Mortarboards

Mortarboards, Mortar Boards, Graduation Caps, Graduation, Congratulations, Graduation Party, Class, Cap and Gown, May, Graduation Celebration, Favor, Pick

Creatable in a wide array of school colors…

Miniature mortarboards add pomp and circumstance to any graduation celebration!

Supplies needed:

  • Mini-cupcake liners in color of your choice
  • Card stock to match liners
  • Narrow ribbon (1/8″ or less)
  • 1/4″ brads to match ribbon
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Hot glue gun & sticks
  • Hole punch
  • Utility knife
  • Scissors

Cut card stock into 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ squares.  Punch a hole in the center of each square.

Using a utility knife or the tip of a sharp paring knife, carefully cut a tiny “X” in the center of each cupcake liner.

Assemble mortarboards by aligning the hole in the card stock with the “X” in the cupcake paper.  Use a single brad to secure.

For tassels, cut ribbon into 5″ strips with scissors.  Fold in half, then tie a knot approximately 3/4″ from the loop.

Lasso each brad with the loop of one tassel, pulling taut.  Neaten ribbon ends by trimming at a slight angle.

To attach lollipop sticks, turn graduation caps upside down.  Squeeze a drop of hot glue onto one end of stick.  Quickly stand stick upright in the center of cap.  Hold in place for several seconds, allowing glue to set up.

Once completed, miniature mortarboards can be used to adorn tablescapes, flower arrangements, party favors… even desserts!

*Warning:  small parts pose a choking hazard to children under 3yrs.

Hollie

May Flowers

Candy Flower Cupcakes, Flower Cupcakes, Candy Flowers, May Flowers, May, Spring, Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation, Bridal Tea, Baby Shower, Birthday Party, Sunkist Fruit Gems, Chocolate Frosting, Chocolate Jimmies, Colored Toothpicks, Candy Buttons, Dessert

This month provides many opportunities to play hostess.

Whether you’re planning brunch in honor of mom, a luncheon to express appreciation for hardworking teachers, birthday parties, or a bridal tea…

Cupcakes abloom with colorful candy flowers, lend a springtime feel to any May menu!

Candy Flower Cupcakes

  • 12 cupcakes (undecorated)
  • 16oz. can chocolate frosting
  • Chocolate jimmies/sprinkles
  • Sunkist Fruit Gems (6-2.05oz. packages)
  • Mega Candy Buttons
  • Colored toothpicks
  • 1/4 c. white chocolate chips
  • 2-3 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • Wax paper

To create flowers, separate green candy disks from the rest and set aside.

Insert one red toothpick into each of the raspberry and grapefruit flavored candies, a yellow toothpick into each lemon candy, and an orange toothpick into the orange.

Remove candy buttons in the colors of your choice from paper backing.  Melt white chocolate chips.  Dab a tiny amount onto the backs of candy buttons, then quickly adhere to flower fronts.

For leaves, pour granulated sugar onto a sheet of wax paper.  Carefully cut green candies in half with a sharp knife.  Press the sticky edges into sugar granules until well-coated.  Insert one green toothpick into each leaf.

Using a small metal spatula or butter knife, spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting over the surface of cupcakes.  Gently roll edges of wet frosting in a shallow bowl filled with chocolate jimmies.

Place two candy flowers atop each cupcake at varying heights, followed by one leaf.

Serve and enjoy!

*Yields one dozen cupcakes.

Hollie

Blue Bunnies

Two-Bite Bunnies, Bunny Bites, Two-bite Brownies, Bunny Cakes, Bunny Treats, Easter Bunny, Easter, Spring, Rabbit, Frosting, Chewing Gum, Candy, Kids, Party, Favor, Snack, Dessert, Treat

Handsomely dressed in shades of blue…

Girls and boys of all ages, will hop for joy at the sight of these bite-sized bunnies!

Bunny Bites

  • Two-bite brownies
  • 16oz. can white frosting
  • 1 1/2c. shredded coconut
  • Blue food coloring
  • M&M’s Minis
  • Pink jelly beans
  • White stick gum (Wrigley’s Doublemint)
  • Blue stick gum (Wrigley’s Extra Smooth Mint)
  • Miniature cupcake liners

To create fur, place coconut and 3-5 drops of blue food coloring in a food processor.  Pulse until coconut is finely chopped and evenly tinted.  Pour into a shallow bowl and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, stir together frosting and a few drops of blue food coloring until desired color is reached.  Transfer frosting to a gallon-sized zipper bag, seal, and snip one corner.  Pipe a mound of blue frosting onto each brownie.

Immediately roll wet frosting in chopped blue coconut.  To ensure a fuzzy effect, pile on additional coconut and press lightly until icing is completely coated.  Carefully insert brownie into a mini-cupcake liner.

For bunny ears, cut blue gum sticks in half with clean kitchen shears.  Shape one end into a point.  Use this ear as a guide for cutting the rest.  Cup the base of ears slightly before standing upright in iced brownies.

Whiskers are made by cutting white chewing gum sticks lengthwise into thin strips, then in half.  Add whiskers, using the point of a toothpick or wooden skewer to push the tips down into the frosting layer.

With dabs of extra frosting, adhere two brown M&M eyes and one pink jelly bean nose to the face of each bunny.

Serve and enjoy!

*Feel free to substitute miniature cupcakes for two-bite brownies.

Hollie

The Carrot Patch

Carrot Patch Dirt Cups, Candy Carrots, Carrot Dessert, Chocolate Pudding, Sandwich Cookies, Cookie Crumbs, Rainbow Twizzlers, Spring, Easter, Easy Recipe, Dessert, Treat, Snack, Kids, Party, Entertaining

Perfectly suited to springtime entertaining…

Patches of candy carrots take root, as the focus of these tasty treats!

Carrot Patch Dirt Cups

  • Instant chocolate pudding
  • Chocolate sandwich cookies
  • Rainbow Twizzlers

Carrot tops are formed by cutting green Twizzlers into 1 1/4″ pieces with a sharp knife.  Split these pieces lengthwise.  With kitchen shears, cut slits that resemble foliage in one end of green licorice.  Snip the opposite end into a narrow point.

Cut orange Twizzlers into 2″ pieces.  Use the blunt end of a wooden skewer to ensure the hollow center of the orange licorice is open.

Assemble carrots by inserting the pointed ends of green tops into orange licorice centers.  You will need to make a total of twelve candy carrots.

Prepare chocolate pudding according to the package directions.  Distribute pudding evenly among four ramekins.  Refrigerate until set, approximately five minutes.

Crush 15-20 sandwich cookies in a food processor.  Remove pudding cups from refrigerator and top with cookie crumbs to resemble loose soil.

Place three candy carrots in the middle of each crumb-topped pudding cup. 

Serve immediately and enjoy!

*This recipe yields four servings.

Hollie

Delightful Daffodils

Delightful Daffodils, Daffodil Pops, Marshmallow Daffodils, Marshmallow Daffodil Pops, Edible Daffodils, Marshmallow Pops, Marshmallows, Yellow Candy Melts, Yellow Sugar Crystals, Yellow Cupcake Liners, Lollipop Sticks, Spring, Daffodils

Delight in the warmth and beauty of the season, with a dazzling display of edible daffodils!

Made easily from candy-coated marshmallows, bountiful blooms spring forth swiftly…

No bulbs or shovels required!

Daffodil Pops

  • Marshmallows
  • Yellow candy melts
  • Yellow sugar crystals
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Yellow cupcake liners
  • Yellow mini-cupcake liners
  • Invisible tape
  • Styrofoam rectangle
  • Green paper shreds (optional)

Reduce the size of marshmallows by carefully removing 1/4″ from tops with a sharp knife.  Insert one lollipop stick into the uncut end of marshmallow until it reaches the top without piercing it.

Melt yellow candy wafers according to package directions.  Holding lollipop stick securely, dip the entire marshmallow into liquid candy coating.  Press the tip into a shallow bowl filled with yellow sugar crystals before inverting.

Use foam as a base to keep pops upright while drying.  Allow coating to set up completely before adding paper decorations.

Cut a small “X” in the center of each miniature cupcake liner with the tip of a sharp paring or utility knife.  Slide mini-cupcake paper up lollipop stick, cradling the marshmallow.

Daffodil Pops, Delightful Daffodils, Marshmallow Daffodils, Edible Daffodils, Marshmallow Daffodil Pops, Marshmallow Pops, Spring, Petals, Instructions

To create outer petals:

1.) Flatten larger yellow cupcake liners and fold in half. 

2.) Fold evenly into thirds, then in half again.

Daffodil Pops, Delightful Daffodils, Marshmallow Daffodils, Marshmallow Daffodil Pops, Marshmallow Pops, Edible Daffodils, Spring, Petals, Instructions

3.) On the side opposite fold, begin cutting approximately 1/2″ from the top with scissors.

4.) Cut upward toward folded edge, rounding slightly.  Snip a tiny amount from pointed tip to make room for the lollipop stick. 

5.) Unfold cupcake liners to reveal six perfectly pointed petals.

Add paper petals to marshmallow pops by sliding them up lollipop sticks.  Secure with a short piece of invisible tape.

Arrange daffodil pops in a small ceramic pot or vase filled with green paper shreds… this step is entirely optional.

Serve and enjoy!

Hollie

Michaels Gift Card Winner

The winner of the $20.00 Michaels gift card is:

Dawn says:  Friday, March 2, 2012 at 10:58 pm

My favorite craft is scrapbooking and making fleece tie blankets! I love Micheals!!

Congratulations, you will be hearing from me soon!

Hollie

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