My Party File - blog

Here’s a “grape’ idea for a refreshing party treat on a hot day, or even a fun treat at a sleepover.  Frozen grapes are crunchy, sweet and somewhat addictive!  They do thaw quickly, but they’ll still be good.  To make frozen grape pops, you will need:

• Skewers
• Approximately 7 grapes per skewer (you may need more or less depending on the size of the grapes)
• Freezer safe bag

Wash and dry the grapes, then thread the ‘hole’ end of each grape onto a skewer.  Place the skewered grapes into the freezer safe  bag, then pop into the freezer for a couple of hours.  Frozen grapes will last between 2-4 weeks in the freezer - it depends on how fresh they are when you buy them.

To serve, place on a platter, or push the skewers into an upturned basket, a piece of foam, or into a container filled with decorator’s stone (or rice or sugar).

TIP:  You can remove the sharp point from skewers with a pair of toenail clippers.

NOTE:  Frozen grapes could be a choking hazard for younger kids.  You can let the grapes soften a little before eating.

I found these fudge pops when I was wandering around my local shopping centre - and naturally thought, what great party food or favours!  This delicious fudge was made by Fudge It.  You can order the fudge online and they are happy to make the fudge in flavours and colours of your choice, so that it can tie in with your party theme.  If you want to have a go at making fudge pops yourself, you can make your favourite fudge recipe and pour it into ice block moulds or small plastic cups.  Cover each mould or cup with heavy-duty foil, then insert a pop-stick through the foil (foil will hold sticks upright). Refrigerate until firm. Take off the foil and remove the fudge from the mould or cups.  You can dip the fudge in melted chocolate, then drizzle it with a different chocolate or roll it in sprinkles.  Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.

These chocolate moustaches are a lot of fun for a pirate party, secret agent party or “My Little Man” party - and are even a good giggle at a sleepover.  It is possible to purchase a chocolate moustache mould in some countries, but if you are like me and can’t get hold of one, don’t despair - they are easy to make without the mould.

How to make chocolate moustaches on sticks

You will need:

• chocolate buds or pieces
• zip-lock bag
• baking paper
• skewers (cut in half) or lollipop sticks

Print out the chocolate moustache template and place a sheet of baking paper over it (or laminate it so you can re-use it).

Put the chocolate in a zip lock bag and melt it in the microwave in 30 second intervals.  Cut a small corner off the bag and pipe over the moustache outline with the chocolate, then fill it in with more chocolate.   Place the skewer or lollipop stick in the middle of the moustache and pipe a little more chocolate over the stick.   To make the appearance of whiskers, use a fork to “brush” the chocolate.  Store them in an airtight container.

They also make great party favours - simply place in a cellophane bag and tie with a nice ribbon.

This adorable ladybug cake was made by my talented relative, Gill.  I love the “bling” of the antennae and the large googlie eyes!  To make a 3D ladybug cake, bake two cake mixes in one large and one medium sized Pyrex bowl. After the cakes cool, trim the bottoms so that they lay flat. Cut the smaller cake to fit flush against the body of the ladybug.  Buy some fondant (I recommend buying it pre-coloured from a cake decorating supply store - it can be hard to make red and black vibrant) and roll it out following the packet directions.  Use a biscuit cutter to make the spots, and attach them by slightly dampening the backs. “Indent” the spine with the back of a knife, place the googlie eyes on (or make some out of fondant), and used pipe cleaners for the antennae.

Play this game as you would Pin the Tail on the Donkey.  Construct a ladybird from red and black card, and black pipe cleaners for legs and antennae.  Add several black spots, but only draw the outline for one of them - this will be the spot that the kids need to aim for.  Grab a roll of black dot stickers (most newsagencies have them) and write the guest’s names or intials on each one.  Blindfold the guests one at a time and have them try and stick the spot as close to the missing one as they can.  Closest spot wins a prize.

For a more suitable activity for younger kids, explain that the ladybird has lost her spots, and ask them to find them in the garden, and then stick them back onto her.  Let each child find 3-5 spots each.  You can award a small prize to each child when they have competed the task.

These are simple and delicious treats to make for your Teddy Bears’ Picnic party. Purchase some milk chocolate marshmallow biscuits  (I used Arnott’s Milk Choc Royals) and some milk chocolate buttons (I used Cadbury’s Chocolate Buttons).   Boil your kettle to make the sides of it warm and simply rub your milk button on the side to slightly melt the ears before sticking on the biscuits. Use a white fudge icing pen to draw the whites of the eyes, then use a chocolate fudge writing pen to add dots to the eyes and the inner ears, then draw the nose and mouth.  Bearry yummy!

Don’t you love no bake party food - especially when it is this cute (or should that be creepy)??  My sister-in-law made these for Skye’s Spooky party.  To make them you will need:

• Black licorice, cut into 10cm narrow strips -  (apparently Pull-n-Peel Twizzlers work well)
• Oreos or other cream-filled biscuits
• White Icing Tube
• Black Icing Tube

Put the Oreo in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, then take the top off of the biscuit.  Place 4 of the licorice strips across the cream of the biscuit, pushing them in slightly before replacing the top biscuit.  Use the Icing tubes to add the eyes.

Tip:  If you are having trouble getting the licorice to stick to the Oreo, put the Oreo back into the microwave for a few seconds to let the cream in the centre melt a little more (or use a dab of icing or melted chocolate).

This icecream is guaranteed not to melt, and the kids will find surprises hidden in the cone.    To make them, simply fill a cone with small lollies, trinkets and/or a message, place a little melted chocolate around the rim of the cone, then press a meringue (or large marshmallow) on top.  To make a double scoop, put one meringue upside down into the cone, spread a little melted chocolate onto the base of another meringue, then place that meringue on top.   Serve them up at your party, or send them home in a cellophane bag as a party favour.

This popular Australian cake is usually made in small squares, but this heart shaped lamington is perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration.

You will need:

• sponge or butter cake mix
• 85g packet raspberry jelly crystals
• 1 cup boiling water
• 200ml cold water
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1 cup cream, lightly whipped
• ¹/2 cup raspberry jam

Bake the cake mix in a heart shaped cake tin.  Let cool.

In a bowl, combine jelly crystals with boiling water and stir until crystals dissolve. Stir in the cold water, pour mixture into a shallow dish and chill for 1 hour until jelly starts to set slightly.

Spread coconut on a tray. Dip the sides of the cake in the cold jelly mixture, then roll in coconut.  Spoon the remaining jelly onto the top of the cake and gently sprinkle some coconut on top. Cut horizontally through the cake with a sharp serrated knife.  Spread the raspberry jam on the the bottom layer, then spread a layer of whipped cream.  Then replace the top layer of cake.

This cake will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Alternative:  Add some sliced strawberries in the middle of the cake.

I made these picnic baskets as goodie bags for Charlize’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic.  I loved how they turned out, but making them sure isn’t for the faint hearted!  My intention was to buy some small baskets and to top them with a piece of checked fabric - but I could not find small, reasonably priced baskets anywhere!  Once I had the idea in my head, I couldn’t give it up, so I stubbornly decided to make the baskets.  They were time consuming to make, but they were cheap!!!  I made them from weaving together “reeds” I had made from brown packing paper.  To make a “reed” I cut a piece of brown paper, then starting with a long edge, tightly rolled the sheet into a tube. I flattened the tube and used a glue stick to secure the open edge.  If weaving these together sounds a bit daunting, you could always make baskets from small boxes or cartons - or even plastic containers.  Or maybe you’ll have better luck than me at locating some real baskets (you might have luck around Easter time!).