“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake.”
- Francis Bacon

Saturday, January 09, 2010

What do you do with your left-over Candy Canes? You feature them on Pink Saturday☺

This Pink Saturday, instead of just showing you pink goodies around my house, and in the holiday spirit, I decided to do some internet sharing and gifting. Please, if you knit, feel free to grab the pattern for the adorable Christmas tree.

Left over Candy Canes in the house? Who doesn't? I'm sharing some of my favorite, and easy ways to use them after the Christmas tree is out the door. Don't forget - those red, pink and white hues are perfect for Valentine's Day and that is just around the corner! Enjoy! (Click on the photo of the recipe or project you would like to print.)


Fun Fur Kitschy-mas Tree Pattern

For large green tree:  1 skein Lion Brand Homespun in Pink (185 yards bulky weight); 2 skeins Lion Brand Fun-fur in Pink. (approximately 120 yards of novelty yarn).  Polyfill. 
Finished measurements:  Height: approx. 18 inches    Width/Diameter at base: approx. 11 inches.

With both yarns held together and size US 10 needles, cast on 5 stitches.
Knit 1 row. Join and continue to knit in the round.  Every third row you’ll want to increase 5 stitches by knitting in the front and the back of that stitch.
Row 1:  * k1fb *
Row 2 and 3:  k all
Row 4:  * k1fb k1 *
Rows 5 and 6 :  k all
Row 7:  * k1fb k2 *
Row 8 and 9:  k all
Row 10:  * k1fb k3*
Row 11 & 12:  k all

Continue these 3 rows, increasing 5 stitches every 3rd row as established until desired height is achieved.  For the tree in the photo, continue knitting until you run out of novelty yarn.  Bind off during a non-increasing row.

The base of the tree is single crocheted with the bulky yarn only, in the round using a size K hook (or hook size to give you a fairly stiff base. Loose is not the effect you’re looking for here.) until diameter of the base is the width of the tree. Sew the base to the tree, leaving an opening large enough to stuff with polyester stuffing. Once stuffed, finish the tree by sewing up the opening.  Fluff.

Small ornaments can either be hung, or sewn to the tree.  The tree is sturdy enough for a short string of lights as well. I like to leave mine 'naked' just cause it looks so cute when it is bare as a baby's bottom

Candy Cane Marshmallows

1 cup powdered sugar
5 teaspoons water
6 candy canes (ground)
1 bag of jumbo marshmallows
toothpicks
cookie sheet lined with wax paper

Directions

1. Pour powdered sugar in a bowl.
2. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until you've created a thin glaze.
3. Place candy canes in a blender and blend until finely ground.
4. Place a toothpick in the end of marshmallow.
5. Roll marshmallow in glaze; covering botton and sides.
7. Roll marshmallow in candy canes until glaze is covered.
8. Place in freezer. They are done when the marshmallow pops off easily from the wax paper.

Store leftover in a bag in the freezer.Great treat to add to your hot chocolate! (Don't forget to remove the toothpick first.)




Candy Cane Instant Hot Chocolate 

Ingredients

  • 1  cup  powdered milk
  • 1  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1  cup  granulated sugar
  • 1/2  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2  cup  miniature chocolate chips
  • 1/2  cup  crushed peppermint candy canes

Preparation

Layer the ingredients for homemade cocoa in a jar, add a ribbon and a tag, and you have a simple but stylish gift. This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."
Yield: Makes 1 quart mix or 12 servings hot cocoa.



Candy Cane Cool Whip

This stuff is really magic because it disappears in seconds when served to guests and family. Grab your uneaten Christmas candy canes and unwrap. Break in to chunks (the kids ♥ this part) and using your blender, crush them to powder with a little chunk here and a little chunk there left to add interest and texture.

For 16 oz. of whipping cream or Cool Whip, I use 1/2 cup of powdered peppermint candy folded in gently. It makes a fun pink cream with some tiny chunks. Make your hot cocoa and plop a nice, fluffy dollop of this fun topping into your cup. To store left over cream, just place it back into your emptied Cool Whip container and pop into the fridge or you may freeze again if you don't think you'll be using it up soon. If you need to store leftover peppermint powder, pour into a container with a tight lid and place in the cupboard away from heat.

Stop over to Beverly's HOW SWEET THE  SOUND for a list of more blogs that are participating in this fun weekend event. You'll be glad you did

40 comments:

Eclectic Chic Style said...

Most awesome ideas and recipes!!! Thank you, can't wait to give them a try. A clever crafty mom one time in my daughters class also made little Valentine hearts out of candy canes for Valentine's day, you simply glue the two curved ends together and bring the ends to a point, another dab of hot glue, and voila a heart!! cute huh?
Happy Pink Saturday
Hugs ♥ Teresa

Lucy said...

Good suggestions. During the boring January winter months, you could make all your gifts for giving next year!

Betty Jo said...

What beautiful and delicious ideas. I really love the sound of the cool whip. Yummy! ♥

Zuzana said...

Beautiful. I am somehow lacking words to adequately describe how lovely this is, no just the idea but the pictures as well.;)
Have a great Saturday,
xo
Zuzana

Beansieleigh said...

Hi Mimi! LOVE your candy cane hot chocolate recipe for Christmas gifts next year!!! "PRINT"!!!.. Thanks for sharing everything you did today! LOVE your tree!.. Happy Pink Saturday, and have a wonderful weekend! ((hugs)) ~tina

Susie Jefferson said...

Oh goodness - I'm firmly resisting these (I've put half a stone on over Christmas) but oh! they look so pretty (and tasty).

http://www.backporchmusings.com/

The Pink Birdhouse said...

I always love the ideas that you come up. I was not able to get candy canes this year, just not available all the time in the stores here, and i missed them. So I am gonna try your choc. meringue treats, since they not only look yummy but I love that they have so few calories! ~~ debby

Light and Voices said...

Oh my, I never have left-over candy canes because any child who comes over gets a few including our grandchildren. Nice peppermint collage. Recipes sound oh so delightful!
Joyce M

Char said...

Oh my goodness, such special treats that anyone would love. I could eat or drink it all. I esp. love the marshmellows. Thankyou so much and Happy Pink Saturday, Char

Regina said...

Happy Pink Saturday.
Yummy!
Great idea and post.
Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy the weekend.

Regina

Pom Pom said...

Hi Mimi! Thank you for visiting me on my first Pink Saturday! I have NOT used up all my pinkness - pink keeps coming my way. This time of year brings so much sweetness because of Love Day and a daughter's birthday and two granddaughters! Oh, and chocolate, pink and brown! Candy cane hot chocolate is a wonderful idea!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing what to do with the leftover candy canes. I buy them every year, but the kids are grown and only maybe eat one. My curio was a dark wood. I painted it last year. Hubby said, oh you're making a mistake. When it was done, he said 'Bravo'. Good luck with yours. Rosie

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

How very creative! Wonderful way to make use of left over candy canes.

Kathy said...

Loved your pink post, Mimi - my favorite today! Great ideas for the left over candy canes. I especially loved the marshmallows. And the tree is just too cute!

Happy Pink Saturday...have a beautiful weekend...Kathy

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Candy cane marshmallows i think was ment for ME!
YUM to all- but the marshmallows for me!
Nitey nite
love
tweedles

Summer Gypsy said...

This is a gorgeous and YUMMY post!!! Happy Pink Saturday (yesterday) to you! I am a bit late in getting around. I love the knitted tree...wish I could knit...I do crochet, wonder if I could adapt the pattern? The candy cane marshmallows look scruptious...The "cocoa jar" is so inviting...You outdid yourself on this one! Thanks for stopping by my pink post. Have a blessed week!
Hugs,
Marilyn

Maia said...

What a great pink post Mimi.Thanks for sharing all these ideas and recipes, all the sweets look yummy.Candy cane hot chocolate is my favorite, I shall give it a try.
Have a beautiful Sunday!

melissa said...

These are just fabulous!! Thanks so much for sharing these candy cane recipes! :)

Ginger said...

What wonderful ideas, love the peppermint hot chocolate mix and cool whip!! Your blog is so great and you have the best ideas.

Thanks for visiting me too!!
Hugs
Ginger

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

Thanks for some wonderful and yummy ideas!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Jacalyn

caren said...

Great ideas! Thank you so much for sharing. I love to knit so I think I might try the tree! Happy PS.

Jenny said...

Yum! I have done the cool whip before, ut I may have to try the marshmellows!!

KayEllen said...

oh these are some great tips. The the candy cane whip cream sounds really yummy!!

Happy PS Mimi~~So sweet of you to stop by:)

Happy New Year,

Kay Ellen

Pam said...

What great ideas for leftover candy canes. Lovely post.

Happy Pink Saturday (day late)

Amisha said...

I really like that pink furry Christmas tree! Thank you for sharing the pattern.

Unknown said...

Hi Mimi,

Thank you so much for stopping by. Sounds like you had a beautiful and enjoyable day in the sun yesterday. It's such a treat to get sneak peek of Spring during the winter dreariness.


Sending you fairy magic and butterfly wishes for a .•*˙˙*•.HaPPy PiNk SaTuRdaY!.•*˙˙*•.

Cheers! =D
~Kitty Kellie

Mary Bergfeld said...

What great ideas, Mimi. I'm thinking that the reworked candy canes would make great Valentine surprises for the neighbors. Have a great Pink Saturday.

Shopgirl said...

What wonderful ideas. You have been neglected by me, I seem to be behind. This is a lovely post, I love the music too.
I am working hard on me, change can be wonderful, but not easy.
You are a Valentine for my heart, Big Hugs, Mary

Anonymous said...

I can't get over how gorgeous your white kitty is. Soooo sweet and pretty. Smelling pretty lilies of the valley. What a pretty mosaic!
Give your kitty kisses for me, ok?
Thanks and Happy Pink Saturday~

Vicki said...

Hi, Mimi,
Thank you so much for stopping by Bunny Cottage! These are terrific ideas for candy canes, and yes, I have a box left of them. Thanks for sharing the recipes and tips! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and blessed upcoming week! I read your new year's goals and these are my goals, too. Really enjoyed reading them! Vicki

Deborah said...

No candy canes around here. We prefer chocolate which may partially explain the butt on me. Still that is a nice way to use up the leftovers. Happy Belated Pink Saturday.

Anonymous said...

What a great way to uses those candy canes. You are amazing!!! How pretty your gift jar looks, I would love for someone to give one of those to me. Great job!!

Rostrose said...

Hi dearest Mimi, I'm also "a bit" too late - and don't have any Dollar ;-) (just Euros, but not so many :o)) but I want to tell you that I really like this "sweeties" - my favourite is the Marshmallow-candle!
Have a wonderful week!!!
Hugs to you - and to your pink heart ;-)
Traude

Terri Morse said...

Hi Mimi! Such a wonderful post with really good ideas. I checked out the chocolate meringue kisses too! That would be a great recipe to share with my weight watcher's group. We're always looking for semi-harmless ways to get our chocolate fix! I enjoyed visiting your blog. I'll be coming back to check it out again. Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by. -Terri

Ana said...

Hi Mimi,
First, I have to say that your comment has to be the sweetest I've received this year...Thank you for brightening my Sunday. Wonderful Pink Saturday post...great ideas for the left over candy canes and cute little pink knitted tree. Have a wonderful day.

Hugs and smiles,
♥Ana

Gabriela said...

Happy Pink Saturday!


Yummy post, loved it!


~ Gabriela ~

Elena said...

Hi Mimi, I'm also doing my pink saturday rounds a little late. We have extreme heat in Melbourne at the moment so I'm doing short stints at the computer. Too hot to do much except stay cool or sit in a pool, lol..... a good excuse to do 'nothing', lol.

What a gorgeous post sharing those yummy tips & creative idea.

Have a great week and a fabulous New Year.

ciao for now,
Elena :)

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous post and happy pink Saturday. My husband was happily eating a candy cane today I had left in my car from the holidays. And I love the cocoa and cool whip ideas and will surely use them. I have tons of candy canes left over. Do you know the story of the origin of the candy cane?

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Hi Mimi! What great ideas!! My granddaughter will LOVE the crushed candy cane/marshmallows!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such kind comments. Please stop by often!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

GwendolynKay said...

Everything on your page always looks so scrumptious! And this hot cocoa mix is no exception. Yummo!!
Blessings!
Gwen