Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

December 24, 2017, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes

$

0

0

Seasonal. Festive. Flavorful. This Cranberry Vodka Cocktail is a treat for the senses and make use of the abundant holiday fruit: the cranberry.

You will need:

3 oz cranberry juice

1 oz vodka

1 oz peppermint vodka

splash Ginger Ale

Cranberries for garnish

Candy cane stick

Directions:

Mix together cranberry juice and vodka.

Pour over a ice.

Top with cranberries, candy cane and a splash of ginger ale.

Save Print

Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Author: Dannelle Gay

Recipe type: Drinks

 

Using the seasonal fruit: the cranberry, you can whip up this great festive cocktail in just minutes!

Ingredients

• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz peppermint vodka
• splash Ginger Ale
• Cranberries for garnish
• Candy cane stick

Instructions

1. Mix together cranberry juice and vodka.
2. Pour over a ice.
3. Top with cranberries, candy cane and a splash of ginger ale.

3.5.3229

The post Cranberry Vodka Cocktail appeared first on Operation $40K.

---

Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes

January 19, 2018, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Beautiful Brownie Bunnies!

≪ Previous: Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

$

0

0

This is reason number 1,221 to find your local Girl Scout and grab some Thin Mint cookies! Don’t worry — Miss Sarah can hook you up if need be, LOL. That is the “secret ingredient” to my Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes. It’s almost cookie time and these help take the bite out of the Wisconsin Winter Chill.

makes 12 cupcakes

You will need:

1/2 C sugar
1/4 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 plus 1/8 tsp baking soda
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 plus 1/8 tsp salt
1/4 C heavy cream
1/4 C sour cream
Toppings for cupcakes
1/2 C melted butter
1 C sugar
1/2 C crushed candy canes

Cupcake directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan with liners

In a standing mixer beat sugar and butter until creamed

Add egg and mix until fully incorporated

Beat in vanilla extract, salt, baking soda, baking powder.

Combine the heavy cream into the wet mixture

Add in flour, a little at a time.

Add in the sour cream

Mix in the candy canes

Spoon batter about 1/2 full.

Bake in oven for about 22 minutes or until the center of the cupcake comes out clean with a toothpick.

 

Frosting ingredients

1 C unsalted sweet cream butter
3 C powder sugar
5 TBSP heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla
3 C shredded coconut
12 Grasshopper cookies from Keebler
36 brown M&M’s

Frosting Directions:
Combine all ingredients, (except Grasshopper cookies), shredded coconut, and M&M’s into a standing mixer and mix on low speed until combined and stiff peaks form.
Pour coconut into a bowl and set aside
Using a butterknife, frost the cupcakes and set aside
Dip cupcakes into shredded coconut
Place a cookie onto the lower part of the cupcake
Place 3 M&M’s for the toes of the cupcakes
Enjoy

The post Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes appeared first on Operation $40K.

Beautiful Brownie Bunnies!

March 30, 2018, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Celebrate May the 4th Be With You Using Our Treats!

≪ Previous: Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes

$

0

0

Fun. Whimsical. Yummy. That totally describes these beautiful brownie bunnies that we are sharing with you today!  Seriously, just look at how cute they are! They are REALLY easy to make too!

You will need:

1 9×13 box of brownie mix
eggs
oil
water
1 package of large edible eyes
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 – 4 C powder sugar
brown gel food coloring
pink gel food coloring
2 piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip
1 squeeze bottle
1 cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper
1 9×13 baking dish fitted with parchment paper
1 bunny cookie cutter, about 4 inches in height

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Follow the directions on the back of the brownie box in order to bake the brownies

Tear off a large sheet of parchment paper so that the sides come up over the 9×13 baking dish

Pour brownie batter into the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean

Let brownies completely cool

Using a standing mixer, mix together the egg whites, cream of tarter, vanilla, and powder sugar and mix until stiff peaks form

Once the royal icing is made, spit into 2 bowls

Add a few drops of brown into 1 bowl and mix. Add in a few more drops to get the shade you want

Repeat step with the pink coloring in the second bowl

Scoop a little bit of icing into the piping bags

Add 2 teaspoons of water into the brown royal icing and mix until combined

Pour into the squeeze bottle

Carefully lift the parchment paper out of the baking dish with the brownies and place onto the counter

Using the cookie cutter, cut out 6 bunnies

Place cut out bunnies onto a cookie sheet

Using the piping bag with the brown icing, out line the shape of the bunnies head.

Fill in with the brown thinned icing

Add 2 large eyes into the center of the bunny

Let icing dry for 2 hours before adding the final details

Once the base layer is dry, using the pink piping bag, pipe a upside down triangle under the eyes

Pipe the pink for the ears

Using the brown icing, pipe cheeks on the bunny

Let the cheeks dry for an hour before adding on the small dots for the “whiskers”

Let bunny completely dry for an hour before enjoying!

Save Print

Beautiful Brownie Bunnies!

Author: Dannelle Gay

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 6 Bunnies

 

Ingredients

• 1 9x13 box of brownie mix
• eggs
• oil
• water
• 1 package of large edible eyes
• 3 egg whites
• ¼ tsp cream of tarter
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 3 - 4 C powder sugar
• brown gel food coloring
• pink gel food coloring
• 2 piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip
• 1 squeeze bottle
• 1 cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper
• 1 9x13 baking dish fitted with parchment paper
• 1 bunny cookie cutter, about 4 inches in height

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Follow the directions on the back of the brownie box in order to bake the brownies
3. Tear off a large sheet of parchment paper so that the sides come up over the 9x13 baking dish
4. Pour brownie batter into the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean
5. Let brownies completely cool
6. Using a standing mixer, mix together the egg whites, cream of tarter, vanilla, and powder sugar and mix until stiff peaks form
7. Once the royal icing is made, spit into 2 bowls
8. Add a few drops of brown into 1 bowl and mix. Add in a few more drops to get the shade you want
9. Repeat step with the pink coloring in the second bowl
10. Scoop a little bit of icing into the piping bags
11. Add 2 teaspoons of water into the brown royal icing and mix until combined
12. Pour into the squeeze bottle
13. Carefully lift the parchment paper out of the baking dish with the brownies and place onto the counter
14. Using the cookie cutter, cut out 6 bunnies
15. Place cut out bunnies onto a cookie sheet
16. Using the piping bag with the brown icing, out line the shape of the bunnies head.
17. Fill in with the brown thinned icing
18. Add 2 large eyes into the center of the bunny
19. Let icing dry for 2 hours before adding the final details
20. Once the base layer is dry, using the pink piping bag, pipe a upside down triangle under the eyes
21. Pipe the pink for the ears
22. Using the brown icing, pipe cheeks on the bunny
23. Let the cheeks dry for an hour before adding on the small dots for the "whiskers"
24. Let bunny completely dry for an hour before enjoying!

3.5.3229

The post Beautiful Brownie Bunnies! appeared first on Operation $40K.

Celebrate May the 4th Be With You Using Our Treats!

May 1, 2018, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Delicious Fall Apple Fritter Moonshine

≪ Previous: Beautiful Brownie Bunnies!

$

0

0

If you know me, you know I love all things Disney. That includes the Star Wars franchise and I just had to have fun with a date that is just around the corner! May the 4th Be With You is our collection of Star wars recipes that we have shared over the years, ranging from drinks to cupcakes! We hope you enjoy them as much as we had fun making them…

Here is our fab five of the favorites:

Mickey R2D2 Cupcake Recipe! #StarWars #Disney

Rogue One Rebels Cocktail #Starwars #Disney

Star Wars Bantha Cocoa Recipe #starwars

Star Wars Death Star Oreos

Beyond Adorable R2D2 Treats

The post Celebrate May the 4th Be With You Using Our Treats! appeared first on Operation $40K.

Delicious Fall Apple Fritter Moonshine

September 7, 2018, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Spiced Vanilla Apple Caramel Moonshine

≪ Previous: Celebrate May the 4th Be With You Using Our Treats!

$

0

0

Fall means hayrides, pumpkin patches and picking apples! It is the perfect time for our Delicious Fall Apple Fritter Moonshine.

Just when you thought we couldn’t possibly come up with another use for apples in the kitchen, we bring you another “moonshine” to tickle your taste buds.

Little bit of apple, some cider and cinnamon. Sounds great, right? Add Simple syrup, cupcake syrup and Everclear and you’ve got a winning combo of flavors that will make you glad you took our advice and doubled this recipe. Go ahead and make this wonderful drink now so you can enjoy it next month, because that’s how long it must sit, in a cool and dry place, while you wait to try it. Planning a get-together or a party? Get out the box of Mason Jars and get busy. Your guests will thank you. This one’s unforgettable.

P.S. Double the recipe so you can share this incredible fun flavored drink!

Save Print

Apple Fritter Moonshine

Author: Dannelle Gay

Recipe type: Drinks

 

Ingredients

• 8 Green apples, diced
• 4 cups of apple cider
• 4 tsp. Simple syrup ( 1tsp. in each jar )
• 4 cinnamon sticks ( 1 in each jar )
• 2 cups Everclear ( ½ cup in each jar )
• 4 tsp. cupcake syrup ( 1 tsp. in each jar )
• 4 Mason Jars

Instructions

1. Divide apples and cinnamon sticks evenly between the jars.
2. Add your cupcake syrup and simple syrup into each jar.
3. Pour your moonshine into the mason jars.
4. Place lids on jars and allow to sit in a cool, dry place for 1 month before enjoying.
5. Pour through a strainer layered with a cheesecloth to remove apples and any pieces of the cinnamon sticks.
6. Discard the fruit and cinnamon sticks.
7. Replace the moonshine back in the jars.
8. Enjoy!

3.5.3229

 

The post Delicious Fall Apple Fritter Moonshine appeared first on Operation $40K.

Spiced Vanilla Apple Caramel Moonshine

September 23, 2018, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Scare them with a Vampire Margarita

≪ Previous: Delicious Fall Apple Fritter Moonshine

$

0

0

If you’re like us and think that even the NAME of this drink is fun to say, wait til you try a sip! This was so simple to make that I’m planning to triple the recipe and give these as host/hostess gifts this year at a few of the holiday parties we’re attending.  This Spiced Vanilla Apple Caramel Moonshine is worth having a few jars on standby in the pantry. Apple tastes great on any occasion and caramel (and vodka) just make it that much better!

You will need:

1 cup water

1 cup light brown sugar

10 caramel candies (unwrapped in each jar)

2 large apples ( diced, stem removed )

1 cup Everclear

1 cup Caramel Vodka

4 oz spiced rum

4 mason jars

Directions:

Combine the water, brown sugar and caramel candies in a large pot.

Bring up to a gentle boil, then reduce to simmer and cover. Simmer for at least 1 hour, longer is okay.

Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Strain out the cinnamon sticks and cloves.

Pour the sugar mix into a large pitcher.

Add in the moonshine, rum and caramel vodka, stir to combine.

Fill each mason jar with the diced apples and a cinnamon stick.

Pour your mix into each jar until full.

Close up the lids nice and tight and either chill in the refrigerator or store in a cool place.

Save Print

Spiced Vanilla Apple Caramel Moonshine

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 10 caramel candies (unwrapped in each jar)
• 2 large apples ( diced, stem removed )
• 1 cup Everclear
• 1 cup Caramel Vodka
• 4 oz spiced rum
• 4 mason jars

Instructions

1. Combine the water, brown sugar and caramel candies in a large pot.
2. Bring up to a gentle boil, then reduce to simmer and cover. Simmer for at least 1 hour, longer is okay.
3. Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Strain out the cinnamon sticks and cloves.
4. Pour the sugar mix into a large pitcher.
5. Add in the moonshine, rum and caramel vodka, stir to combine.
6. Fill each mason jar with the diced apples and a cinnamon stick.
7. Pour your mix into each jar until full.
8. Close up the lids nice and tight and either chill in the refrigerator or store in a cool place.

3.5.3229

Other moonshine recipes of ours we thought you might enjoy:

• Coconut Frosted Doughnut Moonshine
• Elf Naughty Candy Moonshine
• Pomegranate Blueberry Moonshine
• Red Pixy Stick Moonshine
• Melon Flavored Witches Brew Moonshine
• Tartfully Delicious Lemon Pie Moonshine

The post Spiced Vanilla Apple Caramel Moonshine appeared first on Operation $40K.

Scare them with a Vampire Margarita

October 12, 2018, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Donald and Daisy Donuts Make the Day

≪ Previous: Spiced Vanilla Apple Caramel Moonshine

$

0

0

It’s a spooky treat for the big goblins in your life, you can easily Scare them with a Vampire Margarita…

Vampire margarita

You will need:

2oz Tequila

1oz Grand marnier

1oz Triple sec

2 tbsp. Strawberry syrup ( Torrani )

1 tsp. Grenadine

Sweet and sour mix

Ice

2 glasses

Directions:

In a bar shaker add the tequila, grand marnier, triple sec, strawberry syrup, and grenadine.

Shake to combine

Fill your glass with ice

Pour your liquor into the glass

Top with sweet and sour mix

Lightly stir to combine

Save Print

Scare them with a Vampire Margarita

Author: Dannelle Gay

Recipe type: Drinks

 

Ingredients

• 2oz Tequila
• 1oz Grand Marnier
• 1oz Triple sec
• 2 tbsp. Strawberry syrup ( Torrani )
• 1 tsp. Grenadine
• Sweet and sour mix
• Ice
• 2 glasses

Instructions

1. In a bar shaker add the tequila, Grand Marnier, triple sec, strawberry syrup, and grenadine.
2. Shake to combine
3. Fill your glass with ice
4. Pour your liquor into the glass
5. Top with sweet and sour mix
6. Lightly stir to combine

3.5.3229

The post Scare them with a Vampire Margarita appeared first on Operation $40K.

Donald and Daisy Donuts Make the Day

January 9, 2019, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Round Up – 20 Super Hero/Villain Girls’ Halloween Costumes Under $30

≪ Previous: Scare them with a Vampire Margarita

$

0

0

Friends and family of all ages will love these holiday treats, especially Disney fans. What a great way to change up the “holiday goodies” around the house, and can you just imagine the little ones oohing and ahhhhing over the bright colors. Sure, we’ve all frosted plain treats and sprinkled some red/green icing or maybe even snowflake toppings.  We like making things cute and fun and festive. But this? This is festively FUN and pleasantly awesome to look at. Don’t forget to snap a few pictures of these yummy Donald and Daisy Donuts. You probably won’t be the only one wanting to share how great they look and taste.

You will need:

1 box of glazed hostess mini doughnettes
1 package of ghiradelli white chocolate wafers
1 bag of royal blue candy melts
1 bag of purple candy melts
1 tube of yellow cookie icing
1 tube of blue cookie icing
1 tube of red cookie icing
1 tube of black cookie icing
1 package of Wilton royal icing bows
1 container of Wilton Holly Melody sprinkles
1 cookie sheet fitted with parchment or wax paper

Directions:

Using a double boiler, melt the white chocolate and mix occasionally until smooth

Split the package of donuts in half so that you can do one character at a time!

Once the white chocolate is melted, dip the doughnut half way into the chocolate

Lightly shake the donut to get rid of extra chocolate

Place onto the cookie sheet to harden while you melt the royal blue candy melts

Once candy melts are melted dip the other half of the donut into the chocolate

Place back onto the cookie sheet and repeat step with remaining donuts that are going to be used for Donald

Once all of the doughnuts for Donald are done, wash out the pot and start to melt the purple for Daisy

Once all the Daisy donuts have been dipped, place onto cookie sheet to completely harden

Add a small dollop of purple candy melt to the back of a bow and place onto the middle top part for Daisy

Using a pair of tweezers, carefully place the holly leaves and red sprinkles for the berries into all the doughnuts

Using the yellow cookie icing, add a squiggly line onto the purple for Daisy. Let completely dry

Using the red cookie icing, pipe on a small bow onto the middle of the blue for Donald’s signature bow tie.

Using the yellow cookie icing, pipe on a line going from the corner of the bow to the top corner where the blue chocolate and white chocolate meet

Using the blue cookie icing, pipe on his hat

Using the black cookie icing, pipe on a line under his hat and to the side of his hat.

Let dry completely before enjoying!!!

 

Save Print

Donald and Daisy Donuts Make the Day

Serves: 12-24

 

Ingredients

• 1 box of glazed hostess mini doughnettes
• 1 package of ghiradelli white chocolate wafers
• 1 bag of royal blue candy melts
• 1 bag of purple candy melts
• 1 tube of yellow cookie icing
• 1 tube of blue cookie icing
• 1 tube of red cookie icing
• 1 tube of black cookie icing
• 1 package of Wilton royal icing bows
• 1 container of Wilton Holly Melody sprinkles
• 1 cookie sheet fitted with parchment or wax paper

Instructions

1. Using a double boiler, melt the white chocolate and mix occasionally until smooth
2. Split the package of donuts in half so that you can do one character at a time!
3. Once the white chocolate is melted, dip the doughnut half way into the chocolate
4. Lightly shake the donut to get rid of extra chocolate
5. Place onto the cookie sheet to harden while you melt the royal blue candy melts
6. Once candy melts are melted dip the other half of the donut into the chocolate
7. Place back onto the cookie sheet and repeat step with remaining donuts that are going to be used for Donald
8. Once all of the doughnuts for Donald are done, wash out the pot and start to melt the purple for Daisy
9. Once all the Daisy donuts have been dipped, place onto cookie sheet to completely harden
10. Add a small dollop of purple candy melt to the back of a bow and place onto the middle top part for Daisy
11. Using a pair of tweezers, carefully place the holly leaves and red sprinkles for the berries into all the doughnuts
12. Using the yellow cookie icing, add a squiggly line onto the purple for Daisy. Let completely dry
13. Using the red cookie icing, pipe on a small bow onto the middle of the blue for Donald's signature bow tie.
14. Using the yellow cookie icing, pipe on a line going from the corner of the bow to the top corner where the blue chocolate and white chocolate meet
15. Using the blue cookie icing, pipe on his hat
16. Using the black cookie icing, pipe on a line under his hat and to the side of his hat.
17. Let dry completely before enjoying!!!

3.5.3229

(Bonus points for sharing this recipe! Your guests will want to make these after you tell them how uncomplicated it is)

The post Donald and Daisy Donuts Make the Day appeared first on Operation $40K.

---

Round Up – 20 Super Hero/Villain Girls’ Halloween Costumes Under $30

September 12, 2019, 7:00 am

≫ Next: The Best of Jewish Children’s Books for the New Year!

≪ Previous: Donald and Daisy Donuts Make the Day

$

0

0

It’s that time, to look for a costume for the kiddos and prepare for the all out candy fest! I was perusing the costumes at the stores and dropped my teeth at costume prices of $60, $70 and even $80! We whipped up this quick collection of 20 Super Hero/Villain Girls’ Halloween Costumes Under $30 to make your life easier!

NOTE — Shipping is free on most of these items with Amazon Prime or a $35 purchase

1. Marvel Universe Spider-Girl Costume — $23.57
2. Avengers Black Widow Costume — $27.95
3. DC Heroes Wonder Woman Costume — $21.88
4. Deluxe Catwoman Costume — $26.60
5. Marvel She Hulk Costume — $24.99
6. American Dream Captain America Costume — $22.66
7. Power Rangers Pink Ranger Costume — $20.99
8. Star Wars Padme Amidala Costume — $18.99
9. Batgirl TuTu Dress Costume — $22.99
10. Marvel Pink Bat Girl Costume — $29.09
11. Toddler Supergirl Costume — $19.71
12. Gotham Girls Batgirl Costume — $31.41
13. Wonder Woman Toddler Costume — $28.42
14. Teen Titans Robin Costume — $16.25
15. The Incredibles Violet Costume — $19.64
16. DC Comics Flash Tutu Costume — $22.44
17. DC Comics Pink Batgirl Costume — $25.89
18. Star Wars Princess Leia Costume — $23.37
19. Marvel Universe Ironman Costume — $20.00
20. Big Hero 6 Honey Lemon Costume — $27.35

Other Halloween posts you might like:

• Fun Themed Halloween Costume Party Ideas
• 20 Super Hero/Villain Boys’ Halloween Costumes Under $30
• Bat Cupcake for Halloween Treats
• Why You NEED To Check Your Child’s Halloween Candy
• Halloween Lunch Box Notes

The post Round Up – 20 Super Hero/Villain Girls’ Halloween Costumes Under $30 appeared first on Operation $40K.

The Best of Jewish Children’s Books for the New Year!

September 24, 2019, 3:00 pm

≪ Previous: Round Up – 20 Super Hero/Villain Girls’ Halloween Costumes Under $30

$

0

0

For Jewish people worldwide, the new year kicks off on Rosh Hashanah when people wish each other l’shana tova – a sweet new year!  This September, on top of eating delicious apples with honey and making resolutions for the coming year, families raising Jewish children can also kick off the New Year by signing up for PJ Library, a free program that offers monthly, age-appropriate books celebrating Jewish values and culture through the joy of story books.

The Best of Jewish Children’s Books for the New Year!

A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library sends more than 200,000 books a month to families across North America. Expertly curated, the monthly selections exemplify the best of Jewish children’s literature and offer books that are certain to capture children’s imaginations with cheerful characters, compelling stories, and vibrant illustrations.

PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever their background, knowledge, family make-up, or observance may be. The stories help families engage with Jewish values, ideas, and traditions on their own terms, and the books are paired with activities and resources for the whole family to learn, create, and play together.

Celebrate the new year by signing up your kiddos for PJ Library. Sign up today!

Check out PJ Libray on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJLibrary

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PJLibrary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjlibrary

The post The Best of Jewish Children’s Books for the New Year! appeared first on Operation $40K.