Crafters- What are you making???

[SterlingAcres]

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[SilverM0on]

im making christnas wreath
i also make ornament.. its sad i came to late to participate n the ornament exchange

i made this one today
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=112627
and this one wednesday
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=111356

 

[Scrambled Egg]

Those wreaths are pretty Silver!

I have the homemade vanilla extract bottled and labeled and ready to go, but I still have to make the bath salts. I don't know if I should add peppermint essential oil to the bath salts, or a sweet lemon cookie fragrance oil that I have...tough decisions!

I'm also giving baked goods as gifts. I have two cookie doughs frozen, all I have to do is pop them on a baking sheet and throw them in the oven. But I'll still be busy because I'm making a cake for Christmas, bar cookies, and a batch of lemon ricotta cookies. And I'll be making chocolate truffles to take to the in-laws.

I'm starting to get slightly nervous about all this baking.


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ummmmm Toes.....you don't really think you can throw great things like making vanilla extract and truffles out there and not tell us HOW do you?!!! lol!!!! Spill the beans Toes!!!!

 

[ChickenToes]

To make vanilla extract, just place 8 or 10 vanilla beans (cut them open first) in a 1 quart jar and fill the jar with vodka. Let it sit until it's dark brown and lovely. I really love vanilla, so I tend to go heavy on the vanilla beans. And whenever you use the seeds from a vanilla bean, pop the empty bean inside the jar of vanilla. Even used beans will help flavor the extract. Nothing ever goes to waste.

And NEVER buy vanilla beans from a grocery store, they are grossly overpriced. This is where I buy mine.

http://www.organic-vanilla.com/servlet/StoreFront


Here's the recipe for truffles, they are very easy to make.


8 ounces good quality milk chocolate, chopped
8 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar

Place chopped chocolate in a large bowl, set aside.

Pour heavy cream into a small pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring often, just until steam begins to rise from the cream and a line of bubbles forms around the edges of the pot. Remove from heat immediately and pour overtop of chocolate. Stir the coffee and vanilla into the chocolate mixture with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. If lumps remain, place bowl in microwave for 30 seconds to finish melting the chocolate. Place bowl in fridge for 2 hours until chocolate is firm.

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Scoop rounded teaspoonfuls of the chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet. Place baking sheet in fridge for about an hour, until the truffles are firm. Then roll the truffles into balls and roll them in the powdered sugar.

Serve immediately by placing them in mini muffin tin liners and allowing them to come to room temperature. They will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks, or they can be frozen for several months. They are best served closer to room temperature.

 

[Msbear]

Is that it? Just vanilla beans in vodka? I don't taste any vodka in vanilla extract? WOW, I might try this. Have y'all seen the price of that stuff recently!?

ok, I went to the sit and ordered a 20 pk of 5" ones. How long does it usually have to sit?

 

[cknmom]

I haven't tried it yet, but I have recipes saying that you can use ANY alcohol you want. I want to make an assortment so I can use different types for different tastes. The one I REALLY want to try is Capn' Morgans Parrot Bay Vanilla!

Hopefully next year.

Monica

 

[Judymae]

I'm making a differnent cookie every day for the next week. I freeze them in large containers and then pull out whatever I need to make a cookie tray for friends and family. Yesterday I made Crunchy Jumble Cookies. Really easy!!

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups Rice Krispies (I used the store brand)
1 cup chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350*. Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add combined flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in rice krispies and chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoon onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 mins. Make about 3 dozen.

I add green food coloring right before I add the flour and it makes the cookies look Christmasy!!

 

[cknmom]

This is where I was directed to go from another forum.

http://www.kitchenproject.com/vanilla/4FoldVanillaExtract.htm

They have some neat things on here.
Monica

 

[ChickenToes]

Yup, it's just vanilla beans and vodka. The extract should sit in a cool dark place for 4 or 6 weeks. You can use other liquors as well, my extract has vodka and spiced rum in it.

When you smell the extract you will smell the alcohol, but it's not at all overpowering. The quality of the homemade extract is so much better than what you buy at the store.

 

[Msbear]

I am sooo pumped. I LOVE this thread!!