Almond Joy's Got Nuts...

Crissy and I have been discussing a dessert table since about the time we got engaged.  I like variety...and really, I typically prefer about 2 bites of 3-4 different things.  Who on earth wants to commit to a full dessert, anyway?  So, we've been discussing things like cupcakes (obviously), lemon tarts/bars/tasty-goodness, fruit snacks, mini-pies, gluten free yummy-ness, and well, whatever struck our fancy.  As great as all of that is, Crissy doesn't LOVE any of it.  She'll eat some of those things....but she just doesn't love them.  What she does love is/are almond joys.  You know, those tasty little chocolate covered coconutty bites that come wrapped like this:

Wrapped candy just doesn't strike my fancy, you know?  So, I decided I'd experiment with a few recipes to see what was feasible for me to make for the wedding and not take up too much time.  I first tried an almond joy cookie recipe.  And, they turned out okay.  But, really - just okay.  Nothing spectacular, in my opinion - though, Crissy did like them more than I did.  So, this weekend I decided to try a recipe for "almond joy balls."  It's really a recipe for the actual candy.  They taste pretty darn close to the real thing.  Here is the recipe I used as my basis (from here):

Almond Joy Balls

Ingredients

• 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 (14-ounce) package shredded coconut
• 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
• 1 (12-ounce) package chocolate chips

Directions

Cream together sugar and butter in a bowl; add milk. Stir in almond extract, coconut, and nuts; mix well. Form candy into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler, stirring well. Remove from heat but allow chocolate to remain over hot water. (If chocolate becomes too thick, return to heat for a minute or so to thin). With a toothpick, dip each ball in chocolate and place on waxed paper until set.

Now, mind you - I don't typically truly follow directions or measure.  The only thing I did NOT measure this time was the almond extract.  Though, I should first note what I did differently than the recipe.  I did NOT use the chopped nuts - I used whole natural almonds (no salt or anything) and placed on top of the coconut ball portion before refrigerating.  I accidentally melted my butter rather than it just being softened.  Oops.  And, in addition to not measuring the almond extract, I used a little vanilla extract, as well.  I like almond - but it can be a really overwhelming flavor, in my opinion.  So, I used a little of each and I think it was a nice balance.  Oh, and I didn't dip into the chocolate....I spooned the chocolate on top.  I like it better.

BUT...here's what I would do differently next time:  I would use slightly less powdered sugar.  The full 32oz is really too much - and these are pretty rich and sweet.  I would use a smidge more coconut.  And, most importantly....I would make them into MUCH smaller balls than I did. Seriously, the way I made mine made somewhere around 40.  I think I should make them in such a small size that it makes at least 60, if not more.  They're so rich they really deserve to be 2-bite-size.  Tops.

Here they are in their delicious goodness:

Wondering if these will make an appearance at the wedding on the dessert table?  You bet your booty they will!  Crissy loved them (they really are pretty tasty) - and they're pretty easy.  Plus, it turns out....I think only one batch is needed.  Even better. 

Update

Okay, so we've been a little MIA lately.  Which seems to be the trend since I changed jobs....which is somewhat ironic since I'm actually done at work earlier than I typically used to be.  Oh well.....no one sent any search parties, so I guess you all weren't too worried.

Here are some updates:

• We bought my necklaces for the wedding last weekend.  I'm SOOO excited to get to wear them - and to see them with my dress when it finally gets in.  I'm going for the whole layered necklace look....and it's absolutely not traditional for a wedding.  But, I LOVE it!  I had found a necklace on Etsy that I loved and it served as the inspiration...
• We are slowly acquiring more mason jars.  Seriously, I should have taken a picture of all of them sitting out in Crissy's office at home.  We still need a ton more - but there's a decent amount of floor space that has been taken over by mason jars.  :)
• We've been on the hunt for affordable drink dispensers for a while now.  Originally, we were going to continue to use wine bottles for water, as well as the cranberry and vodka...until we realized how many MORE wine bottles that would require us to prepare.  So, drink dispensers it is.  We found a couple at Gordman's and with my handy dandy coupons, they were each only about $16 AND 3 gallon size AND glass not plastic.  Seriously, for drink dispensers....that's exciting!  So, with them being glass, they're a bit more consistent with the whole feel of the wedding (you know, the mason jars, wine bottles, etc...)
• A date was finally picked for the bridal shower and bachelorette party - August 6.  You know you want to come party with us.
• And, to appease the people who have asked if we're registering - and for those people in our families who we know will want a registry - we registered last weekend.  It took Crissy some warming up to the idea....I'm not sure she saw the "fun" in it until we were actually doing it.  But, it was a lot of fun to walk around and pick out things we either need, want, or need to replace.  
• Ribbon wands are "almost" all made.  I think we have about 55-60 made currently - which means only another 20 or so to make.  Hooray!!!  I love finishing projects!
• We received all of the stuff we need to make the invitations (except some pretty scalloped/bracket shaped labels that I'm still on the hunt for.  Ariel found me some lovely ones, but they're a smidge more than we want to spend....so, I'm still searching!)
• Clare started to handwrite the invitation so we can figure out exactly how it will be worded, angled and written.  She's awesome.  Seriously....just wait until you see her fancy writing on the invitation you receive.  You'll be jealous your handwriting doesn't look like that.  Well, unless it does....and then kudos to you too!  :)
• A few new tabs will be added to the top of the blog soon....so you should check them out if you want answers to FAQs (aka things you just might want to know) or if you have a burning desire to buy us a present.  Which, by the way, is not required, mandated, necessary, or otherwise an expectation.  We just want to have fun on our wedding day.  
• There are probably 8 million other updates, but I'm blanking on them right now.  So, instead I'll leave you with this adorable burlap bunting that really may have adorn our sweets table....but perhaps with the phrase "Love Is Sweet" instead.  It would be super easy to make.  :)

Oh, and ps - the wedding is 71 days from today.  That's INSANE!!!  There's still kind of a lot to do.  Good thing Crissy and I don't have major plans for the weekend....maybe we can get some stuff done!  Can't wait for you all to help us celebrate!!!

Cupcakes, Candy and Cookies - Oh My!!

No worries - I'm not devouring things like this as I write this.  Instead, I've been checking out ideas for our dessert table for the wedding.  I'm off work this week and while being lazy this morning, decided to peruse some ideas online.  Typically my not working leads to me spending money (I mean, who wouldn't want to shop when they don't have to work?) - however, I think this morning is resulting in me saving us some money for the wedding.  Crissy and I have planned all along to have various "mini" desserts at the wedding.  Let's face it - I'm indecisive and would prefer to have 2 bites of 3 different things than have one big piece of just one thing.  So, lots of options there will be!

We've talked about cupcakes - which I've decided today that I may just make myself.  One flavor will be carrot with cream cheese frosting.  Crissy and I have talked about little ways we can honor my mom and one of those ways will be carrot cupcakes.  I remember carrot cake and my request for birthday treats were often carrot cookies.  I might also have to enlist the help of my friend, Audrey, to make some fancy icing swirly things like this:

Audrey makes her own cupcakes - and they're pretty wonderful, with a variety of unique flavors to choose from.  We're looking to save money, so Crissy and I probably aren't likely to pay for someone else to make cupcakes when I could do it myself....but if you want to check out Audrey's cupcakes, you can order through Etsy (and she'll ship!).

I've also shared with Crissy that I think small tarts would be ideal, too - to add something "non-cake" to the assortment.  I, personally, LOVE lemon - so it seems only natural that we would offer a lemon tart with berries on top like this one:

I'm sure we'll also do things like gluten-free brownies for all of our celiac friends.  And, I perused the Jelly Belly website this morning to check out their flavors in greens, browns and a peacock color.  I'm pretty sure we're going to have to have some margarita, mojito and Dr. Pepper flavored jelly beans, too.  Plus, they just make tables look so pretty when they're in glass jars of various heights like this table:

Check out these other ideas I've found today, too:

Marshmallows dipped in chocolate and sprinkles

Oreos dipped in chocolate

Rock candy - that's just fun and kind of glittery :)

There's a good chance that we won't incorporate all of this....or if we do, all of these things will just be in small quantities.  But, oh the possibilities!!!