Holiday Ideas

Champagne Toast

Looking for a holiday brunch idea? Here's one of the most unusual ideas surely to dazzle your guests. Try a champagne toast with Wild Hibiscus Flower Syrup. This product can be found at Total Wine. The jar contains a syrup with 11 hibiscus flowers. Place one flower in the bottom of a flute glass and then fill with champagne. Not only was this a wonderful added flavor but also a festive looking addition to the the champagne flute. 

DIY Santa Sock Cupcake-Imagine getting a cupcake with no calories!

See how festive this looks-too bad it's inedible. Last year I was at a brunch where the guests all received their own cute Santa cupcake. You too can recreate this treat with the following simple deconstruct directions.
You will need the following ingredients (most found at Michaels or Dollar Tree).

• clear plastic bag-Michaels
• ribbon
• large sturdy cupcake holders (this Santa suit like is a cupcake holder from Michaels in baking aisle)
• electrical tape (belt and buckle)
• 1 pair of ankle socks-Dollar store
• 1 lip gloss with a red top-Dollar store 

Deconstructed Santa Sock Cupcake

The bottom of the cupcake holder was cut out though I have seen others where the bottom was kept intact as pictured below.
 

The Santa belt and buckle were made with electrical tape.

Directions:

• Roll the socks together and fit snugly into the cup.
• Add lip gloss in the middle.
• Place sock cupcake in a plastic bag and tie with a ribbon.
• Other holiday options include:

Valentine's Day using a glittery red cupcake holder, glue hearts on the cupcake holder.
St. Patrick's Day using glittery green cupcake holder, glue shamrocks on cupcake holder.
Shower prizes

Enjoy another holiday option but an edible one Gingerbread Muffins

Cook's Notes: A moist, flavorful muffin bursting with holiday spices, a hint of lemon to create a hearty breakfast or mid-morning treat.
Muffin Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon Saigon cinnamon or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• Dash ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup molasses, unsulphured-mild flavor
• 1 cup buttermilk

Topping options: 1/4 cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon or Sprinkles (crystallized sugar found in baking section at Michaels)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, grated lemon and spices in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Add in the eggs one at a time, beating in between.
• Beat in the molasses.
• Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Don't over beat.
• Spoon the batter into 12 muffin cups, lightly greased or lined with muffin papers.
• Sprinkle with a little cinnamon mixed with sugar on top of each muffin before baking or use a product from Wilton called Sprinkles.
• Bake for about 16- 18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Add a few more Sprinkles while warm.
• Cool for a few minutes in the pan and then turn out onto a wire rack.
  
  The recipe makes 12 enough to package up and deliver to a few friends. Be sure to save two for yourself.