{taste this} fall baking series: apple cider coffee cake with caramel streusel topping

Thanks so much for stopping by for this week's {taste this} recipe!!  I am still inspired by the tastes of Fall:  pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, caramel ... are you?  If so, then you'll love the next recipe in my fall baking series:  apple cider coffee cake with caramel streusel topping!!

This coffee cake recipe is adapted from a traditional coffee cake recipe in my Betty Crocker cookbook (or The Betty Crockbock Cookbook as The Little Madre and I call it) circa 1978 - no joke!

First, prepare the Streusel Topping:

10-12 caramels, cut in sticky little 1/8s, tossed in a little flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut in quarters

Mix all ingredients - except the caramels - until crumbly.  Set the topping and caramels aside.

Now, for the Apple Cider Coffee Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup apple cider
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350*.  Mix above ingredients in large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds and then medium for about 2 minutes. 

Spread half of the batter in a greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter.  Top with remaining batter, sprinkle with the remaining streusel topping and chopped caramels.

Bake about 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  I might have even melted 8 or so caramels with a few tablespoons of cream to drizzle over the cake ;)

The cake is light and fluffy and delicately flavored with the sweet apple cider.  The brown sugar-y streusel is rich and cinnamony and the caramels sink into the middle of the cake and are a gooey chewy surprise!

Hope you are inspired to {taste this}!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{holiday sweet swap} thanks to my october co-hosts

Can you believe that October is just days away from done?!  And that November is right around the corner?  And December means Christmas ... whoa!  Let's stop right there!  :)

Because this post is really meant to say a BIG thank you to my phenomenal {holiday sweet swap} co-hosts for October:

• Megan at The Stoker Kitchen 
• Danielle at A Day in the Life!

What was going on in The Stoker Kitchen in October?  Did you see Megan's Apple Chips and her Apple Pie - these are SO going on my to-make list!  She is also sharing really practical tips every Tuesday ... like this super quick way to remove the skins from garlic cloves and making healthy homemade crispy taco shells without frying them!

Danielle at A Day in the Life has been busy too!  She made these amazing Pumpkin S'Mores and a Caramel Apple Cake that sounds delish!  She also shares savory recipes for dinners that make my mouth water ... like her Slow Cooker Pork Tacos and a Bacon, Mushroom, Mozzerella & Caramelized Onion Pizza.

Ladies:  thanks so much for co-hosting, sharing your recipes and featuring your favorites!! 
Keri

{create this} twisted newspaper wreath

Happy Friday!!  It is finally the end of another busy week!  And you know what that means ... {create this}!!  And I have been on a bit of a creative roll and I can't wait to show you today's crafty tutorial!  So you know what?  Enough chit chat - take a look at my twisted newspaper wreath:

When I was talking to my mom about this project, she said, "How in the world did you come up with that?"  And you know, I have no idea!  But I am LOVING that this idea actually worked out and looked better than I pictured it!  (Anyone else have a few drafted posts sitting around collecting cob webs from major craft fails?!)

Right!  No more gab!  Grab a few things you probably have laying around your house and let's get this thing started for less than $5:

• wreath form (I used a 40% coupon!)
• newspaper (comics/brightly colored ads and also a black/white text page or two)
• hot glue gun
• bamboo skewer or something to hold the end of your twisted strips down so your fingers are not a hot glue-y mess.  Yep, that is Experience talking!
• Totally optional, but I would also suggest your favorite long movie or a great CD or two - this took a little time, my friends.

First, warm up your hot glue gun.  Then, cut your newspaper in lengthwise strips about 1 1/2 inches wide.  Wider strips will make your twists a little thicker.  You do not have to measure - this is not precise in any way, shape or form.  Probably my favorite part about this whole project ... just wing it!

Then, twist the end of one strip and hot glue it on your wreath form.  Continuing twisting the newspaper strip and wrapping it around the wreath form.  Hot glue the end down.  Pick up another strip, twist the end and glue it to the end of the last twisted strip.

Twist, wrap, glue.  Twist, wrap, glue.  Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat ... this is where the movie or CDs comes in handy!  If your twists are a little far apart in places, scootch them together and fill in as needed with a few extra strips of twisted newspaper - you won't even be able to tell.

Most definitely, your fingers will be filthy, but you will have this super cool wreath!

I love that it almost looks like fabric scraps!  Little peeks of letters and numbers and the splotches of colors and patterns.  It's a decorative nod to my love of the written word and the whole creative writing process :)  Just makes me super duper happy! 

The final touch was this little grouping of twisted paper rosettes, felt leaves and a few sprigs of berries - I just tied it on for a touch of Fall and so I can change it out with the seasons if I want.  Hot glue seemed a little permanent after all that work!

Hope you got inspired to {create this}!

Okay, that's a wrap!   This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

bonus {create this} post: trick-or-treat treasure hunt

Just in case you missed it last Friday, I guest posted at The Letter 4's ultimate Halloween party!  And since there are only 5 days left until Halloween and this a fun, easy activity for families to do together, I thought I'd re-post it here on my blog!  So, for {create this friday wednesday}, here is my trick-or-treat treasure hunt!!

And now, on with the show ... I have put together a fun follow-the-clues treasure hunt for your little party goers to fill their treat bags!  Each clue will lead them to a different part of your home to pick up a treat or trinket and their next clue.

First, we've got to put together the clue pockets and clues!  I came up with 8 clues for places that most homes have and you can print my simple clues sheet here - I even made an alternate clue (in case you live in a warm climate like us and don't have a coat closet, ha!) and a thank you message that hosts can add to the last treat!

Next, you'll need to make eight clue pockets:

Here is what you'll need to make these cute little clue pockets:

Each pocket is 7 3/4 inches x 3 1/4 inches.  Fold the two ends in so the pocket is about 2 3/4 inches wide.  Fold the bottom of the paper up about 1/4 of an inch.

  

Cut away the sections indicated below, corner round the bottom flap, adhere all the flaps down and voila - you have your clue pocket! 

I used a scalloped circle punch (inked around the edges of course) to add a number sticker to each pocket.  Finally, ink the tags, adhere your clues and pop each clue in a pocket!  Attach a clue pocket to your treat stations

Now the fun part!   Round up 8 household containers or pick up some festive metal pails to hold all the treat bag goodies at each stop.  Some suggestions:  spider rings, plastic vampire teeth, stretchy skeletons, Halloween pencils, temporary tattoos, sticker sheets, candy/gum, fruit snacks, homemade sweet treats and glow-in-the-dark bracelets.  (I got most of my treats/trinkets in the Target Dollar Spot and their Halloween section.)

Here are my treat stations:

1 - Halloween sticker sheets, 2 - mini fruit roll ups, 3 - Halloween pencils, 4 - stretchy skeletons & vampire teeth

5 - matchbook treat pockets, 6 - lollipops, 7 - ghost seeds (see below!), 8 - glow-in-the-dark bracelets

Can I share one quick bonus project with you?  GHOST SEEDS!  All you need are jelly beans, ghost Peeps and small bags.



Finally, place your treat stations in the order of the clues (make sure station 1 is visible since your kiddos will need the 1st clue), give your trick-or-treat treasure hunters a bag to fill and let 'er rip!!  Your guests will hit the fridge, the microwave, the bath tub, the coat closet (or welcome mat), the silverware drawer, a bed, the washer/dryer and end up with the party hosts!!

in the dryer

in the fridge!

tucked in bed!

Well, there you have it ... the trick-or-treat treasure hunt!  I had a ton of fun creating this treasure hunt and The Bugs have decided we have to do this at our house this year!  Hope you add it to your party, get-together or family fun night as well! 

Now where the heck did I put those ghost seeds?!

Keri

I'll be sharing this idea at all these blogs ... got something to share?  Come link it up!

Craft-o-maniac, Dittle Dattle, DIY HSH Project, Polly Want a Crafter, Skip to My Lou, Embellishing Life, C.R.A.F.T., Craft Edition, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, Pinkapotamus, A Creative Princess, Tip Junkie, The Little Birdie Blog, Nothing But Country, DIY by Design, Type A, The Blackberry Vine, Running with Glitter, All Things Heart & Home, Blue Cricket Design, Free Pretty Things for You, Lil' Luna, Creating my Way to Success, Someday Crafts, Creations by Kara, Southern Lovely, Sugar & Dots, Night Owl Crafting, Boufee e Bambini, Fireflies & Jellybeans, A Little Knick Knack, Paisley Passions, Somewhat Simple, Yesterday on Tuesday/Katie's Nesting Spot, Gluesticks, House of Hepworths, Lemon Tree Creations, Momnivore's Dilemma, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Delightful Order, The Kurtz Corner, Something Swanky, LollyJane, Tatertots & Jello, Bubbly Nature Creations, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Momma's Kinda Crafty, Creation Corner, Stuff & Nonsense, Kojo Designs, Tidy Mom, 504 Main, Along for the Ride, Answer is Chocolate, My Repurposed Life, The Shabby Nest, Whipperberry, The Tattered Tag,  I Heart Nap Time, Naptime Crafters, At the Picket Fence, Be Different,Act Normal, The Idea Room, Seven Thirty Three, Remodelaholic, Funky Junk Interiors, The Girl Creative, The Tattered Tag, Flamingo Toes, Under the Table and Dreaming, Petite HermineDragonfly Designs, nifty thrifty things, delicateCONSTRUCTION and Cherished Treasures

{holiday sweet swap} sweet features #2

Ummm, thanks to all you marvelous bakers and frosters and cookie makers ... my baking wish list is HUGE!  Sweet!!  My friends, family and co-workers thank you!!  You are taking my {holiday sweet swap} by storm!!  As I write this, there are over 115 sweet treats just waiting for you to click and swoon!  Don't believe me?  Check it out here!  :)

While I know I could eat most any of the delectable recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner ... there are a few recipes that are just begging to made on a lazy weekend morning!  (If I had one, that is...)  So, this week, I am featuring some amazing breakfast recipes!!

Life's Simple Measures shared Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls!!  I am a sucker for anything caramel and cinnamon!

Take a look at the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes over at Purplest Pecalin!!  Two of my most favorite things in one!

And I am dying to try Will Cook for Smiles Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Filling!!  I never thought to fill a bread before - smart thinkin'!

Well, my fine featured friends, you have been pinned on my {holiday sweet swap} featured sweet stuff board and your link shared on the pressed down, shaken together Facebook page!

Thanks so much for sharing your sweet stuff!  Don't forget ... this party is open all the way until December 31st and I want to see all of your best sweet treat holiday recipes!  Old and new posts welcome!

I'd love for you to grab a button and share the party!

Have a sweet rest of your week!
Keri

{taste this} brownie bites with pumpkin cheesecake mousse

Can I just say that this series is killing me?  In the best possible way of course...why?  I am doing a modified low-carb diet and these awesome sweet treats are the most tempting EVER - but I will prevail!!  My best friend is getting married in early November and I want to rock my dress ;)  But don't you worry ... I have great taste testers!!

So let's get this delicious temptation posted (so I can take them to the ballpark tonight and get them out of the house!!).  Today, for {taste this}, I am sharing another installment of my fall baking series!

What are those lovely chocolately morsels with fluffy topping?  Well, I'm glad you asked!  I am sharing brownie bites with pumpkin cheesecake mousse!!

First, bake or buy, brownie bites.  If you don't have mini muffin pans, just bake them in our square/rectangle baker - you can just cut them into bite sized squares.  Nothing too complicated here :)

Now, here is the recipe for the pumpkin cheesecake mousse (adapted from a Pampered Chef recipe):

Combine one 15 oz. can of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and 2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping.  Add 1 generous teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and whisk in one 3.4 oz box of cheesecake flavored instant pudding until the mousse is smooth and everything is incorporated.  The mousse can be stored in the refrigerator until it is ready to use. 

Now, pipe the mousse on top of the brownie bites and sprinkle with a dash of pumpkin pie spice.   Confession:  this is the first time I have piped anything!!  My other bestie, The Bakerista and genius behind my Six Takes on Cupcakes series, got me a piping kit for my birthday and I was chomping at the bit to give it a go ... and I didn't do too bad!

This mousse has got my wheels turning with all the fall-tastic ways to use it ...

• instead of frosting on cupcakes
• or a light fluffy filling for mini tarts
• or top plain cheesecake for a fall twist
• or as a filling for a layer cake
• or a layer for a fall-flavored trifle 
• or even add it to plain yogurt
• Shoot, if all else fails, just grab a spoon!

Now that it finally is starting to feel a wee bit like Fall around here (thank you Mother Nature for remembering Florida!), as much as I was getting ready to wrap up this Fall baking series, I think I may have to share just a few more recipes ... so stay tuned!!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

Guest Posting at The Letter 4 {trick-or-treat treasure hunt}!!

This is a pressed down, shaken together first ... I am guest posting!!  EEEEKK!!!  But I could not have picked a more awesome blog to partner with.  You will L-O-V-E the 4 sisters over at The Letter 4 and their totally gorgeous blog!

And speaking of love, I would love (I mean seriously LOVE!) for you to hop on over to the Ultimate Halloween Party at The Letter 4 right now to take a look at my trick-or-treat treasure hunt that I'm sharing!  It is sure to keep your little party go-ers entertained and their treat bags stuffed!! 

Just think of it as an extra {create this friday} post just for you!!  And GO!

Thanks, ya'll!!
Keri

{create this} DIY felt & tulle bats

Hey there!!  If you are new to shaken together or if you are a long-time follower or reader - can I just say thanks?  Thanks so much for hanging out with me with each week, each craft and each recipe!  I've had quite a few new followers and page visits lately and I just wanted to take a quick minute to say I really appreciate the support, the comments, the love for my projects and recipes.  The Saint can't really quite understand why I love to blog so much.  Really?  It's just the flat out awesome folks out in Blogland - that's YOU!!  So thanks.  Again.  And again.  Now let's get creating!!

This week on {create this} we're going to make ...  DIY felt & tulle bats!!

I have been watching Halloween Wars on Food Network and one of the teams dubbed themselves The Bling Bats.  (The cutest name ever!)  And then I realized that I have not done one bat-themed craft for Halloween!!!  What was I thinking?!  

SO, I wanted to whip up some sort of bat craft that was just a little girly - I don't get much of that in my house (unless you count the Ninja Kitten who is also a girl, ha ha!). 

All you need for each bat is a little hand cut felt body, a tiny felt heart in a bright color and a square of tulle.  I squish the tulle together and give the edges a little zig zag snip to give the wings a little character.  You can glue or stitch them together ... so assemble and go spread some bling bat love!!

These are a quick, sweet way to add a little girly Halloween touch to just about anything ...

Like a onesie ...

and barrettes ...

and a necklace ...

or two!

Make a pin or a head band or add one to a gift tag or sew them on the neckline or hem of a shirt or skirt ... raise your hand if you're off to make bats?!?! Go a little batty this weekend!!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

Little Critters {giveaway} winners!!!

First of all, thanks so much, Lezette - for sharing your talent with my readers and followers and letting me giveaway two of your sweet creations!  (P.S. - Lezette has a new blog ... check it out:  Professional Mama.)

And now, our winners!!

There were 39 comments and random.org selected our lucky winners!

The winner of the sweetest little hat in the pumpkin patch is comment #19 -  lilylyn67!!!

And the winner for the most adorable black cat hat that will ever cross your path is comment #6 - Venessa!!

Congratulations, ladies!!  I will be sending an email to you shortly with details!

(On the off chance that I do not hear from the winners by 10/26/11, I will select an alternate commenter.)

Thank you to everyone who entered, who follows, who liked Little Critters on Facebook and checked out Lezette's Etsy store!! 

Have a fantastic Wednesday!
Keri

{holiday sweet swap} featured sweets #1

Well, the {holiday sweet swap} is pretty busy over here - we are almost to 100 links!!!  That just makes my sugar-lovin' heart SO happy!!  So, to celebrate ... let's do a little featuring!

Here are a few of my favorites - you've been pinned!!

Pumpkin Crunch Pie - angela's sewing for sanity

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars - Attack of the Hungry Monster

Caramel Apple Salad - Lady with the Red Rocker

I've also featured a slew of other recipes over on my Pinterest board {holiday sweet swap} featured sweet stuff!  Were you one of them?  I'll be featuring a few more links on the pressed down, shaken together Facebook page, too!  Features all around :)

Don't forget to add any old or new posts featuring holiday or seasonal sweet treats ... cakes, cupcakes, cookies, candies, fudge, drinks, desserts ... bring it on!!  This link party is open until December 31st and I can't wait to see what you are making and baking up!!

Have a sweet rest of the week!!

Keri

{taste this} pumpkin spice petits fours

Welcome to the 4th recipe in my fall baking series!  If you missed the others, check out my tasty stuff page for golden oatmeal muffins, pumpkin layer dessert and mini pumpkin pie croissants as well as allllllll the other recipes I've posted here on shaken together - savory and sweet!  This week, for {taste this} I am sharing  pumpkin spice petits fours!!

(And thank you Google - I had to re-edit all my pictures when I saw that the plural of petit four was petits fours - gotta love good grammar!)

SO, we've probably all seen Bakerella's cake pops and tons of variations floating around online - I mean, she's legendary and they are {amazing}, no?!  My recipe uses the same technique of baking the cake, crumbling it, adding frosting, forming them and dipping in chocolate ... but I've tweaked a spice cake boxed cake mix and made them into gorgeous little petits fours!  I'm pretty excited about this one if you can't tell by all the exclamation points!!!

I started with a boxed spice cake mix and substituted 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) for the oil.  The texture of the cake, once baked, is AWESOME - fluffy and moist!  But alas, we're going to crumble it all up in a big bowl and incorporate almost a full can of cream cheese frosting - I find using the back of a fork really mixes the frosting into the cake crumbs well.

Now, spread your mixture on a large sheet pan lined with foil or waxed paper.  This will take a little coaxing to get it to spread out.  I used the back of a spatula and then laid some plastic wrap over the top to smooth it out a little more with my hands.

Now, use a ruler or another flat edge over plastic wrap to make shallow indentions in the mixture - both vertically and horizontally ... can you see the beginning of the petits fours?

Remove the plastic wrap and stick your sheet pan in the fridge for about 4 hours and then in the freezer for 1 hour.  Your mixture should be well chilled and firm.

Using a sharp knife, separate your petit four squares.  You can reshape any rough edges with your fingers.  Place these squares on a sheet tray lined with wax paper and pop them back in the fridge while you get the almond bark ready.

Heat almond bark (or melting chocolate or even white chocolate chips) according to the directions and add a few tablespoons of shortening and incorporate it well.  This makes the almond bark thinner and I find it is easier to dip in.

Because cake and frosting dipped in almond bark isn't quite enough ;) spread a bit of your remaining frosting in between two of the cake mixture squares before dipping it in the almond bark.

Using a plastic fork, dip each petit four in the almond bark and return it to the sheet tray.  This is definitely messy and drippy but SO fun :)  Allow to set.  If you work quick, you can add seasonal sprinkles or a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice while the almond bark is still wet.

These are delightfully sweet and spicy and rich and probably not on any diet, but it's fall and there are parties to take these to and they are just SO pretty and delicious!!

I am sharing this recipe at the {holiday sweet swap} - my 1st holiday/seasonal link party that is open through December 31st!  Need a recipe?  Have a recipe?  SHARE a recipe!  There are 90 recipes - help us hit triple digits!  I'll be featuring some of my favorites on Pinterest and Facebook and my two fantastic co-hosts each month will also feature recipes and share the word about the party!

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!

{create this} coffee filter bunting

Happy Friday, my shaken together followers, readers and visitors!!  I am so glad that you spend a few minutes out of your day here at my humble little blog :) 

Have you entered my Little Critters giveaway?  My friend Lezette is giving away two of the most adorable crocheted hats - check it out here and enter before 10/18/11!

Have you stopped by the {holiday sweet swap}?  There are close to 80 holiday/seasonal recipes and more are linked up every day!  Do you have a holiday or seasonal sweet treat to share?  Link it up!  Old and new posts welcome :)

Are you ready for a quick and easy craft and tutorial that you can whip up for any occasion, season or event?  Let's get {create this friday} started!!

This week I am showing you how to make this coffee filter bunting!!

Grab 6 coffee filters, some scrapbook paper and a few buttons and away we go ...

I started off with three white filters and three filters that I coffee-stained in 3 minutes in the microwave!  I kind of tested this process out on a whim and it totally worked!!

Dip the filters in left over coffee, squeeze gently to remove a little of excess, lay flat on a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes until they are dry.

Here is the finished product:

I love the texture and the uneven character the coffee staining gives them

Now, ink the edges of all your filters:

Fold the filters over a ribbon or jute, overlapping them slightly and use adhesive to stick them all together.  Punch large and small scalloped circles from coordinating scrapbook paper.

Ink the edges and cut them in half.  Lay them out in your desired pattern and adhere to the filter bunting.  Add buttons and call it done!!

I can see this at birthday parties, baby showers and all sorts of holiday events and functions.  These would be a quick and easy way to dress up tables, craft show displays and any other thing a bunting could be draped on :)

Well, this week's tutorial is wrapped up and the weekend is right around the corner!  Hope yours is full of family, friends and fun ... oh, and maybe a little crafting ;)

I'd love to be friends on Facebook - you can like pressed down, shaken together here.  Have you joined the pinning revolution?  Come check out what I am pinning on Pinterest!  You can also follow and get first dibs on all posts ;)

This post was shared at the parties on my Link page!