Christmas Balls!

Are you guys surprised that my Christmas goodies are in the shape of balls? No? I didn't think so. Balls are just so cute, I love them! Yes, I said it. I LOVE BALLS!

Every year I make some goodies to bring over to some of my favorite people, our neighbors, Chriss and Irene. They are like family to us and we are lucky to have them living so close. Since I have started this interest in baking, they are the first to try it. Yes, even my flukes! They are so nice they wouldn't tell me if it was gross, but this latest tasty treat I whipped up was pure heaven in your mouth. There was no fluke here, just a bunch of yummyness!

I made Peanut Butter Pretzel Balls Dipped in Chocolate! YUM!

I originally wanted to make truffle balls and then form it into a tree, kinda like this:

But when I came across a suggestion by Martha Stewart in her latest magazine to mix crushed pretzels with peanut butter, confectioners sugar and butter, I had to try it. Then when I tried to attach the balls to the styrofoam tree, they wouldn't stay on the toothpick. The consistency wasn't solid enough, like a truffle would be. But it was okay because I didn't know what I was gonna use those tiny cupcake liners for that I had in my cupboard forever... viola! PERFECT! And cute. And did I say deeee-licious?

These were probably my favorite thing I have made so far! The pretzels stayed crunchy and they had the perfect mix of salty and sweet. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

a wedding invite in a hurry...

Last week, I received an email from a sweet girl that heard of me through a friend. She said that her wedding is less than 3 months away and the designer that was working on her invites wouldn't return her calls and now she is starting to panic. I actually started to panic for her! She asked if I would be willing to design her invites as she couldn't afford to wait on a response from the other designer. Well, if you know me, you know that I strive to be prompt and anything that remotely resembles being late, makes me break out into an anxiety attack! So, I not only agreed, I put on my turbo boosters in order to get this done for her as soon as possible. I was a bride once and something like this can very possibly throw a bride into a manic frenzy of emotions! Planning a wedding is not fun... even if you are super prepared like I was!


It only took one day and we had the design finalized and ordered! This is the front:

and this is the back:

here are the reply cards:

and the back:

Here is her response (this is why I LOVE what I do!)


WOW, WOW, WOW!!  You are incredible.  Ohh Sommer!!  These are amazing!!!  Thanks again for all of your help.  I can't believe I woke up yesterday without invites and this afternoon it is complete. 
 It is perfect!  You captured my vision and have made the most gorgeous invitation I could have dreamed or asked for.  Thank you so very much for your hard work, creativity, promptness and professionalism.  I am so thankful for you. Thank you does not say enough.  Please know that I will pass your name to my friends who are getting married.  You have been such a pleasure to work with. 

It's never too late to give thanks...

Ok, I know we are now in the Christmas season but let me take you back a few weeks. Here are the goodies I whipped up for Thanksgiving:

Every year I make the same pie. Creamy Pumpkin Pie. I have always loved the taste of pumpkin but hated the texture of traditional pumpkin pie, that's why every year this pie is a must for me!

Here is the easy-peesy recipe. No bake and takes no time at all!


Creamy Pumpkin Pie
1 c. canned pumpkin
1/2 c. cold milk
1 (6 serving) pkg. vanilla flavor instant pudding
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3 1/2 c. (8 oz.) thawed Cool Whip
1 graham cracker pie crust
Whip with wire whisk the milk, pudding mix and pumpkin pie spice in large bowl. Add in pumpkin until well combined. Fold in 2 1/2 cups of Cool Whip. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate until firm. Top with remaining Cool Whip.


But also every year, I like to try something to new to send over to my awesome neighbors who are like family to us! So this year, I found a recipe for Pumpkin Whoopie Pies... and they were yummy!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

• Cookies:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 
  
• 
  
• Cream Cheese Filling:
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 
  

1. For cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease or line four baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin and vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture until combined. Drop by heaping measuring teaspoons onto prepared baking sheets. (A total of 72 cookies are needed for the recipe.)
3. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until springy to the touch. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. For cream cheese filling: Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Spread a heaping teaspoon of filling onto flat side of one cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

I had a few extra so I brought them over to Momma Coffin's:

Rice Krispie Pops!

The bad news? I thought I invented these, and I didn't. The good news? It doesn't matter cause the deliciousness makes up for it!


I offered to make my friend, Konnie, a dessert for her baby shower. In the interest of my blog, I wanted to make something new so I don't bore my readers with the same old desserts. I have made cake pops and cheesecake pops, but I have never made Rice Krispie pops. I thought that it was so original that nobody has ever made them before. A quick google search proved me wrong, but hey, it would be new to me!


They were so easy and soooo yummy! I added crushed up heath bar to add a little oomph to the plain old Rice Krispie recipe. I also added a little peanut butter to the butter as it was melting, before putting in the marshmallows. But other than that, its just your standard recipe from the box!


I found that once they cool a little, its easier to shape into balls without it sticking to your hands, or you can butter your hands if you don't wanna wait.


I wanted to personalize it, so I designed something, printed it out and wrapped it around my container.
Look how cute!

Look how happy they made Konnie's little girl, Nari! The look on her face made all the effort worth it!