Superbowl Sunday

What I learned today...

is that I shouldn't try to decorate things when I'm not in the mood/haven't had much sleep.  We were heading to our friend, Jeff's yesterday for the Superbowl, and I had wanted to make cute football themed desserts.  I found a recipe for peanut butter balls and thought I could turn them into footballs.  Good idea, in theory, at least.  They were not turning out quite football shaped and I couldn't get the white chocolate to pipe on correctly.  I gave up. 

The good news was that the boys at the party loved them, no matter what they looked like.  I think Andy and Jerry were personally responsible for housing most of them!

I also wanted to make another bite size snack that wasn't too fussy but would be delicious none the less.  I found a recipe over at The Pioneer Woman for Graham Cracker Cookie Bars.  I happen to have all of the ingredients necessary and although they were a little sloppy to make, they were my favorite of the night. 

Despite my lack of decorating skills yesterday, and my  lack of sleep the night before, I had a great time at Jeff's and am glad for such good friends!

Hoppy Easter!

Homemade Easter Candy

Growing up, my mom was amazing at making holidays extra special.  Her handmade treats, beautiful decorations and holiday traditions always made me feel festive and loved.  Easter always included dying Easter eggs, making homemade Easter candy, and a competitive Easter morning egg hunt that sometimes resulted in injuries.  Now that we are all adults (the youngest in the family is about to turn 30...EEK!), my mom continues the traditions on Easter.  We still dye eggs, and we still have a hunt.  However, the prizes now include alcohol intead of candy....who doesn't want to search for eggs in the hope of winning a bottle of wine?  This year, I have been pretty bummed because we are not going to be able to make the treck to see my parents in Raleigh with everyone for Easter.  So... I decided to cheer myself up by making the Easter Candy my mom made every year.  I emailed her for the recipe, and as it turns out, it is simply a variation on the Irish Potato Candies I made a month ago.  The flavors include buttercream, coconut cream, and peanut butter (the peanut butter always went VERY fast in our house).

Peanut Butter with Milk Chocolate

Coconut Cream with Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Isn't the dish adorable?  It was in our Easter "Basket"  from my mom and dad.

Irish Potato Candy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Growing up in a very large Irish Catholic family in Philadelphia, I thought everyone knew what Irish Potato Candy was.  That was until I took some a few years ago to my in-laws.  They claim to have never to have had it, which I find to be blasphemy!  If you aren't lucky enough to know what these delicious bites of heaven are, please hurry and make this recipe before the big day arrives. 

A fantastic combination of cream cheese, butter, coconut and cinnamon.

I found this adorable container at Michael's last week for a dollar.  I couldn't resist.

So, readers...have you tried Irish Potato Candy before?  Is it a yearly tradition for you, too?