Carmel Apples With {Stones}

Once I started crafting I couldn't stop.  And, Im completely obsessed with natural stones right now - wearing them, decorating with them, and just looking at them!  You can follow our how to make your carmel apple here!  And, for this second round I used a home-made carmel that I found on Our Best Bites.  It worked much better than melting the pre-made gooey-goodness.

Now that you've preped all of your apple fixings, it is time to decorate your sticks! Any stones or beads will do!  My favorite at the moment is malachite but my DIY budget didn't allow for any of it to adorn these apple sticks!  Instead: I went for some turquoise, alabaster, and quartz.

Oh lala!  A little leather for wrapping!

Take your widdled twigs and get creative!

I found it most helpful to string my beads on adding a knot on each one so that they stayed where I wanted them!  

Here's a little close-up of the finished sticks:

All of the stones used in this post are available for sale at our shop on One Kings Lane!

Enjoy your apples and if you do try these at home, please share photos of your finished product!

Blessings,

{G3QDesigns}

Silk Wrapped {Carmel} Apple Stems

Carmel apples are one of my very favorite sweets.  {And that's saying a lot because I pretty much love every sweet!}  I wanted to give these as gifts to the Gs teachers so I thought I would spruce them up a bit.  I wrapped away in some silk yarn, added some tassels and the end result was {in my opinion} awesome ~ how much do they remind you of truffula trees! 

Now carmel apples are not actually as easy as they look!  They are testy.  Here are a few things you can do ahead of time to make things go smoothly:

Go ahead and pick any type of apple.  I favor Organic Granny Smith because I like the tart & sweet combo.

1. Collect some interesting twigs or sticks

2. Widdle the end off your twigs using a knife {be sure to cut away from you!} 

3. Wash and dry your apples

4. Use a light grit sandpaper to get some of the wax off the apples {this will also help the carmel stick!} I know this sounds weird but trust me!

Next, the tedious task of unwrapping all of your carmels!  {I have to say my experiece with these wasn't great.  I ended up redoing these with home-made carmel and it made a world of difference!  Tune in tomorrow for them apples!}

Next: Dressing your stick!

You can even make little tassles to add:

Finally:

I used a double boiler to melt my carmels and added a little milk to make them creamy {one or two teaspoons is enough}. Once your carmel is melted, set it aside for a few minutes so that it is not too hot.  If the carmel is too hot it will run right off the apple!  Then go ahead and dip your apple into the carmel in a side to side motion.  I use a spoon to push the carmel over the top too.

After you let your apple cool and dry you can dip it in candy melts, chocolate and/or graham crackers!  Honestly, you can dip these little guys in anything!  I just liked the color and textures of the carmel, white chocolate, and graham!

Oh look at all that gooey goodness!  I hope you all enjoy making these as much as I did! Keep your eyes out for apples with stones tomorrow!

Many Blessings,

{G3QDesigns}

Home Made With {Love}

I found these cute cookie stamps in Cost Plus the other day and I had to try them out!  They are super darling and make it easy to make a cute gift for friends in need of a pick me up or a holiday "'hello"!

Go ahead and make your favorite sugar cookie receipie! Two of my Gs were napping so G2 and I got to spend some one on one time baking! Cherish those moments!

First, we rolled out the dough.

Next, let your little helper cut out circles.

Then, stamp away!!! (Try lightly spraying the stamp with cooking spray or dipping in flour - the dough does stick a bit.)

We also cut some out and rolled the edges in sprinkles....

I also let G2 just roll some of these little guys with the left over dough.  Why not?  (It reminded me of making gnocchi with my uncle too!)  

So, the impression on our cookies didn't turn out great.  But, we had such a fun afternoon just trying out different ways to dress our sugar cookies in sprinkles!  I do think I will try the stamps on short bread or another more dense cookie!  I let you know how it works.  In the meantime, get to baking!  Your kids will thank you for it!

Many Many Blessings,

{G3QDesigns}

Perfect {Fall} Cookie

I can't believe it.  It's really the perfect fall cookie.  The look, the texture, the color and the TASTE!  
Introducing the cookie butter marshmallow thumbprint cookie. 

So, here's what you do.  Take the good 'ol fashioned peanut butter cookie reicipe from Hershey and substitute cookie butter for the peanut butter.  (I added an additional 1/4c of cookie butter because it seems a but thinner than peanut butter.)

Once you have your dough, roll it into 1" balls.

Dredge in sugar (I like to use the superfine sugar).

Place onto your baking sheet & bake until the cookies start to crack.

Now, because we are not pushing a Hershey Kiss into these beauties, I wanted to make a little "thumb print".  I used one of my measureing spoons so I wouldn't burn my finger off!

Next, place marshmallow fluff into a piping bag (or ziplock with the tip cut off).

Pipe marshmallow into cookie.

The Toppers:

I finished this cookie two ways.  One for those of us with a butane torche and one for those of us without.  

First, non-flamable topper:

If you are not inclined to use a butane torche, take a few Biscoff cookeies and crumble into a small bowl.  Once you've finished piping your marshmallow, sprinkle on top!  Simple, yummy, and pretty much danger-free.

Option Two: Roasted Marshmallow Topper

So now for those of us with the torch and love any reason to use it.  Give the tops of these little babies a quick once over.  I LOVE the taste of the burnt marshmallow so these were right up my alley.

 There you have it!  The perfect fall cookie two ways!

Enjoy & Happy Monday.

Many Blessings,

{G3QDesigns}

Happy October {At Trader Joes!}

It's here!  It's here!  It's finally October!  We so look forward to this day in my house!  Putting up our new calendar and knowing that on the very last day of it we will enjoy a night with our friends where our imaginations can run wild!  

{Calendar from Smashing Magazine}

There are so many things to love about fall but one of my most favorite is all of the delicious pumpkin products put out by Trader Joes!  Here is a preview of just some of them!!!

1. These pumpkin bars are 100% treats.  My kids could gobble them up in one sitting!

2. The Country Pumpkin Spice Granola is awesome.  It is crunchy and the perfect topping over TJs vanilla yogurt. 

3. Organic Frosted Toaster Pastries - another sweet snack for the kids.  I cut them into "sticks" for them to dip into cottage cheese with cinnamon on top (sounds weird but is so good and some hidden protein!)

4. Harvest Blend Herbal Tea - It's caffeine free and is the perfect night cap!

So I am not going to pretend that I have a healthy way to serve any of these!  They are just simply fantastic on their own!

1. Pumpkin butter - I pair this with the homemade pumpkin bars or bread (see our pumpkin ball recipe here!)

2. Pumpkin Macarons

3. Mini Pumpkin Pies {I mean!  Keeps no. 2-3 in the freezer to serve when you have friends come over last minute.  They are adorable and yummy!}

4. Pumpkin Ice Cream.  Garnish with graham cracker crumbles.  Wowza. 

1. Pecan Pumpkin Oatmeal.  Such a yummy way to start the day!

2. Organic Pumpkin ~ Stock up.  

It's a stable for soups, bars, cocktails and pies!

3. Pumpkin Bar Baking Mix ~ I haven't tried these yet but 

I'm looking forward to it.

4. Pumpkin Croissants ~ These are heaven.

Happy October Everyone!!!

Blessings, 

{G3QDesigns}

Pumpkin Cake Cake Balls

Pumpkin Bars turned Pumpkin Balls.

Insane.

I can't even stand it.  As if the pumpkin bars weren't amazing enough I had to turn them into balls.  With white chocolate drizzle.  And sprinkles.  Seriously, I should have started a blog on fitness!!!  Anyway, anyway I digress.  These are fantastic.  A bit more fancy for holiday parties and just please make them!!!

How To:

{I've long been using Paula Dean's recipie for her pumpkin bars 

and cream cheese frosting.  It is fantastic.  

However, you could also use any store bought cake or frosting.}

1. Crumble your pumpkin cake

2. Add 2/3 cup of your frosting & mix together

3. Scoop out golf ball size balls of mixture (I use a melon baller)

4. Melt white chocolate, place into a ziplock bag

5. Cut a small corner off the ziplock and drizzle chocolate over cake balls

6. Add sprinkles if you'd like!

These taste great and they freeze really well! I froze some of the balls without the drizzle and sprinkles and placed them in a freezer bag and flat on a cookie sheet in the freezer.

Make em, decorate em, eat em!

Blessings,

{G3QDesigns}