Sugar Swings! Serve Some: 2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

Ambrosia Fudge - vanilla fudge with rainbow marshmallows


Hope everyone had a great Christmas, if you celebrate, and if not happy almost New Years Eve! Hard to believe 2015 is just about done and we're onto 2016.  The years move by so fast.  They seem to pick up speed every year - not much we can do about that except enjoy every moment.

I figured some fun fudge would be appropriate to ring in the new year.  I call it ambrosia fudge, mostly because its got lots and lots of mini rainbow marshmallows.  There's no fruit it in which is the main stay of regular ambrosia salad but I'm going with the other definition of ambrosia - or food/drink of the greek gods! This fudge is pretty and very sweet so I think it fits!


Although now that I think about it, the marshmallows are fruit flavored - orange, strawberry, lemon and lime so I think that actually covers the fruit part for ambrosia salad.


The recipe is really easy with 3 basic ingredients - vanilla chips, frosting, and the marshmallows.


Mix them up and spread into a 9X9 baking pan and sprinkle with lots of pretty sprinkles.


Maybe you could call it just regular marshmallow fudge but I think that's kinda boring.  A friend suggested  mermaid fudge? or bubble fudge? What would you call it??


Whatever you call it they are perfect little bites of decadence for your New Years eve shin-dig!


Easy and so fun to make too.  If you wanted to add dried or freeze dried fruits you could morph it more into the ambrosia "salad" type of fudge.  I've listed that as optional in the directions below.

Are you ready for 2016? Well it's coming whether we like it or not! Thanks so much for reading, sharing, and pinning posts from the year.  Can't wait to share more in the new year!

Have a happy and safe New Years!  See you in 2016!

How to Make Ambrosia Fudge:
  • 2 cups of vanilla chips
  • 1 can of store bought frosting
  • 3 cups of mini rainbow marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup of dried or freeze dried fruit (such as pineapple, oranges) - optional
  • various sprinkles
Directions:

  1. Line 9X9 pan with parchment paper or foil
  2. Melt chips in microwave (in microwave safe bowl) on high. (2-3 30-second intervals)
  3. Stir in frosting
  4. Stir in marshmallows and fruit (if using)
  5. Spread into pan.  Even out with spatula.
  6. Top with sprinkles.  Push sprinkles in slightly with a spatula to ensure they stick to fudge.
  7. Let set for 1 hour at room temperature or refrigerate for 15 minutes (to speed).
  8. Turn fudge out onto cutting board and cut into squares.


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Monday, December 21, 2015

Winter themed graham cracker treats


During the holiday season I like to make fun but quick treats for the kids.  Since I work full-time out of the house and have 3 kids in elementary school, things get hectic and busy (as I'm sure it does in every house these days).  The love graham crackers so I use them as "canvases" all the time.  


These are my latest little winter scene graham crackers.  Cute, fun and I think it took me 1/2 to throw them together.  I think they would make great class treats or teacher gifts too.  Use all sorts of flavors graham crackers too :)

See the details here at sheknows!

I'm still recovering from the #12daysofStarWars countdown - 12 treats in 12 days was a lot! It was  fun though so if you missed it you can see the last post and recap here.  And we did see the movie this weekend! I won't give any spoilers but I'm sure all fans (the old and new) will love it.  JJ Abrams did a great job and it has everything you think it should.  


See the recap here!

And a very Merry almost Christmas if you celebrate!
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Thursday, December 17, 2015

Day 12 Star Wars BB-8 and R2D2 Droid Macarons #12daysofStarWars


And finally here we are Day12 of the #12daysofStarWars! It's been 12 days of all Star Wars themed treats here (phew!)

And last but not least are:

Star Wars Droid Macarons! 

Everyone's favorite old and new droids 

R2D2 and BB-8


I've only done French macarons a couple of times so I figured it was time to try them again. 


Once they are baked, you can draw on them with edible food writers.  I thought they might be too delicate for that, but they hold up really well when you write on them.  And they take the color really well too.


And if the macarons are relatively even you can even stand them up.


I think R2 definitely needed a new friend.  Well at least I hope they are friends in The Force Awakens!  Who knows maybe they are droid rivals?!


I think I'm sticking with friends.  How cute are they together??


Only one of my kiddos can eat macarons since they are made with almond flour but they approved of them just the same.  Well one was expressing his "dark side" in the pic!


That wraps up the #12daysofStarWars for me.  I hope you enjoyed all the treats, it was fun doing the new ones and fun to look back at some of my favs from over the years.  Now to wait until Sunday when we see the movie.  I'm hoping anyone that sees it tonite or opening day tomorrow doesn't ruin it for everyone seeing it later.  Like where is Luke????? Can't wait to find out! Thanks for following along and for swinging by everyday to see more!  I think I'm done with SW for quite awhile!

I've also posted everything over on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!  #12daysofStarWars @sugarswings

How To Make Star Wars Droid Macarons

Ingredients:
  • 212 grams almond meal
  • 212 grams confectioners’ sugar
  • 82 and 90 grams egg whites, divided
  • 236 grams granulated sugar, plus a pinch
  • 158 grams water
  • vanilla buttercream or other preferred filling
  • Edible food writers in black, blue, and orange
  • Parchment paper
  • Printed images of BB-8 and R2D2

For step by step directions for making macarons.  Please visit Annie's Eats post here.  She does an excellent job in explaining how to do them well and relatively easily.  The directions below are to make the droid shapes and detail.
  1. Once you have your macaron batter ready and in a piping bag, place printed images underneath parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
  2. Pipe the droid shape following the images.
  3. Bake at 325 degrees for 9-12 minutes.  Check to ensure tops are done and macarons are not browning.  Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes.  Macarons should come easily off parchment.
  4. Once cooled, use edible food writers to add the droid details on half of the macarons.
  5. Add a later of buttercream to the plain macaron shells and cover with the other macaron with BB-8 and R2D2 detail.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Day 11 Star Wars Peeps Pops #12daysofStarWars



I think you guys probably know my slight obsession with Marshmallow Peeps right? So it probably won't surprise you that they are the canvas for my next treat.

Day 11 of #12daysofStarWars

Star Wars Bunny Peeps Pops!


For these treats I went with my favorite trio of pals that have stood the test of time through all the Star Wars movies! I'm guessing we'll be seeing them in The Force Awakens too.


This is not my first time at the Star Wars Peeps pops show.  Awhile back I did some Troopers too.  I always have fun making them and they always make my kids smile.  (If you search Peeps pops on the blog you'll see all the versions over the years)


OK we are getting close people! Tomorrow night everyone starts seeing the movie at The Force Awakens midnight shows.  Gotta try to avoid all social media and reviews until we see it on the weekend!

Stop back tomorrow for one last new Star Wars treat or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter! #12daysofStarWars @sugarswings

How To Make Star Wars Peeps Pops

Ingredients:
  • Marshmallow Bunny Peeps 
  • 2 cups of vanilla chocolate chips or white candy melts
  • pop sticks
  • Wilton color mist in Pearl and Gold
  • Candy melts (melting wafers) in brown, blue, black, white
  • Candy/sprinkles red circle for R2D2, yellow circles for C3PO eyes, black circles for Chewbacca's eyes and R2D2 detail, white sprinkle for Chewbacca's mouth, yellow m and m for C3PO center
  • Black edible food writer
Directions:
  1. Melt vanilla chips/candy melts in microwave safe bowl.  Add a small dab to end of pop stick and insert into bottom of bunny. Let harden for 5 minutes.
  2. Dip entire bunny in white candy.  Tap off excess and let candy harden (15 minutes).
  3. Once bunnies are dry, spray one bunny with pearl color mist and one with gold color mist.
  4. Use other candy melts to add rest of detail (add 1/2 cup at a time to quart sized freezer bag, microwave in 15 second intervals until just melted, snip a corner of bag and "pipe" the candy onto bunnies). Use photos as guide.
  5. Use edible food writer to add smaller details.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Day 10 Star Wars Trooper Gingerbread Men Cookies #12daysofStarWars

From top and clockwise: First Order Storm Trooper, Captain Phasma, Flamethrower Trooper, First Order Snow Trooper, Storm Trooper, Snow Trooper, Sand Trooper, another Storm Trooper, Clone Trooper Phase 2, Cone Trooper Phase 1, and Scout Trooper
We're getting close people! The movie is out in a couple days!! (well officially on the 18th but I'm counting the midnight showings on the 17th too!)

So I'm onto Day 10 of #12daysofStarWars

Star Wars Trooper Gingerbread Men!


Every year I usually do some fun mashed up gingerbread men (meaning gingerbread men decorated as characters from shows or pop culture).  I did Star Wars themed ones a long time ago here but figured it was time for an "upgrade".  

Start with your typical gingerbread men cut outs and cover with royal icing.


Once icing is hardened, add all the trooper details with black royal icing or you can use black candy melting wafers (aka candy melts).  There are so many characters to choose from but I kept these to just the various different troopers since there have been so many over the course of all the movies.  

The new Force Awakens movie also introduces the new "First Order" Storm Troopers, Snow Troopers and some neat Flamethrower Troopers! Oh and you can't forget the ultimate trooper all in silver/chrome - Captain Phasma.  Can't wait to see them up on the big screen!


I think my favs are still the old school Storm Troopers.


Are you totally done with all the SW stuff - after all these treats I think I'm going to be done with Star Wars for quite awhile! Still really looking forward to the movie though!

Stop back everyday for another Star Wars treat or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter! #12daysofStarWars @sugarswings

How To Make Star Wars Trooper Gingerbread Men

Ingredients:
  • Store bought refrigerated gingerbread dough (or you can use your favorite recipe)
  • White royal icing - see recipe here
  • 1 package of candy melts in black
  • Silver Color Mist
Directions:
  1. Roll out dough and cut out gingerbread men shapes.  Bake as directed on package.
  2. Ice gingerbread men with white royal icing.  Let harden overnight.
  3. Spray one of the cookies with Silver color mist (for Captain Phasma)
  4. Add 1/2 cup of black candy melts to a quart size freezer bag and microwave in 15 second intervals until candy is just melted.  Snip a small corner and "pipe" on details for the troopers.  Use pc or google photos as a guide.
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Monday, December 14, 2015

Day 9 Star Wars Mickey Ear Cookie Pops #12daysofStarWars


Well we're onto the week of The Force Awakens!  Did you see the red carpet at the LA premiere today? I'm watching some on Periscope and it looks pretty insane.  Harrison Ford walked by and waved.  Did you know he's 73?? 73!!  I can only imagine what the official opening nite will be like.  (Must stay off of social media until we see the movie - on the 20th!)

And here we go onto the 9TH DAY OF STAR WARS

Mickey Ears Star Wars Cookies/Cookie Pops!  

It's seems appropriate to mashup Disney and Star Wars into these cookies.  Ever since Disney bought the SW franchise you see SW themed everything.  It's almost a little ridiculous the amount of SW merch available.  Almost.  I figured Mickey ear cookies would make the most sense.


They are even no bake and start with store bought cookies to speed making them up.  These little chocolate chip cookies worked great.  Use a large icing tip to cut away a small edge of 2 cookies.  Then fit the cookies together like Mickey ears and "glue" together with melted chocolate.  They come together very quickly.


Most of the time is spent on the rest of the detail which is done with various colors of candy melting wafers (my most favorite kitchen supply!).  You can decorate and share as is or use more melted chocolate to add sticks to make cookie pops.


Either way they are super fun!

From top clockwise: Boba Fett, Yoda, Darth Vader, Death Star, Rebel Pilot, Chewbacca, R2D2, C3PO
Are you sick of all the SW posts yet??? Well I hope not since there are 3 more days to go!

Stop back everyday for another Star Wars treat or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter! #12daysofStarWars @sugarswings

How To Mickey Ears Star Wars Cookies 

Ingredients:
  • Store bought small chocolate chip cookies (or any flavor would work)
  • 1 cup of chocolate chips
  • Various colors of candy melting wafers
Directions:
  1. You will need 3 cookies per Mickey ear cookie (or cookie pop).  Use a large icing tip to cut away a small edge of 2 cookies.  Then fit the cookies together like Mickey ears and "glue" with melted chocolate.  
  2. If making cookie pops, flip cookie over and add melted chocolate to center of cookie.  Insert stick and let harden 15 minutes.
  3. Once chocolate is hardened (10-15 minutes) add other detail with colors of melting wafers.  Add about 1/2 cup of wafers to a quart sized freezer bag, microwave in 20 second intervals until candy is melted  (usually 3-4 intervals depending on microwave).  Snip a small corner and "pipe" the candy. Use photos as a guide.  Let one layer harden completely before adding any candy on top.

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