Dubble Bubble Bauble Bracelet

Winter Break was tough this year. Between lots of friends busy with their own holiday activities, the severe weather and the flu cycling through our house we pretty much stayed put. However, staying home means the kids need to be entertained. While searching online I came across a project for making candy wreaths. Since it was after the holidays and we really didn't need any wreaths, I thought the kids would enjoy making candy bracelets instead.  This craft was a little difficult for Lila since her tying skills are still developing, but Will and Sophia had a lot of fun with it.  We used Dubble Bubble Gum and Jolly Ranchers, but any candy with a twist closure would work, such as Tootsie Rolls or Starbrite Peppermints. The bracelet is heavy and a bit gaudy, but the kids think they're pretty cool, especially the girls. The picture here are of Lila with her Dubble Bubble Bauble bracelet and Sophia showing off her Jolly Rancher Gems.

Materials
1 large roll of curling gift ribbon that coordinates with your selected candy
45 to 50 pieces of twist closure candy per bracelet.

Directions

• Measure and fit the ribbon to your child's wrist like a bracelet so they can slip it off, then tie the loose ends securely in a double knot.
• Cut ribbon the ribbon to 5-7 inch lengths and wrap around one end or tail of the candy and tie in single knot. See image below and ignore Sophia's dirty nails.
• Now securely tie the candy to the ribbon bracelet using a full double knot. See image below.
• Every 5 candies push them together and trim the ribbon to desired length and curl. See image below.
• Continue tying the candies onto the ribbon bracelet until full.

Single Knot

Double Knot 

Curl Ribbon

A Broken Oven Tip

My only complaint is the the bracelet was a bit flimsy. If you want to give the foundation of the bracelet more structure, try shaping sturdy craft wire into a circle instead. A thin plastic or metal bracelet would work great too. If  you don't have an old bracelet lying around the house, I bet you could find them pretty cheap at the dollar store

Cookie Dough Bites

Most people over 12 years of age will find this recipe absolutely repulsive. However, people who still like to lick the beaters or are 12 years of age and under will love it. Will and Sophia found this candy in a gift shop on an overnight excursion to a nearby water park and asked if I could make them at home. Don't freak out about eating raw egg because this is an eggless cookie dough batter often used in ice cream recipes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips for dough

4 to 6 tbsp. water

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips for dipping

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Sprinkles (optional)

Directions

• Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. 
• Stir in the flour, salt, vanilla and 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips. 
• Add the water, one tablespoon at a time, until you have reached a cookie dough consistency. 
• Place dough in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Melt remaining 2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler -OR- melt 30 to 45 seconds at a time in the microwave.  
• Stir vegetable oil into the chocolate once melted.
• Scoop cookie dough 1 tablespoon at a time and form into balls.
• Dip cookie dough balls into melted chocolate until coated and top with sprinkles.
• Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Servings

Makes 2 cups of dough and approximately 2 dozen tablespoon sized balls.

A Broken Oven Tip

Know someone with an egg allergy? Drop tablespoon amounts of  this dough on a cookie sheet and bake in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

Candy Flower Lollipops

Trying to keep the kids busy is a task, especially with the age gap between the older two kids and Lila.  So when I can find an activity at least two of them can enjoy, it's wonderful.  Sophia and Lila made these easy candy flower lollipops and of course enjoyed eating them.  They even were kind enough to share with Will and his friend.

Ingredients

Hard Life Saver Candies -- you'll need 7 per lollipop.  

Wooden craft sticks

Aluminum foil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees
• Place 3 Life Savers on the wooden craft stick -- petal, center, petal on a foil lined baking sheet. (see photo) 
• Surround the center of the flower with four more Life Savers. 
• All the candies must be touching so they stick together when melted and cooled.
• Bake for 10 - 15 minutes.

A Broken Oven Tip
Wrap a few candy flower lollipops in cellophane, tie with bow and arrange in a cute cup like a bouquet and you have a great gift made with love and a few sticky fingers.