Summer in December "Sandmen"

We are experiencing some really mild temperatures in Jersey right now.  So mild that on many of us ate outside for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a little bizarre but it sure was nice.  That said it kinda doesn't feel like December should be starting this week here.

So I thought I'd share a treat with you to welcome in December with sandmen instead of snowmen!

They were very simple to make with some toasted coconut marshmallows.  The toasted coconut reminded me of sand so "sandmen" had to be made.  

Just stack them and "glue" them together with some melted chocolate.  If you want them to stand up, attach them to pieces of graham cracker (used as a base).  

The rest of the details are:

1. Noses are candy coated orange sunflower seeds (attach with melted chocolate)
2. Eyes/mouth are black sprinkles (attach with melted chocolate)
3. Scarves are various flavored Tootsie rolls (microwave for 5 seconds then roll out and cut into scarf shape, snip ends with cooking shears)  
4. Beach balls are made from a vanilla Tootsie roll (microwave for 5 seconds and roll into balls, and color with edible food writers)
5. Beach hats are made from potato chips and vanilla tootsie roll (microwave for 5 seconds and roll into top of hat shape, use little more melted chocolate to keep it together)

 My favorite are the beach hats! They really make the "sandman".

Eat them as a fun snack as is or you can add to cupcakes as fun toppers.

Happy almost December! Only 3 weekends until the Christmas holiday!

Stop by starting next weekend on the 6th as I'll be doing a #12daysofStarWars countdown.  The new Star Wars movie The Force Awakens opens this month on the 18th and to celebrate I'll be sharing a Star Wars treat everyday until then!  Many are new treats but I'll be sharing my favorites over the years too.  

Follow along on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter! #12daysofStarWars @sugarswings

Thanksgiving Pilgrim Turkey Marshmallow Peeps

Hey all, here's yet another turkey treat!  I seem to be a little obsessed with the fowl of the season.  This time I'm using marshmallow Peeps chicks that are out right now and all that left over candy corn you probably have laying around.  

Add some little pilgrim hats just because you can.  

See the easy directions here at sheknows!

Here are the other super simple Candy Turkeys (in case you missed them!)

Super Easy Candy Turkeys for Turkey Day

So it seems every year I try to make edible turkeys since Turkey season aka Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  Making a cute turkey is not so easy for many reasons.  1) They are really not that cute of a real animal 2) You usually need to use brown for the body which can look a bit like - well just think about the poo emoji  3) It's kinda hard to make something that everyone eats for the main course - cute.  

But alas I try anyway!  

This year I went for really really really simple.  You'll need a few candies.  It's a great way to use up all the candy corn you may have left over from Halloween (or go grab some on super sale now at all the stores!)

Peppermint patties make up the "body".  I had leftover heart shapes from Valentine's Day but you could also use regular mini peppermint patty candies.  Eyes are made from royal icing which after dried you add the black part with an edible candy writer.  My other favorite candy to use for projects is candy coated sunflower seeds.  They are used as the "beak" and a piece of red licorice as the gobbler thing.

Enjoy as is or use as cookie or cupcake toppers!

Welcome to November and Turkey season!  I'm already starting to see holiday and Christmas goodies over on Pinterest so I'm get ready for all the yummies on deck!

Here are some of my past turkey attempts! Which is your fav??

Pilgrim and Turkey Cupcake Toppers

Candy Melt Candy Turkeys

No Bake Mini Cookie Pops

Marshmallow & Candy Turkeys

Malt Ball & Candy Turkey Toppers

How To Make Candy Turkeys 

Ingredients:

• Candy corn - in various colors and flavors
• Heart shaped mini peppermint patties (if you can't find hearts you can use round mini peppermint patties)
• Yellow candy coated sunflower seeds
• Red licorice strings
• Candy eyes (made with royal icing or you can buy pre-made candy eyes)
• Chocolate chips or candy melt (as glue)

Directions:

1. Add 1/2 cup of chips/wafers to a quart size freezer bag and microwave on high for 15 second intervals until just melted (usually 3-4 intervals)
2. Snip an end of the bag and "pipe" the chocolate glue onto the small ends of 5 candy corns.  Arrange in a fan shape.  Attach the back of the chocolate patty to the candy corn as in photo.
3. Use melted chocolate and attach eyes, sunflower seed as beak.
4. Cut 1/2 inch of licorice and attach with melted chocolate as the gobbler.