It's Fall Ya'll!! (said in my best southern accent)!!

Yep! Yesterday marked the first official day of Autumn and my mind went immediately to Fall Desserts. (go figure).

To celebrate, I decided to do a round up of delicious recipes using a method of baking that has a Rustic, Fall-ish vibe to them...

MINI CAST IRON SKILLETS

RUSTIC APPLE TARTS

by Sprinkle Bakes

MINI BERRY COBBLERS

by Southern Living

COOKIE IN A SKILLET

by Some Kitchen Stories

OATMEAL COOKIE BANANA CRISP

by Half Baked Harvest

MINI SKILLET CHERRY PEACH PIES

by Baked By Rachel

BERRY SKILLET COBBLER

by Home is Where the Boat Is

MINI SKILLET BROWNIES AND BLONDIES

by Food Network

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP PIZZOKIE

by Tikkido 

Itching to grab yourself some mini cast iron skillets now?
You can find 3.5" Mini Skillets HERE
or some 5" Mini Skillets HERE!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
These little skillets aren't cheap by any means...
and the budget J likes to keep me on will absolutely effect how quickly I'm able to collect the set of 8 I'm dreaming of!!

BAKiNG | Mason Jar Lid Cookies

First...
this was NOT my own creative idea.
I happened upon it while reading comments on another site
in my search for the Dorie Greenspan cookie recipe I shared with you.

Second...
this was such a clever concept...
I couldn't wait to try it out...

BAKiNG iN MASON JAR LiDS

Yes...that's right.
Using the band of a mason jar lid...
You've got yourself an instant alternative for baking with ring molds.
Ring molds are what Dorie Greenspan uses to bake her infamous French Sablés Jammers...
the cookies/recipe I shared with you last week for the Bloggers + Bakers Holiday Cookie Exchange.

Here's how it works...

After you've got your mason jar bands lined up on your cookie sheet...
simply press a portion of the Jammer cookie dough into the center of a band
until the edges of the dough meet all sides of the band.

Place a spoonful of jam into the center of the dough.
Sprinkle streusel around the jam.

My brilliant idea:

Use a small cookie cutter to place around your jam as you spoon on the streusel.

This makes it super easy to avoid getting the streusel into your jam center.

Bake as directed.

Once the cookies are a golden brown...

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

My brilliant tip/technique for removing cookies from cookie sheet:

Press down and twist on the mason jar band - just as you would to open/close a jar.

This not only loosens the cookie from the baking sheet...

but it also breaks the seal between the cookie and the mason jar band.

Lift band/cookie from the baking sheet.

From the bottom of the mason jar band...

use your fingers to GENTLY push up on the cookie...

completely releasing it from the band.

Allow to cool completely. 

Store in airtight container 2-3 days.

Pretty cool, right?

I know I was intrigued...

I hope you were too.

And as always...

if you try this out - I'd LOVE to hear about your results.

Just leave a comment

or if you'd like to share photos, send them to: pnpflowers AT live DOT com

KEEPiNG iT REAL

My weekend? A bit hectic.

Christmas Tree hunting on Saturday with the family.

Put up 2 Christmas Trees (lights only right now).

Put lights on our bushes. (that only took about 30 minutes).

J's company Holiday Party Saturday night.

Neighborhood Christmas Party/Cookie Exchange Sunday afternoon.

Christmas Concert Sunday night.

AND...

I made the Chocolate Truffle Mini Tarts from Carrie

and the Chocolate Crinkles from Kim!

Both treats were a big hit with everyone.

EMPOWER | Reynolds® Design the Perfect Cupcake

It's been a busy week my friends...
so let's head into the weekend with some FUN!!

Design the Perfect Cupcake Contest hosted by Reynolds®

I hope you'll join me in the chance to offer Reynolds® 

some creative design ideas for their line of Stay-Brite® Baking Cups.

There's NO baking involved to enter the contest...

you are simply creating a computer-generated Perfect Cupcake...

using the tools right on the Reynolds® Facebook fan page.

These foil-lined baking cups are awesome because...

well...just like the name says...

the colors/designs STAY-BRITE® even after baking.

If you haven't yet baked with these fabulous baking cups...

I'll be sharing my results with you soon.

The good news?

You can win a $500 baking kit...

which will include a High-End Standing Mixer in the color of your choice.

AND...

there will be FOUR finalists who'll each receive baking kits valued at $100.

The not-so-good news?

The contest ends at 11:59 p.m. TONiGHT!!

Squeeze in a few minutes to submit an entry today before the contest is over.

Let me know if you entered - I'd love to see your design. 

Have a great weekend everyone.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I'm working on my design right. now.

FOUND | Spinning Leaf - Cookie Molds

I'm super excited to share with you some awesomeness today.
If you like getting creative in the kitchen...
then you are going to love Spinning Leaf...
a fabulous company specializing in the designing and manufacturing of Chocolate Molds and
Culinary Stencils.

I discovered Spinning Leaf about a month ago...
when searching for some fun ideas for crafting in the kitchen.
I fell in love with their assortment of cookie and chocolate molds.
I can't say enough how head-over-heels I am with the high level of quality put into producing these products.
They are awesome to work with.
Take a peek at what I created over the weekend...

RIDICULOUSLY CUTE CHOCOLATE-COVERED OREOS

(and mini chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz crackers)

SPINNING LEAF COOKIE MOLDS

Start with your choice of adorable Spinning Leaf cookie molds

 Spinning Leaf Sandwich Cookie Molds: Ghosts, Skulls and Spiders 

Let's start with

BEGINNER LEVEL • BASIC ROUND COOKIES

CHOCOLATE COVERED MINI RITZ PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS

Melt your choice of chocolate and fill mold cavities approximately 1/3 full

Standard Mini Sandwich Cookie Mold

TAP AND ADD

Tap the chocolate-filled mold on your work surface to remove air bubbles and to help the chocolate settle.

Add one mini ritz cracker to each cavity and press gently until the chocolate begins to peek over the top of the crackers.

Don't push too hard - you don't want the cracker visible from the top on the finished treat.

COVER AND TAP

Cover the ritz crackers with additional melted chocolate.

Tap lightly to remove air bubbles and for a smooth finish.

HARDEN AND RELEASE

Allow chocolate to harden in the mold.

Refrigerate hardened chocolates in the molds for a little under 10 minutes.

Turn the molds upside-down and press gently for the chocolates to pop out.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL • GHOST-THEMED

CHOCOLATE COVERED OREOS

Start by filling the eye and mouth cavities of the cookie mold with black melted chocolate. 

Using a small paint brush for these chocolate details works perfectly. Tap molds on work surface to smooth chocolate.

SECOND LAYER OF CHOCOLATE

Once the eye and mouth cavities have cooled and hardened...

fill the cavities 1/3 full with COOLED melted white chocolate.

This will prevent the two chocolate colors from mixing/melting into one another

ADD OREO COOKIE AND TOP OFF

Tap the chocolate-filled mold on your work surface to remove air bubbles and to help the chocolate settle.

Add one Double Stuff Oreo Cookie to each cavity.

 Press gently until the chocolate begins to peek over the top of the cookies.

Don't push too hard - you don't want the cookies visible from the top on the finished treat.

COVER AND TAP

Cover the Oreo Cookies with additional melted chocolate.

Tap lightly to remove air bubbles and for a smooth finish.

HARDEN AND RELEASE

Allow chocolate to harden in the mold.

Refrigerate hardened chocolates in the molds for a little under 10 minutes.

Turn the molds upside-down and press gently for the chocolates to pop out.

ADVANCED LEVEL • SPIDER-THEMED

CHOCOLATE COVERED OREOS

Start by filling the spider details of the cavities of the cookie mold with black melted chocolate. 

Using an extra tiny paint brush for these chocolate details works perfectly. Tap molds on work surface to smooth chocolate. 

IMPERFECTION

Although only ONE spider turned out "perfect"

I actually like the aged/textured look of the "imperfect" spiders.

I think it makes them look even more creepy...

Fun...right?

Are you itching to get your hands on some of these incredibly fun cookie molds?

I absolutely LOVE that I stumbled upon Spinning Leaf...

they are a family-owned and operated small business...

with high quality products and service. 

You know I LOVE that!!

AND...

they are incredibly generous too...

Listen to this wonderful offer from Spinning Leaf...

From now until October 31st...

Spinning Leaf has decided to offer an incredible savings to all Pen N' Paperflowers readers/fans.

They are offering a 30% discount for anything on their site.

the biggest discount they offer. EVER. (and typically only twice a year). 

To take advantage of the huge savings...

Use this coupon code at checkout: pnpflowers30

Offer expires: October 31st.

If you thought that was generous enough...

Things only get better.

Spinning Leaf has decided to giveaway a total of EIGHTEEN molds

to THREE different winners here on Pen N' Paperflowers.

That means THREE of you will win...

SIX.

molds.

each.

Yes...I said 

6 molds for 3 different winners.

How awesome is that!?

Use the Rafflecopter app below to enter.

Contest starts today: Tuesday, September 25th

Contest ends: 12:01 a.m. - Friday, September 26th

Winners to be announced Friday, September 26th

Open to US Residents only...

CONTEST NOW CLOSED.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED BELOW!!
(Thank you for participating everyone - and thank you Spinning Leaf for sponsoring the giveaway!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out and "Like" Spinning Leaf's Facebook Fan Page.

You'll also find step-by-step tutorials on the Spinning Leaf website...

Hoping you've been inspired to get creative in the kitchen...

Happy chocolate-cookie mold making, friends. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I do NOT recommend the spider mold if you are a novice. 

It was SUPER hard and time-consuming.

It took me 15 minutes per spider cavity - just to paint the chocolate spider details.

It takes tremendous patience and focus.

But guess what's so awesome...

The folks at Spinning Leaf actually warned me of the "expertise level"...

prior to shipping the molds out. 

Just one more thing to love about the company...

their honesty.

FOUND | Antique Finds

Had fun on Saturday browsing Renninger's.
Thought I'd share what we brought home with us...

Antique Wire Whisk & Hand Brooms

Small Crate for Apothecary Jars

Antique Church Pew

I have been wanting one of these FOREVER...
and this was a bit less ornate and unique than some of the ones I've seen through the years.

The small crate & brooms will make great props for some upcoming photo styling

and then will transition nicely into some home decor elements around the house.

The jumbo sized wire whisk is part of my collection of antique bakeware and accessories.

And the  church pew...

do you think I should paint it or leave it as-is?

We could go with the ole standby and do a creamy white distressed finish?

or we could go with black distressed?

Or if you have a better idea...

I'd love your feedback.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I'm definitely intimidated at the thought of painting the pew black.

I've only done creamy whites and the latest RESTYLE I did was a very light Grey-Blue.

Black seems so scary...

I guess because it seems so "final".

But I do LOVE black distressed furniture.

If you don't know...

my home decor style is what I like to call: Vintage French Farmhouse

What do you think?

DiSCOVER | Easy Roller (for Cake Pops)

Cake Pops are not a new thing.
Essentially cake + frosting mixed together, rolled into balls, stuck on a lollipop stick, dipped in chocolate and decorated as you wish.

BEACH BALL CAKE POPS via Bakerella

Unless you've been under a rock...
you have seen them. (and most likely eaten a couple too).

The original "Queen of Cake Pops", Angie Dudley, of Bakerella
has managed to captivate the world with her cute and creative cake-balls-on-a-stick.
She's built a loyal fan base, (me being part of it), who are always anticipating Angie's next blog post...
which we know will undoubtedly feature a brand-new, creative cake pop or baking idea.

Although Angie does not sell her edible creations...
She has published a book filled with tips, tricks and recipes...

CAKE POPS - the book

and has recently announced the release of a brand new toy line coming out next month via Toys R Us
CAKE POPS SET just for kids...

Because Cake Pops are so fun to eat...
as well as versatile in flavor and decor...
They have infiltrated just about every party and event...
and have even "popped" up in the unlikeliest of places like Starbucks.

Cake Pop companies have been "popping" up all over to accommodate the huge public demand...
A demand by customers who want to incorporate customized Cake Pops into their celebrations.
With that said, I decided to conduct a Facebook poll last week.
I inquired from my fans the names of Cake Pop companies/designers/creators they love working with.

While I'm putting the finishing touches on the post for you...
which will essentially be a handy directory for you to reference at any time...
I wanted to share with you an amazing Cake Pop making tool.

The "Easy Roller" created by Heavenly Cake Pops

You MUST watch this video...it works like magic...

And if you thought THAT was amazing...

check out this video that magically transforms your dough into

CUPCAKE-SHAPED CAKE POPS! *gasp*

Crazy-amazing...right?

Although I've watched the video several times...

I'm just as mesmerized each time I see the results.

You are a genius Heavenly Cake Pops!!

I adore you all and hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

xoxo

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Remember that picnic I was going to have this weekend?

Yeah...

The picnic I was so excited about?

My family pretty much decided they'd rather hang out at the house...

and eat in the comfort of our home. *grumbling*

I still made the potato salad I was originally going to package up into individual servings...

and I still made ONE chicken sandwich (for myself) that I was going to wrap up really cute for everyone.

Although I was disappointed with their disinterest...

how dare they foil my plans like that

I was still glad to have been able to spend quality time with them. *wink*