The Elf on the Shelf.....er, Cake!!!!

Sometimes we need not look any further than our own imaginations...and pantry...to come up with a quick and easy dessert........But the secret is......everyone thinks it took a lot of time!

Such is the case of the Elf on the shelf cake!

All it took was two cake mixes, some food dye, some homemade icing and a cute little hungry elf!

 And it helped that the elf could also hold his own fork!

 Of course, Tiny Elf also brought his friends along that wanted to eat too.....

 So when we cut into the cake, this is what we found!

Four layers of Christmas delight!!!!

 All created with two white cake mixes and some red and green (gel) dye....And of course four round pans!

 I always add almond flavoring to the (white) cake mixes and make homemade buttercream icing...

 That's what makes Tiny Elf so hungry....

 You have to admit it looks like a lot of time was spent on this dessert...

 Very quickly though, all this loveliness becomes...

this!

But that is exactly why it was made!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Overload...(but I don't really think there is ever too much chocolate!)

This post is for Lisa, because we have been best friends since we were two!!, for Carol, because it is her birthday and she cooks so many of my recipes and is so kind about them... and everyone else that asked for some good Christmas goodies....

I put together some of the chocolate (ball) candies recipes that we made on our afternoon of cookie and candy baking.

These are the ones that we covered in chocolate chocolate (as opposed to white chocolate, okay?)!!! You thought I had gone crazy for a moment, didn't you? Don't answer.

I always use chocolate melts for the dipping. Once in a while I will use the chocolate bark from Wal-Mart, but usually now I try to use the chocolate that looks like little spheres before they are melted down. I think they melt down easier. BUT believe me, for years I used the chocolate bark, so if that is what you are using, then that is groovy too.

Enough chit chat. Let's get on the balls candy!

A little bit of everything....with all the recipes below...

 

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

Ingredients

3/4 cup peanut butter

3 tablespoons softened margarine or butter

1 cup sifted powdered sugar 

 chocolate-flavored  coating

Stir peanut butter and margarine together

Gradually add sugar mixing until all is combined

Shape into one-inch balls

Place them on wax paper

Melt  coating

Dip balls into coating letting excess drip off

Place back on wax paper

Let stand until coating is dry

Try not to eat them at one setting.

You will probably want to triple the recipe....just saying!!

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter softened

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon  pure vanilla

2 cups confectioners' sugar

24 to 26 maraschino cherries with stems

Additional confectioners' sugar

chocolate flavored coating

 

Directions

In a small bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Pat cherries dry with paper towel. Dust hands with additional confectioners' sugar. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoon full of peanut butter mixture; shape into a ball. (Peanut butter mixture may need to be refrigerated occasionally while rolling cherries.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Melt chocolate. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until set. Yield: about 2 dozen.

Enjoy~

Cake Balls

 Ingredients

1  package chocolate cake mix

1  container prepared chocolate frosting

 chocolate flavored confectioners coating

Directions

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. When cake is done, crumble into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended. I personally use only half to 3/4 the can of frosting. I know a lot of people like to use the entire can. It is up to you.

 

Use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. I then put the cake balls into the fridge for an hour.  Dip the balls in melted chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on waxed paper to set. Use any cake mix and any icing combo for these. I have included German Chocolate below.

 

MARTHA WASHINGTON'S

Ingredients:

2 sticks butter

6 cups powdered sugar

1 (14 oz) can condensed milk

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

2 cups toasted pecans,  chopped

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

chocolate coating

 white chocolate confectionary coating (optional)

Preparation:

1. Prepare 2 baking sheets by lining them with aluminum foil

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, salt and condensed milk until the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. With the mixer on low speed, add the coconut, pecans, and vanilla extract, and mix until well-combined. The mixture will be stiff. Place the candy in the refrigerator to chill until it is firm enough to roll.

4. Using a candy scoop or teaspoon, form the mixture into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Return to the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the dipping chocolate.

5. Place the chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave, stirring after every minute. Be sure to watch the chocolate so that it does not scorch. Stir until the chocolate is entirely smooth, and allow it to cool slightly until it is warm but not hot.

6. Using dipping tools or two forks, dip the candies in the melted chocolate and return them to the baking sheets. Repeat with remaining candies. Chill until the chocolate is completely set.

7. If desired, melt the white chocolate candy coating in the microwave. Drizzle the coating over the finished candies by waving a chocolate-dipped fork over the candies. Alternately, you can place the melted coating in a plastic bag and snip off a small corner of the bag to form a homemade piping bag. This creates an extra step, but makes them look so nice.

I hope you can find some type of chocolate ball to prepare and enjoy for Christmas!

Getting closer to the day.......

It really doesn't take much to make me happy at Christmas.

I found a place that sales teas in the "Timothy" brand. I buy a canister of it to go with every single season. ...Just for the "Timothy's" in my house.

The polka-dot ornaments were K-Mart specials. I have them sitting around everywhere.

Vintage typeface.

What are some of your favorite--and simple---ways to decorate?

Creating Munchies and Memories........

 When it comes to making Christmas cookies at our house, it takes everyone. Even if you are only 6. (Notice Caroline had to put the 6 with her name!)

 It is important to let your inner decorator out. Only one rule: Just have fun!

 On the Sunday afternoon we set aside for heavy-duty baking, we gather up the supplies. Everyone gets to make their favorite recipes. The ingredients and cookbooks are on hand and just waiting to be made into yumminess.


  Lots of chocolate dipped balls! Cake balls, peanut-butter balls, cookie dough truffles, oreo balls.........

 All hands are called in for the afternoon. No matter the age. No matter if they live at the house or away, no matter if they want their picture taken...or LOVE having their picture taken. All that counts is that you come ready to create and bake. 

  Platters slowly start to fill up with goodies. 

 Multiple recipes created at one time.

 Until finally everyone is worn out. Everyone is on a sugar high. But most importantly, there are enough goodies that each person gets to take home LOTS!

A December afternoon spent creating goodies

for Christmas.

A December afternoon creating memories

for a lifetime.

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry!

One good thing about loving to collect Santa is that you can find him anywhere. And he doesn't have to be expensive!! These two little guys were found different years at the Dollar Store. When grouped together you would never know they only cost $2!

  HoHoHo!!