Sweet Treat Gift

Look what my wonderful, talented, sweet sister made for my birthday! Ooooh, she knows how I love chocolate.

My reaction?

1. Ooooohhhhhh, yum!

2. Did you MAKE this?

3. You are Soooooo good.

4. I love you!

So, yes, I pretty much immediately knew that I would have to slowly disassemble it to figure out how it was made (and of course share that info with you). I took photos as I took it apart, and here they are in reverse to show how to make one.

Begin with one large and one small styrofoam circle. Cover them in a color of tissue paper that coordinates with your ribbon (that way if it peaks through, it still matches!).

My sister cut a circle of cardboard to cover the bottom of the larger, tissue-covered circle. This may not be absolutely necessary, but it sure looks neater.

Attach the chocolates around the outer edge with pieces of two-face tape. After they are in place, wrap a rubber band around to hold them in place. This will be covered up by the ribbon later.

Place a few candies around the top, leaving the center uncovered.

Stick a few toothpicks in the middle to help attach the top circle.


Put a few toothpicks in the bottom of the "top", smaller circle, and press onto the base.




Surround the top layer with yummy squares in the same way the bottom layer was done...and top with a few more.






Leave a tiny spot open in the middle, and push a toothpick in there, too.





Wrap a layer (or two!) of ribbon around the base, and attach with two-face tape or glue dots.

Repeat your ribbon-wrapping magic on the top layer, too.

Tie a small piece of floral wire to the bottom of a ribbon bow. Attach the bow by wrapping the wire around the toothpick.

VOILA!

Now, if I can think of someone who deserves one (and don't we ALL?) for Valentine's Day,  I might just attempt a pink and red version. Let me know if you try it!

Mmmmm....Banana Bread

Banana bread is a big favorite in our house. It’s one of the first things my 7-year-old learned to bake, and now she considers it her specialty!

So when I saw that the last few bananas on the counter this morning were reeeeeeaaaally ripe, I had no other choice but to mix up a loaf. (Insert smirk here.) What I did have a choice about was what new to add. Today the new item was chocolate chips. It’s something that K4 and I have talked about before, but have never actually gotten around to trying.

Although I know I’ll “get in trouble” for baking without her while she’s at school, I think that she’ll forgive me once she tastes it!

I'm sure everyone has the recipe for basic banana bread, but just in case you don't...I'll share mine.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 or 4 medium size ripe bananas, mashed (a bit over a cup)

1/3 cup butter

2 tablespoon milk

2 eggs

1/2 cup chocolate chips

In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour with the sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add in the mashed bananas, butter and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on low until well-incorporated, then on high speed for 2 minutes.

Add eggs, remaining flour and chocolate chips.

Pour batter into into a buttered loaf pan, and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 55 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).