Category Archives: In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen, Other

Handmade Candy Hearts for My Sweethearts – Molded White Chocolate Hearts

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Let’s face it, handmade and from the heart just tastes better!

Today in Happy Hollow I am making Handmade Candy Hearts for My Sweethearts this Valentine’s day!

I scored this amazing silicone mold brand new at a local thrift shop and FINALLY got the chocolate to work with. I know for the quality here, I am definitely saving money as well. DIY for the win again!

I can’t wait to get some paste colors to turn the next batch pink. I may even throw in some greens and blues for my little boy sweethearts. I’m also going to experiment with painting the little “shine” red then adding the chocolate. I think it would make the perfect accent to these gleaming glossy Valentine’s hearts!

I’ve found the best way to melt chocolate is the double broiler. I don’t actually have one so I simply put a metal mixing bowl over a small pan of boiling water.  #RethinkYourResources. You could also use a small pot sitting over a slightly larger pot. The handles are more convenient than a mixing bowl!

Be sure you do NOT get any of your double broiler water in the chocolate or it will seize up into an un-usable crumbly mess.

I can’t wait to give these away to all my loves!

I want to see your handmade sweethearts too. Share in the comments below!

Featured, For Those with Eyes to See, Glass, In the Kitchen, Zero Waste Straws

It is estimated that 500 million plastic straws are used daily in the United States.

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#HappyHollowGlass #Stomptheplastichabit #ZeroWasteStraws #BuyHappyGlass

Data collected by the Ocean Conservancy found that plastic straws are one of the top 10 items picked up at beach cleanups worldwide.

  • It is estimated that 500 million plastic straws are used daily in the United States. 

Reduce, Re-Use, Re-purpose, then Recycle.
STOMP the Plastic Habit! – ORDER Re-Usable Glass Straws HERE!

That’s 40 Bus Loads a DAY y’all!

  • Most plastic straws are used by the fast food industry.

  • It is estimated that McDonalds alone uses at least 60 million plastic straws worldwide per day.

#HappyHollowGlass #Stomptheplastichabit #ZeroWasteStraws #BuyHappyGlass

Featured, In the Kitchen

BRAIDED CINNAMON WREATH

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This BRAIDED CINNAMON WREATH is one of my favorite new kitchen creations recently tested! A beautiful bread wreath from Just Love Cookin’. It is easy to make and calls for basic ingredients found in almost every kitchen! Anyone can do it!

Zero Waste Tips: Rethink your Resources

  • This one calls for an egg YOLK so it’s a nice one to whip up when you’ve got a lonely yolk laying around!
  • Baked goods can multiply a gift-giving budget!
  • Save money by purchasing these basic ingredients in bulk.
  • Baking at home is an easy and tasty way to reduce or remove the use of plastic bread bags and dessert packaging!
The original recipe has very nice instructional photos on assembling this lovely bread twist.
Get the full recipe here from TOTALLY LOVE IT!

Icing is optional and in my case… so was the wreath!

~ I opted to make 2 free formed loaves instead. Once I had the long dough roll I simply cut it in half and tucked the ends together nicely. You could also place dough in greased loaf pans and allow them to bake into gooey twisted knot like tear-away sticky buns!

hmmm – I’m thinking some TEXAS Pecans sound fitting here! It’s almost the season – I can’t wait for those pecans to start bonking us on the head here so I can try that! 😀