Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Miss You Mug

First things first: I found this idea on Pinterest. Also, the idea on pinterest was to have TWO mugs. One with your state (which you send to your friend) and one on your friend's state, which you keep. With dotted lines that look like they are connecting the cups/states. I liked that idea, but it doesn't really make sense unless you have them sitting next to each other. I loved the idea of having each mug have both states. However: the bloggers I found with this idea linked too all said to do it with Sharpie markers and bake at 350*. Also, almost all the comments below said that that does not actually work, yet the bloggers refused to change their blogs!I tried it, and sure enough...washed right off. Easily. Grrrr. Soooo... I found a way to make it work. So far, with hand washing, it seems to be holding up. I promise to update if this proves false. So here's what I did: First I printed out the states I wanted (I used Microsoft Word and added one of the photos of states they had in their program. It was much easier than trying to find one on internet that i could print..however, that's doable too.) A few of the blogs I read said to use eyeliner to draw the states on, then trace that with the sharpie, let dry, and wash the other off. I found that no matter what, that smeared the sharpie. So, instead i practiced with eyeliner... (only because i had bought it anyway) and washed it off then free handed with sharpie. I used OIL BASED SHARPIE PAINT MARKERS. like these:
You can buy them at most office stores (Staples, Office Depot) and Walmart online. I ordered from Amazon because I had the 2 day shipping and was in a hurry. After drawing on the mug (careful, you can't really re-do it...) I put them in a cold oven, just on the rack, turned the heat on to 350 and baked them for 30 minutes. Make sure you get mugs that can withstand being baked! After they had baked I turned the heat off and left them in the oven overnight to cool. Voila. Easy. Fast. Cute. Sentimental.
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Marshmallow Fondant

I got this recipe off allrecipes.com (just search marshmallow fondant).. but I changed it a little. 1 bag mini marshmallows 1/4 c water 1 t vanilla 2lbs powdered sugar I also don't follow the directions they have very well..so here's what I do! Before mixing fondant prepare a rolling pin and pastry mat by smothering them in crisco (or butter if you want "healthier"..but at this point, i'm not sure "healthier matters!!!) Pour desired amount of marshmallows in big microwave safe bowl. (if you use 1/4 bag, then use 1/4 the recipe above, etc...) It is easiest to do smaller portions and color them as you melt the marshmallows. For a 9x13 cake you will need about half..maybe a little less. Ok, so microwave the marshmallows until fluffy and melty... about 20 seconds...maybe 30? Then add water (again, adjust recipe to how many marshmallows you chose to do) and vanilla and desired food coloring. Mix, and add some of the sugar. Add food coloring til desired color is reached (keeping in mind that it will fade some as you add more sugar.) Mix with hand mixer until it's too stiff, then dump onto a pastry mat and finish mixing by hand. I suggest smothering your hands in crisco as well. it just makes the fondant a little shinier, and keeps you from being a sticky mess. I just mix it til it is a fun play-doh consistancy... I never use an EXACT amount of sugar. And I always, always always buy extra sugar. Make sure to clean the pastry mat thoroughly between colors. Let the fondant set for at least 10 minutes before trying to roll out. The allrecipes one says overnight, in the fridge. I don't do that... but i'm not a professional, so i can do it the easy way! The easiest way i have found to transfer fondant rolled out large (like for a whole cake) is to use my pastry mat-which is silicone and very flexible) and get it on the cake before peeling my mat off. that's me tho..and like I said, I'm definitely not professional, and never plan to be.
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