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These apple "cupcakes" were a big hit, and they were healthy, too! We'll definitely make these again next year! The idea came from here. (This picture was taken after a few of them were knocked off the cupcake tree, and we didn't get them back on quite right!).JPG)
Yummy Cheerio Treats (whole grain) with sprinkles..JPG)
Cheerio treats, vegetable tray (grape tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper), forgotten cookies with Andes mint chips, sugar cookies, and pimento cheese spread with whole grain Ritz crackers..JPG)
Apple "cupcakes" and whole grain goldfish. O's birthday cake was a delicious carrot cake made by her grandma, and we had homemade ice-cream sandwiches. The ice-cream sandwiches were delicious, but lots of work. Next year, I think we might just buy ice-cream sandwiches, unwrap them, and roll them in sprinkles. Yep...I'm already planning next year's party!Edited to add: I realized after I'd posted this that I hadn't given my mom nearly enough credit! In addition to making O's birthday cake, she made the cookies for the ice cream sandwiches, the sugar cookies, the forgotten cookies, and the cheerio treats. O helped with everything, and I was busy cleaning, painting O's chalkboard, painting O's playhouse, and finishing the pinata. O's grandmother made the pimento cheese, and my friend, Emily, decorated O's cake and the apple cupcakes. We are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends!
Wow...lots of healthy and yummy snacks, they are really great for kids. Oh... I have an award for you on my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so good!
ReplyDeleteBecca- I edited this post to add that my mom did most of the work! I realized after I'd posted it that I only gave her credit for the carrot cake, and your comment reminded me that I needed to give hermore credit. We're definitely scaling back the menu for next year!
ReplyDeletelots of healthy food! love the apple cupcakes those are cute!!
ReplyDeleteThe party looks like it was a success! I'm sure all of those yummy treats didn't last long.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the pegboards, Doug painted them with the wall paint using a roller. It was really easy and only took one coat. In fact, he didn't even paint the other side like we had planned.
I've been reading your blog for a while now. O is a very lucky girl! And you are such a creative mom! Congratulations on O's birthday! Would you mind sharing the reciepes of the cookies and cheerio treats? My son is going to celebrate his first birthday soon, and I am so excited. Thank you, Miri
ReplyDeleteMiri,
ReplyDeleteHere is the sugar cookie recipe. Hope you like them. O's Grandmama
Sugar Cookies:
3 1/2 cups (490 grams) all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing Using Egg Whites:
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups (330 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted
or
Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder:
4 cups (440 grams) confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons (30 grams) meringue powder
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1/2 cup - 3/4 cup (120 - 180 ml) warm water
Food Coloring (I use Gel Pastes that can be found at cake decorating and party stores or else on-line)
In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough.
Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about one hour or until firm enough to roll.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Remove one half of the chilled dough from the refrigerator and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch (1 cm). (Keep turning the dough as you roll, making sure the dough does not stick to the counter.) Cut out desired shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter and transfer cookies to the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheets with the unbaked cookies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to chill the dough which prevents the cookies from spreading and losing their shape while baking.
Note: If you are not going to frost the baked cookies, you may want to sprinkle the unbaked cookies with crystal or sparkling sugar.
Bake cookies for about 10 minutes (depending on size) or until they are brown around the edges. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Frost with royal icing, if desired. Be sure to let the royal icing dry completely before storing. (This may take several hours.)
Frosted cookies will keep several days in an airtight container. Store between layers of parchment paper or wax paper.
Makes about 36 - 4 inch (10 cm) cookies
Miri,
ReplyDeleteThis is the Cheerio Treats recipe:
O's G-Ma
CHEERIO TREATS (from COOK.COM)
4 c. marshmallows
6 c. Cheerios
2 tbsp. butter
Combine marshmallows and butter on low heat until marshmallows are melted. Then turn off heat and add 6 cups of Cheerios and press on cookie sheet.
**I usually melt the marshmallows and butter in the microwave in a large buttered bowl. Also, be sure to butter your hands before you press the mixture on the buttered cookie sheet.
Thanks a lot, O's Grandmama. I trully appreciate it. MAy I ask what kind of Royal Icing you used? I can't see from the photos. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't actually use the royal icing because we couldn't find the meringue powder. She included the recipe for it because the cookies would have been much prettier with it :) Hopefully, we'll find the meringue powder by next year!
ReplyDeleteThose apple cupcakes look great! I'll be trying them soon, I'm sure!
ReplyDelete