gobble these up

I saw these little guys online and love, love, love them.  I was so amazed at how easy they were yet at the same time to unique!  Oh, they're just so stinkin' cute!  Total decorating time was about fifteen minutes, tops!  This would be a super fun and super easy holiday chore to share with the kids!
I started out with peanut butter cupcakes and vanilla and chocolate candy coating (I call it almond bark) in piping bags (if that means nothing to you, click here...it's the easiest thing ever!)  Here's how I made these little guys!

Ingredients:
Chocolate frosted cupcakes
1 Hershey Kiss per cupcake
Candy coating in piping bags
Baking Sheet lined with wax paper

First, I made the tails.  I piped out what looked to me like the NBC logo for the tails onto the wax paper lined baking sheet.  I would recommend making them somewhat large.  I made mine kind of small because I was worried they wouldn't fit into my canister.  I piped the chocolate first and then added the white on top.  However, you could easily switch it the other way.  I then placed those candies into the freezer to harden.  While they were hardening, I unwrapped my kisses.  I put a small dap of icing on the back of the kiss and placed one on each cupcake.  The kiss is the head, with the point being the beak...remember this when placing.  I mean, you don't want a turkey with it's head pointing backwards or anything...unless you are going for the exorcist version of the holiday!  Next, I took the candies out of the freezer and removed them from the wax paper.  I placed them standing up behind the 'head' of my turkey.  I made 2 'NBC logos' for each turkey, but one would have been fine.  There you have it.  A one of a kind, hand piped Thanksgiving turkey cupcake!

sweet nothings

I love sweets!  Candy (hello, candy buffet at my wedding and in my house), cake (coffee cake as a light snack...a few times a day) cupcakes!  I also love coming up with new ideas to put a little personal touch on the things I make.  I saw an idea online for making turkey (not the flavor...gross) cupcakes.  Those, I will be trying and then sharing closer to Thanksgiving.  Though, the technique they use was brilliant!  I wanted to share it with you because it could be used for so many different things.

You will need:
Almond Bark (chcolate used for candy making, found in the baking isle)
Sandwich size plastic bags
Microwavable container
Spoon
Wax Paper

First, you need to make an icing bag.  Simply cut a corner of the plastic bag off.  The higher up on the bag you cut the larger the hole will be, meaning more will come out.  The closer to the corner you cut the smaller the hole will be, meaning the amount that comes out will be smaller.  The Almond Bark comes in squares.  Put one square into the microwavable container and microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir the chocolate and if it needs, microwave for a little longer.  You want the chocolate to be completely melted, like icing.  Spoon the melted chocolate into the plastic bag and squeeze it all into the cut corner.

Now, pipe whatever you would like onto the sheet of wax paper.  Helpful Hint: line a cookie sheet with wax paper to make it easier to transport your garnish creations.  Try using white chocolate as well to add some interest.  Once you have your creations piped, place them in the freezer to harden.  They really only need a few minutes in the freezer to harden fully.  Take the candies out of the freezer and peel off of the wax paper.  They will come off very easily.  If you made small, delicate designs be sure to be gentle.  You can store the candies in an air tight container at room temperature.  If you don't like how they turned out, melt them back down and start over!
I was practicing for my thanksgiving cupcakes but you can make practically any shape you want.  I played around a bit with the chocolate and tried some different designs out.  These yummy candies could be served alone or used to garnish cakes, cupcakes, pies, drinks, ice cream, anything!  Let your imagination run wild with this SUPER easy idea.  Practice letters with children by making candies of the letter.  Monogram cupcakes or cookies for a special event or wedding.  Get inspired, create something yummy!