Halloween Cookie Pops

   These cookies are a fun treat to make with your kids.Simply use your favorite homemade or store bought sugar cookie dough, a little food coloring, and some lollipop sticks and you are ready to bake! Here is how I made them....

   Divide your dough into three equal parts. Choose the colors you would like to use. I left one plain, then colored the other two green and orange.
Place a few drops of food coloring into each part and incorporate well using your hands( messy but fun)!

   I then cut each third into smaller portions ( I did 4 portions of each color, because I was using a small amount of cookie dough, a full batch should give you much more). On a lightly floured surface, roll out three different colors to approximately the same length.

   Twist the dough carefully. Then start to roll it up from one end until you have a complete circle.

   Place the cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Carefully place a stick into the bottom of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly golden around the edges. Let cool completely before lifting, or the stick will fall out! Eat them right away or wrap them up to share as gifts for friends! Have fun!

 *** This idea can be used for any holiday, simply adjust the colors to fit the holiday theme.

*** I used candy apple sticks which are available at www.amazon.com .

Fall Chocolate Covered Oreos

   Fall in my house means Friday night football dinners for my oldest son. I usually like to make a nice tray of cookies, but today I decided to add some special fall themed chocolate covered oreos.These are very easy to make. All that you need are  some candy melts, oreo molds, and of course oreos.  I used a variety of colors in my molds, but feel free to use only milk, dark or white chocolate.Today, I made candy corn, ghosts and of course, footballs.

   Instructions:
 In a double boiler, melt the chocolate. Pour a small amount of chocolate into each opening in the mold. Place one oreo on top of the chocolate. Cover the oreo with additional chocolate. Let set for about ten minutes in either your freezer or refrigerator. Turn over and pop out of the molds.Enjoy!!!

*** Chocolate melts can be found in your local craft store, candy supply store, or at www.amazon.com .
***Oreo molds can be found at your local candy supply store or at www.fancyflours.com .

Baby Shower Cookies

Just finished making some favors for a friend of mine who is throwing a baby shower for her daughter this weekend. Wanted to share with you...aren't they cute?

    Have a sweet day!
   Printable baby shower bag toppers available at www.chickabug.com

You Have Been Spooked

Have you ever been spooked, or booed, or bewitched? Well, this could be your year! This is a great way to make the fun of Halloween last for more than just one day.
   This weekend, my family filled up a container with lots of Halloween treats and secretly delivered it to one of our neighbors. When the kids came out in the morning, they were delighted to find this basket waiting for them.
    This is the sign attached to the basket;

You can download this printable at www.laurenmckinsey.com/spooked  . We will continue to leave a special set of treats on the doorsteps of various friends/neighbors throughout the month.
   One suggestion is to leave your name on the printable ,especially if the treats you are leaving are edible. At first ,I wanted to remain anonymous, but then thought that if  I found a basket of goodies on my porch, but did not know who they were from, I would not let my kids eat them. If you only plan on leaving items like a book, or coloring pages, then feel free to keep it anonymous.
    The treats can be anything you would like to give, candy,cookies, crayons, stickers, games, etc. It is more about the fun and the surprise than it is the expense. We filled this one with cider donuts, candies, games, books and a few other treats.

   I hope you have some fun spooking some of your friends ,and watching the kids' faces filled with excitement!! Happy Haunting!!

*** Be sure to check out my facebook page to see one of the lucky recipients of this basket...too cute!!!