Spooktacular Salted Caramel Sauce Cake Pops

TGIF and Happy Friday, friends!! 

We have a busy festival filled weekend coming up! On Saturday we are heading to Lilburn Daze and bright and early Sunday morning we are picking up my mom and heading to North Georgia for the Georgia Apple Festival!!

I was flipping through my Taste of the South Holiday Baking Magazine the other night and came across (TONS of recipes) a super savory recipe for a salted caramel sauce. 

I've never actually made my own caramel sauce, and what better way to enjoy some fresh Georgia apples than in a delicious dipping sauce, so I thought I'd give it a whirl...two words, simple and delectable! 

I picked up these "Spooky Sprinkles" about a month ago at TJ Maxx and have been dying (no pun intended) to use them. What better excuse than some salted caramel drizzled cake pops!

Salted Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream at room temp
• 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher salt

In a saucepan, mix sugar and water. Let it boil over medium heat, WITHOUT stirring...you just want to stick a spoon in there and stir, but don't do it! Instead use a brush dipped in water and ring the sides of the pan to prevent a sticky sugary buildup. Once the sugar water mixture starts boiling it will change to a beautiful golden tan hue; at this point take off the heat and add the butter, cream, and salt. It's going to bubble like a cauldron, FYI--let cool to room temperature before using.

I poured mine into a Ball Mason Jar for easy storage! Yum!!

Cake Pops:

• Cake mix
• Lollipop sticks
• Chocolate of your choice
• Sprinkles

Super simple, whip up a cake recipe...I just used a vanilla cake mix I had in the pantry.

I use the Baby Cakes Cake Pop Maker. It's like a waffle iron for cake pops.

Let this bad boy heat up and start filling the round reservoirs.

Don't be an asshole, the clean up is killer. I find that a tablespoon in each little basin is a perfect amount. 

Let bake for 5 minutes, viola...cake balls!

Melt chocolate, dip end of lollipop stick into chocolate, stick into cake ball, and let cool--this acts like glue for the stick and cake.

Next, take your cake ball on a stick and roll it around the melted chocolate. Gently tap stick to remove any excess candy. Let them solidify "standing up." I have always used an old egg crate for this process, but I've heard that a Styrofoam block works much better.

Drizzle with salted caramel sauce.

Add sprinkles of your choice.

Refrigerate the cake pops until all candy coatings have completely hardened.

The salted caramel sauce adds just another decadent layer of flavor to these sweet pastries and the sprinkles give it a great fall baking vibe!!

Let them eat cake...pops!! 

Homemade Baby Food | Bartlett Pears

                        

Baby food. We all ate it out of jars. We all turned out just fine.

Fast forward 30 years...

Baby food is now served out of plastic containers, you can get the jars...but it will cost you. Speaking of cost, $1.13 for a set of two plastic containers. Said plastic containers will also last you until the world ends...okay 2017, but you get my gist. 

My husband and I really enjoy cooking together.

I like to DIY. 

He likes spreadsheets. 

One night, after purchasing a plastic container of baby food, taste testing it, and calculations (done by him...not me), we decided we would give making homemade baby food a go!

Little did we know how easy, fun, and cost effective this process would be--not to mention the quality time we get to spend together!! You may throw up in your mouth now, but seriously we have such a fantastic time doing this as a couple!

We've made sweet potatoes, butternut squash, avocados, and now pears!

Bartlett Pears Homemade Baby Food:

To begin you need the following:

• A steamer
• Emersion blender, food processor, or blender
• 4 ounce Ball Mason Jars and/or ice cube trays
• Gallon plastic bag

Step 1: Peel pears.

Step 2: Core pears. **I would totally recommend purchasing an apple corer rather than using a knife. It will expedite the process**

Step 3: In a steamer that is boiling, add pears. Different directions I read had the pears steaming anywhere from 10-30 minutes. We checked every 5 minutes after the 10 minute mark until they were fork tender.

Step 5: Emersion blend. 

Step 5.5: After about 5 minutes of using the emersion blender, the super mushy puree we were looking for wasn't really happening...this is when we brought out the food processor.

Step 6: Check consistency. Add formula, breastmilk, or water to make the puree a bit more "soupy." We added 6 ounces of breastmilk. 

Step 7: Make an assembly line of jars and/or ice cube trays. I make sure to have at least 12 jars (enough for three feedings X four days) and then load up ice cube trays with any leftovers.

Step 8: This is the scathingly brilliant idea my hubby came up with...and he will be happy to tell you it was his scathingly brilliant idea!

When we were making our first batch of food, we were attempting to fill up the jars with tablespoons, of sweet potatoes nonetheless--hello stains everywhere and complete hassle! That's when he asked how I frost cookies. Not wanting to waste a piping bag, I whipped out a gallon plastic bag, he scooped in the remainder of the food in, snipped off the corner...and started squeezing equal amounts in each jar.

Proceed filling jars.

Step 8: With any leftover food fill up ice cube trays.

Fun fact: each cube is approximately one ounce. This makes measuring out frozen supply incredibly easy!

Homemade baby food will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 48 hours and frozen for 3 months! Now, I may not be really fantastic at math, but see if you can follow:

I purchased 3.12 pounds of Bartlett Pears for $3.09. After peeling, coring, and steaming we have a yield of approximately 24 ounces! 

Don't be fearful of making your own baby food--it is really, incredibly simple! And for those parents out there that do make it, weigh in on your thoughts! I'd love to hear from you!

Mommy Daughter Halloween

She may not be able to ring a doorbell. She may not be able to say "trick-or-treat!" But Maggie does have the cutest outfits for her first Halloween (and so does her mom!!). Halloween was always incredibly special when I was growing up and I plan on making it equally as spooktacular for Mags! 

I found this super cute "Keep the Tricks" onesie from Cuter Than Words on Etsy. The long-sleeved top has adorable orange glitter details and let's be honest, we are here for the treats! 

We will be "trick-or-treating" at my in-laws, my moms, and my sister-in-laws the day before and on Halloween we are going to be heading up to the university my mom works at for a Halloween costume contest and then heading over to my husband's office. We will have a busy few days so I plan on making (and doing a tutorial) her a sweet little tutu out of orange, black, and white tulle. I thought this would be perfect to change her costume up a bit.

I had a VERY successful shopping trip to Hobby Lobby. All their Halloween items were on deep discount so I snagged a cheeky large hair bow, my 1st Halloween bib, and the most charismatic cat diaper cover ever!

Even though Maggie isn't even remotely close to being able to consume candy...I will gladly help her with that with this adorable kitty cat treat bag from the Dollar Spot at Target!

Since I'm a mom now, Halloween costumes are a bit more umm...conservative, than they used to be in the past. Again, Etsy came through for a sister with this darling skeleton racerback tank from Wild Hearts USA (this shop has some seriously witty tops, guys!).

Another Hob Lob purchase is this batty for you scarf! Because one can never have too many scarves!

Halloween calls for a bit of whimsy--this polka dotted fascinator headband is also from Hobby Lobby.

Last but certainly not least, I talked about my love for Brin and Bell in my post of September Hits. Again, this store came through for me with this darling dainty skull bracelet--just the perfect amount of additional flair!

What are you and your kiddos dressing up for Halloween?

September Hits

One of my favorite type of YouTube videos are creator's monthly "favorites," items/things they are really digging for the previous month. It's always a great way to find new products, places to go, or gain some scathingly brilliant ideas!

Each month I'm going to share some of my favorites AKA hits for adults, babies, animals...whatever I'm loving (including links) so without further ado...

September Hits - For Baby:

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes: 

We LOVE books!! Early on, my husband and I established a bedtime routine for Maggie--so each night we read one or two books before bed. We also LOVE cats that have spunk and that is precisely what Pete has! Pete has fabulous white shoes that change color from the many fun piles he steps in during the day. Age recommendation is 3-5 years old, however the uber colorful artwork catch any one's eye and the dialogue is easy and fun to follow!

Skip Hop Explore and More Owl:

I make it a point to do different developmental activities each day...we are currently in what I like to fondly call, "dexterity boot camp." My mum is a librarian, needless to say owls are a treasured creature in the Wee Mags household. The design of Skip Hop's Explore and More Roll Around Owl is brilliant! The body has easy to grab open spaces and can be held with both hands via a rattle. Side note: If your child is teething or in the early signs of teething, this is your jam--the rubberized detail is perfect for gnawing!

4 Ounce Ball Mason Jars: 

If you would have asked me one year ago if I was going to be a stay at home mom who makes her own baby food, I would have laughed in your face and called you a lunatic! What a difference a year makes!! There will be an entire post on how to make your own baby food, but these 4 ounce Ball Mason Jars are amazing! You make your own baby food, fill up tiny adorable Mason Jar, freeze or refridgerate it, heat up, feed baby. And the icing on the cake, it fits perfectly into many bottle warmers! I love Mason Jars. Period. 

September Hits:

SojoS Classic Aviator Sunnies: 

I have an obsession with aviator sunglasses. I also have a horrible habit of scratching the hell out of sunnies. My husband bought me a pair of Coach aviators two years ago for Christmas, they didn't even last 4 months before they were so scratched I had a hard time seeing out of them. Hence and therefore I cannot justify spending a pretty penny on sunglasses. This is where SojoS entered my life. We are talking trendy, tons of styles, and a great price point ($12.99 + Free Shipping if you have Prime)! They also fit petite faces so, so well--you will not have to push these bad boys up your nose! Be sure to check our their Instagram for a discount code to boot! 

Urban Decay Fireball Eyeshadow: 

Ipsy Glam Bags are a great way of trying new products ranging from makeup to skincare to brushes each month, plus who doesn't like monthly subscriptions that come in a super cute pink envelope? I was introduced to this lovely peachy/rose gold hue with a slight shimmer and it has been my go to "Mom Eyeshadow" look. According to the packaging, "UD's groundbreaking Pigment Infusion System delivers dimensional, blendable, long-lasting color." Enough said! I blend from the corners onto the entire eyelid and you would honestly think that I have applied two perhaps three different shadows to transition my crease...it's that good!

Epice International Restorative Toner: 

I sometimes feel as if the wonderful folks at Ipsy are reading my mind because I said at the beginning of the month, "I really need to do my research and find a good toner." What arrived not too long after? This miracle in a tube. I have been using this after my morning and evening face cleanse and my skin has never looked so even, bright, hydrated, and luminous! I feel as if my makeup applies and wears better since I have started my daily restorative toning. Epice's formula is not the toner you used when you were in high school. This is like a coming of age, you're in your prime, I get shit done daily...toner. 5 stars!

Engraved Gold Bar Necklace by Custom Brites:

What's trendier than simplistic jewelry right now? Simplistic bar necklaces, preferably engraved with something of meaning. After doing some extensive searching on Etsy, because these necklaces are everywhere, I purchased from Custom Brites--every piece is handcrafted and personalized items are either engraved using an engraving machine or hand stamped. This is a piece of jewelry that can either be dressed up or down...rock it with a pair of jeans or a dress, it's so simple yet versatile! Not to mention the store has 5 stars and I received my one of a kind (made in the USA) necklace in a little over a week! Do check out their Instagram feed for new products and offers!!

Dainty Upper Case Chain Bracelet by Brin & Bell: 

Speaking of Instagram, this is how I found and fell in deep, deep love with Brin and Bell! If you are looking for simplistic, trendy, chic jewelry and at wonderful price points, look no further! Lindsay, the owner of Brin and Bell, creates necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, bangles--all with love. I like to shop small and shop around, so you know I adore a shop when I purchase more than once; I have bought 4 more items since I have received my "Dainty Mags" bracelet! Unsure of what to get the gal who has everything for Christmas...Brin and Bell has you covered! If you are looking for jewelry styling inspiration, especially stacked bracelets, Lindsay does a great job pairing and showcasing her daily stacks via Instagram!

Sleep Sweet Dreams Drink by Neuro: 

While perusing the aisles at Publix, I was drawn to  brightly colored bottles and the word "sleep." Anything that helps me fall asleep in a more expedited fashion, I am all over. So naturally I picked up two bottles of Neuro's Sleep Sweet Dreams--according the the label this tasty tangerine flavored drink combines the benefits of melatonin with 5-HTP, magnesium, and L-theanine...in other words it's a modern day warm glass of milk. My husband and I each had a bottle while watching Stranger Things and we both fell asleep as soon as we hit the hay, I didn't lie awake making mental lists of things to do, and I woke up without a "hangover" like you would get with Tylenol PM or Benadryl. I've bought a few bottles each week when I go grocery shopping and my husband swears by it!

What are your favorites from this past month? Thanks for reading--and I will see you next month with another list of my hits!