DIY

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

December 9, 2013 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

How are you doing on your Christmas shopping? Are you typically the person who starts in January and is finished by mid-July? Or are you the type of person that every year has the best of intentions to start early but end up cramming everything in the week or two before Christmas?

I made the mistake of being in the second category of people a few years ago and swore to myself that I would never put myself through that stress again. So far, I ‘ve been able to keep that promise I made with myself. I typically have most of my shopping done by mid-November, with the possibility of having to get a few things here and there between then and December 25th.

Having all the shopping out of the way allows me to enjoy the weeks and days leading up to Christmas, as well as allows me to have more time in the kitchen. Which means…more cookies and goodies for my friends, family and co-workers! I enjoy making homemade gifts family and friends whether it’s scarves, trays or boxes of cookies, homemade vanilla. I love being able to give them a little something that I’ve made, it makes me happy and I can tell it means a lot to them too just knowing that I’ve taken the time to make a special something just for them.

One of my favorite products is something so simple, but so addicting, it’s called Sugar Lips. It’s a scrub for your lips, and yes, it’s made from sugar. The sugar is just coarse enough to smooth your lips without being too harsh. Ever since I’ve started using that stuff I’ve wanted to make a homemade sugar scrub but for one reason or another never have. I guess part of it was the intimidation; I thought it would be a lot harder than it was. Well, I was proven wrong.

I came across this homemade sugar scrub on The Gunny Sack, I read the recipe and was shocked when I saw the process and ingredients. Just a few simple, common ingredients is all it called for. Oil of your choice, I used coconut oil, sugar, extract, and food coloring. That’s it. Melt the coconut oil, add the sugar, extract and coloring and viola. That’s it. Spoon it into containers or mason jars, add a little ribbon and that’s it. You’ve got a simple and amazing scrub that would make anyone on your gift list happy.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup coconut oil (or oil of your choice)
1 1/2-2 Cups sugar
2 1/2 Tsp peppermint extract
Food coloring, if desired

Directions:

Place coconut oil in a medium, microwave-safe bowl and heat for 15-20 seconds, until the oil is in a liquid state. Add the sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring (if using) and stir to combine, making sure all ingredients are evenly mixed and food color is evenly distributed.

Spoon into containers. Decorate with twine or ribbon.

Recipe source: slightly adapted from The Gunny Sack

Heath Saltine Cracker Toffee Bark

December 6, 2013 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

Saltine bark, cracker toffee bark, Christmas Crack; this is a recipe that is known by many names. The one thing you need to know, however, is that you need this in your life. This is one of those recipes that surfaces every Christmas season and takes over the web. Pretty much everywhere you turn or look you see some variation or another of this amazing bark.

I have been making and enjoying this bark for years now. And let me say, the name Christmas Crack, as bad as it sounds is perfectly fitting because of just how addicting this stuff is. If you judge solely by looks or the list of ingredients you really wouldn’t be wowed. But with one, single bite of this stuff you’d definitely be addicted.

This is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Light, crispy, almost flaky caramel that enrobes salty crackers. A generous dose of chocolate is then added and spread evenly over the caramel. And that, alone is amazing but I didn’t stop there with this particular variation, I then sprinkled some milk chocolate heath bits over the melted chocolate to add another layer of flavor and texture.

This is one of those recipes that’s incredible and amazes each and every person that sinks their teeth into it. Not only does the taste send their taste buds soaring but another thing that intrigues them is one of the ingredients, Saltine Crackers. Yes, Saltines are the base of this amazingly addictive treat.

After they get over the initial shock of the main ingredient they then want to know “just how do you make this stuff?”. Well, it’s simple, just lay at some crackers, melt some butter and sugar, pour it over the crackers, bake and add chocolate. Simple, right? So not only does the taste WOW during this time of year, but the simplicity appeals to so many that want to make a special treat to share with their friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. Make a batch of this and you’ll be everyone’s favorite person…and make a double or triple batch because this stuff doesn’t last long!

Saltine Cracker Toffee Bark

Ingredients:

40 Saltine crackers, approximately 1 sleeve of crackers
1 Cup (2 sticks butter)
1 Cup brown sugar
1 3/4 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 Cup heath toffee bits

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400.

Like a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray then lay the crackers in a single layer over the foil.

Place butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the mixture has reached a boil, reduce to medium and allow to boil for 3 minutes.

Pour over the crackers and spread evenly, being sure each cracker is covered.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the caramel crackers. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then evenly spread the chocolate over the caramel crackers. Sprinkle the toffee bits over the chocolate. Allow to sit until the chocolate has hardened. Once the chocolate is hard, break the bark and store in an airtight container.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer

December 5, 2013 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

So have you seen the International Delight commercial where the lady is standing at the checkout stand counting the bottles of pumpkin spice creamer as they pass her by? The checker is steadily checking and the husband is continuously pulling bottle after bottle of creamer out of the buggy. Do you know this commercial? Do you feel this ladies pain? Oh the things we do to stock up on the short-lived seasonal goodies. But the grief doesn’t stop there. What about when you go to the store to get that seasonal creamer you’re craving out their sold out? You then drive to the next store only to find out they’re sold out too and then the devistation begins.

I’ve been there, have you? And I believe we’re all in total agreement when I say, it’s not a good place to be. Well, I have the answer for all of your predicaments. Homemade creamer. Yup, that’s right, homemade creamer. And believe it or not, it’s incredibly simple.

For the past few years I’ve been promising one of my friends that I would develop a recipe for her weakness, pumpkin creamer. She anticipates this time of year for the rich, thick pumpkin goodness to pour in her coffee. Well, I have finally fulfilled my promise with this pumpkin creamer. And I must say, she was beyond thrilled when I showed up with a sample batch for her to test. Her only request after her initial test, to add a little more cinnamon. More cinnamon, well that was an easy fix.

This creamer was so simple to make and uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Combine the half and half, pumpkin, syrup and spices in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Allow the mixture to cool then add the condensed milk and viola, you’ve got yourself some homemade creamer! Homemade creamer is the ideal way to make a creamer that is truly customized to your tastes, it’s also a terrific gift for the coffee lover in your life.

Eliminate those frustrating trips to the store or the need to wait until a certain time of year to enjoy your favorite creamer. Make this homemade creamer whenever you have the craving for a little pumpkin in your coffee.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups half and half, divided

1/4 Cup pumpkin puree

1 Tbsp maple syrup

1/4 Heaping tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 Heaping tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 Can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

In a small saucepan combine 1/2 cup of half and half, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice and stir to combine. Place over medium-low heat and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Add the remaining half and half and the condensed milk and whisk to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Yields approximately 3 half pint jars.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

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