Boginka's Basket

Who would you pick? Puppies vs. Babies...

2011-11-12T17:01:00.001-08:00

This post brought to you by Puppies vs. Babies. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm sure there have been enough posts for you to know that I love my dog. He is the greatest, and I often think about how I wish he could live forever. That being said, Animal Plant is holding a contest for which is cuter, Puppies or Babies.

I just visited the site, and its really easy to pick and vote and you don't have to sign up for anything. Just click below, and vote!

Puppies vs. Babies online contest

I, of course, picked puppies. I don't have any kids yet, and I DO think babies are cute, but not like puppies. With babies, I need a link. A common thread. My friends' baby? I love, and he's the cutest thing ever. A stranger's baby? Just a baby.

Puppies? Almost any puppy is cute. Especially breeds I love. Just look at my dog. How could you not vote for him. You can't, technically he isn't a puppy anymore. According to the vet he is a senior :(

Here he is trying on a tux for our wedding (he didn't come)

Wearing sunglasses

Being handsome

Needing a chin rest, no matter how uncomfortable.

He is stinky and annoying and I love him because of it!

Anyway, which would you vote for? Let me know in my comments! Also, Just click on the link at the bottom and vote. Once you pick one, you can pick for favorite out of a few choices.

Puppies vs. Babies

Brown Butter Cake

2011-11-04T18:32:00.000-07:00

I realize I have been gone, and I haven't been doing much crafting lately. I realize I made some blog post promises, which I intend to keep.... sometime....

With working full time and taking a class, as well as being gone on the weekends I haven't had any time for myself.

A couple weekends ago I had a baking itch so I decided to try this cake recipe that I had saved a while back. My husband had a craving for chocolate chip cookie dough and I thought this might help.

Brown Butter Cake with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting.

Recipe

Before you begin, DO NOT USE the recipe from this blog. There are original recipes that the blog post refers to, use those. I made the mistake to use the pretty recreation, which is quite flawed. I realized this a bit too late.

Browning the butter. This cake takes a lot of butter...

What the brown butter looks like when done. You have to wait to let it cool and the particles will sink to the bottom. It stay melted until you add your eggs. Then it turns back into a butter consistency.

This is what my cake looked like after adding all of the ingredients. Pretty yummy!

In the pan. I did realize at this point that the pan was pretty full. I thought this may be one of those cakes that doesn't rise much. Just in case I placed a cookie sheet on the lower rack in my oven as I placed the cake to bake.

And it was a good thing I did! The top baked hard, and the inside was a liquid consistensy. It was terrible. I was going to dump it, but I decided to swish the inside around with a stick and let it bake for about a little while longer. If I had to do this cake over again I would use 2 pans (which the original recipe asked for), and I wouldn't wisk the eggs. Just a mixer would make it less fluffy...

End product.

Obviously, mine looks nothing even close to what I expected. It looks bad. It tasted ok. One slice was enough. My husband had one bite and said, ugh gross, tastes like butter (he hates butter). He took it to work and they loved it. Go figure.

Getting ready for Halloween!

2011-10-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures of our house, not quite finished, but getting there!

Last night we made some cutouts for our upstairs windows. Mine is the little guy on the left, and my husband's on the right.

All we needed were black poster board, tape, and some inspiration. We saw the idea online, but created our own creatures. We lined our window with candy corn lights that were $3.50 at Target.

The whole house.

Crochet Hat

2011-10-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

The beanie I made!

This took about 2 nights, watching a few tv shows. Its a pretty quick, and fairly easy for someone who has ever crocheted before.

I have made this hat before and followed the pattern exactly. I found that the hat was too big (and I have a huge head), and too slouchy for my taste. It had a very rastafarian vibe to it, which is fine, just not what I'm going for. For this hat I decided to make it shorter and also use less puff stitches around the hat. They ask for 38 puffs and I used 29.

I also used a thicker yarn. Its Lopi Icelandic Wool. A little bit about those Icelandic sheep:

"From Iceland, this 100% pure wool has a tradition of quality, which began in 1896. Out numbering the human population by almost 3 to 1 the Icelandic sheep have been bred for almost 1,100 years, grazed on virgin land and untouched by pollution.

From the very beginning, isolation has ensured the breed has remained pure, untouched by contact with others. Iceland's very strict policies do not allow importation of foreign sheep, keeping disease and cross-breeding out of the country. Over the centuries their wool has developed to ensure as much protection as possible from the harsh northern climate.

Icelandic sheep fleece is double layered, and in the same way that the sheep are kept warm and dry, the wearers of Lopi can expect the same results.Icelandic sheep wool consists of two types of fibres, inner and outer. The inner layer of light fine fibres are soft and crinkly, insulating well against the cold, while the outer fibres are long, course and smooth - and as a result, water repellent. Moisture cannot penetrate, because it runs down the outer fibres. These fibres are irregular, and they create air spaces when they are loosely bound together. Therefore Icelandic Lopi Wool is lighter, warmer, and more water-resistant than that found elsewhere."

Don't you want to wear something like that? Makes me want to go to Iceland so badly! The wool has such a unique texture, when I was in this yarn store that had 3 huge rooms full of yarn, this is what I picked.

Back

side

Still kinda slouchy, and I think its just right for what I need. If I had to redo it I would have made the band smaller. It slips up on my head. Just make sure when you are measuring that you account for how far it will stretch.

Click here for hat pattern

Busy weeks

2011-10-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Since starting my new job, I have no time for anything that I enjoy doing. I struggle to find the time to:

-finish my crochet blanket

-add items to my etsy shop

-MAKE items for my etsy shop

-blog, once a week isn't enough

-try new recipes

-dye fabric

-explore nature

-take my dog on long walks

-tend to my garden

In the last two weekends I have:

-crocheted a new hat out of yarn I bought over a year ago in Portland. Its an ok hat. I will follow with some photos.

- Made pants for my halloween costume. I'm going to do my best to finish the waist today, then I will post about it. They are my first pair of adult pants, and they aren't bad for winging it. Honestly, I made 90% of the yesterday.

-Decorated my house a bit for trick or treaters and bought pumpkins to carve next week.

-Made my dog a Halloween bandanda. I'll post about this also.

When I type it all out, it seems like a lot. When I do it, it seems rushed, not important. All packed into my two weekend days, so that my weekends start to feel like work, too.

Today I want to try out a new recipe and finish these pants. And blog about everything I've done... wish for the best.

Halloween outfit for a little one

2011-10-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

I have been really interested in freezer paper stenciling for a while now, and I learned that Walmart carries freezer paper. Since I now live close to a walmart I decided to pick some up and try it out for myself. I didn't have any ideas on what to make, so after some deliberation I decided to make an outfit for the bff's new little one.

I had my husband draw out a design (we wanted to collborate), and he came up with a goofy candy corn. His favorite, and a good Halloween standby. I'm not a huge fan of orange or really any cheesy halloween colors, so I opted for colors that would match the outfit. Give the candy corn somewhat of a zombie feel.

I totally forgot to document the process, but its farily easy. Draw the design on the freezer paper, cut out the negative space, iron shiny side down, paint. The candy corn colors were painted first, and they all needed about 5 thin coats. After it dried, I peeled off the freezer paper (using an exacto knife to peel the eyes and mouth out). Lastly, I free hand painted in the teeth and eyes.

I learned a valuable lesson with the paint, which is, don't iron it after it dries. I placed some scrap fabric on top of the design an ironed to set the design, and the fabric stuck and peeled off some bits. The paint has definitely set after a few days of drying and washing it in the washing machine.

Here is the whole outfit, made from scratch!

I am most proud of the beanie. I would totally wear something like this myself... minus the top knot of course, which is reserved for cute babies.

Just for some Halloween spirit, the mini pumpkin we turned into a vampire. We bough vampire teeth and weird eyes to give out to kids in addition to candy, and we used one in a pumpkin design.

Short Pants

2011-10-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

I made these pants a few weeks ago, and they are ready to be put up on etsy, but I haven't had the time lately. They have a really cute dino fabric as an accent.

Over the weekend we decorated a bit for Halloween and fall, which I will try and show you in the next couple of days. We had a couple dogs stay with us with weekend. They were fun. My dog loves having other dogs around. He turns into a dog, and not an alien baby, which is what he normally is.

Here are our visitors!

I'm still working on my quilt, the crochet blanket, and I started a hat which I should finish in the next couple of days. I've got a super CUTE project going on that I can't share until after Halloween (gift, don't want to give it away to my 2 readers out there SHOUTOUT). I just need an extra 12 hours in the day to post more. Working full time is really having an affect on my blogging time....

Fall Apple Bundt Cake

2011-10-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

I decided last weekend to make this recipe out of the latest issue of MS Living magazine.

You will need:

For apples:

1/3 cup sugar

1 tbsp water

3 granny smiths

for cake:

2 sticks room temp unsalted butter

3 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp nutmeg

3/4 tsp grated ginger

coarse salt

1 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 large eggs

1/2 cup whole milk

for glaze:

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

3 tbsp apple cider

The original recipe calls for walnuts, which I omitted.

see full recipe below!

Caramelizing the apples

Dry ingredients sifted

Adding the apples

Ready for the oven!

Yummm!

Late Music Monday

2011-10-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

I was listening to this song today, a band I don't listen to that often, and I really enjoyed it. I thought I'd share it with you all a little late for Music Monday.

Today at work the kids and I were watching a huge garden spider in his web basking in the sun after the rain. A boy was interested, and threw a flower at the web, not sure what it would do. He said, "I don't like spiders". The flower stuck, the spider didn't move. We talked about it, walked away, and not long after I heard calling. Hey look, look!!!! I walked over and the spider was working vigorously to get the flower out of his web. He worked, we watched. The flower fell, he crawled back to his spot in the center. Another boy wanted to throw another flower. I pointed out how hard the spider worked to get the first flower out of his web, and how I didn't think he liked the flower there since he threw it out almost right away. They agreed, we looked and moved on. I think the boy might like spiders now...

Tomatillo Salsa and Rice Recipes

2011-10-02T10:37:00.001-07:00

I've always loved salsa verde. It has such a fresh taste and its almost always delicious. Tomatillos were on sale, so I decided to give it a shot.

I took 6 tomatillos and cut them into wedges. I expected something like a tomato inside, but its more like an eggplant texture.

Placed the wedges in a good processer, gave it a whir, then added some sliced jalapeno. I used about 5 thick slices, but the salsa was between a medium and mild spicy level in the end. I would have like more spice.

Then, I added about half an avocado and salt to taste. I would guess about half a teaspoon.

A tiny bit of lemon juice to preserve the color, since I added avocado, processed until smooth, and done. It was delicious! I actually bought some more and I think I may try roasting them... mmmm.

For this dinner I also wanted to make Spanish rice, which I had never made. It was surprisingly easy. I sauteed about half an onion in vegetable oil. Then I added 1.5 cups of white rice to the onion/oil mixture.

The rest of the recipe needs some attention, so I didn't take pictures, but you add 3 cloves of chopped garlic, and sauté until the rice has become a golden brown.

Then, I added 2.5 cups of vegetable stock. You can use chicken stock, but I used vegetable since we're vegetarian.

Finally, the recipe calls for 1 cup of tomato sauce, but I didn't have that. I used a few chopped roma tomatoes. It work just fine, and turned out amazing. Stir, Stir, Stir, and cover on low heat for 20 minutes.

Now you are ready to make those delicious tacos or burritos you've been waiting for!

Loving where I live

2011-10-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Thursday evening in Southern California

A new bag!

2011-09-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

I received some fabric "scraps" a while back from a friend's mom, and the fabrics were truly too nice to call scraps. They were perfectly cut squares, some cotton, some a thicker canvas... When I think of scraps I think of junk people throw away. Stuff that was cut from something else and just sits there. Anyway, so I had some fabric from her that wasn't going to work for my quilt. Its a thick canvas cotton. So I was thinking and thinking, and I decided I'd make a bag!

I've never made a bag before, and I didn't have a pattern. I just made it up as I went along and it turned out fantastically!

Cutting out the pattern that I decided on. One of each color, one for each side.

This is for the bottom and sides. I didn't have a long piece, so I just pieced it out later. I figured out the length by measuring around the bag with a piece of yarn.

Pinning the bottom. After this, I pinned the other side on.

I traced the sides on regular cotton so that I could make a lining for the bag.

Pinning the lining. This took a little while to figure out, since it had to go in the bag right side in, but be sewed to the front...

The finished bag! I added a strap with the green fabric. I still have to sew in pieces of the lining so it doesn't bunch, but its on my etsy page! Check it out to see more photos.

Phiddippus johnsoni

2011-09-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

Saw this little guy climbing around in my yard the other day and I wanted to capture a picture of him. This one was a bit blurry, but when I got a bit closer....

... he looked me straight in the eyes and said, get away!

This is a male red back jumping spider. Apparently pretty common, but the first I've seen. He was very beautiful.

Forty Foot Man

2011-09-19T19:39:00.001-07:00

This is really cute video and song. You really feel like you know this little paper guy. It really inspires me to take some video with my new camera... soon. soon. I hope. Watch out for those 40 foot men!

Forty Foot Man from Uniform Motion on Vimeo.

New labels have arrived!

2011-09-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

I got my new labels in the mail last night!

They are way better than I expected they would be, and I am very pleased.

I saw on MADE that they bough some labels from this etsy company called "worldsalelabel". They are from Hong Kong, and they really do a thorough job. When I wanted to order, I messaged them what I wanted, they designed the label for me (probably 5 times until I was satisfied, mostly because I want more than I can get), and when I was happy, they told me what to order.

A whole box of my main labels!

This is what they will look like close-up

The mini labels for adorning the outside of clothing among other things

I also bought some size labels for clothing.

I honestly don't think I will ever have to buy labels again! The best part is, they were pretty cheap. I paid about 9 cents a label for the main labels and the mini labels. Pretty good considering I paid $1 a label for my old ones.

Music Monday and A new Machine

2011-09-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Today's song, off the new beirut album. Loving it much and even more than the first one.

My sewing machine officially bit the dust this weekend. Last week, if you remember, I called the repair shop and they quoted me $50 minimum to send out the machine, plus the cost of whatever parts I would need. I looked up my machine online (I received it as a gift) and it was about $70 originally. There was no way that I am going to pay the same price to repair a machine that it costs new. So, I tried to take apart my old machine to no avail.

I just couldn't do it. I took a trip down to JoAnn's Fabric thinking that the sold sewing machines, I think they normally do...

So in this JoAnn's there is a separate little shop inside that is a Viking Husqvarna sewing machine dealer. I tried out the machines just for fun. Their middle of the line was sewing like I've never experienced it. Truly amazing. I had no intentions of buying anything there. I figured I'd go home, get another $70 machine online and call it a day.

This is where my amazing husband comes in. He just says, "Ok, we'll take it", and my jaw drops, and we sign the papers and before I know it, I have a brand new sewing machine. Don't you love him? I sure do! He knows I "need" it. Its my favorite thing to do when I have a day, or free time. I've been trying to start up my business and its going well (minus the 2nd 'real' job that takes up all my time).

Are you ready?

Dun Dun Duuuunnnnn

I unpacked it, set it up, and sewed a little. Its a dream! I love my new machine. I know it will probably never break, and I know I'll be able to do a lot more with it than I could in the past. It comes with a free class that will teach me all I need to know about using it. I'm so excited!

While I was drooling over my machine I accidentally left the door to my craft room open and my dog secretly came in. I've been keeping him out of there because I have my quilt pieces all set out on the floor waiting for me to sew them. He took this opportunity to come right in and do this:

As I took this picture I was yelling at him.

"Get up!" "Out!" "Off!" "Bad DOG!"

This is what my dog does when he is in trouble

How can you be mad at such a cute gremlin?

A real gardener

2011-09-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today I made my choice between becoming a gardener, or an animal lover. I know I'm both, but my garden comes first. The last few days a mouse or rat has been digging holes in my garden. Today I woke up to check it out, and there were holes again. I proceded to cover up the holes when the soil gave way and a huge indent under the soil was covered. Then, I heard the screams. I'm positive I covered up a bunch of baby SOMETHINGS. Sad. I tried to uncover them, but I couldn't find anything. I think they were between the planter box and the wall (there is a small space there). I couldn't do anything. So I covered it back up and left it. Honestly, I want them gone. I want my garden. They dug up most of the cilantro... I'll have to plant more and hopefully that will deter them from coming...

After this week I don't have much for you. Sewing machine is still broken. I haven't had the energy to crochet much.

Here is a photo of the Harvest moon from earlier this week

I've got a huge list of things to do today including replanting of some plants, mostly some new houseplants I got for my birthday.

Since I haven't been doing anything, here is some

LINK LOVE

Awesome book sculptures

Making your own chalkboard activity book.

Making a quilted 3D star

Canning tomatoes without a canner

What I wish the whole world was like... Watch the video in the link, truly amazing.

Music Monday

2011-09-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to this song quite a bit when I'm driving lately. It really makes me feel good. Its one of those songs that you really want to yell out as loud as you can.

Art links that I've enjoyed in recent days

Legos in ink

Beautiful watercolors

I love high fashion

My new class

2011-09-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

So as I've mentioned I'm working at a new school, and I wanted to share with you some exquisite wall art that they have there.

Mainly I'm sharing this because I think that these are wonderful paintings for a child's room at home, or nursery ideas. I love how modern, yet cute these paintings are. They look like they will take some talent, so they aren't for the artistically challenged types.

Sorry for the phone pics, its all I had...

This is the preschool bathroom, 2 different walls.

There is so much amazing detail here. Honestly, should be made into a wallpaper. The teacher that painted it no longer works at the school, but she should design wallpapers...

This is in the kindergarden book area. The teachers were going for a living room vibe.

For any of you who have personal interest in my life, this is what the classroom I'm working in looks like.

I painted that blue thing in the background. Its supposed to be to hang the kids artwork on.

I am very interested to learn how the classroom will function. I guess I will learn this on Monday. I don't really know what is expected of me, but I'm just going to do what I know. Play with the kids and have a good time. Help them answer their own questions. Be a friend. Hopefully Montessori and Reggio have those things in common!

Making homemade pretzels

2011-09-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

The last two days have been extremely busy. I started working, and I'm honestly been unable to sit in front of the computer and type. I haven't checked email, nothing. Thursday there was a massive power outage, but luckily my house was spared.

I've received my new cutting mat, and my new crochet borders book, but unfortunately my sewing machine bobbin spinner is broken. The sewing machine shop says it would cost over $50 to fix! I'm going to have to mess around with it myself a bit before I can even think of doing that. For now, I'm working on my crochet blanket.

Now, on to how to make pretzels! This was SO EASY and really satisfying.

You need :

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt or coarse kosher salt

First, put the warm water, sugar, kosher salt (from #3), and yeast in your mixing bowl and let sit for about 5-10 minutes. You should be able to see a difference in your yeast. You can see how mine was a bit bubbly.

Then, add flour and butter directly to the bowl and mix with your kneading mixing attachment until it pulls away and is formed into a ball.

Next, I took it out of the bowl, washed out the bowl (you can just use another large bowl if you don't want to do the washing now), coated the bowl with vegetable oil, and placed the dough in the bowl. I covered it with saran wrap, and put in outside (anywhere warm works), for about an hour.

Before

After (I love before and after pictures of dough rising. Its so satisfying)

After the hour, take a large pot an boil the 10 cups of water with the baking soda. While you are waiting for it to boil, take out the dough and knead it again on an oiled surface. Once you feel like the air bubbles are out, cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. Preheat your oven to 450.

At this point you can shape your pretzels any way you like. I rolled out a few snakes of dough and made twists. Some I left large and made into pretzel shapes. Once you shape your pretzels, drop them in the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Basically you want to wait for the pretzel to rise to the top of the water and puff a bit.

Once you boil, pick them out of the water with a slotted spoon, and place on a baking sheet with parchment paper, or the beloved Silpat. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my silpats. Get some! You never have to use cooking spray, which I hate, and they wash clean with just a bit of water.

Finally, coat with your egg yolk and water mixture, sprinkle the pretzel or kosher salt, and bake for 12-14 minutes.

I made two batches of these so far. They are SUPER easy and delicious. I made some for small get together here at my house and a friend commented "these are the best pretzels I have ever eaten". He was shocked that I had made them myself! For that batch I shaped them like mini bagels and served with 2 different types of mustard.

Readers, whoever you are out there, try this recipe! Its really worth it. I think I will make this over and over again.

Old crochet blanket

2011-09-07T13:43:00.001-07:00

About 2 or 3 years ago I learned to crochet granny squares. One day I started crocheting a square, and I never stopped. The blanket was put on hold for a while in leu of other interests, but I've brought it back out again to work on while watching tv. I'm hoping to finish this ball of yarn, and then add the edging.

So far this blanket has one huge ball of yarn, and about half of another. I suspect I've got quite a ways to go.

The corners

What the main part of the blanket looks like

The leftover part of my yarn ball.

I'd like to finish off this blanket with a granny ripple in a different color, but i'm not sure this can be done. Does anyone reading have experience with this?

I'm thinking an olive green blend would look nice on the edge of this blanket. Maybe blue... I'll have to explore.

Here is a tutorial I found on doing a granny ripple

Tutorial

After a little bit of research, I decided on purchasing this book that has been on my wishlist for a while.

Now I can "shop" for a border once I get this book. I'm excited for some new dainty thing I've never seen before!

On another note, I start my new job tomorrow. I am excited, but also will miss being at home. The crafting will have to take a backseat for a while, but I'm hoping that by planning in advance, I will still be posting often.

Some quilting inspiration

2011-09-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Since I've been working on my quilt a lot lately, I've been searching things online and I found this recently.

Mod mood quilt-a-long

Its this really awesome, old, quilt along that craftzine put on. The links are still up on how to craft an awesome quilt, and I'm hoping to be able to do something this good soon.

The flikr pool for this is still up and here are a couple of quilts that were created last summer with this quilt along. I would LOVE to be a part of something like this!

The color schemes have helped me place squares in my quilt.

This is it so far. I have a long way to go, but I'm really liking it so far!

A couple photos from the weekend, and my husband's uncle's garden.

Labor Day Music Monday

2011-09-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a song the came into my head this week while working on my quilt. I used to play it on the piano when I was younger. Its pretty great.

I don't have much for you today. It was a lazy labor day.

This weekend I went to Borders, since they will only be open for a few more days. I got these books for $4 and $8!

They look like they should be some fun to read. The little bit that I skimmed through was pretty good! I've been working on my quilt, and I have a shipment going out to Idaho tomorrow.

Friday's end.

2011-09-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

Today was spent finishing up projects. This means the house is messier, only one project is 100% done. Now is the stopping point. I will have to do my house duties, clean the kitchen, grocery shop.... I'd rather continue cutting quilt squares. I think it is almost enough!

Here is my cutting table for the day.

I ordered a new larger mat today from amazon with a birthday gift card from my sis-in-law. I hate that saying "in-law". Sister is sister, who cares about the rest, anyway, thanks Jill! I will now have a surface larger than my pinky nail to cut fabric on!

Here is the guest room/my craft room's floor today. I'm organizing the squares, I will try and place them more in the coming week. I hope after these scraps I will have enough to start sewing. This will be my very first quilt, and I'm excited. I can't wait to start to try more abstract designs. I think squares is good for the first try.

Today I also finished up the bird hanger for my cousin.

The hanger. This is where she can add a hook anywhere, to her ceiling, a window sill, you name it. I added this really neat bronze ball to the bottom of the hook area. It matches the heart on the bottom.

Here is the bottom. I used a bronze heart to weigh the end down so it doesn't just fly everywhere in the breeze.

Link Love

Make your own inspiration boards with these canvas templates

Super cool jewelry

Something I'd love when I'm a mom

Black Magic Balls

2011-09-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

When I try out a new recipe it goes something like this:

-make recipe.

-try a few.

-send the rest to work with my husband.

This recipe was a HUGE hit with the men who sit in front of computers all day crowd :) My parents liked them, I also enjoyed them quite a bit. I heard that some balls were even taken home to give to wives. All told, I would recommend this recipe to anyone!

Bonus: It is pretty easy!

Black Magic Balls (aka oreo cheesecake pops)

you will need :

1 bag of oreos

1 80z. package of cream cheese

wooden sticks for food

dipping chocolate

wax paper and a baking sheet for fridge storage

Step one: Empty a whole bag of oreos into a mixing bowl. I used regular stuff, but I'm sure this would work with double stuff. I also used my stand mixer, which I would recommend. There was a lot of flying oreos, and this contained it quite well.

Step 2: After mixing a bit, add one 8oz. package of cream cheese. Room temp. Should be very soft.

Step 3: Mix Mix Mix on high speed for a few minutes. Your cookies and cream cheese will turn into a paste at the end. The picture below is not fully mixed, but when you look at the balls, they should be black. No white of the cheese should show.

Step 4: Take mixture an form into balls. Place on wax paper, then put into the refrigerator for about 2 hours. They won't be perfect. The photo below is a before and after photo of the balls before they went in the freezer, and then when I took them out and rolled them smooth.

Step 5: Roll again

Step 6: Put sticks into your balls. I used regular size kabob sticks cut into 4.

Step 7: Place in fridge again. Melt your dipping chocolate in a double boiler. I just used white chocolate chips with vegetable oil added. This didn't work out too well for dipping, and I recommend getting dipping chocolate.

Step 8: Dip or drizzle. I used gel food coloring to make the chocolate a light purple. I drizzled it on top, then added a shimmery dusting sand as well as pink shimmer food dust. Hence, "magic"

These need to be stored in the fridge unless they are being served. Otherwise they will get mushy. They really are amazing!