Cupcake Ice Cream Cones

Bake Cupcakes in Ice Cream Cones

We actually did this for our kids birthdays years ago.

They loved it! 

 

 Real Simple

How to Repurpose an every day object from Real Simple.
Original purpose: Propping up a scoop of mint chocolate chip.
Aha! use: Housing cupcakes.

Fill 24 flat-bottom cones two-thirds full with cake batter. Place the cones in a high-sided 9-by-13-inch baking pan and bake in two batches at 325° F for 30 minutes. Let cool, then frost with two 16-ounce cans of frosting.

Reward: You can have your cake and eat its holder, too.

Tuesday Tip-Toothpicks

The Value of a Toothpick

photo via  faqs.org

LABEL MEAT

 Are these burgers rare or well-done? They all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks and they won’t get mixed up.

FIND THE END OF THE ROLL

 When you’ve finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.

photo by Beatriz da Costa

STICK WITH IT

 Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project.  The wood makes a surprisingly good little "brush".

SEW A BUTTON BETTER

 Place a toothpick between the button and fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.

PUT THE ICING ON ... THE ICING ON THE CAKE
Use a toothpick to "sketch out" the design on a frosted cake before you write or decorate it with icing. Alternatively, attach pretty personalized paper flags to one end of the picks and plant them on top of cupcakes- it's a super-easy way to make store-bought, generic-looking cupcakes seem personalized.



PRESS A GADGETS RESET BUTTON

 What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.

BOIL BETTER
To prevent that pasta pot from boiling over and making a hot mess (literally!) of your cook top, stick a toothpick between the pot and its lid. This will allow just enough of the steam to escape from the pot.

photo via Real Simple

FIX A LEAKY GARDEN HOSE

Find the leak and push a toothpick into the hole. Trim the excess toothpick and let the water in the hose swell the wood in the hole to plug the leak.

LET YOU LIGHT SHINE
When lighting candles, use a match to light the tip of a toothpick on fire- it will burn slower and longer, saving you from using up all your matches and singeing your fingertips.

SIMPLIFY YOUR SPUDS
When you microwave a potato or yam, use four toothpicks to create "legs" for the tater, elevating it from the bottom of the microwave. This will allow it to cook from all directions, and it will be ready faster. It makes me kind of sad to think of any of you at home microwaving a single potato, but I decided to include this tip, nevertheless.

Gingerbread Waffles

I came across this recipe last year and had to try it out.  We loved it.  

Now it is part of the annual Christmas Brunch menu.

Delicious!

Gingerbread Waffles

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  
• 1/4 cups milk
  

Preheat waffles iron. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. In a medium bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar until fluffy, then beat in pumpkin, milk, molasses and melted butter. Stir the wet into dry until just moist. Do not overstir the waffle batter. Brush the iron with a little melted butter and cook 4 waffles, 4 sections each. Serve with toppings of choice. 

I think the secret ingredient is the fresh ground nutmeg. My friend sent me some from her trip to Grenada. Thanks Cheryl! I had used it before from the spice section in the grocery store and they came in a little glass bottle. Those were ready to grate.

These that Cheryl sent were still inside the shell. I tried to grate them and realized I need to crack the shell first. The nutmeg smells amazing when you grate it

Print Recipe

Tuesday Tip

CHRISTMAS SAFETY TIPS
from The Children's Safety Zone

Christmas Tree Safety

Consider an artificial tree (they are much safer and cleaner).

• A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.
• Cut 1 inch off the trunk to help absorb water.
• Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.
• The stand should hold at least 1 gal. of water.
• A 6' tree will use 1 gallon of water every two days.
• Mix a commercial preservative with the water.
• Check the water level every day.
• Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.
• Keep tree away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources.
• Use only UL-listed lights, and no more than 3 strands linked together.
• Use miniature lights--which have cool-burning bulbs.
• Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep, or if you leave your home for very long.
• Never use candles, even on artificial trees.
• Clean the tree stand to improve the tree's water intake, use one capful of bleach to a cup of water.
• Dispose of the tree properly.
• NEVER BURN A REAL TREE IN THE FIREPLACE.
  

Home Safety

• Install a smoke detector or new batteries in the one(s) you have and TEST it.
• Use only outdoor lights outside your home.
• Examine light strings each year, discard worn ones.
• Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture build up.
• Connect no more than three strands together.
• Never use indoor extension cords outside.
• Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords.
• Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
• Unplug light string before replacing a bulb. Review the original package to verify proper wattage and voltage.
• When connecting light strands, wrap a plastic bag around connections and tie ends with teflon tape.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, use colored spot lights.
• Make sure trees hung with X-mas lights are not touching power lines.
• When using candles, place them a safe distance from combustibles.
• Place candles in sturdy containers. Remember, hot wax burns kids.
• Extinguish candles prior to going to bed.
• Dispose of fireplace ashes into a metal container until cold.
• After parties, check around and under sofa and chair cushions for smoldering cigarettes. (Provide lots of ash trays)
• Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home.
• Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.
• See Using The Correct Extinguisher.
  

"Safety" gift ideas

• Put together a gift basket containing one or more of the following items:
• Three smoke detectors and batteries.
• A quality fire extinguisher.
• A flashlight and batteries or light sticks.
• A first-aid kit.
• A carbon Monoxide detector.
• A mobile phone.
• A second floor escape ladder.
• "Emergency kit"- energy bars, water, battery radio, flashlight/light sticks and a first-aid kit packed in a small travel bag.                               (pictures via Country Living)

♥May your Christmas be MERRY and SAFE♥

 

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