How to Make a Dessert in a Jar

One of the latest food trends is dessert in a jar.  These are simple to create and it’s always more about the presentation than the actual dessert.  You can turn almost anything into a dessert in a jar.  Some desserts will be baked right in the jar and others will be more of a composed dessert, kind of like a trifle.  Try some of these at your next get together and enjoy the compliments that roll in.

1. Strawberry Shortcake The beauty of this dessert is that you can make it ahead and screw the lids onto the jars and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.  Then pack it up for a picnic and eat it within 2 to 3 hours.  Start by baking a yellow cake.  Once cooled you can crumble the cake up into big chunks.  Press some yellow cake into the bottom of 4- quart sized canning jars.  In a bowl mix together 1 can of vanilla frosting with 8 ounces of whipped topping.  Add a layer of the whipped topping mixture to the jars.  For the third layer add some sliced strawberries.  Repeat the layers one more time or until the jar is full and put the lid on.
2. Basil Strawberry Lemonade Granitas Kind of like a slushy all grown up, the granita is a wonderful way to cool off on a warm summer day.  Create a simple syrup with 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar and a handful of basil leaves.  Cook the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and remove from the heat and allow syrup to cool.  When the syrup has cooled remove the basil leaves.  Meanwhile, in a food processor blend together 4 cups of sliced and hulled strawberries, and the juice and zest of 2 lemons.  Pulse this mixture together until smooth.  Add in the cooled simple syrup and mix together.  Pour mixture into 10- 8 ounce jars about three quarters full.  Place jars in the freezer covered loosely.  After 30 minutes scrape down the sides of the jar and place back in the freezer.  Repeat the scraping process after another 90 minutes in the freezer.  Now freeze for at least 3 hours.  When you are ready to serve, stir the mixture with a fork again.
3. Cherry pie Take a store bought refrigerated pie crust (or make your own) and let it come to room temperature according to package directions.  Unroll the crust and cut out 4-6 inch circles of dough.  Use a saucer as a guide when cutting.  Gently slide the crust into the jars.  The crust should be about ½ inch from the rim of the jar.  Place ½ cup of cherry pie filling into the jars. (This can be canned or your own recipe.)  Using the lid of the jar cut out 4 smaller circles of dough to act as the top crust.  Gently press the smaller circle of crust on top of filling and using your fingers or a fork press the two edges of the crusts together to seal.  Brush the top crust with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Cut a hole in the top crust to act as a vent.  You can put the lids on the jars now and freeze them for up to 3 weeks.  Otherwise, bake the jars without the lids for 40 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees F.  If you want to bake one straight from the freezer add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
4. Double Decker Cupcakes   Have the kids help you with this simple to do dessert.  Take a standard cupcake to the next level.  Bake off some cupcakes (cupcake papers needed) and allow them to cool completely.  Slice the cupcakes in half and put the first half in the bottom of the jar.  To make it easier to handle put some frosting in a zip top bag and cut a little hole in the corner to create a piping bag.  Squirt some frosting on top of the first half and press the other half into the jar.  Add more frosting and another half of a cupcake.  End with frosting and some sprinkles and you have a beautiful cupcake in a jar.  Tie a disposable spoon to the jar with a pretty ribbon and you have a lovely dessert for your next party.
5. Chocolate trifle Ever feel like you don’t get every layer of a trifle when you dip into that big bowl?  Now you will because each jar is its own dessert.  Bake a batch of brownies and allow them to cool.  Cut them up into bite-sized pieces.  Mix up a box of chocolate pudding and defrost some frozen whipped topping.  Hull and slice a pint of strawberries.  Layer in some brownie bites, pudding, whipped topping and sliced strawberries and repeat until you reach the top of the jar.  Put the lids on and refrigerate until party time.  This desert is best when eaten the same day.

P. S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Suzanne Cullen   I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:

 http://www.aupair.org/blog/how-to-make-a-dessert-in-a-jar/

How to Make 5 Trendy Treats on a Stick

Sweet treats on a stick are all the rage right now; however they usually come with a pretty steep price tag. If you’re interested in serving these trendy treats but have written them off because of the high bakery price, consider making your own instead for a fraction of the cost. Not only will you save money, but your treats will be the hit of your next party.

1. Chocolate covered Oreos on a stick.  For this treat you will need a package of double stuff Oreos, candy melts, long lollipop sticks, wax paper, and nonpareils.  Melt the candy melts according to package directions.  Have the melted chocolate in a tall vessel, wide enough to dip the cookie into.  If the chocolate seems too thick add a tablespoon of solid shortening and heat for another 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave, then stir.  Take the sticks and push them into the frosting part of the Oreo.  The double stuff allows enough room for the stick to go in without messing up the look of the cookie.  Dip the cookie into the melted chocolate until it’s completely covered.  Discard any excess chocolate by tapping the stick on the edge of the bowl.  Lay the cookie down on the wax paper and sprinkle with nonpareils.  Allow to dry and serve standing up in a glass, stuck in some Styrofoam, or lying on a plate.
2. Cake pops are all the rage.  Bake any type of cake in a 9×13 inch pan.  Once the cake has completely cooled break it up into chunks and pulse it in a food processor to make fine crumbs.  Add about 2/3 of a can of store bought frosting to a bowl and add the cake crumbs.  Mix these together until a dough forms.  Feel free to add a little more frosting if it seems too crumbly.  Using a small disher or scoop, roll the cake dough into about 1 ½ inch balls.  Place the balls on a lined cookie sheet and place in the freezer for about 15 minutes.  Melt some candy melts according to package directions, but add a tablespoon of solid shortening.  Place the melted chocolate or bark into a tall container to make dipping easier.  Bring the cake balls out of the freezer and dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and then into the cake ball.  Go about halfway into the cake ball.  Now dip the cake pop into the chocolate until the whole ball is covered.  Remove from the chocolate and remove the extra chocolate by lightly tapping the stick on the edge of the bowl and turning the cake ball so that you get a smooth finish. 
3. Cookies on a stick can go with any theme.  Make your favorite roll-out sugar cookie dough.  Roll the dough about 3/8 of an inch thick.  Cut out whatever shape you would like as long as there’s room to insert the stick without messing up the cookie.  Lay your hand gently on the cookie and insert the lollipop stick into the cookie.  Try not to let the stick poke out the bottom of the cookie because once it bakes it will break off the stick.  If you see that your stick has poked through the back you can take a scrap of dough and press it over the stick in the back.  Bake the cookies until they are golden brown.  Now decorate as you normally would and display these cookies by sticking them in some Styrofoam.
4. Marshmallows on a stick are making an appearance at many birthday parties.  These treats are so simple to do that the kids can help make them.  Take a lollipop stick and poke it into a marshmallow.  Get a bunch of the marshmallows on sticks ready to go so that everyone can grab and go.  Now melt several different colors of candy melts according to package directions.  Fill some other bowls with various sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, nonpareils, and mini M&M’s.  Allow everyone to dip their marshmallow into the melted chocolate about half way up the marshmallow.  Allow the extra chocolate to drip off for a few seconds and then roll the marshmallow into a topping.  Have a big chunk of Styrofoam ready to stick these treats into so that they can dry.  It won’t take too long for the chocolate to harden.  This process can be sped up by placing the treats in the freezer.
5. Pretzel rods get all dressed up.  Children can help with this project as well.  Melt different colors of candy melts according to package directions and set them out.  To keep the chocolate from setting up before you are done you can place the bowls on a heating pad turned on low.  Have bowls set up with various toppings, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles, and anything else that sounds good.  Dip the pretzel rods into the melted chocolate about 2/3 of the way up the rod.  Gently tap off the excess chocolate and roll into your desired topping.  Place these treats into tall glasses to serve once they have set.

 P.S. This post was  proposed to me for publication by Barbara Williams.  I'm therefore publishing it by her invitation and under her permission. See also the link below fore more information:
 http://www.findababysitter.org/blog/how-to-make-5-trendy-treats-on-a-stick/