We’re loving this super cute gumball machine! What’s great about it is that it’s cheap to make, and you can get the kids involved in making it! Fill it up with Hershey’s Kisses, pink and red M&M’s, or Valentine’s Day conversation hearts! Head on over to your local dollar store for supplies and let’s get started!

Supplies:

– 4″ terracotta pot and 4″ terracotta saucer

– wooden doll head

– paint

– a small round bowl

– alphabet stickers

– ribbon

– glue

– candy

The first thing you need to do is paint the pot, saucer, and the doll head. Get as creative as you like! When the paint has dried, glue the doll head to the top of the saucer. Now take your pot and turn it upside down. Glue the bowl on top of the pot. When everything has dried completely, fill up your bowl with candy (we love Hershey’s Kisses and conversation hearts!) and place the saucer lid on top.

Don’t forget to get creative with your gumball machine! Switch up the pink and white paint for black and silver, baby blue, or red. Add glitter, rhinestones, or pearls. Anything goes! This makes a great craft to do with the kids because it’s super easy to make, and we bet the kids will want to make a ton of these!

Photos: Joy Unexpected, Moms by Heart.

Is there anyone that doesn’t like cotton candy? We didn’t think so! If you’re craving this sugary treat, you’d be surprised to know that you can make it at home! Although the homemade cotton candy won’t be as fluffy as the carnival kind, it’s still delicious! This gold cotton candy would be an awesome treat to serve at your New Year’s party this year!

Homemade Gold Cotton Candy Supplies:

1) A whisk that you snipped with wire cutters. This is sometimes called a ‘decapitated whisk’. Take a look at the image below to see what it looks like.

2) Parchment paper

3) Candy thermometer (a must!)

4) 4 cups sugar

5) 1 cup corn syrup

6) 1 cup water

7) 1/4 tsp salt

8) 1 tsp raspberry extract

9) 2 drops pink food coloring

11) 4 tsp creme de cassis (this will give the cotton candy a gold color)

‘Decapitated’ Whisk:

Step #1:

In a large saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has melted. Take a damp pastry brush and wipe down the sides of the saucepan to prevent crystals from forming.

Step #2:

Clip a candy thermometer to your saucepan and keep stirring. Heat to 320 F and pour the hot liquid into a shallow heatproof container. Add in extract and food coloring. Stir.

Step #3:

Line work area with parchment paper.

Step #4:

Dip whisk into sugar syrup and hold it over the pot to allow the sugar to drip back into the container. Hold the whisk 1 foot above the parchment paper and swing it back and forth to create thin strands of sugar on the paper. Repeat multiple times until you have a nest of spun sugar.

Step #5:

Immediately wrap the spun sugar around large lollipop sticks. You can eat this straight away or seal it in an air-tight container. Moisture will make the candy soggy.

Photos: Cooking Books.

We just love fudge, and what’s great about it is that it’s so easy to make! You only need a few ingredients, and it can keep for a while, up to three weeks! There are so many combinations of fudge, but we love the pink and white of this one. Make a few batches for your family, because we’re sure they’ll love it! This fudge also makes a great homemade gift.

A Very Sweet Christmas Peppermint Fudge

Photos and recipe: Shugary Sweets.

Craving something sweet? This cookies and cream Oreo bark could be what you’re looking for! It’s really easy to put together, requires no baking, and only needs two ingredients! This bark would be great to serve at a party, or to add a special surprise to your child’s lunch box. Take a look a the delicious recipe below!

Easy Cookies and Cream Oreo Bark

A tasty cookies and cream Oreo bark that’s really easy and quick to make.

Ingredients

• 10 oz. white chocolate chips
• 15 regular sized Oreos, plus 3 more for topping

Instructions

1. Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1″ overhang on each side.
2. Place the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat and stir continuously to prevent burning (you can also place the chocolate in the microwave). When the chocolate has melted, pour it into a bowl to cool for 5 minutes.
3. Add in chopped Oreos and stir until combined.
4. Pour mixture into pan and use a spatula to smooth the top.
5. Finely chop the remaining Oreos and sprinkle them over the top.
6. Chill bark in the fridge for 10 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.
7. Lift the bark out of the pan by using the parchment paper overhang. Transfer it to a cutting board and peel off the parchment paper. Cut into pieces using a knife.

 Photos: Bakers Royale.

White chocolate, chocolate cookies, and candy corn are in this cookie bark. Can it get any better? We think not! This recipe requires no baking, so making it is a snap! Keep reading for the delicious recipe!

Halloween Treats: Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Super easy cookie bark that’s the perfect treat for this Halloween season!

Ingredients

• Chocolate wafer cookies
• Candy Corn
• Orange candy melts
• White chocolate almond bark

Instructions

1. Arrange the crushed cookies and candy corn into a layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Heat the almond bark/candy melts in the microwave at 30 second intervals until melted. Pour on top of the cookie/candy mixture. Use a spoon to swirl and smooth out.
3. Place in the refrigerator until hardened. Remove and chop into pieces.

Photos and recipe: Sweet Bella Roos.