Grandma Kay's Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup shortening/Butter Mix
1 cup sifted Powdered Sugar
1 Egg
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp red food coloring
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
1/2 cup sugar


Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix shortening and butter with powdered sugar, egg, and flavorings.
Measure Flour by sifting. Mix Flour and Salt; Stir into shortening mixture.  Divide Dough in half.
Blend Food coloring into one half.  Toll a 4 inch strip  from each color.  For Smooth, even strips, roll them back and forth on a lightly floured board.  Place strips side by side, press lightly together and twist like a rope.  For best results, complete cookies one at a time..Place on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top to form handle of cane.
Bake about 9 minutes, until lightly browned.  While still warm sprinkle with mixture of candy and sugar.  Makes about 4 dozen.

Creating ClothesPin Christmas Trees

I love These Trees~ inspired by Pottery Barn... Great for Displaying Christmas Cards, a Collection of Vintage Postcards or antique ornaments and of Course as an Advent Tree to count down the Days until Christmas.....  I will be hosting my second  Clothespin Christmas Tree workshop this evening using all Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint Products and CREATIVITY!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Home-Sweet-Home/306647762682894?ref=br_rs

Poor Man's Toffee

• 24 Saltine crackers
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups roasted salted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Topping
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1. For the toffee: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees. Line bottom of 13 by 9-inch baking dish with waxed paper and spray paper with cooking spray. Arrange crackers, in single layer, salt side down, on waxed paper.
2. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and peanuts in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on highest power until sugar melts, about 2 minutes. Stir and microwave until mixture begins to boil, about 2 more minutes. Stir in butter and vanilla until butter melts. Microwave until liquid begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in baking powder.
3. Working quickly, pour sugar mixture over saltines and spread evenly (if mixture hardens too quickly to spread, place baking dish in oven for 5 minutes). Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Invert brittle onto cutting board, peel away waxed paper, and, using hands, break into large pieces. Return pieces, toffee side up, to baking dish.
4. For the topping: Melt chips and butter until smooth. Stir in corn syrup and, using spoon, drizzle mixture over brittle. Let harden for 1 hour. (Brittle can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.)

Love These Chocolate Chunk Blondies

Ingredients
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate chunks or semisweet chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 x 12 x 2 inch baking pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on high speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well, scraping down the bowl. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt and with the mixer still on low, slowly add flour mixture to the butter mixture. Fold the walnuts and chocolate chunks in with a rubber spatula.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30 minutes exactly. Don't overbake! A toothpick may not come out clean. Cool completely in the pan and cut into bars.

A wonderful Barefoot Contessa Recipe

Fragrant Cinnamon Hearts to use as Sweet Little Scented Gift Tags.

Love the Beautiful Colors of Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint I Created a few Cinnamon dough Hearts ready to string for sweet little Valentine's Day Tags
#simplyhomesweethome
#mmsmilkpaint
#iheartmilkpaint
#valentine'sDayCrafts




Cinnamon Dough Recipe:

Ingredients:
3 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
1 Cup Cinnamon
1 Cup Nutmeg
1- 2 1/2 Cups of Warm Water

Directions:
1. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. 
2. Add in the water a little at a time, keep adding water and mixing well until the dough is formed.
3. Roll the dough to desired thickness and begin cutting out shapes with a cookie cutter. Recommend to Roll out dough between waxed paper until thickness is 1/8 to 1/4 inch 

Create: 
Place ornaments on an ungreased baking sheet and use a straw to make holes for hanging the ornaments. 

Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 225 degrees. Place on a wire rack and return to the over for another 1 1/2 hours to ensure the ornaments are completely dry on the bottom.

Let sit and cool, then decorate. 

I painted my Cinnamon Hearts with Milk Paint.  It sticks well to the hearts and then Crackles for a nice Rustic look.  The Milk Paint does not smell so it allows the Cinnamon Scent to remain Nice and Fragrant.  

How To Make Bath Bombs- A Sweet Little Gift for your Valentine

Basic Bath Bomb Recipe

Dry ingredients:
  1 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
  ½ cup citric acid - Sifted
  ½ cup corn starch
  dry herbs or flowers (optional)

Wet ingredients:
  2 ½ tablespoons sweet almond oil
  ¾  tablespoon water
  ¼ - 1 teaspoon of essential or fragrance oil
  

3-dimensional mold or deep dish style soap mold
squirt bottle with witch hazel or water

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Mix all the dry ingredients together and set aside.  Mix the wet ingredients in an old jar with a lid so they can be shaken well.  Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with your hands.  The citric acid my start to fizz, so pour slowly and work the liquid in as you go.  The mixture should be damp enough to hold together.  If needed, mist with witch hazel or water.  Work fast to press the mixture into the molds.  If you're using a 2-part sphere, fill each side and then press together.   Let bombs dry in the mold for a few hours.  Larger spheres may need more drying time.  Remove from mold and let dry for 1 week before use...