Homemade For The Heart- Snowball and Tree Light Cookie Bars and Ornament

I always feel like I need to post a disclaimer to go along with my craft projects.  I am not Martha, but I do try to do my best.  My crafts will not win a ribbon, let alone an honorable mention, but long after they are shared they will bring smiles and laughs.  My best girlfriends and I still wet our pants during fits of laughter when we recall the year I thought up the "Snowmen Out Of Tongue Depressors" project.  What better gift is there than laughter?  And my trials and tribulations in crafting seem to stir up fits of laughter for years to come.

What is on todays agenda? The Cookie Bar Component of These Lovely little gift kits I have created.

Here are the cast of Characters for today's project:

The Super Girl Cape is not in the cast of characters, but it looked festive.
List of Things You Need:

• Two 1 gal. Ziplock Bags
• Mini Marshmallows
• Graham Crackers (and something to pound them into fine crumbs)
• Holiday M&Ms (Peanut are my favorite because they look like tree lights)
• Scissors
• Ribbon

You can layer the ingredients in a Jar, but the cost is high and since most surveyed throw canning jars away I think Plastic bags are a better option. 

1.  Prepare your "cone"- mark an arc as shown and cut below the line.  We do not want marker marks left when this step is done.

2.  Open up the Cone and place it in a large tumbler (I like the 16-20oz sizes).

3.  Place a package of Graham crackers in a baggie and pound them to crumbs.
4. Add 1/3 cup of crumbs to the waiting "cone"

5.  Measure 1/3 cup Brown Sugar (well packed).  Dump it into a cup to fluff before placing on top of the cracker crumbs in the "Cone".

6.  Add 1.5 cups of M&M Candies or Chocolate Chips to the "Cone"
7.  Twist and squeeze all of the air out of the cone.
8.  Tie the Cone off with festive ribbon.
9.  Prepare another Baggie and place it into the holding cup.
10.  Fill this cone with 1.5 cups of mini marshmallows.
11. Twist and tie off with festive ribbon.

I like to place the mixes in a small gift bag and affix baking instructions on the outside of the bag.

Here is What I use:

Snowball Christmas Light Cookie Bars


Dark Chocolate Peanut M&M Bars

• Combine ingredients of the bar mix bag with 1/2 cup of melted butter and 1 tsp. vanilla.

• Press mixture into 9-inch square baking pan.

• Place the marshmallows on top.

• Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

• Cool completely.

• Cut into bars and enjoy!
 
Check back tomorrow for a peek at my kits assembled. 
 
Tomorrow's Homemade form the Heart will feature a how-to make a snowman out of a light bulb tutorial.
 
Enjoy!