ADORABLE FALL SWEET TREATS & table decor!

For those of you in CT, you may have caught the segment on Channel 8 for "Connecticut Style" in which I showed how to make these (and more) very simple sweet treats for your fall buffet table. If not, here's your own private "show and tell".

Rosanna Small 9-Inch Pedestal, White

They are so easy, it's not even funny. All pre-made ingredients for those of you who are in a pinch for time or perhaps "creatively challenged". First let's look at the simple table decor...Up front, a teeny little pumpkin, carve out the center with a small sharp knife, scoop out seeds and guts (hee hee) with a melon baller. Every self-respecting cook has one. (what? you don't know what that is? I'm gonna make you look it up. :)

Chef Harvey Garnishing for the Beginner, Book and Five Tools

Then place a battery operated votive candle inside. So pretty and much safer than flames. Especially if you have little ones around who like to touch things. And why wouldn't they? 

This is also very cute with other kinds of produce..which I'll share in future posts. It's just not a tablescape or buffet without candles! Why not think outside the box? Or candle holder.

Unscented Drip 4x5 Battery Operated Candle with Timer

Note the small pillar candle (bigger than a taper, smaller than typical pillar) inside a glass vase. Stabilize with unpopped popcorn. How cute is that? You may use other dry ingredients for filler, such as dried split peas, dried beans of various colors, etc. Just be sure they are not highly flameable items and you leave sufficient space between the flame and the filler. Although popcorn heating up near the flames...hmm. could be a nice touch to have exploding popcorn as a finale at the end of your Thanksgiving or fall holiday dinner. Memorable, I'm sure. (I'm JUST kidding, this idea hasn't been safety tested)

Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cooking Made Light

Now to the sweet treats; first up, the donut- hole acorns. 

ohmygosh, aren't these adorable? c'mon. seriously. they're really cute! These are not my original idea...I found the idea on Pinterest. HAD to make them. These here, are mine of course. Here's what you need:

plain donut holes
Nutella spread (or chocolate frosting)
chocolate sprinkles
small pretzel sticks

Spread Nutella or frosting onto about 1/3 of the donut hole like a little hat. Roll this area in the chocolate sprinkles. Break off (or bite off..oh, wait, this is for company!) about 1/3 of the pretzel stick and poke the rest into the sprinkle covered portion as a stem. Tah Dah! Done!! I recommend popping these in the refridgerator just for a little while to set the spread.

Next up, teeny little acorns (almost life size) made from pre-made items. We're going with easy peasy, not complicated, for this post.

You will need:

1 package plain Hershey's kisses 
1 package Nabisco Nutter Butter bite size cookies.(red bag)
mini chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup?)

Carefully twist the cookie so one side pops off and leaves all or most of the creme filling on one side. Gently press an unwrapped Hershey's kiss onto the creme. (what you do with  all the cookie halves with no creme is up to you. I'm not watching and I won't judge. :)

Melt about 2 Tbsp of mini chocolate chips in a micro safe small bowl . Dab a TINY bit onto the center of the "top" of the acorn and press a mini chocolate chip onto it. A toothpick or tip of a sharp knife works well. Tah dah! you're done!

Harvest Leaf Jacquard Dining Tablecloth By Collections Etc

Now your guests or family will be all impressed with how creative you are! You can take all the credit. Well, send them to my blog or facebook page (see link below) and I'll love you forever. You're welcome.

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
the Party Hostess Diva

www.diyweddingcakeunder50.com

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