Pecan Praline Dessert Topping...
Let that sink in for a minute.

Now let me help you dream up some ways to incorporate this into your life.
Think pound cakes, ice cream, apples, pancakes, right off the spoon and would
just look at how good it looks on cheesecake.  *gasp*

I shared this delicious recipe years ago and knew it deserved to be shared again.
It's gift-giving season after all and this easy-to-make, delicious treat is something everyone will love.

You should see it on cheesecake! Talk about upleveling your desserts!? (scroll down for the pic).

Enjoy the updated gift tags, recipe and pictures in this post and then be sure to PIN THIS to your "Gift Ideas" Pinterest board.

You need this in you life.
It's delicious...just trust me on this.

Pecan, Praline, Dessert, Gift, Jar, Topping

Yield: Makes 4-6 Jars

Author: Jess - Pen + Paper Flowers

Pecan Praline Dessert Topping

prep time: 5 Mcook time: 15 Mtotal time: 20 M

This easy-to-make delicious dessert topping can be enjoyed on cheesecake, pound cake, apple slices, pancakes and ice cream. You'll want to gift jars of this to your favorite people.

ingredients:

• 1 + 1/4 cups chopped pecans
• 7 TBSP butter
• 1 + 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk

instructions:

How to cook Pecan Praline Dessert Topping

1. Melt butter over low heat in saucepan; add pecans.
2. Stir until light brown and the aroma of lightly toasted pecans fills your kitchen.
3. Add brown sugar and corn syrup.
4. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
5. Remove from heat and stir in evaporated milk.
6. Serve warm over ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, cookies, apples or pancakes.
7. Store in refrigerator.
8. Reheat in microwave for 15 seconds.
9. SEE GIFT GIVING INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

NOTES:

FOR GIFT GIVING Pour into prepared, sterilized jars with airtight lids. Add cute gifts tags - linked below Store in refrigerator.

FREE GIFT TAGS:

Pecan Praline Gift Tags

https://www.pnpflowersinc.com/2019/12/Pecan-Praline-Dessert-Topping-Recipe-and-Gift-Tags.html

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @pnpflowers on instagram and hashtag it #pnpflowersrecipe

Created using The Recipes Generator

RECIPE | Blueberry Pie

It's DAY 4 of the "Five Days of Pie" here on the blog...
and today we're talking Blueberry Pie.

This is actually the very first and only blueberry pie I've ever made.
(and truthfully the first and only photo I took as we hurried out of the house with our pies for Thanksgiving dinner).

I've never been head-over-heels for Blueberry Pie and in my mind, blueberry pie is for the Summer...like for 4th of July. And actually here in Florida, our very quick blueberry season starts in April and ends in May...so seasonally speaking, it's more of a Spring pie for us.

And yes...you could technically say the Key Lime pie I shared on DAY 3 is more of a Summer pie too...BUT...at least you have the green key lime to help tie in the Christmas season colors if you wanted to make it for Christmas! *wink*

But...regardless of my personal preference for pie flavors and the fact that fresh blueberries are hard to come by since they are not in season around Thanksgiving, my uncle requested Blueberry pie...and so blueberry pie it was.

Blueberry pie is pretty basic...as most pies seem to be.
It's made with a lot of blueberries, a good amount of sugar and a little spice.

So of course, with the pie being so simple, I decided to dress up my pie a bit by creating a braided and twisted lattice crust pie like one I had been inspired by on Instagram.  And I would typically share the link with you because the pie was absolutely gorgeous and amazing but then you'd think less of my own pie. Ha!!

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE CARDS RIGHT HERE

One for you and one for a friend...all on the same sheet for printing!

Okay, never mind...@thejudylab on Instagram is too amazing not to share with you so I'm swallowing my pride... HERE IS THE PIE CRUST I was inspired by. And here is an awesome Cable Knit Crust she made too!  Amazing, right?

You can totally stick with doing a traditional lattice crust top or just a regular full crust with pretty slits cut into the top of it...as mentioned on that beautiful recipe card above. *wink*

Although this blueberry pie has nothing to do with my mama or her mama or any other mama I know, "Mama's Blueberry Pie" just sounded so much more appealing and nostalgic. So yeah...I fancied the name up too!  And I think it's okay since this mama right here is the one that baked the pie, photographed the pie and decided to create a cute recipe card for the pie so I could share it with you. So there you go. Ha!!

Now...I do have to say...I did use FROZEN blueberries for this pie since they weren't in season at the time I made it. Which is why I think my uncle's feedback on the pie was this:

Of the 5 different pies I brought, he said...

"The only one I ate was the blueberry. The taste was great, the crust was great, the only thing I would say is the blueberry stuff could have been a little firmer and not so runny.  Maybe if it was refrigerated it might be firmer? But it was wonderful. " - Uncle Dan

So there you go...even though I increased the flour to 1/2 cup instead of 1/3 cup as suggested by the recipe I was following when using frozen blueberries, it still set up differently than I think it would have had I been able to use fresh blueberries. I'm definitely going to test that theory and report back.

If you love blueberry pie...I hope you'll try this one.

Or at least pin it and print that super cute recipe card! *wink*

xoxo,

Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I swear it took me an entire hour just to configure the top crust on this pie.
The first "braids" I did I ended up undoing after Ella came in the kitchen and looked at my "almost-done-ready-to-go-in-the-oven-because-I-was-sick-of-messing-with-it" pie crust and said, "I thought you were making braids? Those aren't braids.".  *handsovermyeyes*
She was right!

BAKE | Best Ever Peanut Butter + Chocolate Pie

If you are new to my blog than you might not know how very much I LOVE peanut butter + chocolate. It's absolutely my very favorite flavor combo because not only does it combine two of my favorite things to eat, (peanut butter + chocolate), but it also covers my love for salty + sweet. I've been known to put peanut butter on a spoon and add some chocolate for a quick no calorie, no fat, no sugar treat! *wink*

So…when a friend is celebrating a birthday and that birthday-celebrating friend loves peanut butter + chocolate just as much as you do…well…you go all out to knock their socks off with an amazing dessert, right? 

That's exactly what happened this past weekend. It's been awhile since I've been able to REALLY do some baking so I was excited to dive right into the task of creating the perfect recipe!!  

The recipes I kept coming across had too much chocolate…

or too much peanut butter…

and for me…

it's GOT to be just the right balance of both.  So, I took bits and pieces from a couple of different recipes and tweaked things to create…

CUTE IDEA | Cupcake Liners = Clever Dessert Packaging

Want a REALLY cute idea for wrapping up treats for celebrations, picnics, or food gifts?

I'm just loving how easy it is to take a cupcake liner (or cupcake wrapper - whatever you want to call it) and add a little bit of creative fun to any dessert presentation.

The liners provide an easy way to add a quick splash of color AND they make it convenient to "grab and go" - so they are perfect for dessert tables, bake sales and

SUGAR | Supermom Dessert :: Easy Whoopie Pies

Do you have a favorite dessert you enjoy making that makes you feel like a "Supermom"?
You know…the desserts your kids rave over and beg you to make over and over again.
Desserts that teachers are still requesting you bring them…YEARS after you first shared them with the staff?

I LOVE desserts like that.
I have a handful of them and these Homemade Oreos, Polar Pies, Whoopie Pies (whatever you want to call them)…are

SUGAR | Deconstructed Mini No-Bake Pumpkin Cheescakes :: TomKat Studio

Join me over on The TomKat Studio today for the whole scoop on these "Deconstructed" Mini No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes. They are SO easy you won't believe it! Perfect for a quick, festive dessert this holiday season!

I'll be posting a couple of other "deconstructed" dessert ideas next week, so stay tuned!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Still cleaning up from Ella's 5th Birthday party this weekend!
It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to share the details.
In the meantime, I've been posting a lot of sneak peeks on Instagram - follow me there!

LIFE | Happy Birthday, Birthday Dessert and Surprises

Before you go jumping to conclusions...this is NOT a Banana Split.

In fact...this dessert is completely sugar-free. I couldn't believe it either!!

I celebrated my birthday this weekend and when Clara mentioned wanting to come up with a creative birthday dessert for me that didn't have any sugar in it...I reminded her that watermelons weren't in season so she couldn't do the Fresh Fruit Cake I normally create for Ema's birthday.

She said she had something different in mind...and I was definitely intrigued.

Nothing could prepare me for what her and Ema created on Sunday.

This birthday dessert is made of nothing but fruit. 

The "faux scoops of ice cream" are really peeled apples, cored, cut in half, and meticulously covered with homemade sugar-free whipped cream. (the girls even took the precaution of sprinkling the apples with lime juice - we were out of lemon - to prevent the apples from browning)! 

The apple ice cream scoops are sitting on top of a banana cut in 1/2, surrounded by fresh fruit, drizzled with a raspberry puree and sprinkled with crushed nuts. I even LOVE that the girls got out my piping tips to squirt on the decorative whipped cream to put the candles in. The details blew me away!!

I'm all about presentation and I'd say they hit a home run with this one!

I love that they used one of my favorite Gail Pittman serving dishes that I've had forever!!

Creative...am I right? 

I'm sooo impressed (and proud) of their efforts. I LOVED it!!

Now...before I was presented with this amazing dessert on Sunday, my birthday weekend began with a last minute dinner with J on Friday night...a surprise spa day on Saturday...a birthday breakfast J and Ella made for me on Sunday morning, a birthday dinner I didn't have to cook and then this fabulous birthday dessert on Sunday evening with my family!
It was a weekend filled with family and beautiful weather and I really couldn't have asked for more.

Feeling so grateful...I've been inspired to get you involved in my birthday celebration...
by doing something special for YOU!

As an ambassador for Compendium Inc. I was sent a copy of one of their beautiful, new, inspirational books...

Fight On...

"Just because your miracle doesn't look like the miracle you were expecting,

that doesn't mean it isn't the one you've been waiting for."

"You were made for something special. Be Patient. The world is rearranging itself."

"At every moment, the world is whispering opportunities. Listen closely."

As with all Compendium books...this new "Fight On" book is empowering!! The motivational quotes that fill the pages have a way of making you stop and listen. There are some quotes that jump off of the page at me...and others that draw me in closer. I'm in love. And more importantly...I'm inspired. I love that! I want YOU to be inspired too!!

I actually have 3 copies of this book.
I'm wrapping up one of the copies to send to my aunt - an incredibly strong woman who's been faced with a handful of intense back-to-back trials over the past 4 months.

The other copy I'm considering keeping for myself, although I have two other people in my life I feel could use this book.

And then I've got one other copy I'd like to send to one of YOU!!
In addition to the book...I'll be including a set of these adorable Pop-Open Window Cards too!
They remind me of the little pop-open lunch notes I used to pack in my girls' lunches...
but these are an "adult" version.

30 little cards in each box...
each box with a different focus/theme...
each card with a different message...
and each box...a little treasure box filled with gold nuggets of inspiration!
I think the pretty packaging and cute design make it a fun, quick way to be inspired.
On top of that...these make such a sweet, simple gift!!

I actually gave Clara the "Be Happy" box and Ema the "Dream" box.
The morning after I gave Clara her box she was heading out the door to school and mentioned to me she'd opened her very first card that morning and it was exactly the inspiration she needed for the day! LOVE hearing that!!

So anyway...back to my gift to YOU!!
It's easy to enter to win. Just use the Rafflecopter app below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'll pick a winner on Saturday, November 9th.
That's it!!

I hope you'll check out all of the amazing products on the Live Inspired website!
They have so many beautiful gifts for every person in your life - including CHILDREN!!
I love that I can't keep up with the new things they are always adding to their site and there's nothing I don't love.

You can check out the Live Inspired Blog too for more inspiration.
Or just go straight to the Live Inspired Website!

As a long-time lover of Compendium Inc. products...I continually feel blessed and grateful to be a Live Inspired Ambassador and it's with sincere thanks and appreciation to the Live Inspired team for making these giveaways possible...and for constantly reminding me to live inspired! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Remember the Family Reunion I went to over the Summer?

My aunt and uncle from Boone, North Carolina are the ones who hosted it.

The same aunt I mentioned I'll be sending the book to.

She's had an incredibly challenging time over the last 4 months...and so has my uncle.

My uncle ended up having emergency back surgery right after the reunion and she's been helping him recover from that.

Soon after, she lost her very best friend.

She then had to put two of her beloved dogs down unexpectedly.

And then...just a few weeks ago...my uncle had a stroke.
My heart aches for her...for them. This book will be a simple way to reach out and do "something" even though we are miles apart!! (Love you Joyce and Michael)!!

PROMiSE ME | My visit to Le Macaron

The French Macaron…

A small, delicate, chewy-with-a-tiny-crunch "cookie"

containing a sweet center of fruit filling or chocolate ganache.

There has been speculation over the past few years that this tasty little (gluten-free) treat...

will be replacing the beloved cupcake in the competition for the most popular go-to dessert.

I'm not sure if it will actually "replace" the cupcake...(click the "Keep Reading" button below)

RECiPE RADAR | Kale Blueberry Ice Cream & Re-Fueling

I took last week off - if you didn't notice.
It wasn't planned...
it just sort of happened.

I needed to refuel...
and by that I mean in a variety of ways:
- mentally
- emotionally
- physically

We all need to do that every now and then.
A lot of times I feel guilty if I don't post here on the blog at least 3 times a week.
Although I'd love to post every day, I'm in a season of my life that doesn't really allow for that.
I used to be resentful about it.
But I'm learning to let that go.
Because ultimately...
I feel whole and complete and fulfilled...
when I'm focused on my family.
That's it.
Bottom line.
They are my world.
It's so easy to lose sight of that!
But it's also easy to regain the proper perspective when you step away for a bit.
I'm so glad I did.

So...
since it IS Recipe Radar day...
let's begin the week off with something in line with the physical aspect of the "refueling" I mentioned:

KALE BLUEBERRY ICE CREAM

photo from www.simplegreensmoothies.com

I'm on Day 8 of the 30-day challenge from Simple Green Smoothies...
and I'm doing awesome.
This recipe for Kale Blueberry Ice Cream was in one of the emails I received from Simple Green Smoothies.
It caught my attention for a couple of reasons:
- It sounds like the strangest combination ever! Doesn't it?!
- I'm looking for different ways to incorporate a little more Kale into my eating.

GO HERE for the recipe.

Since I'm also on Day 8 of the Whole30 Challenge...and staying strong
I look forward to trying out this recipe at the end of my 30 days.

If you try it before I do, PLEASE let me know what you think!
And if you have any other interesting Ice Cream Recipes you'd like to share...
leave a comment, share a link or email me at: pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com

Here's to a week filled with moments of "re-fueling"...
We have to the MAKE those moments happen, by the way.
They aren't going to magically appear before our eyes you know! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I seriously wanted to quit the Whole30 yesterday.
I was met with chocolate chip cookies and leftover pizza from the the girls having friends over on Saturday night.
I was exhausted from making Whole30 lunches for J every morning...
cooking Whole30 dinners for the family every night...
and eating eggs. Tons of eggs.
Egg omelettes in the morning...
Boiling hard-boiled eggs...
peeling hard-boiled eggs...
packing hard-boiled eggs.
But not eating hard-boiled eggs!
I don't like hard-boiled eggs.
Everyone else in my family does though!
And they are a very convenient way for J to get his protein in for his lunches during the week.
We went through SEVEN DOZEN EGGS last week! *gasp*
I just had a really bad attitude on Sunday.
I REALLY wanted to toss in the towel.
Luckily J pulled me through...encouraging me throughout the day.
just as I pulled him through the day/night before.
And here I am.
Day 8 of Whole30...
and I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing some changes to keep me motivated! Ha!

RECiPE RADAR | Irish Cream Desserts

With St. Patrick's Day approaching...
I've been fixated on finding a dessert to try out using Irish Cream.

Since I came across  a lot of different recipes that looked tempting to try...
Instead of picking just one of them to share for my "Recipe Radar" post today...
I decided to do a round up of Irish Cream desserts for you.
Just in case you too have been searching for something fun to try.

Nutty Chocolate Irish Cream Cookies

www.cakespy.com

Irish Cream Cupcakes

www.tidymom.com

For the complete list of 17 Irish Cream recipes...click the "Read More" button below...

SUGAR | Mini Banana Pudding Dessert Shooters

Dessert Shooters are one of my favorite things to make.
Mini + Delicious = a perfect dessert table item.

Aside from dessert tables and celebrations though...
they are a form of "portion control"...
which for me is very important when it comes to sweets because I tend to eat more than I should. *wink*


Thanks to a potluck I participated in last week…
I was inspired to revisit a favorite recipe of mine...

Mini Banana Pudding Dessert Shooters

Surprisingly, I'm NOT a huge Banana Pudding lover...
However, this recipe is something I'll absolutely devour...

RECiPE RADAR | I Heart Naptime's Homemade Reeses

When I spotted these the other day...
I instantly pinned them... 

Reeses Peanut Butter Bars

by I HEART NAPTIME

Hover over the image and Pin it too!!

My love for chocolate + peanut butter 

combined with the flashback of something similar offered in our "Junior High" cafeteria...back in the day...

well...

you KNOW I couldn't pass up trying this out.

I'll be back soon with my results...

A huge thank you to Jamielyn from I Heart Naptime for the inspiration.

If you live under a rock and haven't visited her site yet...

you'll want to add her to your list of favorite sites!

She's got a tremendous following and for good reason...

she shares things related to budget-friendly crafts, home decor, diy, recipes and more.

Here's all of the I Heart Naptime social media links to stalk follow Jamielyn - *wink*

Website

Pinterest

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Google+

If YOU have a favorite peanut butter + chocolate recipe you want to share...

send it my way. 

I'd LOVE to see it...and try it out! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

With the odds working against me today...

I had to postpone my original post.

Ella is sick - has been all weekend.

With a doctor appointment scheduled...

and a load of design work to get caught up on...

My very first "RECiPE RADAR" post has been born.

Short and "Sweet"...

I think I'll be sticking to it on Mondays from now on.

I LOVE the idea of getting to share a sneak peek with you as to what's on my baking/cooking agenda.

I hope you love the idea too!!

iNSPiRE | Promise Me 2013 - 4 Rivers

15 Days into the "Promise Me 2013" journey... 
and I am happy to report I've officially crossed off one of the things on my list...

A Visit to 4 Rivers Smokehouse
SWEET SHOP VIDEO FILMED VIA THE  VINE APP

4 Rivers Smokehouse from Jessica Kirkland on Vimeo.

Alongside the smokehouse portion of this dining establishment is their 4Rivers Sweet Shop.

It's loaded with oversized delicious desserts that are not for the faint of heart.

There are giant cakes, cookies, milkshakes, pies, unique cupcake flavors - like Mountain Dew with the icing rolled in Doritos... and more! (You can even order some fried Oreos while you are dining in the Smokehouse).

Here's what we brought home with us...

Oversized Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie

Why this? Because it was obnoxiously large, I love peanut butter + chocolate, it was unique 

and I'm totally inspired to create some dipped cookies like this! *wink*

This is just the beginning...

Keep reading for the rest of the yummy details...

HOLiDAY | Mini Chocolate Sweetheart Truffles

Nothing says "love" more than "chocolate", right?!

at least for a Chocolate lover anyway. *wink*

How about packaging up some homemade chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day?

I keep going back to this fabulous recipe I shared with you during the holidays.

The results are divine - like "professional quality" divine...

and there's absolutely no baking involved! 

Chocolate Sweetheart Truffles

These Mini Treat Cups are PERFECT for using to make chocolate truffles...they peel off beautifully!

Just follow the same recipe from THIS POST
and replace the topping suggestions with some of the adorable edible heart glitter you see here!

These make a beautiful addition to any dessert table too!
Pin them for your next event!! They'll be a hit!!

RESOURCES:
– Edible Hearts Glitter  by Wilton 
– Mini Treat Cups by Wilton
– White Metal Cake Stand - Pottery Barn Kids
– Double Chocolate Bittersweet - Ghirardelli
– Semi Sweet Chocolate - Ghirardelli

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'm behind on posting photos of the Valentine's Party I've been planning.
The party I was going to have for Ella has been postponed several times
because her little friend we invited has been sick! *frown*

STYLiNG | The Pastry Pedestal • Sparkle + Shine Style

For the girl who has loved all-things-silver and platinum for most of my life...

especially the last 20 years...

I'm quite surprised by my gravitation towards the "gold" trend in fashion, home decor and style that has resurfaced.

You've seen bits and pieces of my pink + gold color palette HERE and HERE...

as I've been planning and prepping for a sweet Valentine's Day celebration.

Today...I'm hoping to inspire you with this super-easy technique 

for adding a little glitz and glam to your next showcase of sweets.

The Pastry Pedestal • Sparkle + Shine Style

This easy technique doesn't require much time or skill...
you'll be tapping into your inner child when you get out the glitter and adult-style glue.

Supplies needed:
• The Pastry Pedestal™ Starter Kit
• Glue Dots 1" Glue Lines (or use the Continuous Glue Lines if you prefer).
• Glitter of your choice  (see RESOURCES below for links to the ones I'm using today)

DIRECTIONS:
Prepare to use Glue Lines by separating them from the roll. (approx. 9 lines for every Pastry Pedestal™ Round) 

APPLY
Apply Glue Dots Glue Lines by pressing onto the edge of The Pastry Pedestal™ Round.
Peel away the Glue Dots liner.
Continue until the entire edge of the The Pastry Pedestal™ Round has been covered with Glue Lines.

PREP GLITTER
Pour glitter onto a flat surface.
Paper or plate or better yet...a paper plate since you can easily fold it up to pour excess glitter back into its original container.

ROLL
Roll the edges of the The Pastry Pedestal™ Round into the glitter, pressing as you roll.

REMOVE EXCESS
Remove any excess glitter by shaking, tapping and even blowing on the edges.
You can even try using a small paintbrush to remove any excess? I didn't.
This will help prevent glitter from coming into contact with food items you'll be displaying - or making a mess of the rest of  your dessert table/display. *wink*

EXPERIMENT
Try using different glitter grain sizes and colors too. The one above was created using fine gold glitter. This one below is shown with a larger grain glitter.

In my opinion, I'm in love with both options!!
It really just depends on your preference for the end result.

ADD AN EDIBLE
After adding some sparkle to The Pastry Pedestal™, top it off with a pretty pastry of your choice.

Do you love them?

I can't stop staring at them!!

For me, they are "squeal-worthy" results, do you agree?

I HOPE you agree! *wink*

Last day of January!! Can you believe it?

Already one month out of our NEW YEAR - gone! Just like that!!

I'm excited to join you back here tomorrow with another simple DIY

AND...

for the official kickoff to Promise Me 2013!!!

REMINDER!!

Last day to enter to be chosen as one of THREE WiNNERS for the inspiring 52 Weeks of Gratitude Kit!

Go here for the full details about the kit itself  --------> 52 Weeks of Gratitude Kit by Live-Inspired

Go here to actually enter the giveaway --------> Enter to WiN!!

RESOURCES

The Pastry Pedestal™- www.thepastrypedestal.com 

Glue Dots Glue Lines - JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores

Fine Gold Glitter - Florentine Gold from the 3-pack glitter kit via The TomKat Studio Party Shop

Large Gold Glitter - JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores

Polka Dot Baking Cups - JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores (Easter section)

Vintage Pink Cupcake Sprinkles - The TomKat Studio Party Shop

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Those pretty cupcakes I took photos of are STiLL sitting out - displayed in my office.

I'm surprised ants haven't found them yet...

although I would guess being displayed on The Pastry Pedestal™ makes it a challenge to get to?