Witches Fingers: October Signature Snack

Looking for some fun "finger foods" (pun intended) to prepare this Halloween? How about Witches Fingers?? They taste better than they look, trust me. 

Here's what you will need:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup icing sugar (powdered, or confectioner's sugar) sifted

1 egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 3/4 cups all purpose flower

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup whole blanched almonds

1 tube red decorator gel

Directions: Mix together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Then, beat in the flour baking powder and salt . Cover and refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes. Working with one-quarter of the dough at a time and (the remaining dough should stay refrigerated) roll heaping tablespoons full of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into one end for nail. Squeeze in center to create knuckle shape. Using a knife, make slashes to create knuckles. 

Place on lightly greased cookie sheet in 325* F oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale or golden. Let finger cookies cool for three minutes. Lift up almond and squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back into place so gel oozes out from underneath. Repeat with remaining dough. 

Makes about 5 dozen fingers. 

September Signature Snack

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened Butter
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 box (10 packets) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Drink Mix
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 3 cup Flour
• 11 oz Kraft Caramels (about 40)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat.
• Cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packets of apple cider mix until fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, cinnamon and vanilla extract.
• Whisk together baking soda, baking powder and flour in another bowl.
• Beat in flour mixture until just combined.
• Spoon out 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball.
• Flatten and place a caramel into the middle and seal dough around it.
• Place about 2-3" apart on prepared sheet.
• Bake 12-14 minutes or until lightly brown around edges.
• Gently slide the parchment with the cookies onto the counter.
• Allow to cool until they firm up but are slightly warm.
• Gently twist to remove from sheet and flip to finish cooling upside down on the parchment paper.
• ENJOY!!! 

Originally seen on cincyshopper.com

Eddy Street Signature Snack: S'mores Bites

S'mores Bites

yield: 24 BITES

total time: 30 MINUTES

Ingredients:

• 7 whole graham crackers (equals 1 cup), finely crushed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 (1.55 oz) milk chocolate candy bars (I used hershey's), divided into rectangles
• 12 large marshmallows, cut in half

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Finely crush the graham crackers into crumbs, using whatever method you want. I used my slap chop, but a food processor would work or even putting them in a plastic bag and smashing.
3. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and melted butter into a small bowl.
4. Evenly divide crumb mixture into each cup of a 24 cup mini muffin pan, grease slightly before using. Press crumbs down to form shallow cups.
5. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling.
6. While that's baking, break the candy breaks into the divided rectangle pieces. Also cut the marshmallows in half using a scissors that has been sitting in cold water.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and place one chocolate rectangle into each cup.
8. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup.
9. Return to oven for 2-4 minutes or until marshmallows are just slightly softened.
10. If you'd like the tops to be brown, turn the oven to broil, and broil the s'mores bites for 1-2 minutes.
11. Cool on a cooling rack for 15 minutes before carefully removing them from the pan.
12. Enjoy! These bites are so delicious you are bound to have more than one!

*Originally seen on Pinterest

Eddy Street Signature Snack: Firecracker Popcorn

Firecracker Popcorn: 

What you will need: 

INGREDIENTS:

3 bags Pop Secret Homestyle microwave popcorn

1 cup white candy melts

1 cup red candy melts

1 cup blue candy melts

3 packages Strawberry Pop Rocks (Michaels Craft store has these)

Blue Sprinkles

DIRECTIONS:

• Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Spread onto a cookie sheet and allow to cool. Remove all un-popped kernels.

• Meanwhile, melt the candy melts, one color at a time and drizzle onto the popcorn.

• Sprinkle Strawberry Pop Rocks on the popcorn.

• Add sprinkles and allow to harden completely.

• Serve in festive popcorn boxes and enjoy!

Repeat all steps.. this popcorns so delicious, one batch will never be enough. 

The Art of Setting your Thanksgiving Table: Tips for Taking it to the Next Level

Whether you are having an intimate gathering or a large family affair, there are a number of ways you can set your table and make your guests thankful they were invited to your home for the holiday. When dressing up your Thanksgiving tables a couple of basic principles apply: 

1. Table Selection:  First things first, determine the foundation for your table setting: round, rectangular, wood or plastic. Each of these tables can be decorated beautifully. Pick what works for you and run with it. For my setting I chose a farm style table with two leaves to accommodate a larger group.

2. Textiles: After you've determined your table, then decide what textiles you are going to use. Will you be using a tablecloth, runner, placemats or a combination? I like to layer for added dimension and visual interest. In this setting, because the table is naturally beautiful, I simplified the set and used a placemat instead of a tablecloth. In lieu of a fabric runner I opted to create a runner of leaves scattered through the center of the table. All the leaves were collected from our yard making them a very budget friendly option.  

3. Plates:  Layering isn't limited to textiles, you can also layer your plates by using a charger, your dinner plate, and if the menu is formal, a salad plate as well.  For clarification,  a charger plate is a base plate that goes underneath your dinner plate. It's simply for decoration. Tip: If you don't have enough plates, mix two different coordinating sets to increase your quantity.  

4. Napkins: If you want to use cloth napkins without breaking the bank, you have a couple of options. Places like Home Goods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls offer stylish items for a discounted price however you can't always find the quantity required. As a backup, sometimes the dollar store is a great option too. When the price is right, you can justify only using it a couple times a year. If price doesn't matter, check out Pier One. They always have a very stylish options! I also love using napkin rings. Napkin rings can be made out of a variety of items. Here we use handmade pheasant feather napkin rings. One of my favorite touches.

5. How to set Silverware: Sometimes silverware is tricky...But here are the basic rules. Forks are on the left and knives on the right with the blade facing the plate.  If you are having salad and plan on using a fork specifically for the course, the salad fork goes to the left of the dinner fork. Tip: When you sit down to dinner and there is more silverware than you know what to do with, remember to work from the outside in when it comes to silverware. 

6. Place-settings: Sometimes the best thing to do is assign seats. It gives you the opportunity to make sure you have everything you need. Plus, using  placecards holders is just so fun and always  a nice touch. You can get as creative as you'd like or keep it simple.   These placecard holders (pictured below) are made out of wine barrel pieces and chalkboard labels. The great news is you can re-use them as often as you would like.   

7. Use Natural Elements that Fit With the Season: Whether it's a centerpiece or place setting decor, incorporating natural elements not only keeps the cost down but it also increases the festive feel of the table.   For this table we used, leaves, pumpkins and feathers. I'm in love with all the color. 

8. Add a special touch: This time of year gives us the opportunity to reflect and put into words why we are thankful for each other. At each place setting there is a small linen pouch with a letter. Write a sentiment in each letter expressing your gratitude for that person. It's a personal touch that will go a long way with your guests. 

The Takeaway: Making an impact doesn't have to be expensive.You can do a lot with natural elements and also by re-inventing items you have in your existing collection. The most important part of the day is simply being together and celebrating everything you are grateful for. 

 Need help putting a table design together, let the experts at Eddy Street Vintage Market help you! Contact us for more details.  These items and more are available for sale at Eddy Street Vintage Market November 20-22. Go to eddystreetvintagemarket.com/new-events/ for more information.