Busy Brunette Bakerista

Every day is Valentine's Day when you make these treats for someone special. Gooey, sweet, and salty popcorn balls are just the right size for party favors, a dessert buffet, or hostess gift for any time of year . I’ve made them with different colored candies for every holiday:  red and pink for Valentine’s Day,  green for St. Patrick’s Day,   black and orange for Halloween,  green and red for Christmas, and multi-colors for our summer birthdays. Sweet Sweetheart Treats 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (plus more for your hands) 1 bag (10oz.) mini marshmallows ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 12 cups popped   popcorn (about 3 (3oz.) bags) 1 cup M&Ms, or Reece’s Pieces* parchment paper Cook popcorn to measure out to 12 cups and pour into a large bowl. Remove any kernels that may have not popped. Set bowl aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Melt butter in a large heavy-bottom large pot on low heat . Pour in marshmal...

Happy National S'mores Day!  S'mores on a stick? Why didn't I think of this earlier? No more long sticks, messy graham crackers, and marshmallow everywhere  over a bonfire. You can make these any time of year and enjoy them during a festive winter party, neighborhood potluck, or team dinner. HOBO* S'mores 36 large marshmallows  1 container (16 oz.) of dark chocolate frosting 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs  2 cups of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips 36 lollipop/cake pop sticks (find them at any craft store or baking supply store) First, line cookie sheets with wax paper. Insert one stick into one marshmallow at a time and place on cookie sheet.  If you can't find graham cracker crumbs, take whole graham crackers, break into quarter pieces, place into a food processor and blend until it turns into crumbs. Then, scoop out frosting from the container into a glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until frosting fe...

It’s that time of year when children and adults start planning weeks ahead in anticipation for one night of obtaining bags of free, delicious, hyperactivity-inducing candy of all sorts – Halloween. Since stores start selling candy right after Labor Day, my kids are ready for something new by mid-October. This is the only “bark” recipe I have and can I say, better than any other candy – but a bit pricey. So if you have any to share with friends or neighbors, don’t. Adapted from an old recipe from Bon Appetit magazine, “candy bark” refers to a candy, usually of chocolate with large pieces of nuts, made in flat sheets. Afraid-of-the-Dark Halloween “Bark” 1 lb. bittersweet chocolate chips 3 (2.1 ounce) Butterfinger candy bars – cut into irregular 1-inch pieces 3 (1.4 ounce) Skor or Heath toffee candy bars – cut into irregular ¾-inch pieces 8 (.55 ounce) peanut butter cups, each cut into 8 wedges ¼ honey-roasted peanuts 3 ounces white chocolat...