more fun than cake on a stick?! I mean you can put any food on a stick and it instantly becomes more fun and enticing. Ice cream, hot dogs, even vegetables! I’m sure many of you have seen the cake pops that Bakerella is popular for making. If you haven’t heard of her, I’ll just tell you, I don’t know if she is the one who came up with the idea of putting cake on a stick, but she has definitely mastered it! I watched her video on how she makes her cake pops, and decided “This looks simple enough. I’ll just whip some up for Easter!”

Well… let’s just say, “she makes it look easier than it is.” I’m no Bakerella, but I think I did a pretty decent job considering. Check out the pics below and if you feel inspired, check out the recipe here. Please share with me if you have experience making cake pops and if so, what you have learned. I think the most important lesson I learned is that refrigeration is key! The cake balls really need to set up before moving forward. Anyway, enjoy the pictures and give them a try!

Easter egg, chick and bunny cake pops! They were a hit with both the kids and adults.

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Easter Egg Tree and Giveaway

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Mrs. Flescher

Hello and Happy Monday to all of you! Today I would like to show you how to make an adorable Easter or Valentine’s Day Decoration: an Easter Egg Tree! I just love this idea, so cute and easy to make. Plus, the materials are cheap and easy to find. Be sure to visit my post “Snow Day” for more ideas on how to make a Valentine’s day themed tree.

I have also included the details of my Blog Launch Party Giveaway drawing, and how to enter for those of you who are hearing about it for the first time. I was in a hurry when I posted the original photos of the giveaway prize last Thursday, so I have posted some better pictures at the bottom of this post as well. First, let’s check out this awesome little craft that could be your next centerpiece or even gift for Teacher.

Easter Egg or Valentine’s Tree:

Materials needed:
Small clay pot
acrylic paint and brushes (optional for decorating pot)
craft glue
sharp knife
foam block(s) for floral arrangements
cotton balls
sharp scissors
cloth material for base of tree
butter knife or tongue depressor
bowl for tracing circle
pruning sheers
small sturdy branches
Easter egg or Valentine’s Day ornaments

Directions:
Step 1: Select your pot and paint it if you prefer. I cheated and found this pre-decorated one (as well as foam block and Easter eggs) at Dollar Tree.

Step 2: Using a sharp knife, cut foam block to fit in decorated pot. You may need more than one block, if so then be sure to poor glue between blocks, so that the blocks stick together.

Step 3: Remove block(s), poor a large amount of craft glue into bottom and along sides of pot. Replace foam block(s.) Add more glue and top with cotton balls, leaving a space in the middle for the “tree.” Wipe any excess glue off of the rim or outside of pot and set aside.

Step 4: While glue sets, lay out cloth material face down on a clean, flat surface. Use a bowl with an opening at least an inch in diameter wider than the pot as a stencil. Invert bowl on material and trace with ball point pen or fabric pencil.

Step 5: Cut out circle. Fold the circle in half and cut a small v in the center of the fold. When you open it up you should have an x in the center of the circle.

Note the tiny v at bottom center

Step 6: Apply a thick bead of craft glue along the inside edge of the pot. Place circle of material over pot with x in the center. Use butter knife or tongue depressor to tuck ends of material down into the pot. Set aside.

Step 7: Use a pair of pruning sheers to trim up small branches to create the look you like. Then pinch stems together and trim to desired height leaving at least 3 extra inches of length.

Step 8: While holding stems together, push branches through the x in the material and down into foam at least 3 inches. You may want to secure with a little extra craft glue, but it may not be necessary.

Step 9: Finally, decorate with egg ornaments from Dollar Tree or consider making your own!

Pat yourself on the back. You made an adorable tree your kids will love to decorate for Easter.

Now about that exquisite giveaway…

Here is how to enter…

First Entry: In order to receive the first entry please leave a comment on your favorite Fabulously-Homemade blog post thus far, telling me what you like about it AND follow me via e-mail, FB or Twitter. The first entry is required in order to receive additional entries.

Additional Entries: You may receive an additional entry for each of the following, but you also need to post a separate comment on my blog telling me you did each one:

Post a blog about my Blog Launch Party and giveaway on your blog or website with the following link: http://fabulously-homemade.com/easter-egg-tree-and-giveaway/
Post a Facebook update about the Launch Party and giveaway with the link: http://fabulously-homemade.com/easter-egg-tree-and-giveaway/
Tweet about it with the link: http://fabulously-homemade.com/easter-egg-tree-and-giveaway/
NEW! Pin me to your home decor, arts and crafts or food and beverage boards on Pinterest!

It’s that simple! Just blab about me to your friends, then comment every time you link my page, follow or Pin me. (If you are already a follower please let me know in a separate comment as well.) That’s a total of 5 comments equaling 5 entries!

And here is what you can win…

Start your morning (and end your day) with spa quality skin care, that will leave your skin as soft (and as beautiful) as silk. The TimeWise® Miracle Set® provides incredible age-fighting results to help give you younger-looking skin. Don’t believe me? It has been featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine, In Style and several other “glossy” publications. Click here for more information on the 11 age-defying benefits of the Miracle Set.

Next in the bag we have a little something for those other areas you may want to firm up before the warmth of Spring: The Timewise Body Visibly Fit Lotion. This silky-smooth body lotion combines the benefits of Mary Kay’s patented* TimeWise® complex with the benefits of amino acids and botanicals. It improves skin firmness, provides up to 10 hours of moisturization, and improves skin elasticity and texture.

Do you love perfume? Wish you had a fragrance for every day of the week? If so, this next gift is for you! Enjoy six mini fragrances in a pretty little gift box tied with a pink satin bow.There is a fragrance for every person and every occasion in this set, and they could all be yours!

Look at the beautiful drape in the wrap and the sheen on the bag. Luxurious!

Finally, engulf yourself in this glorious, silky-soft, light pink wrap. This wrap is big! We are talking a whopping seven and a half feet long by 2 and a half feet wide big! Or is it the other way around? Anyway, it’s big enough to keep you warm in a chilly winter breeze. It’s satiny smooth with just enough soft fuzz to make you feel glamorous and comfortable. Whether going to a cocktail party or just the craft store, you won’t want to leave home without this gorgeous wrap! It can even double as a throw for your Valentine’s Day Tablescape! The satiny bag can double as a matching decorative pillow case too. Just place a small throw pillow inside and button it up!

Well get posting ladies, because you do not want to miss any opportunities to enter this drawing. You and your skin will thank me. Remember, contest ends at 10PM PST, this Thursday. Good Luck!
Mrs. F

I am participating in Metamorphosis Monday

and

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Jelly Jar Gifts (Easter, Valentines Gifts for kids and teachers)

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Mrs. Flescher

Quick, easy and cheap, kid friendly homemade gift for your teacher, assistant, lover, friend or kids!

This craft is so easy and super cheap! I found these little hinge top jars at dollar tree and knew they could be the basis of my next craft project. There is just something about a glass jar that makes me want to fill it with something special for someone special. Below are two ideas for Easter and Valentine’s Day, but the possibilities with these stout little jars are endless. I plan on going back to get more for organizing my office/craft room next week.

Easter Jar of Goodies

For this one, I filled the jar with Jordan Almonds purchased from the bulk bins at my grocery store.Then tied on a bright pink wire edged ribbon from Dollar Store. I finished it with a tag I made of card stock and colored paper. I used paper punches to cut out the circle and flowers, and glued a tiny little crystal in the middle for a little sparkle. I fastened the tag with a little wire rose for a little extra embellishment, but you could easily use a thread or some twine. I also thought it would be cute to tie a small silk flower on in place of the tag. You can usually find these roses in the Bridal department at Michael’s, but I found 12 bundles at Goodwill for .99 cents. SCORE!

For the Valentine’s “Jug Of Jellies,” I filled the jar with red, pink and white jelly beans, but for an extra special Valentine, consider filling it with gourmet chocolates, peanut butter cups, or truffles.

Valentine's Jar of Jellies

Obviously, I tied this one with a red satin bow. The tag is card stock and the hearts are actually stickers from Dollar Store. (Can you tell I’m a Dollar Store addict?) As you can see I tied this one on with the same little white rose,and on the jar bellow, I slid the tag onto the ribbon, tied the bow and then tucked a tiny bouquet behind the ribbon.

With a bundle of tiny roses.

There are so many possible variations for this little gift jar. You could do black and orange jelly beans for Halloween with a little spider charm, or decorate one with a color motif to match your favorite sports team, fill it with your best chip-dip and bring it to game night to share with friends! Be creative! Got an idea? Share your ideas with me. I’d love to hear them.