Send Thanks to Our Troops

Candy Cane Brownies

Time for another recipe.... these are amazing & were a huge hit at the church Christmas party; I think I may have to rename them Christmas Crack Brownies.

Candy Cane Brownies
adapted from ourbestbites.com

1 Box of Betty Crocker Brownies (baked in 9x13 according to package directions & cooled)

Frosting:
2 c powdered sugar
4 T butter softened (10 sec in the microwave will do it; use real butter)
1.5 t peppermint extract (sounds like a lot but it's right)
1 T milk (mine took two see directions about this)
a few drops of red food coloring (I was out and just added a little pink writing icing that I had)

Chocolate Layer:
1 c chocolate chips (semi or dark, not milk)
5 T butter cut in pieces (you need to use the real stuff)

Topping:
crushed candy canes (I used Bob's "soft mint sticks" you can get them at Walmart)

Directions:
Mix all frosting ingredients together with mixer, if needed add more milk a teaspoon at a time (this is where I ended up adding 3 tsp; thus, 2 tbsp total). Spread on cool brownies--I stuck mine in the fridge to go faster. You will likely get brownie crumbs in your pretty frosting, but that's okay it will be covered with chocolate. Put back in fridge.

Put chocolate and butter in a bowl and microwave in 30 second increments (it took me 60 seconds total) until smooth (stir after every 30 sec--chocolate holds it's shape until you stir it).

Pour over frosting and spread quickly; I poured it all over (not just in one spot), spread it a bit with a spatula and jiggled the pan around to get it all over. (If you touch it too much it will mix with the frosting).

Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top. Place back in fridge to firm up.

You can cut & enjoy once the chocolate is set.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

These are SO good I had to share them, but also need to give credit where credit is due....The recipe can be found at http://www.bakedperfection.com/search/label/Muffin. Here's the recipe with my notes in parentheses:

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
adapted from Annie's Eats

Yield: 24 muffins (mine made more like 28)

Ingredients:

For the muffins:

3 cups flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

4 eggs

1 ¼ cups vegetable oil (I used half extra virgin olive oil and half canola)

2 cups sugar

2 cups pumpkin puree (I think Libby's is what most stores carry in a can)

For the filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened (I used neufchatel a.k.a. 1/3 less fat cream cheese)

1 cup powdered sugar

(I also like a little vanilla in it)

For the streusel topping:

½ cup sugar

¼ cup and 1 tsp. flour

4 tbsp. butter, cubed

1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and whip until smooth. Form into a log on plastic wrap or foil, making sure that the diameter is small enough to fit into the well of a muffin pan. Wrap the log up tightly and freeze until slightly hardened, 1-2 hours. (I found that even after letting freeze for 2 hours, it was still not hard, not sure if I'll go to all the trouble of making the log next time, maybe I'll just scoop it with a spoon.)

To make the muffins, combine the flour, spices, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin puree.Mix until well combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.

To make the streusel topping, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix together with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two muffin pans with paper liners.To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well halfway with batter.Remove the cream cheese log from the freezer and slice into 24 equal slices. Place a slice in each muffin well. Divide the remaining muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups, on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the top of the batter.Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before serving (if you can wait that long).

Recipes

Here's where I'll put links to all the recipes on the site you can navigate here the same way you do to find out about products, from the picture on the right side.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Candy Cane Brownies

Monte Cristo Wraps

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Breanna's Biscotti

Chocolate Chip Cookies

As promised here's my chocolate chip cookie recipe; this is the one everyone keeps asking for once they've had one of my cookies.


1 c. butter (2 sticks)
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2  eggs
2 tsp. vanilla (at least, I just eyeball it)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 c. flour
chocolate chips about 2 cups, but it's up to you how chocolate-y to make them.

It's easiest in a mixer so that's how I'll explain it...
Preheat oven to 375
Cut the butter into a few pieces, add the butter & sugar to your bowl. Start on the lowest setting, once the butter won't fly out of the bowl turn to speed 4 and cream butter & sugar until smooth.
Add eggs and vanilla mix until smooth once more.
Add 1 cup of flour then the baking soda & salt on top of it, then the other 2 cups of flour; again start on the lowest setting, once the flour won't dust your entire kitchen turn to speed 4 for 30 seconds.
Turn down to lowest speed and add chips mix until evenly distributed (you may need to turn up the speed to do this).
Spoon dough on to sheet & bake 8-10 min.

Happy baking...more recipies coming soon :)

Today's the day! For the grand opening, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about the future of this blog-site store.

• First of all we will frequently have specials (like the 10% off we offered on orders before today). 
• The grand opening special is....Free Shipping on any orders placed before Friday. 
• I've decided to post favorite recipies at least once a month (probably more often). So, check back frequently for yummy things to make & if you'd like to share a recipe let me know.
• Please remember if there is ever an item you don't see offered but are interested in let me know as I can likely do a custom order for you & might just add it to my inventory.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you check back often for specials & recipies :)

Links

If you'd like to be considered to be added to my list email me at beadedbabyboutique@gmail.com


Parenting Sites:

http://www.babycenter.com/

http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/index.html  Sleep expert's site"Children can only stay happily awake for a certain period of time until they receive a biological pull towards a nap. Once that “pull” begins your child becomes fatigued and his cheerful mood begins to deteriorate. Each child has unique sleep needs..." No-Cry Nap Solution by Elizabeth Pantley.

Just For Fun:

Ourbestbites.com (my favorite place to find recipes)

http://www.dodtracker.com/oneaday/ (it's a collection of deal-of-the-day deals)

Web Directories--great places to find what you're looking for

The Grand Opening of Beaded Baby Boutique will be

.....drum roll please.....

09-29-2009

Welcome

I finally have the basics of the site ready. I'll be adding to it (especially adding pictures of products) over the next few weeks. For now, look around and feel free to ask questions via email or by commenting on the post of the product in question. You can also start placing orders now. 

Plus any orders placed before the official "Grand Opening" 
(date TBA) will receive 10%  the entire order!

Baby Annoucements

I not only love getting crafty with ribbon and fabric, I love using the computer too. I made this announcement when my daughter was born; we wrapped them around Twix bars and handed them out at her blessing. I can do candy bar announcements, photo announcements, or if there's something else you have in mind let me know. *Plus, I'm happy to do other announcements too: what about graduations, parties, birthdays, buying a house...the list is endless*

JPG Format--$30

• I create the file and email it to you so you can create as many announcements as you'd like.
• No shipping and handling on this one :)

Photo Paper Format--50 count minimum

candy bar--$0.65 each

4x6--$0.65 each

8.5x3.5 $0.75 each

5x7--$1.00 each

other sizes--email me for a quote

• I'll print them out and ship them.
• candy bars are NOT included.

Here's a shower invite:

Party Invite:

Graduation Announcement:

Valentine Cards:

First Birthday Invite & Thank You Cards:

Headbands & Flowers & Bows Oh My!

Flowers can be one or two colors; they are available in the following colors (the pairings are for example only, you can pick any two colors).

The band has a piece of velcro on it and the bows and flowers have a corresponding piece ***please be careful when changing out the bow or flower to hold on to the velcro so it doesn't damage the flower or bow***

Ribbon Headbands are also available, they come with the same flower choices as above, but the flowers are permanently attached, choose any ribbon color.

Flowers On Bobby Pins

colors:  white, cream, pink, rose, purple, yellow, peach, light blue, dusky blue, red

With the flowers you can pick the flower and clip color

If there is a color you'd like but don't see listed email me (beadedbabyboutique@gmail.com) and I'll let you know if I can do it.

Darling Diaper Cakes

These are mostly intended for local-sale (Utah County). I will ship them if you'd like, but email me for shipping quotes. I use Kirkland brand size 1-2 diapers.

Designer Cakes (ribbons & bows plus decorations)

One of a Kind Onesies

I'll put any image/text you'd like on a onesie or shirt. I can do so via transfer paper or I can paint text by hand. Simple images/designs I can also do by hand but, complex images are done by transfer paper only.

Wonderful Wipe-ies

These  dressed up wipes containers are fun and unlike many other covered containers, you can still use the pop-up feature of the container.

Denim & Lace

patchwork

frog friends

Shown in Perfectly Polka Dot

Other Styles:
Fabulous Flowers
Simply Swirly

Binky Beads

Super cute & practical! These work most easily on pacifiers with a handle, but can also be used on the Soothie-style too. You can click on the pictures to see close-ups.
$15 each or 2 for $27
-Pacifier not included-
These designs are available (but I will do custom orders* too):

                         midnight                              sunflower

                                   dragonfly                         pretty in pink

                                      baby blues                        sassy sherbet

Spring

*custom orders may cost more depending on bead choices