Wednesday, February 23, 2011

cupcakes, suckers, and a give away.......

 Not sure if you saw last year's post on Valentine treats...but I made this cookies suckers & because they are so very very simple and easy to make~I thought I would share the idea again (however ! Sorry AFTER Valentines) along with the recipe. 

The recipe is actually a copy cat recipe for Oreo cakesters.  Only I left out the sandwich making for this project. And put the candy sticks in before baking them.

Here is the details:

2 pkg. Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 cup veg. oil
4 eggs
Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl; mix well.  Roll into 1" balls.  Place on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan. The cookies will flatten as they cool.
  Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
4-5 c. pwd. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat cream cheese & butter. Add sugar & vanilla; beat until smooth.  Spread between the cookies.
(You can also use German chocolate cake mix.)

 So here they are after they cool completely....I took a freezer baggie (because it's thicker) snipped off one corner and filled it with melted white chocolate chips.  To melt the chocolate chips I put about 1 cup in the microwave with about 1 TBS. of veg. oil, otherwise it get's clumpy.  And more than a minute will do that too.  So even if the chips do not look melted stir them.  It get's smooth.  As soon as I "scribble" on the cookie with the white chocolate, I sprinkled some sprinkles.  The sooner the better, because that white chocolate dries fast!
 wah...laaa!
 These little gems I also did the night before Valentines for Jack's party at school.  EASY PEASY!  Cake mix folks!  Then a double batch of decorator frosting and pipe it on top of the cupcake with a #20 tip.  PLOP a peanut m & m on top and call it a day.  :) 
 After the kids went to bed....I did some decorating.  My mom did little things like this~and I think it got passed down in my genes.  :)  She loved to make things special while being cheap resourceful. I remember as a child coming down to special birthday's with candles in my toast, or the like.  I found some paper doilies at the Dollar store and got like 32 of them (in different sizes) for $1.00!   The streamers I had on hand from another project...   

Pencils + suckers + container + dollar section from Target=centerpiece.  :)

 I love when they love things.  Ever since before Christmas this little Suzy had been begging for a "pillow pet" ~but it was not under the tree.  Then found these littler/cheaper versions and I thought...wow, that's usually more than I would do for a Valentine Treat...but would love for her to be able to use it on our trip to Florida this year.  She was so excited, she immediately buried her head in it! 


 When walking though the store, Suzy found some heart marshmallows which were a perfect addition to all the love. 

 All my lovies.  At. 7:00 A.M. ~a brutal time to have any kind of party in the world...but if you set up everything the night before...it just makes a Monday a whole lot more fun.  And let me tell you....they all got dressed pretty quick to come to breakfast! :)
 Later that morning. My favorite 4 year old valentine.
 Valentines party at the boy's school.....

And then Isabella asked, "WHAT? You're only going to the boys' school?? This is my last year for a party in my class...can't you come?"  So I did what any guilt ridden mama would do and left a tad early from the boys' school to get to the girls' party.  :)  No,  I wanted to do both, It was just a little crazy going to 3 in one hour.  But glad I did.  I think these times are precious...and anytime my child/big girl still wants her mama around with all her pre-teen friends~count me in!  

So....here's the "give away" part.  The sucker stickers are super, super cheap here at a local Amish store.  As in---50 for like less than $1.  And I want to share the love!  So leave a comment if you want them...and I will pick 5 winners to get a package.  :)

Quote of the day:
Jack: "Mom, what should I be when I grow up?  An artist or a  McDonald's worker?" 

11 comments:

Wanita said...

How fun is that!!!! Loving this creative stuff :) So if i win a package will you deliver in person ;) I promise i will have my hair combed and not have yesterday's make-up on :D ha! Maybe i would even not be rude and invite you in this time :)

You are raising very secure, loved children. That is a beautiful thing!!! ♥

My Life said...

Well you know I am in if their is anything fun to win!!! ha ha. You are too cute and perfect....I love that you took the time to make valentines day perfect for your loved ones. Again...feeling very guilty I did nothing special like this for mine....Of course two of mine were sickies. That does add a little snag in celebratory plans. But now I am planning to get creative and see if I can meet you in your mother of the year award!!! Oh and I love cheap and happy in the same sentence...that is wonderful!!! Once again thanks for the ideas....and Ohio is in need of some suckers!!! =)))

Mary said...

I remember my mom doing sweet stuff on Valentines Day...once. :) She had a lot to do, but she really did enjoy doing it once and a while. I think I'm like her in that, I enjoy doing it but don't want to make a tradition out of it because pressure to do it takes the fun out of it.

So...we had holiday surprises. "Hey, we're celebrating Thanksgiving this year!" I'm exaggerating.

I want sucker sticks! :)

Todd Irick said...

The marshmallows looked familiar (Target)! So that's what you bought Suzy while her and I were window shopping in the toy section. Great ideas. My family loved that I surprised them with a special dinner on Valentine's Day! Hopefully they will remember that for years to come!

Unknown said...

Actually that was Darla Irick that responded. Didn't realize he was still logged in to Google. Does this mean my name is in twice?

Jess said...

Pick me! Pick me!! haha!! love seeing what you're creating these days. keep up the great work! :)

Beth said...

I sooo want to be your kid! Can I pleeaase???? I love your ideas; I have ideas of my own I just seem to be either too worn out or just don't have the time (or don't make the time) to carry through with them. Also, we can't take homemade goodies to school anymore =( State regulations, although I know for a fact that other schools around here do let kids bring in homemade treats.
Keep the ideas coming! <3

Tammy said...

neat, neat creative ideas.!
I still plan to make those tissue paper "balls"..:) just havent had a real good chance yet.
Enjoyed this ! :)

Cottonista said...

Cute ideas, Heather! I like to make a big deal out of Valentine's day too, but never thought of going all out for breakfast. Helen found the heart marshmallows in the store too. Amazing little treasure seekers, aren't they?

Jewel said...

Wow, what a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day w/your kiddos. I like how you made it special for your children also & that it's not just all about you & Donovan. Love is all around. Braylon saw those marshmallows @ Meijer & wanted to get them but I said no becuz we don't go thru them that fast & we already had a bag of PLAIN marshmallows in our pantry! It was great to see you & Suzy today today @ Meijer. She is absolutely beautiful! Oh, and you are too! :) Did I compliment you enough to earn the give away? :)

Anonymous said...

Am I too late for the giveaway??? I didn't see a deadline :) I love reading your blog.

-Charlotte L.