BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

These buttermints are super cute and takes a little work to make but they would make such cute wedding favors...the kind that will have guest talking. So why not give them a try now that you have the recipe?

You'll need:

• Small plastic candy mold, such as a mini peanut butter cup mold or other mold that would make a good cupcake bottom shape
• Piping bag fitted with a small closed star tip

  Candy:

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp whipping cream plus 1- 1/2 for thinning batter
• 1/2 tsp mint oil - such as LorAnn (my favorite flavoring oils)
• 2-3 drops liquid green food coloring
• Granulated sugar for rolling candy pieces in
• Nonpareils for decorating

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter well.  Gradually add powdered sugar.  Mixture will be very dry.  When combined, add whipping cream and mint oil and mix again.  The mixture should become smooth and pliable - almost like play-doh.

Divide the candy dough in half.  Return half the dough to mixer and add green food coloring; mix again and cover the candy with plastic wrap.  Set aside.

Pinch off small pieces of white (uncolored) candy and roll in granulated sugar.  Press into candy molds and remove.  Place molded candy on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Repeat process until all candy has been used.  Let candies stand uncovered for 30 minutes.

While waiting for the white candies to dry, remove plastic wrap from green candy portion and mix on low speed in stand mixer. Add 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp whipping cream until candy is of piping consistency. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with star tip.  Pipe green candy on top of cupcake bottoms and sprinkle with nonpareils.

Allow mini cupcake candies to air dry for 1 hour.  After 1 hour drape a large tea towel over them and let them stand overnight.  The next day cupcake butter mints should be dry to the touch.  Display them on reception tables or package them in decorative bags.  Can be frozen for 3 months.

Note: Fruit flavored oils could also be used with this recipe for a "butter cream candy" instead of "butter mint candy". 

Makes 30-40 candy cupcakes

I am excited about this project because these Glass Magnets can be used for a Magnetic Escort Board. I don't have instructions on how to make a magnetic escort board but you should be able to create one using a piece of sheet metal from a Lowe's or Home Depot in your area and frame it.

For the magnets, however, making them will be pretty simple!

You'll need:

• Glass Stones (Dollar Tree)
• Mod Podge
• 12mm Magnets
• Fabric
• Sponge Brush

Head on over to Dandelions and Dust Bunnies and you'll find all the very clear instructions.

If you have made a magnetic board before or have instructions on how to make one...please feel free to share!

Oh these Gumball Machines are so cute and afforable to make too. They would be such fun pieces on your candy buffet and they are also very easy to make.

What you'll need:

• 1 (one) 4" Terra Cotta Pot
• 2 (two) 4" Terra Cotta Saucers
• 1 (one) Bubble Bowl (Dollar Tree)
• 1 (one) Wooden Ball – 1 1/4″
• 1 (one) Tube E6000 Adhesive
• 1 (one) Spray Can Clear Gloss (Triple Thick - Rustoleum , your choice)
• Acrylic Paint

Directions:

1. Paint Both Terra Cotta pot, saucers and knob then let dry overnight..

2. Place Terra Cotta Pot upside down, apply E6000 to the bottom rim of the pot, apply Saucer and set to dry OVERNIGHT.

3. Add Wooden Ball to Saucer number 2, with the E6000 and allow to dry overnight as well.

4. Add lid to top of Bubble Bowl… and viola...Gumball Candy Dish!

 Find all the instructions accompanied by photos here at Wrap Candy!

I didn't know until today that it's as easy as pie to make vanilla extract. How didn't I know that? Thank God I know now because they would make great gifts for friends and family, especially my mom-in-law who loves to bake. They would be great to give as wedding favors too which is why I am posting the recipe.

To make Homemade Vanilla Extract, you'll need:

• Vanilla beans
• Vodka
• Bottles

Directions:

1. Split the vanilla beans, leaving one end intact.

2. Place in bottles.

3. Top with Vodka.  A good ratio is 1 vanilla bean per 1/3 cup of vodka.

4. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 6 weeks before using.  The longer it sits, the darker the extract will become.

Find this recipe with more photos here at Bake At 350.

Chocolate Meringue Kisses are chocolatey, they are bite size and they are cute...need I say more.

I found this recipe here at A Taste of Koko and I'm so glad I did. Try it and you'll be too.

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• pinch cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened dutch processed cocoa

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 175F
• Prep a pastry bag with a large star tip and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
• Combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tarter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. You can omit the cream of tartar if using a copper bowl.
• Whisk constantly over the water until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is warm to the touch. Around 3-4 minutes.
• Then remove from heat and beat the whites with a hand mixer or stand mixer, starting on low speed and gradually increasing until stiff, glossy peaks form.
• Add vanilla and mix to combine.
• Sift cocoa over the meringue and fold until no streaks remain.
• Add mixture to your pastry bag and pipe rows of quarter sized meringues onto the pans.
• Bake for 2 hours, until they lift from the pan easily. Allow to cool completely.
• Enjoy as is or melt a little chocolate and make meringue sandwiches :)

I am starting to be convinced that with some creative thinking almost anything can be recycled into something beautiful and this Coffee Can Lantern project is a prime example.



Who know that empty coffee cans could make for such a stunning display. I didn't before but I'm so glad that I do now and they can be made simply by filling cans with water, allowing the water to freeze then you poke holes into the cans using  a nail and a hammer.

If you are making them for an outdoor party, I would spray paint the cans after the holes are nailed into each one.

You can find another method for making these Coffee Can Lanterns here at Design Sponge right now.

The first photo shows two vases you can find here at William-Sonoma.com starting at $58.00 dollars while the ones below, which is almost identical, were made in 15 minutes for only $3.00.



It's true. These hurricane vases cost only $3.00 to make using items from Dollar Tree and you can find the instructions here on how to make them for yourself at www.320SycamoreBlog.com! I love projects like this one because the result is an expensive look for less.

These centerpieces would look so beautiful at a Fall wedding and I would surround them with even more candles for dramatic, "wow" effect.

I love scroll invitations but they are so expensive which is why I found myself searching for tutorials on how to make them. In my search I came across these DIY Cherry Blossom Scroll Invitations! I love the invites! The whole set this bride made was beautiful. 



Check out the tutorial and if you are looking for unique invitations and can't seem to find one you love then how about giving these the scroll invitations a try!

I haven't been looking at wedding invitations much but when a bride asked me about Veneer Invitations about a week ago, I did a search and found the most beautiful set made by another bride who calls herself Mrs. Irish P. on Wedding Bee. She refused to spend $2000 on similar invites and the ones she made herself as you see are amazing! They matched her Peacock Wedding Theme perfectly. Of course, you can design them to match any wedding theme using the instructions Mrs. P here on Wedding Bee along with the materials she used.

The cost per set was $1.50 and it included a response card made out of veneer wood, as well as a purple card with directions! A peacock feather with beads and a gold ribbon held them all together quite nicely!

If you decide to make Veneer Wood Invitations, I would love to see them! So be sure to upload photos for us to admire.

Have fun!