Recipes For Sweet Treats

Plain Oven Scones

Recipe Ingredients:

Popcorn Tin

1lb Self Raising Flour

Recipes For Sweet Treats

Fox Run 2.75" Shaker with Large Holes Specification

• Stainless steel shaker with twist and lock top with large holes and snap-on storage cover. Idea...
• Sold individually
• Capacity: 4 ounces/85 millilitres
• Dimensions: 2¾"H

Brand : Cuisena

Fox Run 2.75" Shaker with Large Holes

Stainless steel shaker with twist and lock top with large holes and snap-on storage cover. Ideal for dispensing grated cheese.
Capacity: 4 ounces/85 millilitres
Dimensions: 2¾"H
Materials: High polish 18/10 stainless steel; plastic storage cover
Care: Dishwasher safe
NOTE: Shown at left in photo (without plastic storage cover)

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100g butter

2tbsp Caster Sugar

2 egg yolks

½ pint milk

1 tsp Baking Powder

Pinch salt

Method:

Rub together flour and butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs; add in sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix milk and egg yolks, then add enough to make soft dough. Flatten out to 1.5cm, cut and place on floured tray, brush tops with milk then bake at 200oC for 15 - 20 minutes. For a variation add in 4oz Mixed dry Fruit or 4oz chocolate chips

Chocolate Fudge

Recipe Ingredients:

3 oz full fat cream cheese

10 oz sieved icing sugar

2 oz chocolate, chopped into pieces

Salt to taste

Vanilla essence to taste

Method:

Beat the cream cheese until it is smooth and then beat in the sieved sugar. Melt the chocolate in a basin over hot water. Allow the chocolate to cool, but while still liquid, beat into the cheese and sugar mixture, together with the vanilla essence and salt. Press the mixture into a greased tin (measuring about 6x4) and smooth the top. Chill until smooth enough to cut into rough squares.

Peppermint Creams

Recipe Ingredients:

One Egg white

8oz Icing sugar

Peppermint essence

Method:

Place the egg white in a bowl and sieve in 6 oz of icing sugar. Mix well with a wooden spoon and slowly sieve in more icing sugar, half a tablespoon at a time until you have made a stiff paste. Shake a little icing sugar on the work surface and empty the paste onto this. Add 3/4 drops of peppermint essence or oil and gently knead it together with your fingers until you have a smooth paste. Roll out the mixture, cut shapes and place on greaseproof paper. Chill in the fridge and then coat the creams with melted chocolate.

Recipes For Sweet Treats

More free pudding Recipes and sweet recipes.

Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe With Canned Pumpkin

Pumpkin bread is a great dish to serve on slightly chilly autumn evenings when you just want to sit in front of the fire and enjoy the time with your family and friends. This delicious pumpkin bread recipe with canned pumpkin is easy to prepare and can be made in advance and stored. The spices added to this bread can help keep you warm from the inside-out and the pumpkin is rich in antioxidants (1/2 a cup of canned pumpkin = 3.5 grams of fiber).

Items that you will need for pumpkin bread recipe:

Popcorn Tin

1 /3 cup vegetable oil

Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe With Canned Pumpkin

Mil-looney-um 2000 Lonney Tunes Domed Tin Lunch Box Filled with 6oz.double Dipped Caramel Popcorn Specification

• 10" long, 4.5" deep Lonney Tunes Tin Lunch Box
• 6oz.Caramel popcorn inside.

Brand : Warner Brothers

Mil-looney-um 2000 Lonney Tunes Domed Tin Lunch Box Filled with 6oz.double Dipped Caramel Popcorn

Fun collectible tin lunch box Looney Tunes 2000 by Warner Bros.

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1/4 cup water

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon grated cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon grated ginger

1/8 teaspoon grated cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt (a pinch)

1 egg

500 grams canned pumpkin

To make the puree:

Take the canned pumpkin and boil it in water for a few minutes until it is tender.

Remove the pumpkin pieces from water and put in a blender.

Blend on medium to maximum speed to make the puree.

Strain the puree through a sieve to remove any chunks. You will be left with a smooth puree.

To prepare the cake batter:

Whisk egg, vegetable oil and water using a food processor or blender. It will not mix properly, but you will get an emulsion.

Add the sugar to the mix and blend until the sugar dissolves and you get a fluffy, gooey kind of texture.

Add the prepared pumpkin puree and blend well to create a batter that is smooth and slightly orange in color. Make sure there are no lumps and the sugar is dissolved completely. You can even set it aside for a few minutes.

In the meantime, in a separate bowl, mix the measured flour, grated nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda and salt.

Add this mixture to the prepared mix, one tablespoon at a time, and blend well at medium speed. This will incorporate some air in the bread and also mix the spices well.

Grease one bread loaf tin with a little butter and dust some flour over it. This will prevent the bread from sticking to the sides when cooking.

Pour the prepared batter in the bread tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 45-50 minutes.

When the top is firm and springy, the bread is done.

Cool on a wire rack before cutting and serving.

Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe With Canned Pumpkin

About the author:

Anukriti has a unique perspective on bread and bread recipe's. Anukriti's keen eye for 'cause and effect' allows her to substitute local ingredients and techniques in traditional bread recipe's.

Her Pumpkin Bread Recipe with canned pumpkin is one of Anukriti's latest amazing offering.

More of Anukriti's unique recipe's can be found on Bread Recipe.

All Recipes - A Quick and Easy Breakfast

There are a lot of recipes that you can try for breakfast. However, not all recipes give you the amount of energy you need for a good start in the day. This is why this article will give you a quick and easy breakfast recipe that will help you start your engine in no time!

There are only a few ingredients you need for this delicious breakfast. It's healthy and perfect for anyone!

Popcorn Tin

You will need ½ stick butter, 4 to 5 pieces of bread, 4 eggs, 1 ½ cup milk or heavy cream, ½ cup sliced green onions, 4 oz of shredded cheddar cheese, 3 slices of bacon, salt and pepper to taste. That's all you need for this dish.

All Recipes - A Quick and Easy Breakfast

Vintage Advertising Food Canister Tins 2pc Set - Frosty Top Popcorn, Santa's Biscuits Specification

• Vintage metal, distressed, containers.
• Features vintage product labeling in Americana colors.
• Food safe.
• 2 Pc Set.

Brand : OWI

Vintage Advertising Food Canister Tins 2pc Set - Frosty Top Popcorn, Santa's Biscuits

The versatility of these containers is quite unique. They are food safe so the possibilites are endless of what you can use them for. The exterior of each metal, distressed, container features vintage product labeling in Americana colors. The largest container is rectangular in shape, 12"W x 12"H x 8" deep and features Frosty Top Popcorn product on a blue background. The Santa's Biscuit container is rectangular and is roughly 7"W x 8"H x 3-1/2" deep.

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Here's what you need to do. First thing you will want will be to preheat the over to 350 degrees. Use cooking spray to spray mini muffin pans. Then, cut the bread into small pieces, and place it in the bottom of the muffin tins. Saute onions in butter and whisk milk and eggs in a mixing bowl. Then, season with salt and pepper after you added the bacon on top. You will want to spoon the mixture over the bread pieces in the muffin tins, tops with cheese and you're almost done! Simply bake until firm - this usually takes 12 to 15 minutes.

As already said, not all recipes are healthy, but this one is a perfect mix for a good start to your day! Plus, it is really tasty!

All Recipes - A Quick and Easy Breakfast

You can find more information about all recipes that are healthy here: http://electronicdownloadcenter.com/search/recipes

Traditional Christmas Tree Decor

The two most traditional styles of christmas tree décor are Country and Victorian. The Victorian style of christmas tree décor is definitely more expensive than the Country style, which can be created from cheaper decorations, fabrics and materials. On the other hand the Victorian style is older and is very well suited to the corner christmas tree or the tall slim artificial christmas tree.

The country style of christmas tree décor is definitively American and actually didn't come into style until the 19th century. The look of this tree is rounder and fuller than the Victorian style. It incorporates the chubbier look of a natural pine. However any kind of fir tree is used as a Christmas tree in the United States.

Popcorn Tin

If you like the look of the chubbier country style christmas tree but it is too big to fit into your space, then you can consider buying an artificial corner tree that looks like a pine. It is the fatter, squatter girth that you are looking for when you shop for this and christmas tree decorations online. However remember that for the tree to be truly rustic it should be a real one! You can get a real tree delivered to your door in time for xmas at http://www.hammacher.com.

Traditional Christmas Tree Decor

The key to creating your own country style christmas tree décor is to think in terms of the traditional colors of red and green. For a truly authentic effect don't use tiny twinkling mini lights, rope lights or fiber optic lights to light up this tree. Nothing will do but the old fashioned, vintage style red, green, blue and yellow egg shaped lights. At the very least try to use red and green lights.

The christmas tree décor for a country style tree is quite rustic. The materials that are used to decorate this type of tree are usually made of wood, tin, stuffed toys, velvet, ribbon, glass and tinsel.

Wooden ornaments can include items such as miniature sleighs, replicas of food and carved figures of Santa and Elves. Shiny red painted wooden apples are especially associated with this country style. When shopping for Christmas decorations online or at the mall, remember the glass christmas balls that you choose should be red and green in color. They should also be shiny rather than frosted metal to accomplish the look.

Tinsel, both in the form of garlands and icicles are also very much part of the traditional American country style christmas tree décor. You can buy furry looking tinsel garlands in white, red or green and wrap them around the tree in a spiral. Silver tinsel icicles should be hung in clumps at the ends of the boughs.

Velvet red bows and plaid ribbon bows tied to the boughs also give an xmas tree that old country feel. Plush toys such as teddy bears or stuffed santas can also be hung from the tree by a thread as a decoration. You can find a lot of these types plush or rustic style wooden ornaments when shopping for christmas ornaments online.

This type of tree also incorporates homemade baked goods in its décor. Ginger bread men and teddy bears make a nice compliment to the color of the dark green branches of the xmas tree. Popcorn strung on a garland is also a very traditional country look.

Traditionally the topper for this type of tree is a Christmas star of some sort. The classic home-made version is a cut out star made out of cardboard and wrapped in tin foil. However you can find all kinds of different versions of the xmas star when you go shopping for christmas decorations online - everything from the blinking electronic contraptions to stars made of feathers and tinsel.

By contrast, the Victorian style of christmas tree décor looks best on the tallest tree that you can find. This English style of tree decorating originated with Queen Victoria at the turn of the last century. The taller and slimmer the christmas tree the better.

Certain types of christmas tree confiers definitely suit the Victorian style more accurately than others. The taller slimmer trees include the spruce and the balsam fur. Victorian style trees are not as spindly as the rounder American style trees and show very little white space through their branches. Also the color of Victorian trees tend to have a bit of a blue tint to their green branches. Keep this in mind if you are shopping for an artificial or corner christmas tree.

Victorian christmas tree décor tends to be very detailed. The main topical theme is angels, birds, animals, portraits and musical instruments. Decorations can be conical, spherical and globular. These types of decorations are commonly made of tin and glass. The idea here is quantity. A Victorian christmas tree is allowed to look more cluttered so the idea is to hang it with as many tinier decorations as you can.

The color scheme of Victorian xmas décor is also a little different from the American style tree. Although red and green can play a part colors such as gold and silver should be much more predominant. Pink, blue and lavender ornaments are also much more common on a Victorian styled tree than an American country style one.

Crystal drops, similar to the ones you see hanging on chandeliers, hung on evergreen branches are also part of traditional Victorian christmas tree décor. You can buy plastic versions of these in craft stores and attach them to the tree with wired gold ribbon.

Victorian trees, like the American country style, also tend to be generously draped in tinsel and bows. Ribbons in gold, silver, pink and lavender distinguish the tree as being more English, rather than American in style.

The lights that you hang on a Victorian style tree should look like miniature candles. There are many sites that specialize in novelty christmas lights that look like white wax candles in candle holders. One of these is [http://www.hammacher.com.If] you decide not to go with the candle holder lights as a theme, tiny blue and yellow lights simulate the glow of true candlelight when hung in this tree.

Another common component of the Victorian tree is fake snow. This stuff, called "flocking" comes in a spray can. It is used to frost the branches of the tree so it looks like it is covered in a sifting of freshly fallen snowflakes.

You don't have to be English or American to prefer one kind of style of christmas tree decor over another. What this all boils down to is a matter of personal and perhaps how high your ceiling is and whether or not you can squeeze a fatter tree in your space. However if you buy a corner christmas tree that is artificial, none of this will be an issue.

Traditional Christmas Tree Decor

For more information on Christmas trees, visit http://www.o-christmas-tree.com/christmastrees.htm - a year-round resource for all your christmas tree and decoration needs.

How to Make Soft, Moist Muffins

There is nothing like a tender, soft, moist muffin straight from the oven. The perfect muffin's outside is never hard, and when pulled from its muffin paper or popped out straight from the muffin pan it comes out completely and easily. How in the world is this done?

There are some tricks to muffins that many recipes (or box instructions even) do not include.

Popcorn Tin

The first trick is to NEVER use a hand mixer. Think of muffin batter as a tiny soft baby that can easily crush.

How to Make Soft, Moist Muffins

The best utensil for mixing muffins is a wooden spoon.

Make a well into the dry ingredients of the muffins and add the wet ingredients into the "hole". Gently fold the dry ingredients over and stir softly. NEVER stir the batter more than 20 times; count each turn of the spoon around the bowl as one, two, and so on.

It is okay to have some lumps in the batter. The object is not to rid the batter of the lumps, but to not over mix.

When putting the batter into the muffin tins, I like two methods. The first, method is to use a ¼ cup measuring cup. My other favorite method is to use an ice cream scoop with the sliding piece inside to easily push the batter out of the spoon and into the cup.

Here are a couple of recipes to try your hand at:

Blueberry Muffins

Use fresh or frozen blueberries to make these blueberry muffins.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Sugar for topping

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar. Add buttermilk, beaten eggs, and melted butter; mix until dry ingredients are just moistened. Mix berries with 2 tablespoons of flour; fold berries into batter.

Spoon batter into greased muffin pans, filling each muffin cup about 2/3 full. Sprinkle each with a little sugar. Bake at 400° for 20 to 25 minutes.
Makes 18 to 24 muffins.

Streusel Muffins

FOR MUFFIN MIX:
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. oil
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

STREUSEL MIX:
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. melted butter

Grease or line 12 muffin cups with paper cup liners. In a bowl, slightly beat the egg; beat in milk and oil. Set aside. In a large bowl stir flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center. Add the egg mixture all at once. Stir just until moistened. Do not over beat. Batter should be lumpy. Spoon into muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

Top with streusel. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and serve warm.

OPTIONAL: Separate streusel mix in half. Put in the center of the muffins and rest on top.

How to Make Soft, Moist Muffins

Shiloah Baker is a mother of seven children and homemaker who resides in North Carolina. She is the owner of Homemaking Cottage & Co., a website which offers homemaking related articles, books, eBooks, ideas, other homemaking related materials, and a subscription service. For more information go to: http://www.homemaking-cottage.com

or her blog at http://homemakingcottageblog.blogspot.com to learn how she raises seven children and runs a business at home.

Where to buy Plastic Popcorn Tub - 8.5" Square

Plastic Popcorn Tub - 8.5" Square Specification

• * Reusable plastic
• * Easy to wash and care for
• * Nostalgic red & white striped design
• * Measures 8.5" x 8.5" square and 6" deep
• * Perfect for family night, sleepovers, etc. * Use over and over again!

Brand : I.Q. Accessories

Plastic Popcorn Tub - 8.5" Square

This large, reusable plastic popcorn tub will make movie night even more fun! Nostalgic red & white striped design with scalloped top. Hand wash. Easy to care for.

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recommend items for this season

Where to buy Enamelware Enamel Ware Butter Cup Mug with Lid Yellow

Enamelware Enamel Ware Butter Cup Mug with Lid Yellow Specification

• Rustic Features without the rustic feel
• country classics
• Classic Look
• Vintage
• Food Safe

Brand : HomeLivingDe

Our Price : $4.29
You Save : 28%

Enamelware Enamel Ware Butter Cup Mug with Lid Yellow

yellow butter cup mug enamelware vintage look without the feel add the country decor to any home see the matching popcorn bowl from the same line. size 3" x 3-1/2" x 3-1/2"

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How Old Popcorn Makers Work

Since the start of the entertainment era, popcorn makers have been used to make a great munchie. Popcorn has been a great snack that was invented by the Native Americans. This creation most likely happened when kernels were accidentally thrown into an open fire. Then it was discovered that this popping sound had a great taste.

While camping, in most situations, electric popcorn makers are not used. The reason being, old style camping introduces how to live off of the land with no modern privileges. Therefore, the earliest popcorn making techniques are exercised. Included with this, is the soaking of kernels of corn in butter. Then sizzling the kernels over an open flame until the heat becomes hot enough to pop the kernels into a nice, enjoyable snack for the whole family.

Popcorn Tin

After the camping technique wears thin, or is not used on a daily basis. The next step in popcorn making evolution is the method of using the stove top or the oven. All that is needed for making oven popcorn, is some aluminum foil. Simply wrap the amount of kernels desired in aluminum foil with some butter and wait for the finished treat to pop. A thin skillet works best for the stove top method of making pop corn.

How Old Popcorn Makers Work

Another method for making popcorn is using an already made disposable tin foil package that can be purchased in stores. All that a person has to do is open and remove the plastic packaging and heat a burner on the stove. Then place the aluminum container on the burner and wait for the popcorn to be heated to perfection. Simply open the top and enjoy. The butter and everything is already included. The empty container can be recycled.

One less popular method of popcorn making used to be completely experimental, but more and more people are doing it know. This is the solar powered popcorn maker. While constructing a solar powered popcorn maker, a person just makes a funnel out of card board that can be closed to fit inside the steel container that holds the kernels. Then the funnel gets wrapped in tin foil and set in the sun. Use heavy thermo gloves while using this method, the funnel reaches degrees that will burn the skin easily.

The least expensive method of having and making plenty of popcorn is to buy the kernels in bulk. These are available is one pound or larger bags. Then make sure there is plenty of butter available, and the family can enjoy popcorn anytime, regardless of which style of popping it is chosen. Also there are cheese powders available, and fat free butter in a powder form. These are supposed to be healthier, but definitely not better for the popcorn.

Every family should pick a night of the week to gather together and watch movies. Then every member of the family should know how to properly operate the popcorn maker properly. Each family member can then take turns with the task of operating the popcorn maker.

Eating popcorn has always been popular and always will be. This snack brings families together and always will remain a family tradition.

How Old Popcorn Makers Work

Matthew Penrod enjoys popping his own popcorn in his own popcorn makers [http://www.popcornmakersltd.com]. As an expert of many different types of popping popcorn Matthew runs a website selling popcorn makers [http://www.popcornmakersltd.com].

Creative Holiday Gift Ideas for the Person Who Has Everything!

Tired of giving the same old-same old? Embarrassed to give out those impersonal department store gift certificates because you're stumped and don't know what to buy for the person who has everything? Well, here are some wonderful ideas for unique gifts; some unusual, some personal; something for everyone on your list!

Group two, three or more items (mix and match) and place in an interesting basket or unusual container to present your gifts, covering the container with colorful cellophane and topping it all off with a fancy ribbon and bow.

Popcorn Tin

Purely Personal

Creative Holiday Gift Ideas for the Person Who Has Everything!

- Scented candles, handmade soaps, bubble bath and a big fluffy bath towel.

- Fancy hair ties, hair clips, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner for the teenage girl

- A movie night basket with a video of DVD of a movie you know they don't have, a box of microwave popcorn, candy and a movie guide book

- An interesting book or magazine (and a gift subscription), a tiny booklight, a cute mug and packets of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, or a small bag of flavored gourmet coffee

- A cozy robe - one pocket containing envelopes of hot chocolate and the other, a small bag of mini-marshmallows.

- A spa day with a pair of comfy slippers and a big fluffy towel or robe

- A set of fancy beeswax candles and a brass candle snuffer

- A towel wrap, terry-cloth slippers, shower soap, shaving lotion and a fancy hair comb (or a special moustache comb for the moustached man!)

- A hot/cold pack (see how to make - www.whimsies-online.com/hotcoldpack.htm) with a box of soothing herbal teas and a whimsical mug

- Buy a variety of medium to large seashells and fill some of the shells with melted red wax and a few drops of cinnamon candle scent; and the rest of the shells with melted green wax and a few drops of pine candle scent; adding a short wick before the wax sets and you have an assortment of bath candles all ready for the holidays.

Holiday Bath Salts

2-1/3 cups of epsom salts

1/2 cup of sea salt

5 drops of peppermint scent

3 drops of red food coloring

Pour half of the first three ingredients into a bowl. Pour the other half of the ingredients into another bowl, adding the red food coloring only to the second bowl. Using a tall, clear bottle, layer contents of each bowl until all ingredients are used up (think red and white stripes). Close the bottle and tie with a festive ribbon and a couple of small candy canes.

- The Gift of Time: coupons for one night of baby-sitting, car washing, gardening, cleaning out the garage, walking the dog, re- arranging a closet, etc.

Hobbies and Sports Gifts

- Tickets to their favorite game and a sweatshirt or t-shirt imprinted with their favorite team logo

- Art supplies that they use often - sketch pads, paint in often- used colors, charcoal pencils, etc.

- Scrapbooking supplies, storage boxes to keep supplies in, rubber stamp set, embossing powder and heat gun

- Computer supplies: CDRW's, blank CD cases, a furry Pet Virus novelty or a Virus Survival Kit just for fun (www.petvirus.com)

- For the aspiring writer (or student): folders, pencil case, binders and lined paper, fancy colorful pens, notebooks, personalized notes, a good thesaurus and dictionary, an agenda or diary, colorful post-it notes and a personalized CD coaster to hold their favorite mug of coffee (see how to make one - http://www.whimsies-online.com/cdcoasters.htm)

- For the young artist of craftsperson: a craft box with handle; colorful paper squares, set of scissors with different fancy blades, glue, felt in an assortment of colors, wiggly eyes, lengths of colorful wool, colored pipe cleaners

- For the person who love to bake: a set of cookie cutters in letter and number shapes, a pair of colorful oven mitts, a cute timer, a set of fancy cake tins, mixing bowls, cookbook on baking

- For the BBQ chef: BBQ apron, mitts, a set of large salt and pepper shakers, a BBQ brush, a BBQ recipe book

- A large interesting piece of pottery, kitchen utensils, a cookbook, a set of cute salt and pepper shakers, apron and potholder set

- A fancy flower pot with gardening tools, plant ties, garden gloves, a plant care guide and a kneeling pad.

Fancy Food Gifts

- Chocolate-dipped Spoons: buy heavy clear plastic spoons and dip them in melted chocolate, either all dark or all milk chocolate or let cool and re-dip in melted white chocolate but only halfway up the spoon bowl. Sprinkle with abit of cinnamon before the white chocolate dries for a variation. Let dry on wax paper. Wrap individually in colorful cellophane and tie with a curly ribbon. Add a couple of chocolate-coated spoons in a fancy mug along with packets of gourmet coffee.

You can also add abit of extract or liqueur or even cherry juice to flavor the chocolate before dipping.

For another variation on the chocolate-covered spoons, sprinkle the spoons with finely-crushed candy canes and let dry.

Drizzle melted white chocolate onto your dark chocolate-dipped spoons or drizzle dark chocolate onto your white chocolate-dipped spoons for a different look.

- Here's a different twist to your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Make up a batch, let cool and then dip them halfway into melted chocolate. For a variation, add a sprinkle of coconut or candy sprinkles before the chocolate coating dries.

- Here's a way to use up those little plastic coffee creamer containers you've been saving. Check out this yummy recipe: Coffee Creamer Cherry Chocolates - http://www.whimsies-online.com/cherries.htm

- Breakfast Treat Basket: pour a box of pancake mix into a clean glass jar. Add the lid, cover the top of the jar with a square of pretty scrap fabric and tie on a colorful ribbon or raffia. Type the recipe from the pancake box and print it out onto cardstock to hole-punch and add to ribbon before tying the finishing bow.

Add small zip-lock bags of the following: chocolate chips, dried fruit including raisins, walnuts, almonds, pecans, coconut. One or more of these added to the pancake mix makes a unique treat! Include a bottle of pancake syrup and the gift is complete.

- Muffin Magic: add your favorite muffin recipe to a 1 or 2-quart mason jar or clear, fancy container. Decorate the jar with a square scrap of fabric and tie with a ribbon or raffia. Add your recipe to a printed card (make sure you adjust your recipe if you've cut the ingredients by half to fit the jar!). Include a muffin tin, a wooden spoon tied with a pretty bow, a bag of fancy paper muffin cups and a colorful oven mitt or two.

- Pasta Perfect: an assortment of clear glass jars filled with fancy pastas, a wooden spoon tied with a festive ribbon, a shaker of mixed Italian spices and another of grated parmesan or romano cheese

- Your Fortune: mix up a batch of Chinese fortune cookies (see recipe at www.whimsies-online.com/weddinggallery.htm) that you add your own printed fortunes or silly sayings to (think Confucious Say!). Place them in a colorful tin from the dollar store.

- Caffeine-fix: a set of small tins filled with an assortment of special hot cocoa mixes and/or flavored coffee using the following recipes. Create tags for each to describe each mix and the directions. (All cocoa recipes: add 1/3 cup of mix to 6 oz. hot water. All coffee recipes: add 1 heaping teaspoon, or more, to 6 oz. of hot water)

Basic Hot Cocoa Mix

1-1/4 cup dry milk

3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup sugar

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Mexican Cocoa

Add 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to above mixture and a cinnamon stick to the tin when you tie on the recipe card.

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Cocoa-Malt

1/2 cup malted milk mix

1 cup instant cocoa mix

1/3 cup powdered coffee creamer

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Very Berry Cocoa

Mix one package of unsweetened Koolaide in a berry flavor to 3 cups of instant cocoa mix

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Coffee 'n Spice

1 cup instant coffee

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice or apple pie spice mix

1 cup sugar

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Mocha Magic

1 cup instant coffee

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup sugar

1 cup powdered coffee creamer

1/4 cup dry milk

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Toffee Coffee

Mix equal amounts of brown sugar, instant coffee and powdered coffee creamer

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Personalized Gifts

- An arrangement of family photos in a large frame - use nice gift wrap or other fancy paper as a background, or a collage of handmade papers from your art store.

- Any item personalized with the person's name: a t-shirt with an interesting graphic along with their name; a personalized coffee mug; a picture of their favorite hobby or occupation in cartoon form with their name; a silly caricature made from their photo; a personalized BBQ apron.

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You'll find a unique assortment of personalized cartoon pictures for any hobby, occupation or occasion and fun computer novelties including the Pet Computer Virus at:

http://www.whimsies-online.com. Be sure to pick up your free gift just for stopping by!

Creative Holiday Gift Ideas for the Person Who Has Everything!

Heather creates unique personalized cartoons for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations. Fun & personalized with any name or message. Cartoons to fit any occasion, hobby, occupation or personality! Choose one of her designs and request personal changes such as hair color, glasses or even a moustache, or order a total custom personalized cartoon! Everyone loves a gift that's truly unique. Give them something they'll always remember! Free - Personalized gift with any purchase, and be sure to sign up for our free ezine, On A Whim, for your free time management gift. http://www.whimsies-online.com

How to Make A Cheap and Easy Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket

Gift baskets will always be popular and a great idea to give as a gift. People love to receive gift baskets. Making your own chocolate lover's gift basket is cheap and easy.

You can fill it with a variety of inexpensive items and there are lots of choices.ou can easily customize each chocolate theme gift basket to your recipient.

Popcorn Tin

I've put together a few great ideas for making a chocolate lover's gift basket, complete with instructions on how to make them. You can make inexpensive gift baskets or expensive gift baskets depending on your budget.

How to Make A Cheap and Easy Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket

First make a list of your recipient's hobbies and interests. List everything you can think of.

Suggestions: sports, books, television shows, in-house hobbies, outdoor recreation, camping, workshop, enjoy working with tools, golf, fishing, computer-related, environment friendly, golf, and tennis.

Also relaxation, food, wine, spa, bath and body, fruit, cookie, crafts, gardening, etc. You can tie in any interests into your chocolate theme. These are just a few ideas.

You can find many inexpensive items for use in making your gift baskets or filling your gift baskets, at 'dollar' stores, craft stores, party stores, discount outlets, flea markets, close-out stores, etc.

For gift containers you can use: any type of basket, wicker basket, straw basket, bucket, laundry basket, plastic container, toy dump truck or other large toy truck, purse, tin, Christmas tin, seasonal container, large tea pot, large upside-down hat, or plastic storage container-put lid underneath.

Other items might be: extra-large coffee mug, boot, potted plant holder, wire basket, large pasta bowl, large popcorn bowl, cooking pot, clay pot, tackle box, colander, small wagon, skillet, antique trunk, champagne bucket, hamper, Asian-style trunk or picnic basket.

For gift basket liner you can use: tissue paper, shredded paper, shredded newspaper, tea towels, dish towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, colored towels, colored napkins, placemats, diapers, baby blankets or fabric pieces.

For gift basket filler you can use: shredded colored paper, straw, Easter basket grass, crumpled newspaper comics, a bed of wrapped chocolates or other wrapped candy.

For items in the container it'll depend on the specialty or theme of the gift basket - in this case Chocolate! With chocolate it's best not to include any fragrant items, unless they are wrapped in such a way that they don't give off any fragrance. Here's a small random sampling to give you some good ideas:

Gift certificate for massage or spa visit, gift certificate to favorite store, gift certificate for restaurant, loofah, CD of nature sounds, favorite artist CD, DVD of newer release movie, how-to video or CD, handwritten poem, watch, framed photo, inspirational book, spa pillows, bath pillows, spa supplies, or a small fluffy towel.

Also flavored teas, green tea, specialty tea, herbal tea, biscotti, tea infuser, healthy snacks, fancy chocolates, boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, specialty coffee mix, homemade chocolate chip cookies, homemade brownies, chocolate fudge, and Ghirardelli chocolates.

Or chocolate covered raisins, chocolate covered strawberries, Hershey chocolates, dark chocolates, white chocolates, chocolate bars, chocolate covered cherries, Belgian chocolates, chocolate mints, and chocolate covered pretzels.

How about miniature or giant-size chocolate animals, gourmet chocolate candies, Tootsie Rolls, nuts, homemade chocolate-based cookies, pre-packaged chocolate food items, brownie mixes,and chocolate chip cookie mixes.

And wooden spoons, your best chocolate chip cookie recipe, your favorite hand-written chocolate recipes, chocolate dessert recipes, chocolate fudge recipes, hot chocolate or cocoa mixes in fancy packets, coffee mug for cocoa, movie tickets and cinnamon sticks.

You can use as many chocolate items as you like. You can make your basket with all chocolate items or mix in a few non-chocolate items.

For gift basket wrapping you can use tulle netting or I like to use cellophane wrap. You can buy it in large rolls. Look for specialty packaging outlets where you can buy it wholesale.

Tie off the wrapped basket with ribbon. Wired fabric ribbon is best if you have it. For bows: You can use pre-packaged bows but making your own bows is easy and the best if you can do it. Use a large or huge bow.

Assemble all your gift basket items, tools you need, etc. Now line your selected gift container. Now stuff the selected filler into the gift basket to give added height to your items. Place, layer and arrange your selected items on the filler in the gift container. Put the larger items in the back, the smaller items in front.

Fill in the holes or prop up with more filler (shredded paper, Easter basket grass, wrapped chocolates, napkins or holiday napkins etc. Also you can use 'picks' of artificial flowers to fill in space.

Place your cellophane or other wrap under the gift basket. Center the gift basket on the wrap. Bring the cellophane or other wrap over the top of the gift basket and tie it with ribbon and or a beautiful bow! Use ribbon and bows to match your theme colors. Tuck a card in the ribbon and that's it!

You can find fabric or wired ribbon cheaply at Costco-- especially in the fall prior to Christmas but often throughout the year in some stores. You can shred paper in a paper shredder. If you're going to need a lot of cellophane you can purchase it wholesale through the packaging specialty stores throughout the U.S. but should be easily found in craft stores.

General tips: Try to use non-perishable items. Use freshly packaged food items, because even packaged crackers and cookies can go stale in a couple of months. You can find filler flower 'picks' at garage sales for pennies. If you buy wholesale they are usually around a dollar each.

Also there's nothing like learning how to make gift baskets from a video or DVD for making cheap and easy gift baskets. You can view it over and over again and share with your children, other family members and friends.

You can even charge for classes with your new-found knowledge and/or start a home based business if you so desire. In any event, making a chocolate lover's gift basket is cheap and easy and will be thoroughly appreciated by the chocolate lover recipient.

How to Make A Cheap and Easy Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket

For more information on how to make gift baskets and how to start a gift basket business, go to http://www.HowToMakeBeautifulGiftBaskets.com a website specializing in making gift baskets and gift basket business tips, help, advice and resources including information on drop shipping gift baskets

What is the Best Occasion For a Popcorn Gift Tin?

Although National Popcorn Day is celebrated January 19, gourmet popcorn is a treat that can be enjoyed year round. There are many occasions that are ideally suited to a sending someone a delicious gourmet popcorn gift tin.

Sports Events: Going to a Superbowl Party? Flavored popcorn is almost universally associated with sports. Can you imagine enjoying the Superbowl without a tin full of cheddar flavored popcorn? Maybe the newer jalapeno flavor would be a perfect fit for your crowd. And a day at the ballpark without popcorn is nearly un-American! Some gourmet popcorn companies even have popcorn gift tins in the colors and logos of the NFL teams.

Popcorn Tin

Father's Day: Whether it is your father, grandfather or somebody else's father, dad's love popcorn. Caramel or kettle corn is the traditional favorite, but some of the newer flavored popcorn that combines caramel popcorn with fresh, high-quality nuts are getting very popular with the boys.

What is the Best Occasion For a Popcorn Gift Tin?

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recommend items for this season

Children's Birthdays: What kid doesn't like popcorn? The sweet caramel flavor is always a hit, but you might be surprised at how sophisticated kids are these days. They are enjoying diverse flavors like rocky road and cinnamon toast. Many kids seem to like recycling the popcorn gift tin, using them for piggy banks or crayon containers.

Mother's Day: She may say she is on a diet, but chocolate drizzle gourmet popcorn is going to be hard to resist, especially if you purchase from a merchant who uses high-quality chocolate. Strawberries and cream and macadamia nut are other good choices for Mom.

Valentine's Day: Flavored popcorn can rescue the traditional gift of chocolate from mediocrity to brillance when the popcorn has been striped with drizzles of rich, dark chocolate and pretty white chocolate. Your imagination and the taste will make it love at first site.

Christmas and Hanukkah: Popcorn gift tins make great holiday gifts, particularly for entire families or an office full of people. Most of the merchants have gift tins that contain a variety of flavors that will please everyone in the group and gift tins specially decorated for the holidays. Many of the flavored popcorns are parve (kosher approved).

As gourmet gifts go, popcorn is generally quite inexpensive. Gourmet popcorn gift tins are also fairly cheap to ship (popcorn and aluminum are lightweight). However, upon arrival, the size of the tin makes a very impressive display. And a gift that can be enjoyed by everyone.

What is the Best Occasion For a Popcorn Gift Tin?

Are you looking for the best gourmet popcorn, popcorn gift tin or flavored popcorn?

Visit http://www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com for reviews of great gourmet gifts.