crafted by jen

  Sugar scrub naturally exfoliates your skin leaving you with a yummy healthy glow & it's chemical-free! It's the perfect gift for Mother's Day, Bridal & Baby showers- give them away as favors!   {Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe}   small jars ( I used 4 oz. ones) - mixing bowl and spoon - 3 cups white sugar - 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. good quality oil (I used Grapeseed oil because it doesn't have a strong odor but, you can use oil olive oil.) - 10 drops of essential oil per jar (I used eucalyptus and grapefruit) Combine your sugar and oil, mix it up well, and divide evenly into your jars. Add your essential oils & stir.   Makes about seven 4oz. jars.   Directions for use: Lather on wet skin, focusing on rough spots, then rinse off for an all-over glow! _________________________________________   Gift baskets that I made for Mother's Day. Everything a gal needs to unwind & re...

    This cake is wonderfully light, moist, delicious and old fashioned. The bottom cake layer is filled with bursting blueberries and the top is layered with a crunchy streusel topping. It’s perfect for brunch or served as a decadent dessert…just like how they use to serve it back in the day! Old Fashioned Blueberry Crumb Cake Recipe You'll need: For the cake: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (3/4 stick) 3/4 cup sugar 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest 2/3 cup sour cream 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup fresh blueberries For the streusel: 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees...

  Did I have you at “easy”? These apple pocket pies are so adorable, so yummy and so easy to assemble. All you need is a great pie dough, store-bought apple pie filling (hey, I normally wouldn’t recommend it but, after all this is the easy version). You’ll also need a 3.5-4” round cookie cutter.   Let's make apple pocket pies!   First, you'll need a foolproof pie crust recipe. I love Ina Garten's perfect pie crust recipe:   Ingredients: 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) very cold unsalted butter 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon sugar 1/3 cup very cold vegetable shortening 6 to 8 tablespoons (about 1/2 cup) ice water   Directions: Dice the butter and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times, un...

I love Snickerdoodles! They remind me of a warm bear hug. I love how the cookie is buttery and coated with yummy cinnamon and sugar. They’re perfect with a tall glass of milk, coffee or tea. And …they’re easy to make!     Let's make Snickerdoodles! You'll need: 2-¾ cups All-purpose Flour 2 teaspoons Baking Powder ½ teaspoons Salt 2 sticks Unsalted Butter (at room temp) 1-½ cup Sugar 2 whole Large Eggs   2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon 2 Tablespoons Sugar     Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350F. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. Put softened butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a bowl and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.   2. Stir together cinnamon and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into 20 (1 3/4-inch) balls; roll in cinnamon sugar mixture....

    Happy Easter & Happy Spring!    

I love muffins. Blueberry, cranberry, chocolate... you name it, I love it! I love the sugary, crunchy tops and the moist centers of muffins. This muffin recipe is very versatile and you can mix in anything you want in them. I used fresh strawberries and they’re absolutely yummy! Each bite is bursting with fresh strawberries. These muffins are perfect for breakfast or brunch with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. {Strawberry Muffins}  You'll need:   3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon kosher salt  1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon 1¼ cups milk 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted 2 cups diced fresh strawberries 1½ cups sugar   Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Stir with your hand to be sure the ingredient...

This year, I hosted my very first cookie/ornament swap! For me, a cookie swap is the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season. It's a time for family and friends to get together in a festive setting over cocktails, chit and chat and cookies! Wanna host a cookie swap of your own? Invite a group of family & friends to your home and have each one bring 2 dozen of their favorite homemade cookies or treats. At the party, sample the treats, then trade and package them as gifts. The goal: Everyone leaves with finished gifts and plenty of new recipes. Send out your invitations: Set the right tone for your cookie swap with stylish invitations. I got mine on zazzle.com . Make sure you send them out at least 1 month in advance. Create a beautiful display: Set out several platters and cake stands. Put folding place cards out for guests to write the name of the cookie they brought. Set Up a Packaging Station: Stock the station with sticky labels, ribbons, twine, cardboard b...