Starbucks Snowman Cookie Copycat

/

INGREDIENTS: (makes 24-30 cookies)

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

  • 2 cups flour

  • 1 teaspoons baking powder

  • About 16 oz of dark chocolate wafers. Wilton or Ghirardelli

  • Edible gold dusting powder 

DIRECTIONS:

  • Place butter and sugar into a mixing bowl and using a mixer, beat until light and fluffy 

  • Add vanilla and mix until well combined.

  • Add flour and baking powder to butter/sugar mixture and beat on low speed until incorporated well (don’t over-beat this).

  • Use clean hands to form this mixture into a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

While dough is chilling, make chocolate toppers and royal icing.

  • Melt chocolate wafers in the microwave in 30 second increments, mixing in between until melted and smooth.

  • Spoon into a large zip-top bag and seal it well.

  • Place mold on a cookie sheet to keep it flat and easy to move.

  • Carefully pipe chocolate into molds, filling them up to the top and then tap entire cookie sheet on counter to remove bubbles.

  • Freeze for 5-8 minutes until they can be peeled out of the molds. Repeat until you have about 24-30 toppers.

  • Squeeze extra chocolate back into a small bowl and set aside.

 

Set toppers aside, and cut/bake cookies.

  • Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

  • Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on a floured countertop. Cut into rectangles.  Place on a cookie sheet that has parchment paper laid on top. 

  • Bake at 350F degrees for 10-12 minutes.

  • Slide parchment paper (with cookies on top) off baking sheet and cool completely.

ROYAL ICING INGREDIENTS:

3 ounces pasteurized egg whites

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 4 cups confectioners' sugar


Directions

  1. In large bowl of stand mixer combine the egg whites and vanilla and beat until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar gradually and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and mixture is shiny. Turn speed up to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks. This should take approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add food coloring, if desired. For immediate use, transfer icing to pastry bag or heavy duty storage bag and pipe as desired. If using storage bag, clip corner. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Assemble cookies.

  • Re-heat the extra chocolate you set aside from earlier, using instructions given earlier for melting.

  • Use a knife to spread melted chocolate onto the back of a chocolate topper, and gently place it on top of a cooled cookie. 

  • Allow topper to harden- sticking it firmly to the top of the cookie.

  • Use a food-grade brush to gently brush gold dusting powder over each chocolate piece. (optional)

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar Copycat

/

Ingredients

Bars:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted

  • 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 teaspoon orange extract

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups all purpose flour

  • 1 cup white chocolate chips

  • 3/4 cup Craisins

Frosting and Topping:

  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/3 cup Craisins, roughly chopped

  • 2 squares baking chocolate or almond bark, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15x10 or 13x9 inch jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. *see notes

  2. Beat together melted butter and brown sugar over medium speed with an electric mixer. Add in eggs, 1 tsp orange extract, and 1 tsp vanilla extract and beat until mixed well. Add in ground ginger, baking powder, salt, and flour, beating until just blended. Don't overmix.

  3. Stir in white chocolate chips and Craisins by hand. Spread evenly into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until set and golden brown at the edges. Don't overbake or bars will be hard. Remove from oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool. Allow bars to cool completely before topping with frosting.

  4. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add 1/2 tsp orange extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and mix well. Top cooled bars with frosting. Sprinkle with chopped Craisins and drizzle white chocolate over the top with a fork. 

Starbucks Sugar Plum Cheese Danish Copycat

/

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

  • Flour, for rolling

  • 4 ounces cream cheese or neufchâtel, softened

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

  • 1/4 cup plum jam

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

COOK MODEPREVENT YOUR SCREEN FROM GOING DARK

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.

  • Dust countertop and rolling pin lightly with flour and roll out puff pastry gently just so it is slightly extended. You can skip this step if you prefer.

  • Cut pastry dough into equal squares — one sheet should make 9. Transfer squares to a muffin tin and press gently into wells, leaving the corners out.

  • Mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Divide evenly among puff pastry squares, spreading slightly with a spoon.

  • Mix together jam, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and top each pastry square with a dollop. (You may have extra remaining.)

  • Bake for about 20 minutes, until puffed and golden. Serve immediately.

  • Leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days and reheated in a toaster oven or microwave.

Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Copycat

/

Ingredients

  • 1 shot espresso or coffee (around 1.6 floz / 50ml)

  • 1 cup skim milk (can use non-dairy)

  • 2 tablespoons caramel sauce

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

  • whipped cream

  • extra caramel sauce for drizzling

Instructions

  • Pour the espresso/coffee into a saucepan with the milk. Place over a high heat and whisk constantly until frothy and the milk just begins to boil.

  • Take the pan off the heat and stir in the caramel sauce and vanilla syrup.

  • Pour the milky coffee into a mug and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. 

Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte Copycat Recipe

/

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • 4 cup hot brewed Starbucks® Holiday Blend

  • 1/2 cup boiling water

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tspvanilla extract

  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

  • 2 cup 3.25% whole milk

  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

STEP 01

In heatproof bowl, stir together boiling water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.

STEP 02

Heat milk in saucepan set over medium-low heat; cook, stirring often, for 3 to 5 minutes or until steaming. Whisk with frother or hand blender until frothy.

STEP 03

Divide white chocolate chips and flavoured simple syrup between 2 large mugs; stir in coffee. Pour frothed milk over coffee.

TIPS

1. Substitute Starbucks® Pike Place® Roast for Holiday Blend if desired.

2. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of holiday-coloured sugar, or rim the mug with coloured sugar. Serve with a sugar cookie if desired.

Amazon Snowglobe

/

Isn’t this the coolest thing ever??? Make it for your Amazon-obsessed friend or yourself!

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED:

DIRECTIONS

1

Start by gluing a binder clip with gift card to the bottom of a jar (make sure you choose jars wide enough to fit a gift card inside).

2

Place a small amount of cotton and faux snow to hide the bottom of the binder clip.

3

Add any ornaments or bottle brush trees to make a winter scene. Add Amazon packages, make these with construction paper or craft supplies from Jo Ann, Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

4

Close jar and tie with ribbon or baker’s twine to embellish.

Saran Wrap Ball Game

/

Prize ideas include (depending on your theme):

The prizes you put in the game will depend on the party theme and the ages of the people playing.  

Here’s also a helpful how-to video:


Here’s How to Make It:

  • Start by wrapping an actual ball or other round object in plastic wrap. I found it easiest to start with a round prize and I mixed the “good prizes” (like the gift cards) in so that they were evenly dispersed through the different layers.

  • Wrap your first prize about 3-4 times with plastic wrap. If you like, you can also wrap it once or twice, then tear the plastic wrap, and wrap it a few more times with a different sheet of plastic.

  • Add your second prize to the plastic wrap ball, and cover it with a few layers of plastic wrap. You can see in the picture above that I chose to use a dollar bill as my second prize, because it was flexible and easy to make into a ball shape.

  • Tear the plastic wrap every few rotations, and alternate the direction of the next piece of plastic wrap. This makes it more difficult to get to the prizes, and it will also help to prolong the duration of the game.

  • When your ball is small, use items that are flexible and able to bend into a curved shape. Things like small sheets of stickers, temporary tattoos, fuzzy socks, or dollar bills are great to add to the ball first.

  • Continue to add prizes to the saran wrap ball and cover them with a few sheets of plastic. Be sure to tear the plastic wrap every foot or so, and add the next sheet of plastic going the opposite direction.

  • As the plastic prize ball gets larger, you can add in bigger prizes

HERE’S HOW TO PLAY IT:

The Saran Wrap Ball Game Rules:

  • The first person with the ball starts unwrapping the ball while the person on their right rolls a pair of dice, trying to roll doubles.

  • Once doubles are rolled, the ball is passed to the next player and the sequence begins again.

  • The person with the ball does not stop unwrapping until the person to their right rolls doubles.

  • This creates an urgency to the game! You want to roll the dice over and over again as quickly as you can so you get the ball!

  • You get to keep the treasures you unwrap!

  • You decide who starts the game. You can choose to roll the dice or go from youngest to oldest.

Free Gift Card Deals For 2021

/

White Castle
The deal: Grab a free $5 gift card when you buy $25 in gift cards. The bonus card will be valid from January 1 to February 28, 2022. 
When: Through January 2, 2022

Red Lobster
The deal: Spend $50 on gift cards in-restaurant or online and you'll get a coupon for $10 off an order of $30 or more. That discount will have to be used in January or February. 
When: Through December 31

The Cheesecake Factory
The deal: Buy $50 in gift cards to get a $15 card for your pocket. Bonus cards are valid from January 1 to March 31, 2022. 
When: Through December 31

Shake Shack
The deal: Get a voucher for a free shake -- that includes the new holiday shakes -- with every $25 gift card purchase. The voucher is valid through March 31, 2022.
When: Through December 29

Einstein Bros. Bagels
The deal:  Spend $25 on a gift card and you'll get a bonus card worth $5. That can go quite a ways at a bagel shop. 
When: Through December 31

Jamba
The deal: Drop $25 on a gift card and get a $5 reward card. The reward card will only be valid one time, has to be used in the Jamba app, and can only be used from January 3 to February 14, 2022. 
When: Through December 26

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The deal: Get a free $5 gift card when you buy at least $25 worth of gift cards in-store or online. 
When: Through December 31

Auntie Anne's
The deal: Grab $5 in Pretzel Perks (one-time-only use) when you spend $25 on gift cards. The bonus cash has to be spent by March 27, 2022.
When: Through December 31

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
The deal: Buy a $50 eGift Card and you'll get a $10 card for free. If you buy a $100 card, you'll get a free $25 card and a VIP 20% off card.
When: Through January 1, 2022

Grimaldi's Pizzeria
The deal: Buy a $50 gift card and you'll get a $10 bonus card for free. That bumps up to $20 if you buy a $100 gift card.
When: Through December 31

Farmer Boys
The deal: Get a $5 voucher when you buy $25 in gift cards or a $25 voucher when you spend $100.
When: Through January 17

California Pizza Kitchen
The deal: Grab $20 on a free card when you spend $100 on gift cards. 
When: Through December 31

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
The deal: Buy a $200 gift card and you'll get a $40 card for free. The bonus card can be used from January 1 to March 31, 2022.
When: Through December 21

Noodles & Company
The deal: Purchase a $25 gift card online and you'll get a $5 bonus card that will expire on January 12, 2022. 
When: Through December 31

Chuck E. Cheese
The deal: Buy a $25 gift card and you'll get 250 e-tickets. Those will be valid from December 26 through February 28, 2022. So, you can't use them right away. 
When: Through December 25

Friendly's
The deal: Buying a $25 gift card in-store or online will land you a $5 bonus card. 
When: Through December 31

BurgerFi
The deal: Buy a $25 gift card in-store or through the BurgerFi app to get a $5 bonus card. You'll be able to redeem that bonus from January 1 to February 28, 2022. 
When: Through December 31

Miguel's Jr.
The deal: Grab a pair of $5 bonus gift cards for every $25 card you purchase online. If you buy a $25 gift card in-restaurant or at the drive-thru, you'll get one $5 bonus card.
When: Through December 31

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The deal: Get a $5 kickback card with the purchase of $25 in gift cards online or in-store.
When: Through January 4

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAKE SHACK

Bonefish Grill
The deal: If you buy $50 in gift cards, you'll grab a $10 card on the side. Though, there's a short window to use your bonus card. You have from January 1 to February 6, 2022.
When: Through December 27

Peter Piper Pizza
The deal: Get a $10 card when you buy a $50 card. You can only get this one online.
When: Through December 31

Pie Five Pizza
The deal: Get a free personal pizza with up to five toppings or a signature pizza for every $25 in gift cards you spend. Those free pizzas are only redeemable in January. 
When: Through December 31

Fuzzy's Taco Shop
The deal: Grab a $5 bonus card with every $25 in gift cards you purchase. That bonus will be valid in January only. 
When: Through December 31

Marugame Udon
The deal: When you buy a $25 gift card, you'll get a coupon for a free bowl of Udon that will be valid through January 31, 2022. 
When: Through December 31

Miller's Ale House
The deal: Get a $10 bonus card when you buy $50. 
When: Through December 31

Grand Lux Cafe
The deal: Buy $50 worth of gift cards in-store or online, and you'll get a $15 bonus card that can be used throughout 2022. 
When: Through December 31

Sequin Ornaments

/

These ornaments are one of my new favorites.

Supplies:

  • Sequins - use size and color of choice.

  • Sequin Pins (3/4 inch pins)

  • Seed Beads - I use what came in this kit

  • Styrofoam Balls (I used 2 1/2 inch, but use what you want/can find)]

  • Ribbon

  • Glue (optional)

  • Marker

  • Take a bead and put it on a pin. Make sure it fits and will go all the way to the flat end. If it doesn't, it will stick off the ball to much and might break, that happened to me.

  • Place the sequins where you want it on the ball. This can sometimes be a pain and sometimes it makes it easier (especially if you want it tucked under other sequins.

  • Hold the head of the pin and the bead in one hand. Stick it through the center of the sequins.

  • Push it all the way down as straight as you can and try not to move it around. It can sometimes slip and tear the ball a bit, but you should be fine as long as you don't do this over and over again and tear the Styrofoam ball apart.

  • Do this over and over again in your pattern of choice.

  • Okay, now that you know how, lets go ahead and plan the design first!

  • Tip: I think the traditional is to put the sequins on is bowl down so it hugs the ball. But one idea is to do the background like that and then do the design with the bowl up to give it even more definition. I did mine with all the bowls facing the ball.

  • Do your best to find the opposite ends, this is just nice for planning. I found the 4 quadrants of the sphere just in case, but I only really need to find the two ends to center my design.

  • Using a marker, draw on your design (use a marker, a pen or pencil will indent the ball). This isn't going to show once the sequins are on.

  • Start by filling in the background of your design. If you do the background first, your design will stick out better because you will see the full sequins pieces of the design. If you do the design first (as you can sort of see in my first one in the next step) it will get partially covered when you are doing the background because you want to cover as much of the ball as you can, and that involves overlapping sequins.

  • When you get to your design lines, just skip over them. Fill in as much as the background as you can, but make sure you have left enough room so a sequins can fit in. You can just set one on to make sure. It will need to fit between all the pins/beads.

  • Once you have your background filled in, you can move on to fill in the design.


(Source: Instructables)