Friday, November 30, 2012



I am baking ahead this year and freezing the baked goods.  I have found that gives them a more moist taste, and doing it all ahead gives me a calmer spirit.

Now, why the can of Carnation Evaporated Milk?  I like the size of it(5 fl oz size).  After I used the evaporated milk, I took off the label.  I baked "Erna's Apple Pie Muffin" recipe in them.  Oh dear, this is such an amazingly good apple recipe!  Ask my husband, he will agree.  You can find it here...
... www.food.com/ - 57629




When you spray the inside of the can, add batter, and bake, the loaf is easily removed.  After the loaf is removed, I wash the inside of the can and put the loaf back in.


 
 I put the cupcake paper on top of the can, and I added a thick red rubber band around it to hold it.  I found these gingerbread muffin papers from last Christmas, and I think they look cute on the can tops.  I made a tag, with gingerbread stickers from Michaels.
 
 

I also had these snowman muffin papers from last Christmas, and put them on another can. 
Who would have thought that an empty can of milk, apple bread, and a muffin paper could look so cute?


 
 
Snowman tag from Michael's Store too.
 

 
 
I purchased some coffee bags from Michaels, for 35 cents each.  I cut out pictures from an old Christmas magazine, a Christmas sticker, and added a clear bag of mini apple muffins.
I punched a hole in the top and tied with a bow.
Another fun way to give baked goods as a gift.
 
 
 
 
 A few months ago, I found this pack of 24, oven safe, paper bakeware, mini free standing baking pans, at T.J. Maxx store.  Their website is ... welcomehomebrands.com
 
I baked the tiny loaves of apple bread in them. They looked so good sitting on the Christmas plate.  I never baked such small loaves before.  I baked them for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
 




 
 
I put the loaf in a clear cellophane bag(which I found in the cake section of the A.C. Moore store).
I decorated it simply with a ribbon, some faux greens and berries.
I liked this tiny gift and will have fun giving them away in a few weeks.
 

 
 
Since I doubled the recipe, I used some of it to bake some small bundt cakes.  I set them on my dollar store plates, added some powdered sugar and a tiny faux poinsettia.
 
I will wrap the baked goods carefully and put them in my freezer until Christmas.
 
Just thought I would share these few simple ideas with you today.
 
 

7 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I bought some of those tiny little loaf pans too just because I thought they were so cute. Not sure how long to bake in them but guessing about the same as for a cupcake. Your packaging is so pretty!

Happy@Home said...

Judy,
I must say your simple, yet thoughtful and beautiful ideas never cease to amaze me.
As often as I am tossing cans into the recycling bin I can honestly say it has never crossed my mind to save them and turn them into such a lovely gift. I have many cupcake papers, so now I will be saving some cans to try this. The recipe sounds scrumptious.
Thanks for sharing.

lindsey said...

Brilliant Judy. These are such lovely gifts to give away and I know the recipients will be delighted. You are truly talented! Here in the UK we really don't have a good selection of paper goods and those we do have are expensive. So brown paper bags and little loaf cases would be a real treat if I could find them...maybe on line, I will take a look :)

Theresa said...

Thank you for sharing the gift ideas, this will help many of us as we prepare for the wonderful season of the year. Please continue to share your gift projects, love getting new ideas to try at Christmas time. I enjoy reading your post each week.

Stacey said...

I always love your gift giving ideas. Now, are you freezing those baked items until you deliver them?

Judy said...

Like Lindsey said...'brilliant'! Such beautifully packaged gifts of love will be much appreciated. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.

Just a little something from Judy said...

Stacey, no I will freeze the items wrapped tightly in ziplock bags, and then place them back in the packaging before giving.

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