Smiley Face Sugar Cookie Recipe & Crochet Smile

October 11, 2013 by ·

Smiley Face Sugar Cookie Recipe and Crochet Smile Cozy

Make any day a happy day with this smiley face sugar cookie recipe and crochet smile cozy!

smiley face sugar cookie recipe

With the wild and crazy colors available in food coloring and yarn…this project will have you grinning from ear to ear all day long.

If a friend or family member needs a little pick me up…this smiley face duo is sure to do the trick!

Let’s start with the sugar cookies because they need time to refrigerate before baking.

smiley face sugar cookiesSmiley Face Sugar Cookie Recipe

This sugar cookie recipe is quite sweet so we recommend that you make mini sugar cookies (approximately 2” diameter). We used a champagne flute as our cookie cutter.

COOKIE DOUGH INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup agave nectar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

ICING INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • Dash of salt
  • Food coloring gel

cutting cookiesCOOKIE DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. With a wire whip, whisk together flour and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugar and agave together until smooth.
  4. Stir egg and vanilla into butter mixture.
  5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until blended.
  6. Chill cookie dough for at least 30 mintues.
  7. Roll out dough on a floured surface until ¼” thick. Cut out cookie shapes (we used a champagne flute).
  8. Place cookies on cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes.
  9. Place cookies on wire rack to cool.
  10. While cookies are cooling, make icing.

sugar cookies iced

ICING DIRECTIONS:

  1. Pour all icing ingredients together into a bowl and stir until smooth.
  2. Separate icing into 5 bowls (or number of colors you’ll be using).
  3. Add a few drops of food coloring into one of the bowls and stir until color is consistent.
  4. Repeat step 3 for all the colors you want.
  5. Ice the cookies with the colored icing.
  6. For dark grey icing, add a bit of several colors of the food colorings into one of the bowls and stir, adding more of needed colors until you get the color desired.
  7. Place dark grey icing into a sandwich bag and squeeze it to one corner of the bag. With scissors, cup off the very tip of the corner. The bag can now be used as a pastry bag.
  8. Draw smiles onto cookies with pastry bag.

crochet smile cozyCrochet Smile Cozy

You can’t wipe the smile off the face of this mason jar cozy! No matter what you say or do, it will keep smiling that cheeky grin.

This is a great stash buster for all of the bright and cheerful colors you have in your remnant pile. We’ve used several fun colors from Vanna’s Choice yarn.

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in the Round

SUPPLIES:

  • Vanna’s Choice Yarn: Worsted Weight (4)
    Yellow: DUCKIE, BLACK
    (Pink: Berrylicious, Black)
    (Green: Fern, Black)
  • Crochet Hook: H
  • Yarn Needle for Sewing
  • Mason Jar

3 cozies flat

COZY INSTRUCTIONS:

Duckie

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-10: Sc around. (34)

Sl St. Finish off. Weave in end.


BlackEYE INSTRUCTIONS: (make 2)

Hook: H

Ch 3

Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook.

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

MOUTH INSTRUCTIONS:

Black

Hook: H

Ch 8

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Pin then sew Eyes to cozy. Weave in ends.
  2. Pin then sew Mouth to cozy. Weave in ends.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this smile cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 smiles pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , , ,

Father’s Day Gift Ideas – Steak Rub Recipe and Crochet Mustache!

May 24, 2013 by ·

Father’s Day Gift Ideas – Steak Rub Recipe and Crochet Mustache!

We have two Father’s Day gift ideas for you…a steak rub recipe and a crochet mustache jar cozy. Combine the two and not only will you create a tasty gift for dad, but a stylish one, too!

father's day gift ideas

I’m not spoiling the surprise by sharing this gift idea with you. My dad likes plain old table salt. So, he’s not getting this particular rub. My husband, on the other hand, loves seasonings so much that his friends have nicknamed him “flavor boy”. He’ll be grilling with this rub for sure!

To round out this Father’s Day gift idea, we have created a crochet mustache jar cozy. Mustaches are distinctively masculine and 100% fun!

Let’s start with the Steak Rub Recipe. You may need to order our secret ingredient online if you can’t find it at a grocery store or seasoning shop.

Steak Rub Recipe

steak rub recipeFather’s Day is just one excuse for grilling. This steak rub recipe is another!

You’re going to love the rich bold flavor of our secret ingredient…smoked sea salt. Smoked salt captures both the scent and flavor of campfire cooking. It is my husband’s favorite seasoning, and it’s the #1 ingredient in our steak rub.

Note: we recommend getting a strong smokey salt. Look for words like “extra bold” or “bonfire”.

We’ve kept the quantity of this rub recipe small so you can sample it before committing to a large jar of it.

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES:

  • 3 Tablespoons Smoked Sea Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Coarse Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Spiced Ranch Mix (dry packet)
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cumin

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Store in mason jar.

SERVING:

  1. Brush steak with olive oil.
  2. Sprinkle dry rub on steak. (We like lots of flavor so we spinkle approximately 1 Tablespoon on each side of a thick Ribeye)
  3. Allow steak to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
  4. Grill steak to desired temperature.
  5. Enjoy!

Note: This tastes great on Pork Chops, too! Just sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon on each side. This rub is a little spicy.

Caution: Always use a clean spoon when scooping out seasoning for use on steak. You do not want raw meat to come into contact with seasonings that are being stored for later use.

Crochet Mustache Jar Cozy

crochet mustacheNow that the rub is out of the way, let’s get to the crochet mustache jar cozy. This cozy can be used on jars and cups. Super fun!

We’re using Vanna’s Choice (worsted weight: 4) for this project. This is a great stash buster!

These are fun for everyday use…but here are some other “special” days you may want to break out these cozies for public admiration:

  • International Fake Mustache Day – February 3rd
  • National Fake Mustache Day – February 24th
  • Oakland A’s Mustache Day – June 18th
  • Movember: National Grow a Mustache Month– November

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, Double Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Rows, Increase

SUPPLIES LIST:

  • Vanna’s Choice (Worsted Weight: 4) – Approx 21 yards total
    Green Jar Cozy: FERN, ESPRESSO
    (Pink Cozy: BERRYLICIOUS, ESPRESSO)
    (Yellow Cozy: MSUTARD, ESPRESSO)
  • Hook: H / 8 / 5.00 mm
  • Yarn Needle for sewing

Crochet Mustache Cozy Pattern

JAR COZY INSTRUCTIONS

Fern

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-10: Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Cut yarn and weave in end.

MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS

Creating mustaches with yarn was so much fun…I made three. Which is your favorite?

NOTE: Additional shaping of the mustaches is accomplished in the pinning and sewing of them to the cozy.

crocheted mustache optionsENGLISH MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS (as seen on the pink cozy)

Espresso

Hook: H

Ch 16

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, 2 sl st. (15)

Pin then sew mustache to top of cozy.

FU MANCHU MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS (as seen on green cozy)

Espresso

Hook: H

Ch 18

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc inc, sc, sl st, sc, sc inc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pin then sew mustache to top of cozy.

HANDLEBAR MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS (as seen on the yellow cozy)

Espresso

Hook: H

Ch 25

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. 5 sl st, sc, 4 hdc, 2 sl st, 4 hdc, sc, 6 sl st. (24)

Pin then sew mustache to top of cozy.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this mustache cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 mustaches pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Father's Day, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE · Tagged With: , , ,

Celebrate Armed Forces Day with Soup in a Jar

May 10, 2013 by ·

Celebrate Armed Forces Day with Soup in a Jar

We’re celebrating armed forces day with soup in a jar.

armed forces day

We are thankful for the men and women who serve our country in the military. We couldn’t resist creating an “MRE” (meals ready to eat) type recipe for this week’s mason jar.

This project is very simple to make. In fact, this cozy may be the easiest one’s we’ve made to date!

Armed Forces Day – Jar Cozy

cozy and ribbonMany organizations use a crossed ribbon to help raise awareness of their cause. The yellow ribbon signifies a wish to see our troops come home. A black ribbon helps us remember prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Though it’s not military related, we are demonstrating how this cozy can be used for most any cause with a change of color. The pink ribbon is used to raise breast cancer awareness.

Cozy Supplies

  • Vanna’s Colors (Bulky – 5): Pine
    Vanna’s Choice (Worsted – 4): Radiant Yellow
    (Black Ribbon: Vanna’s Choice – Scarlet, White, Colonial Blue, Black)
    (Pink Ribbon: Vanna’s Choice – Berrylicious, Pink)
  • Hook: H/8/5.00mm
  • Hook: K/10.5/6.5mm
  • Yarn Needle

cause ribbons

Cozy Instructions

Pine

Hook: K

Ch 28, Join with a sl st

Rnd 1-8: Sc around. (28)

Rnd 9: 2 sl st. Leave remaining sts unworked. Finish off and weave in ends.

Ribbon Instructions

Radiant Yellow

Hook: H

Ch 30

Row 1: Work in the back loop only. Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc across. Ch 2, sl st into base of last st made. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Embroider if desired.

Cross ribbon and sew to cozy. Weave in ends.

“Just Add Water” Soup in a Jar

soup in a jarMost soup in a jar recipes require additional ingredients like meat, oil and dairy when the soup is being prepared. Those extra ingredients aren’t usually available to those who are roughing it. So we came up with the following “just add water” recipe.

As a side note: this recipe would be great for those who are camping or backpacking. And it would be a great snack item or quick meal for the kids, too!

Potato Cheese Soup Recipe

  • 1 ½ cups instant mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup instant coffee creamer (or powdered milk)
  • 1/3 cup cheddar cheese powder (or 1 ½ packets of Kraft Mac and Cheese packets)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon
  • 1 teaspoons dried onion flakes
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Greek Seasoning (or seasoning salt)
  • ¼ cup imitation bacon bits (optional)

ingredients for soup in a jarMix all ingredients together thoroughly. Store in mason jar.

To serve, mix ½ cup soup mix with 1 cup boiling water. (For a thicker soup, use ¾ cup soup mix to 1 cup water).

Note: The imitation bacon bits are an over powering ingredient. Only add them if you know you like them.

“Just add water” Recipe Alternatives

There are other “just add water” foods you can use instead of the Potato Cheese Soup. If you’re looking for a simple alternative – buy pre-mixed foods. Be sure to include cooking instructions if these are a gift item.

  1. Pancake Mix (Aunt Jemima)
  2. Brownie Mix (Krusteaz)
  3. Cornbread Mix (Marie Callender’s)

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this cause ribbon cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 of the cause ribbons pictured above are in this ebook! And there are 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Armed Forces Day, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , , , ,

Dirt and Worms Recipe with Leaf Cozy for Earth Day

March 29, 2013 by ·

Dirt and Worms Recipe with Leaf Cozy – an Earth Day Activity

This Dirt and Worms Recipe is a delicious way to celebrate a lot of special days. It is particularly scrumptious for Earth Day, but would be a fun snack for the first day of Spring or Fall, April Fool’s Day, or any rainy day when worms appear from the ground. It’s kid friendly to make and to eat!

Dirt and Worms Recipe

To further dress up the snack, we’ve crocheted a twig and leaf cozy. Change the colors to match the special holiday you’re celebrating. Use bright colors for Spring or Earth tones for Fall. Earth Day calls for the use of recycled yarn…in any color!

Let’s start with the snack. While it sets up we can crochet a leaf cozy.

Dirt and Worms Recipe

dirt and worms in mason jarOur versions of the Dirt and Worms Recipe is a chocolate lovers delight. We’re not diluting the pudding with whipped cream. We want a nice rich dark chocolate colored dirt. This is a quick and simple recipe for kids in the kitchen.

Supplies:

  • 1 – 5.9 oz Instant Pudding and Pie filling – Chocolate (Jello Brand pictured)
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 package Oreo cookies (Double Stuffed pictured)
  • 1 package gummy worms (sour worms pictured)
  • 3 Mason Jars

Pudding and Oreo CrumblesDirections:

  1. Mix pudding according to box.
  2. Pour approximately 1 cup of pudding into each mason jar.
  3. Set aside (or refrigerate if needed) to setup – refrigerate if not using right away.
  4. Place 9 Oreo cookies (3 per serving) into resealable bag and crush with rolling pin or hammer.
  5. Just before serving pudding, sprinkle Oreo crumbs on top of pudding and top with gummy worms.

Earth Day Activity – Crochet Leaf Cozy

Leaf CozyThis leaf cozy is a cute Earth Day activity. Not only is the cozy fun to crochet, but the twig and crocheted leaves are a great reminder of how awesome our planet is. Using recycled yarn makes this an earth friendly activity. Using this cozy instead of disposable coffee cup sleeves is also earth friendly.

This is a great stash buster…which is very earth friendly. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice. There really are too many colors to choose from! We reigned ourselves in with only three cozies.

Skill Level: Easy +

Stitches Used: Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in Rows, Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Back Loop, Crochet in Both Loops

Supplies:

  • Vanna’s Choice: RADIANT YELLOW, RASPBERRY, FERN, KELLY GREEN
  • (Autumn Cozy: Kelly Green, Brick, Chocolate)
  • (Fall Cozy: Eggplant, Terracotta, Fern, Radiant Lime)
  • Mason Jar
  • Twig (4” Length)

Leaf Cozy Instructions

Radiant Yellow

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1: Sc around. (34)

Rnd 2: Sc around. Join and change color to Fern with a sl st. (34)

Rnd 3: Sc around. Join and change color to Raspberry with a sl st into back loop of first st made in this Rnd. (34)

Rnd 4: Work in back loops only. Sc around. (34)

Rnd 5-8: Work in both loops. Sc around. (34)

Rnd 9: Work in both loops. Sc around. Join and change color to Fern with a sl st. (34)

Rnd 10: Sc around. Join and change color to Radiant Yellow with a sl st into back loop of first st made in this Rnd. (34)

Rnd11: Work in back loops only. Sc around. (34)

Rnd 12: Work in both loops. Sc around. (34)

Sl St. Finish off and weave in ends.

Insert twig under any st of Rnd 9.

leaf cup cozies

Leaf Instructions (make 2)

One Fern and One Kelly Green (or colors desired)

Hook: H

Ch 7

Rnd 1: 3dc in 3rd ch from hook (count first two as the first dc), 2 dc in next st, hdc, sc, sl st in last st, ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook. Continue working on the other side of the foundation ch. Sl st in the firs st, sc, hdc, 2 dc in next st, 4 dc in last st. Join with the first dc of this Rnd. (one leaf made)

Finish off leaving a long tail for attaching to cozy.

Attach to twig by tying a bow with the tails from the leaves.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this leaf cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 leaf cozies pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Earth Day, Great as Gifts, Kids Craft, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Russian Tea Recipe and Crochet Radioactive Cozy

March 15, 2013 by ·

Russian Tea Recipe and Crochet Radioactive Cozy

There are many Russian Tea Recipes, but this is my all time favorite. My mother calls it Spiced Tea, but at craft shows it is referred to as Russian Tea. And because I have a sweet tooth, I like this really sweet blend.

Russian Tea Recipe

We’re packaging this tea in a mason jar which is perfect for gift giving. Since it’s loaded with sugar, the crocheted cozy with the radioactive symbol on it is definitely fitting! This cozy would be perfect for any “toxic” drink (tea, coffee, hot chocolate) or food (bean or split pea soup).

Let’s start with the Russian Tea. Then you can enjoy a cup while you crochet the radioactive cozy!

Russian Tea Recipe

This Russian Tea Recipe has been in the family for years. So I’m not sure who to credit for this particular combination (if you know, please leave me a comment below). You can adjust the sweetness of your tea by adding more or less to your cup of hot water.

Russian Tea Ingredients MixedThis spiced tea is a cross between hot apple cider and orange juice. Yum!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Instant sweetened lemon tea
  • 1 cup Tang
  • ½ to 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Store in mason jar.

Serving:

  1. Add 3 teaspoons to 1 cup boiling water (adjust quantity to desired sweetness).

Crochet Mason Jar Cozy with Radioactive Symbol

If you like your beverage a little stronger than most, the radioactive symbol is the perfect image for your cup cozy! It’s also a cute way to adorn a gift for April Fools Day (April 1)…just sayin’.

Crocheted Radioactive Cup CozyThis is a quirky and delightful way to use up your yarn stash. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice. Use Mustard or Radiant Yellow for a traditional cozy or try a Radiant Lime to represent the radioactive material inside your cup or mason jar!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Stitches Used: Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, no foundation chain double crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in the Round

Supplies:

  • Vanna’ Choice Yarn: MUSTARD, BLACK
  • Mason Jar

Jar Cozy Instructions

Mustard

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-9: Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Cut yarn; weave in end.

Radioactive Symbol Instructions

Center Circle Instructions

Black

Hook: C

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 7 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st. (7)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Outer Semi-circle Instructions (make 3)

Black

Hook: C

Ch 4

Row 1: Ncfdc in 4th ch from hook, 3 ncfdc, Ch 3. Sl st in base of dc. (5)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly Instructions

Pin then sew Radioactive symbol to cozy. Weave in ends.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this radioactive cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

The ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: April Fools Day, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe, Yarnitect · Tagged With: , , , ,

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Footballs Recipe

February 3, 2013 by ·

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Footballs Recipe

My husband and I are getting into the big game this year with chocolate covered peanut butter footballs. Truth be told, my dad is the only real football fan in the family. Yet we all come together to celebrate the championship game and to be entertained by the year’s best commercials.

chocolate covered peanut butter footballs

Video Alert: We created a short how-to video for these chocolate covered peanut butter footballs. See the embedded video below.

As I mention in the video, creating footballs is rather time consuming, so I’ll be bringing a mix of plain peanut butter balls and chocolate covered footballs. In the picture above you can see the peanut butter balls in the mason jars cozied with footballs!

Here are some links to these treats:

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls Video

We created a video on Google Plus in a Hangout On Air. We had fun with our guest panel. They recommended that bacon be added as a secret ingredient to these peanut butter treats. See what my husband thinks of the idea!

Watch the how-to video on YouTube.

Enjoy these treats…and may the best team win!

Filed Under: Recipe · Tagged With: , , ,

Superbowl Snack Football Cookies Recipe

January 27, 2013 by ·

Superbowl Snack – Football Cookies

Need a Superbowl Snack? Football cookies are the perfect treat for the big game! These chocolate chocolate chip cookies are dunked in chocolate and accented with white chocolate threads. They are a chocoholics delight.

superbowl snack football cookies

This is the same recipe as the Valentine’s cookies, but without the peppermint. And the shape is different, too…obviously. I suppose you could add some hearts to the cookie platter to let everyone know you heart football! =)

If you like peppermint, I highly recommend that you follow the directions for the Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Recipe and Heart Cozy we blogged about for Valentine’s day. But if you don’t like peppermint…like my husband…than the following version of the recipe is for you.

Football Cookie Recipe

football doughIngredients and Supplies:

  • 1 ¼ cup flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 Tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 Wilton Football Cookie Cutter
  • 8 oz. melting chocolate – chocolate
  • 2 oz. melting chocolate – white

superbowl snack football cookiesDirections:

  1. Wisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  2. In electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and egg together.
  3. Add flour mixture and beat until well blended.
  4. Add mini chocolate chips and mix until well blended. Dough will be crumbly.
  5. Kneed dough on counter top. Roll out dough to about 1/8” thickness. Cut out cookie shapes. If shapes stick to counter, lift with a spatula. Lay on cookie sheet (separate with wax paper if needed) and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  6. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  7. Melt 8 oz. chocolate in microwave at 30 second increments until it can be stirred smooth. Do not over cook.
  8. Dunk the cookie into chocolate and remove and strain with fork. Lay on wax paper to dry and harden.
  9. Melt white chocolate in microwave at 30 second increments until it can be stirred smooth. Do not over cook.
  10. Pour white chocolate into disposable pastry bag or use one corner of a sandwich bag. Twist to seal white chocolate in corner. Snip a tiny hole in the corner of the bag. Draw football threads on cookies. Though footballs have 8 threads…we drew only 5. NFL footballs do not have stripes on the end like college and high school balls do.

football ice cream sandwich

Superbowl Snack – Three Variations for Football Cookies

These cookies are soo much fun. And they’re versatile, too. We prepared them three different ways. Pick the one that’s right for your party.

  1. Bake the cookies and only add white chocolate threads.
  2. Dunk the cookies in chocolate after baking and add white chocolate threads.
  3. Create ice cream sandwiches with chocolate ice cream and add white chocolate threads.

eating ice cream sandwichTo my surprise, my sweetheart requested chocolate ice cream in his chocolate chocolate chip cookies! I thought I was the chocoholic in the family!

As you can see…the ice cream sandwiches don’t have the extra dunking of chocolate…but they do have the white threads. After trying it…I have to agree that chocolate ice cream does taste amazing in the center of the cookies!

Superbowl Snack Served With Milk

cookies and milkCookies and milk are a great combo. So we recommend that you serve this superbowl snack with a tall mason jar of milk wrapped in a crocheted football cozy! You are getting into the spirit of the game, right? You need football decorations. You can crochet these and reuse them year after year…all season long!

The crocheted football cozy is a free pattern. You can learn more about it on the Party Mix Recipe and Crochet Football Jar Cozy post we wrote about last fall.

Go team!

Filed Under: Recipe · Tagged With: , , ,

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe & Crochet Jar Cozy

December 7, 2012 by ·

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe & Crochet Jar Cozy

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe and Recipe CozyWe’ve cooked up this Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds recipe with coordinating Tuxedo Jar Cozy…’cause it’s party time!

And we have a video! (below the recipe)

It’s a little nutty, but we love these tuxedo almonds. They’ll definitely dress up your special occasions. They’re perfect for New Year’s Eve parties, Weddings, Anniversaries or any event where you want to impress your guests.

Let’s start by covering the almonds with chocolate…so they can cool while you crochet.

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 16 oz Whole Natural Almonds (unsalted)
  • 12 oz Almond Bark – Chocolate
  • 12 oz Almond Bark – Vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

1st Step – Vanilla Shirts

Melt 4 oz of Vanilla Almond Bark in microwave (stirring every 30 seconds). Holding an almond at the widest end, dip into Vanilla Almond Bark. Scrape excess off back. Lay on parchment paper to cool and harden. Make as many as desired.

2nd Step – Chocolate Jackets

Almonds Dressed UpMelt 4 oz of Chocolate Almond Bark in microwave (stirring every 30 seconds). Holding the Vanilla coated almond at the widest end, dip the side edge of the almond into the Chocolate Almond Bark, turn and dip the other side edge. Scrape excess off back. Lay on parchment paper to cool and harden.

3rd Step – Bow Ties and Buttons

Melt 4 oz of Chocolate Almond Bark in microwave (stirring every 30 seconds). Pour Chocolate Almond Bark into a sandwich bag (to act as a cake decorating icing bag). Twist bag to lock chocolate into corner. With scissors, cut off a tiny bit of the corner (as small as you can). Squeeze bag and practice making bow ties and buttons on a scrap of parchment paper. When you are happy with the look, create bow ties and buttons on the almonds.

Cool for a couple of hours (in refrigerator if needed).

tuxedo almonds step by step photo

Creating Bow Ties

How to Make a Bow TieLightly squeeze bag as you create bow tie following the arrows. Stop squeezing at the bottom of the right most arrow. As you pull up and away from the almond, move the bag toward the start of the bow tie (top left).

Creating Buttons

Do no squeeze bag. Simply tap bag to surface of almond and pull straight up. This should leave a dab of Chocolate.

Video: Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds
Click the image below to watch

If you’re having trouble seeing it here, check out Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds on YouTube. The crochet pattern for the snazzy tuxedo jar cozy is below.

The Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Jar Cozy

Now you need a tuxedo jar cozy for the chocolate covered almonds. These are fun to crochet and will jazz up any party or gift. Crochet a top hat for an extra touch of class!

The cozy and hat are crocheted in the round. The shirt details are crocheted separately and sewn on…as is the hat ribbon.

This is a great stash buster. We are using Vanna’s Choice yarn because we think the Charcoal Grey looks snazzy next to the Black and White.

SUPPLIES:

  • 1 Pint size canning jar
  • Vanna’s Choice: Medium Worsted Weight (4)
  • BLACK, WHITE, CHARCOAL GREY
  • Crochet Hook: H, F
  • Yarn Needle

TUXEDO COZY INSTRUCTIONS:

Tuxedo Crochet Jar Cozy

Black

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-12: Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Finish off and weave in end.

WHITE SHIRT INSTRUCTIONS:

White

Hook: H

Ch 2

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook. (1)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. (2)

Row 3: Turn. Sc inc twice. (4)

Row 4: Turn. Sc inc, 2 sc, sc inc. (6)

Row 5: Turn. Sc across. (6)

Row 6: Turn. Sc inc, 4 sc, sc inc. (8)

Row 7: Turn. 3 sc, 2 sl st, 3 sc. (8)

Row 8: Turn. Sc inc, 2 sc, 2 sl st, 2 sc, sc inc. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing. (10)

Sew white shirt to the front of the cozy with row 8 sticking out above the top of the cozy.

TUX LAPEL INSTRUCTIONS:

Charcoal Grey

Hook: F

LEFT LAPEL

Ch 13

Row 1: Dc in fourth ch from hook, dc inc, 3 hdc, 3 sc, 2 sl st, ch 1. (11)

Finish off leaving tail for sewing.

Pin then sew over the left edge of the white Shirt and on the cozy.

RIGHT LAPEL

Ch 13

Row 1: Dc in fourth ch from hook, dc inc, 3 hdc, 3 sc, 2 sl st, ch 3. (14)

Finish off leaving tail for sewing.

Pin then sew right lapel over the right edge of the white shirt with the last 3 ch stitches sewn vertically to represent the jacket opening.

TIE & BUTTONS INSTRUCTIONS:

Black

Hook: H

Ch 6

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 4 sc. (5)

Row 2: Turn. Sc across. Finish off. Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. (5)

Using tail, wrap yarn around the middle of the tie and pull tight. Secure with a knot. Sew tie to white shirt below the sl sts on row 7. Weave in ends.

Whip stitch two buttons below bow tie with black yarn. Weave in ends.

TOP HAT INSTRUCTIONS:

Tuxedo and Hat Crochet PatternBlack

Hook: H

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second ch from hook. (8)

Rnd 2: Sc inc around. (16)

Rnd 3: *1 sc, sc inc* around. (24)

Rnd 4: *2 sc, sc inc* around. (32)

Rnd 5: *3 sc, sc inc* around. (40)

Rnd 6: Work in back loops only. *3 sc, sc dec* around. (32)

Rnd 7-12: Work in both loops. Sc around. Add more rounds for a taller top hat. (32)

Rnd 13: Work in front loops only. *3 sc, sc inc* around. (40)

Rnd 14: Work in both loops. *4 sc, sc inc* around. (48)

Rnd 15: *5 sc, sc inc* around. (56)

Rnd 16: *Sc inc, sc, sc inc, 3 sc* 3 times, 7 sc. Repeat from beginning. (62)

Add more rounds for a larger bill.

Finish off and weave in end.

TOP HAT RIBBON INSTRUCTIONS:

Charcoal Grey

Hook: H

Ch 34

Rnd 1: Join with a sc. Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Finish off and weave in ends.

TOP HAT BOW INSTRUCTIONS:

Charcoal Grey

Hook: H

Ch 6

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 4 sc. (5)

Row 2: Turn. Sc across. (5)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using tail, wrap yarn around the middle of the tie and pull tight. Secure with a knot.

Sew tie to Top Hat Ribbon.

Slide Ribbon on Top Hat. Secure if needed.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this tuxedo cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

The ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

 

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Great as Gifts, Mason Jar Series, New Years, Patterns for FREE, Recipe, Wedding · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Party Mix Recipe and Crochet Football Jar Cozy

November 9, 2012 by ·

Party Mix Recipe and Crochet Football Jar Cozy

The party mix recipe is a staple during American football season. And we’re jazzing it up with a fun jar cozy! We’ve tweaked the recipe to add some of our favorite ingredients. Here’s our take on the original.

While this delicious party mix is cooling…whip up a cozy or two. They are super fast and fun!

Party Mix Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 6 cups Rice Chex
  • 3 cups Bugels
  • 1 cup cashew halves
  • 1 cup Goldfish pretzels
  • 1 cup Three Cheese Snyder Nibblers
  • 6 Tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon seasoned salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

party mixIn large bowl, mix together the Rice Chex, Bugels, cashews, pretzels and Nibblers. Set aside.

Melt butter. Add Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and cajun seasoning. Pour over cereal mixture. Stir until evenly coated. Spread in 9×13 pan

Heat oven to 250°. Bake Party Mix for 45-60 minutes stirring every 15 minutes. Cool on paper towel. Store in an air tight container like pint sized canning jars!

 

Crochet Football Jar Cozy for Party Mix

Front and Back of CoziesThis crochet footall cozy fits a pint size canning jar…making it a great gift idea or fun home décor item for your next football party! Fill the jar with your favorite party mix and get into the game.

Crochet a brown cozy to represent an NFL football. Add white stripes to represent college and high school football. Crochet in pink for a feminine touch or to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

This is a great stash buster…pictured is Vanna’s Choice (a soft and vibrant yarn). I’m particularly fond of the Raspberry football cozy! =)

The cozy tapers in the back to give the cozy a football like shape.

Supplies:

  • 1 pint size canning jar
  • Vanna’s Choice Yarn: Medium Worsted Weight (4)
  • CHOCOLATE (RASPEBERRY – optional), WHITE
  • Crochet Hook: H
  • Yarn Needle

Instructions:

Chocolate (or Raspberry)

Note: Footballs used by the National League do not have white stripes. College and high footballs have white stripes. Use White for Rows 8 and 21 if you want stripes.

Ch 5

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc across. (4)

Row 2: Working in the back loops now and throughout: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. Sc across. (5)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. Sc across. (6)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. Sc across. (7)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. Sc across. (8)

Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. Sc across. (9)

Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. Sc across. (10)

Row 8-21: Ch 2, turn. Hdc across. (10)

Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec. Sc across. (9)

Row 23: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec. Sc across. (8)

Row 24: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec. Sc across. (7)

Row 25: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec. Sc across. (6)

Row 26: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec. Sc across. (5)

Row 27: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec,sc across. (4)

Row 28: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (4)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

1. With White yarn, embroider football threads to the peaks and valleys of Rows 11-18. There are 8 short vertical stitches that cross one long horizontal stitch down the center. Weave in ends.

2. Join foundation ch with Row 28 with a whip st. Weave in ends.

 

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this football cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 footballs pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Crochet, Cup Cozies, Football, Great as Gifts, Home Decor, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe, Thanksgiving · Tagged With: , , ,