Need a gift idea?

I recently attended my cousin's finance's bridal shower. I really had NO clue what to get her because as wonderful as she is I had only met her once! So I looked over her registry and came up with a very creative, thoughtful, practical gift all on my own!

It did take a little extra time, but I think her reaction to it was completely worth it! She loved it and I was already asked for more "jars of awesomeness". I only wished they lived closer so I could easily get them to her!

Some of these I will give the links for and others I will post the recipes if you wish, but you will get the idea and there will be TONS of recipes found online!

Her gift included:
-2 qt batter bowl w/ cover with pb chocolate popcorn
-measuring cups and spoons
-cooking utensils
-potholders/mitts in her kitchen theme
-8x8 pyrex baking dish w/lid
-measuring shot glass(tbsp and tsp)
-bamboo towels(and I LOVED these and wanted to keep them!)
-Homemade Granola
-Homemade vanilla
-Cappuchino Waffle Mix
-Bean and Pasta Soup Mix
-Oatmeal Choc. Chip cookie mix
-Cranberry Almond Muffin Mix
-Popcorn
-Dog Biscuit Mix 
-Pizza Dough Mix
-Rocky Road Brownie Mix

Each mix was in a mason jar or a recycled jar...it is not always easy to find a mason/canning jar. I found I started buying pasta sauce just for the jars! I then covered them in tissue paper and pretty ribbon. You can also use fabric, but the paper worked very well!  Some of the jars I used were not a wide mouth so I fashioned a piece of paper into a funnel. I then attached a recipe card onto the jar so all they have to do is dump the contents into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.

and it all conveniently fit into a wonderful basket! It was quite heavy so it had to be carried from the bottom!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

I decided I needed one more "treat" for a bridal shower gift(more coming on that soon). I remember seeing this recipe a while ago and wanted to make it, just hadn't had time or the opportunity to yet. I knew this would be the perfect time! This would make a great gift for Christmas or teacher's gifts as well! Afterall who doesn't love some gourmet popcorn?


Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn-shared from Annie's Eats
1/2 cup popcorn
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp butter
2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 cup(or more chocolate chips)

Place oil in pan and pop corn. I use a whirlypop, but you can also use an air popper or a regular pan and just shake it until the kernels are all popped. Spread popcorn out onto cookie sheets lined with waxed/parchment paper. In the mean time, place pb, sugar, and butter into microwave safe bowl and heat until melty so you are able to drizzle it. BECAREFUL THE BOWL IS HOT! (and ultimately the peanut butter is too!) Drizzle over popcorn and turn to coat, this works best with your hands. Spread to cool. (For me, I had enough pb mix to make another batch so I did, I also didn't measure out the pb so that could have been why).

Next melt, chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl until it is able to drizzle. Drizzle over popcorn and let set and cool.

I packaged mine into a big batter bowl with a lid for the shower gift, after all I thought she might like to share with her husband to be. But you can also use mason jars or pretty cellophane bags tied with a ribbon.

**This was tasty and it made A LOT of popcorn. This was a good thing since the boys were oogling over it while I was making it. I forgot to mention that next time I think I will add a touch of salt perhaps once I get the popcorn on it. It didn't give me a sweet/salty taste much(it could be the pb i used). And yes my kitchen was covered in chocolate...along with myself!

This recipe has been linked to Finding Joy in my Kitchen
Popcorn