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Emily

Eats

Back to School Apple Rice Krispie Treats

Posted on August 22, 2016

I’m a sucker for all things “back to school.” I love the excitement of new clothes, new pencil boxes, a changing season, and new opportunities—or maybe I just love buying new things? Regardless, back to school is a time to celebrate! In my family we have a tradition of getting together the week before school starts for our annual “Back to School Fashion Show.” All the kids (now nieces, nephews, grandkids) bring their new school clothes and model them down the “runway” of the living room. It’s a fun way to get excited about the upcoming school year and celebrate with the whole family. 

After the “fashion show” is over we always have some treats and that’s where these apple-shaped rice krispie treats steal the show. They are really easy to make and get their red color from strawberry Jell-O. So actually they are strawberry flavored, apple rice krispie treats, haha. They are a tasty spin on an old classic. They are devoured by kids and adults alike. And you know what they say…”an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Make a batch for your kids as a back to school treat, take them to a teacher, or make them for yourself to celebrate (or mourn—depending on the minute) that kid’s are back in school and Fall is on it’s way.

Ingredients sweeltemonmade.com

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Apple Treats sweetlemonmade.com

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Apple Rice Krispie Treats
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Ingredients
  1. 6 cups Krispy Rice Cereal
  2. 50 large marshmallows (there are usually 40 in a standard package, but the extra ten give it just a little extra boost of marshmallow-y goodness)
  3. 3 tablespoons real butter
  4. 1 small 3 ounce package of Jell-O, strawberry flavor
  5. 25 small Tootsie Roll Candies
  6. 1 small tube green icing
  7. Non-stick cooking spray
  8. Wax Paper
  9. Red Food Coloring, optional
Instructions
  1. Melt marshmallows and butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat.
  2. Once melted and combined into a gooey sauce, stir in Jell-O package (just the powder, no water). Continue stirring until well mixed. At this point you can add a couple drops of red food coloring if you want your apples to be more vibrant.
  3. Next, stir in the Rice Krispies cereal until it well incorporated and covered with the marshmallows.
  4. Spray hands with non-stick spray and take a small handful of covered cereal and roll mixture a ball (size should be a little larger than a golf ball—no really. You’ll wanna make them bigger, but don’t. Just trust me on this).
  5. Place balls on wax paper to cool. The Jell-O helps them to keep their shape.
  6. After the balls have cooled for a few minutes, make an imprint in the top of the “apple” with your thumb and place the unwrapped tootsie roll inside the hole for the “stem.”
  7. Pipe a small leaf or two on top of the “apple” to finish it off. Frosting seems excessive, but is surprisingly a perfect touch in this sugar on sugar treat.
Notes
  1. TIPS: Try not to eat more than three at a time. You’ll get a gut-ache, or so I’ve heard. I never have problems with self control and sugar.
Sweet Lemon Made https://sweetlemonmade.com/

Eats

S’mores Pizza

Posted on August 11, 2016
Smores Pizza sweetlemonmade.com

Summer has been awesome. Campfires, sunscreen and treats everyday. I mean, right? You’re eating treats everyday too, no? I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I love s’mores. And this summer has got me hooked—like addicted. I need s’mores like a pregnant lady needs pickles and ice cream. My new found love affair poses a few logistical concerns as you can imagine. I want s’mores way more often than is feasible to build a campfire. However, late one night when the campfire cravings came a knocking, in a stroke of genius I decided to fire up the gas stove in the kitchen to toast my mallow. And IT. Was. Perfect. It’s now become a nightly routine. All you need is a fork to roast the marshmallows gently over that smokin’ blue flame. Once golden and sizzling grab your graham crackers topped with chocolate and squish that s’more into a melty, delicious summer treat. And the best part is you don’t have to wash your hair six times to get the campfire smell out!

Roasted Marshmallow sweetlemonmade.com

As my love (read: addiction) for s’mores continued to blossom I needed to find a way to share it with the masses (aka my family). I needed a way to get a lot of bang for my s’mores buck if you know what I mean. And I remembered having an out-of-this-world s’more pizza in NYC. If I could have flown one in that night, I would have. I think Google is working on an algorithm for telepathic pizza delivery, but apparently there are still a few kinks to work out. So I was forced to go old-school and search “s’mores pizza recipe” on the interwebs. After skimming options, I stumbled upon this great recipe with a homemade graham cracker crust and gooey mallow middle. Insert heart eye emoji. If you’re looking to feed a crowd a campfire classic or just want a flame-less alternative to feed your summer s’mores addiction look no further! This pizza is great hot and gooey, but is also tasty at room temperature. And if you eat it the morning after, go ahead and call it a “breakfast pizza.” That’s a thing, right? It is in my house.

smores ingredients sweetlemonmade.com

S'mores Pizza
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 cups Graham cracker crumbs (about 12)
  2. 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  3. 1/4 cup butter, melted
  4. 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  5. 1 egg
  6. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  7. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
For the topping
  1. 7 oz. jar Marshmallow cream
  2. 8 Hershey's bar
  3. 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  4. 3-4 Graham crackers
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. For the crust, crush up graham crackers by hand using a ziploc gallon bag and a rolling pin or with a food processor. Melt butter and mix with sugar.
  3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
  4. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients--flour, salt, and baking soda then combine and mix with the butter and sugar. Mixture will be slightly crumbly.
  5. Press the mixture evenly into a greased 12 inch pizza pan.
  6. Break up 6 Hershey's bars and spread even on top of graham cracker crust.
  7. Scoop out marshmallow cream and dollop on top of chocolate using 2 spoons, then gently spread making sure not to get too close to the edge. Otherwise it will melt over the sides when baking.
  8. Bake for 18 minutes.
  9. While the crust is baking, break up 2 remaining chocolate bars into small pieces, 2 graham crackers into small pieces, and crush remaining 1-2 graham crackers into crumbs.
  10. After 18 minutes remove from oven and turn on the broiler.
  11. Top pizza with mini marshmallows, chocolate, graham cracker pieces and crumbs.
  12. Place back into oven and broil for about 1 minute to toast.
  13. Cut and serve.
Sweet Lemon Made https://sweetlemonmade.com/

Celebrate

Girls’ Night Oscar Party

Posted on February 25, 2016
Party Oscars sweetlemonmade.com

Oscar party ballots and beverages sweetlemonmade.com

“And the Oscar goes to…”

It’s almost here. The biggest night in Hollywood. The red carpet is rolling out this Sunday for the 88th annual Academy Awards. Whether you’re in it for the cinematic appeal or just want to know “who wore it best”, the 2016 Oscars promise to leave no one unfulfilled.  I haven’t actually seen any of the nominated films for “Best Picture”, I never do, but that doesn’t stop me from getting together with my sisters to watch Hollywood’s favorite night of glitz and glam. We bring a table full of treats, make our predictions and settle in for a girls night full of Diet Coke and fun.

Turn your Oscar’s party up a notch this year with this rich, buttery caramel corn, some snazzy bottles of diet coke, and an Oscar’s ballot to make all your predictions. And if you really want to get wild, try a new hot, red lipstick to jazz up your hoodie and yoga pants. No ball gown required for this viewing party.

Quick and Easy Ooey Gooey Caramel Corn
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Ingredients
  1. 2 bags microwave popcorn (I prefer 94% fat free...just to make myself feel a little better.)
  2. 1/2 cup of butter
  3. 1 cup brown sugar
  4. 1/2 cup Karo syrup
  5. 1/4 tsp baking soda
Instructions
  1. Pop microwave popcorn according to package directions.
  2. Place cooked popcorn in large mixing bowl and shake gently so all the kernels fall to the bottom.
  3. Gently scoop popcorn into another large mixing bowl, leaving any unpopped pieces behind.
  4. Next, mix butter, brown sugar, and Karo syrup in saucepan.
  5. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda.
  6. Pour over popcorn and stir well.
Sweet Lemon Made https://sweetlemonmade.com/

Fashion

A little red lip goes a long way…

Posted on February 23, 2016
Plate with Lipstick sweetlemonmade.com

I don’t know about you, but sometimes these constant freezing temps leave me longing for 90 degrees and my favorite strappy sandals. What I do know is a little red lip goes a long way. Heat up those long winter days with some color and sass. Whether you’re going for bold or just a subtle hint, here are a few of my current faves.

NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in “Stella”
classic lipstick with a velvet texture and saturated color

I bought this lipstick for the color (bright) and the price (cheap, $4) and haven’t been disappointed yet. It wears well and definitely gives my lips that perfect pop of pink. I loved it so much I went back to Target and bought the same NYX lipstick in “Perfect Red” and a fun orange-pink called “Strawberry Daiquiri.”

MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in “Hopelessly Devoted”
the sheen of a gloss with the precision of a pencil

I got talked into this little gem at the MAC store in Vegas (you can get talked into anything in Vegas, right?) and I’ve fallen in love. It’s my go-to, feel-good, look-hot, swipe-right, kiss-me color. It’s always, always in my purse. It’s become the never-leave-home-without-it kind of necessity. Who cares that it costs $20. #worthit

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in “Cruella”
the application of a lipstick combined with the convenience of a pencil in a jumbo crayon design filled with rich pigments and leaving a velvety matte finish

It was a bit of a chase to track down this deep, striking red. I first saw it worn by a random waitress and before I could finish my meal I had to ask her what lipstick she was wearing. She told me it was actually a NARS lip pencil and that the color was “Velvet”. Obviously I was at the NARS counter in less than 24 hours asking for their signature lip pencil in “Velvet”. The NARS lady stared at me blankly and with a confused tone informed me that they were ALL called “velvet”…velvet matte lip pencils. I gave her an equally confused look, and 18 shades later I walked out with NARS velvet matte lip pencil in “Cruella” and have never been happier.

It’s a matte pencil, but I like to use it as an all over color. I fill in my entire lip with the pencil and then put a little “Baby Lips” or “Neutrogena Natural Lip Balm” on top. That’s the key…on top of the lip pencil, never underneath. Trust me.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in “Pink Mint”
delivers high-shine and a hint-of-tint

This is the “t-shirt and jeans” of my lip repertoire. It’s a perfect casual gloss that leaves you with a hint of color and minty-fresh breath. You can dress it up or dress it down, but either way your lips will shine. #brightlikeadiamond

Rug with Lipstick sweetlemonmade.com