Thursday, October 4, 2018

The Harvest Party...for grown-ups...


I've graduated...

I'm no longer a room-parent...
I've turned in my visitor sticker...
but somehow...this time of the year,
I'm drawn to super-cute treats and snacks!

I'm ready for another school-party... but...

My kids have moved on...

they've passed through
 the grade-school hallways
and have happily
entered into jr. high and high school...

The timing was just right...the kids were ready to move on,
... even if I wasn't.

Luckily...
I still have an outlet for all this super-cute fun!! 
 I have you!! 

--Today on Fox19... it's like a harvest party for grown-ups!!


Mummy:
Pretzel Rods
White Candy Melts
Candy Eyes
Disposable Piping Bag


Turkey:
Pretzel Rods
1/2 of an Oreo or round cookie
6 candy corn pieces
1-pumpkin spiced chocolate chip or yellow candy for beak
Dark Chocolate, and Red Candy Melts
Candy Eyes
Disposable Piping Bag



Pumpkins:
Round Cookie Mold-Wilton- available-JoAnn's, Michael's
Orange, green and brown candy melts
Oreo Thins

Witch Fingers
Pretzel; Rods
Wilton Finger Mold-JoAnn's
Light and Dark Green Candy Melts
Wilton Pretzel Bags
Spider Ring- Target



Recipe For Harvest Snack Mix:
Harvest Snack Mix:
2 Cups Chex Corn Cereal
2 Cups Rice Chex
2 Cups Chex Honey Nut Cheerios
2 Cups Chex Cinnamon Cereal
2 Cups Bite-Size Pretzel Sticks or Waffle Shapes
2 Cups Bugles
1 Cup Cheeze-It Crackers
1-2 Cups Nuts (I used peanuts, but pecans or mixed nuts would be great too)
***add the next ingredients after snack mix has cooled.
1-2 Cups Dried Cranberries
2 Cups Prepared Caramel Corn
1 Cup Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Candy Corn, Candy Pumpkins

Mix the cereals and snacks together in a very large baking dish.  set aside. (Reserve the dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, candy corn/pumpkins, and caramel corn until after mix has cooled)

On the stove top, heat:
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Once melted add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice,  1/4 teaspoon allspice stir.
Let come to a boil.  Stir frequently.

Pour the hot, brown sugar/butter mixture over the cereal/nut/snack mix that is waiting in the baking dish.  Gently coat all the cereal, nuts, pretzels, bugles, and cheese crackers with the sauce.

Bake in a 250 degree oven.  Stirring every 15 minutes for 30-45 minutes.  Let cool.  

Once cool, add the candy corn, candy pumpkins, dried cranberries, caramel corn and pumpkin seeds. Serve.

This is a fun way to display your snack mix at a party...
print the graphic and attach to a clear container.

I'm thirsty from all this party planning!!

Bourbon-Cinnamon Apple Cider Cocktails: 
RECIPE FOR A CROWD:
1/2 gallon of apple cider (8 cups)
2 cups bourbon
2 cups apple schnapps
2 cinnamon sticks
***
Add together and let chill for 2 hours to overnight.
***
Just before guests arrive, add 1 two-liter of Ginger Ale (8 cups)
***
Add apple slices and garnishes
Rim glasses with cinnamon/sugar 
Add ice to a glass and pour.  
Enjoy!

RECIPE FOR A SINGLE GLASS:
1 part apple cider (3 oz)
1 part ginger ale (3 oz)
1 shot bourbon
1 shot apple schnapps
If you care for a stronger cocktail, add additional bourbon to taste.
Pour over ice, garnish and enjoy.

For garnish, slice apples across the middle to get beautiful full circles.  Use a small star cookie cutter to remove apple center/seeds. Place apple slice in glass or on rim.



Enjoy!!


No comments:

Post a Comment