Post a Comment On: Larissa Another Day

Todays "Recipe Thursday" guest blogger is Kierste from Brown Paper Packages. YAY!
She is going to share a cute packaging idea...followed up by a little recipe by me to use for a goodie to put in these delightful containers.

Take it away Kierste...

Hi! I'm Kierste, from brown paper packages, and I'm delighted to be here with you today!

I absolutely love Christmas, and it is so fun to be thinking and talking about it in July!

I'm really excited to share this project with you today. Giving food gifts to friends, neighbors, and family is a wonderful part of the Christmas holiday, and this will make them even cuter! Using Gladware, a little scrapbook paper, ribbon, and mod podge, you can transform everyday plastic containers into darling personalized gifts.

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Personalized Treat Containers:



ITEMS YOU NEED:

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Gladware container, any size (holiday ones with the red lids are best) scrapbook paper, desired embellishments mod podge & foam brush ribbon
DIRECTIONS:

1. Trace the inside of the lid onto a piece of white paper, to make a template. You want it to fit in the center of the lid, not over the raised edges. It may need a little adjusting to get it just right, but I kept placing it in the center of the lid to figure out where I needed to make any changes.

2. Trace the template onto scrapbook paper.

3. Embellish your scrapbook paper as desired with monograms, etc. These embellishments should be flat to the surface, so you can mod podge over the top of them. If you would like something that's raised, you will need to add it after you've mod podged and let it dry. I did tie the ribbon onto my monogrammed cardstock beforehand, I just lifted it up and mod podged around it, and it worked really well.

4. Using the foam brush, apply the mod podge to the top center of the lid (not the raised edges), then place your paper on top and gently press. Add a top coat of mod podge, making sure to get all the edges really well. Let dry completely.

Ta-da! Seriously adorable treat containers--perfect for all your holiday food gifts!

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Merry Christmas...in July!

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Thanks Kierste! Most of you have probably already seen her blog 'cause she is pretty much famous...seriously doesn't she have the best stuff.

NOW...
How 'bout a little goodie recipe for the treat to go inside these packages...

Buckeye Candy
or if you live outside the state of Ohio
 Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls


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DISCLAIMER: This is one of those treats that there are thousands of variations on. The recipes are dripping with tradition and are passed down from granny for generations. I am not originally from here, so my recipe is NOT based in tradition and did not come from my or hubby's granny...although I am sure someone's granny is responsible. So know this...this may not be your granny's recipe...it's okay it is different. I am not saying your granny's recipe stinks. This is just the one that works for me.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter1/2 cup butter, softened1 teaspoon vanilla4 cups sifted powdered sugar6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips2 tablespoons shortening
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Mix PB, butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl, preferably by hand, to make a stiff, smooth dough. 
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Shape dough into aprox. 2 teaspoons sized balls. Arrange on waxed paper lined tray, or plastic cutting board.  Refrigerate dough balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
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In the meantime...
Melt chocolate and shortening in a metal bowl over a small pan of simmering water...double broiler like. Stir occasionally until smooth, like this. Remove from heat.
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Remove the balls from the fridge. Insert a toothpick in the top and then dip into the chocolate, leaving a small circle of PB showing (this is the part that makes it look like a Buckeye Seed/Nut...I know I should probably know what it really is but alas I don't).  
I did not use a toothpick when I dipped, I carefully used a spoon to dip and cover with chocolate and then I took it out of the chocolate with a fork. This way I avoided the toothpick hole when I was done.
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Let them dry on waxed paper. Try to avoid the amount of extra chocolate I have happening at the bottom of each buckeye...I was feeling a little messy that day.
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Put them back into the fridge to set up.
Let the little ones take care of the left over chocolate.
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Shhh....I won't tell if you help lick the bowl.