"Popping" Popcorn Christmas Ornament

How did the popcorn get in the glass ornament???

 

It's fun and easy!  

Do this as an activity with children 

or package it up and give it as a gift.

Supplies:

Clear glass Christmas ornaments

Popcorn

Ribbon (optional)

Remove the shiny top from the glass ornament.

Add popcorn kernels to the glass bulb.  I placed about 40 kernels in the large glass bulb and 20 in the smaller bulbs.  Not all the kernels will pop, so don't be afraid to add a few extra.

Place glass bulb with the opening up in a microwave safe bowl.  Use a bowl that will hold the bulb so the opening stays pretty much upright.

Microwave bulb with popcorn kernels on high  for 1 minute and 10 seconds

 Careful - glass will be hot.  Shake out any un-popped kernels

Put top back on the glass ornament and tie with a ribbon.  Hang on Christmas tree.

This also makes a fun gift packaged with instructions.

Popcorn Ornament

Remove the shiny top

Place me in the microwave

Until you hear me pop!

Instruction:

Remove the shiny top.

Secure glass bulb upright in a small microwavable bowl.

Heat on high in the microwave for 1 minute and 10 seconds.

Glass will be hot - carefully shake out un-popped kernels.

Put top back on glass bulb and tie with a ribbon.

Hang on tree.

Yummy Pumpkin Roll

Have you ever had an Amish made pumpkin roll?  If you have, I am sure you will admit, they are amazing! Well the recipe I am about to share comes pretty darn close.  And it is not too difficult to make.  Rolling it up may be a little intimidating to some, but a little plastic wrap and the freezer takes care of all those imperfections - trust me!

Pumpkin Roll 

3/4 cup flour

2/3 cup pumpkin

3 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup sugar

Mix well.  Line jelly roll pan with greased wax paper. 

Pour batter in prepared pan.  Bake 375 for 10 minutes

Filling

1 cup powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese (room temperature) 

2 TBSP butter or margarine (melted)

1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream together

 Line jelly roll pan with greased wax paper

  Pour batter in prepared jelly roll pan

 Spread a towel out on your counter.  

Use a tightly woven cotton towel, not terrycloth. 

Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar on the towel.

 Bake on 375 for 10-12 minutes or until done.

After you remove the cake from the oven, 

flip it upside down on the sugared towel.

  Gently remove the wax paper

While the cake is still kinda warm, 

spread the cream filling over the entire surface.

 Now the tricky part - don't be afraid.....using the palm of both hands gently roll the cake up.  (I could only demonstrate with one hand since I needed the other to take the picture. This will get a little messy and the cake will crack. )

 See the cracks?  They won't be noticeable when you serve it, trust me. 

On the counter immediately next to your towel, spread a large piece of plastic wrap.  Now gently pick up the entire roll, be sure to have a good hold on both ends, extending your fingers across as much of the surface of the roll as possible, and place the roll on the plastic wrap.

Sometimes I cut the roll in half (as shown below), and freeze it as 2 smaller rolls, depending on what I have planned for it. When you wrap the plastic around your pumpkin roll, pull it tight.  This will help pull those cracks together. Then wrap the pumpkin roll again on aluminum foil. Place in freezer until ready to serve.

 Cut and serve while it is still cold.

 Yummy!