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.

BEHiND the SCENES | Amazing Cake + Crafting + Surprises

Hello friends.
I was without internet all weekend due to some construction in our neighborhood *frown*
So I was busy all day yesterday trying to catch up on orders, etc.

Still playing catch-up today...
and wanted to share with you a few things that have been going on behind the scenes...

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

It was J's birthday weekend...

so along with a wonderful dinner with friends Friday night...

I also made him his requested "Birthday Dinner" on Sunday with family - Lasagna

and his requested "Birthday Dessert"...German Chocolate Cake.

I'm not a huge fan of German Chocolate cake...

However, it's not MY birthday, so it doesn't really matter.

With this being one of J's favorite cakes...

I knew it had to impress.

I did a quick search online for "The Best German Chocolate Cake"...

and stumbled upon David Lebovitz's recipe spotted on Annie's Eats.

Wow.

It is amazing.

I cannot begin to tell you how fabulously delicious this cake turned out to be.

In. LOVE with the chocolate ganache-like frosting. That was my favorite part. YUM!!

Because the cake wasn't ready until after dinner Sunday night...

I didn't photograph the cake in it's entirety.

I don't like taking photos at night...indoors...using harsh light.

After everyone devoured it...

I barely had a nice wedge to photograph the next day.

So be sure to check out Annie's Eats beautiful full image of her cake.

Caution: Baking this cake is not for the faint-of-heart. Be sure to read the "minor issues" portion of 

Annie's post to avoid some pitfalls - especially in regards to the frosting. I decided to make the frosting first

so it could be chilling the entire time I was making/cooling the cake. It was perfect by the time I was ready to frost.

However, it warms quickly so I was racing against the clock to get it completely frosted before it started drooping.

Keep refrigerated.

SURPRISE BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR J

Oversized print I had made of his favorite Grandmother, standing with J's grandfather.

This is gigantic and has great impact! I LOVE it! We'll be framing it out and adding more of these!!

MASON JAR LID RINGS

You won't believe what I've been doing with these!! 

WOODEN BLOCKS AND WOOD PIECES

A couple of fun crafting projects I've been working and re-working...

ANTIQUE SILVER COASTERS

Part of another fun project I'll be revealing soon...

I hope I've caught your interest!

There's even MORE fun to share with you:

Tonight's Holiday Pinterest Party Theme: Cookie Exchange Party Ideas

Click on the link above for details as well as to see the ADORABLE snowman cookies I want to recreate!!

AND...

A fun Holiday Surprise you won't want to miss tomorrow!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I should really invest in a mounted flash...
I mean I can't continue to schedule events based on lighting conditions...
just so I can get great photos...
can I?

FOUND | Cuppow

I love mason jars...
I love decorating with them...
I love filling them with dried lentils and adding a candle...
And I especially love drinking from them.

My "drinking glasses" in my cupboard ARE mason jars...
So...
When I stumbled upon this ingenius idea last week....
(thank you Daily Grommet)
I just had to share...

Introducing..."Cuppow"

The brilliant lid... 

for turning your wide-mouth mason jars into travel mugs...

(all images courtesy of the Cuppow website)


Brilliant...right?

Here are just a few MORE reasons why I LOVE this idea/product:
• It's made right here in the good ole USA
• it's durable
• it's recyclable
• it's BPA free
• it's affordable

Be sure to check out their website for more information.
And DEFiNiTELY let me know if you snatch up a few for yourself!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

If you haven't entered the giveaway I announced on Friday - you will kick yourself!!

Seriously!! (TomKat Studio + Amy Atlas + The Pastry Pedestal™ = Ultimate Party Pack)!!

Go NOW!!

Getting more and more excited about the launch of the new Pastry Pedestal Platform - will be announcing 

the pre-sale date in just a couple of weeks! PROMiSE!!

In my ongoing  "periods of reevaluation"...

new approaches/ideas have me excited for changing things up a bit around here.

It's been a long time coming...*wink*