Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

Hot Fudge Sundae Bar: Five Delicious Flavors from One Easy Recipe!

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Recently I discovered a two-ingredient recipe for hot fudge sauce. Yup, a two ingredient recipe for hot fudge sauce. I decided to try a “make-your-own-hot-fudge-sundae” when my family came to visit, and the super easy two-ingredient recipe was a hit.

There was a considerable amount of the chocolate goodness left over in my fridge, so from time to time I would make a little sundae for myself. 🙂 One afternoon I decided–for a change of pace–to add raspberry jam to the chocolate. Ah, yes!  That was such a success that I started experimenting by adding different flavors with items I had in my cupboards. Yummy. Yummy.

Then last week I was asked to provide dessert for a get-together with three friends and their children; they accepted my challenge of an interactive, hands-on Hot Fudge Sundae Bar. [I think there is nothing much more fun than working and laughing together with friends on a project.] And, indeed, what fun we had!

This is how it went–

I gathered the TWO ingredients for the homemade sauce…

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

…and the flavoring ingredients:

raspberry jam

peanut butter

crushed peppermint

shredded coconut

And, of course, we couldn’t have a Sundae Bar without:

chopped walnuts

maraschino cherries

whipped cream

Here’s the way it went:

We thoroughly mixed 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips and one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk.  (We actually doubled this amount, but there was a lot left over.)

Then we put the mixture in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and stirred it until the lumps were gone. (We microwaved it again just for a bit–didn’t want to over-microwave–to eliminate some pesky remaining lumps.)

We immediately spooned the lovely sauce into five small jars. Isn’t it beautiful?

And then the creative fun began. We left one just plain ol’ hot fudge.

Then we worked quickly and stirred crushed peppermint into one jar of the fudge.

Next on the list was shredded coconut.

Peanut butter and chocolate–a match made in heaven. (Next time I think I will soften the peanut butter in the microwave first so it doesn’t thicken the sauce.)

My original lip-smacking raspberry jam hot fudge. The jam can be softened in the microwave before stirring into the fudge sauce.

And the final “can’t be a sundae without” yummies:

The big moment finally arrived. Get ready…get set…go!

And the fun began.

You can almost see the anticipation in this little girl’s hands:

Whipped cream for the grand finale:

And there you have it…

CHEERS!

PS:

–We added about two teaspoons of flavoring (peanut butter, coconut, jam, etc.) into the sauce but that really depends on the amount of chocolate in the jars. So just add to taste.

–Because this is a two-ingredient recipe it does clump a bit when it hits the ice cream. This isn’t an issue for me–I’m all about two ingredients–but if you prefer a flowing syrup, you can find many other recipes online.

–The beauty of this event for me was working together with some really good friends. However you can do this on your own by having it prepped and ready to go when you have your own Hot Fudge Sundae Bar extravaganza..

–To keep the syrups warm, I filled a 9×13 “brownie pan” with hot water, placed it on a warmer, and stood the jars in the pan. [You can see the pan and warmer in the photos.] I have also seen the idea to stand the jars in a crockpot to keep the fudge warm. Not necessary–just a little tip.

— If you refrigerate the leftovers, the chocolate will solidify in the jar. It tastes like fudge, so I have no reservations about grabbing a spoonful now and then for a sweet treat. But if I want it on ice cream I warm it in the microwave, stir it a bit, and warm it a few more seconds.  And there you go. 

Many thanks to my fun-loving helpers:

Jess Himmelberger; Delphine Dewing; Joellyn Dewing

Photos–Chelsea Stenkevich

Hand lettering–Mikayla Dewing

And the little people who enthusiastically savored every last spoonful.

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Super-Easy Art Supplies Organization Idea

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I recently posted an art supplies Dollar Store Organizational System for people like me who are visual learners and also hassle with ADD.  I am ever so happy with this system; you can check it out here:

And then I came up with another super-easy way to store the pouches filled with my overflowing supply of colored pens and pencils:

I fully intend to use the original Dollar Store idea for–like–the rest of my life, but I also love the idea of keeping my tools super accessible by storing them on a shelf.

I made two purchases on Amazon:

#1– pencil pouches [extra-durable] with mesh windows

#2– a binder with 3-inch rings

In addition to using the rings, the inside pockets are perfect for storing miscellaneous flat items.

Take a look at that–from chaos to order in no time. And the mesh windows still meet the needs of visual processors.

With 3-inch rings, even more than four pouches can fit in the binder.

In addition, I happened to have a couple of sheets of this fun cardstock, and I couldn’t resist dolling up the cover.

As a final creative touch, I added an H–my monogram.

And there you have it–all neat, organized, and ready to grab off the shelf when the creative urge strikes.

Enjoy!

Dollar Store Organizational System for Art Supplies

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I am creative; I simply can’t not create things. [Yes, that last phrase is grammatically correct. I think.]

The problem is that I am also disorganized. The fact that I am a visual processor with a touch of ADHD has made my creative energies significantly complicate my life. (See my Life- Changing Organizational System for Visual Learners here.)

My most recent creative endeavors have required colored pencils and pens, but for me a limited supply of coloring tools is not sufficient–I have to have a very large supply of them. And they are always a mess. I either leave them spread all over the dining room table or I have to sift through the closets and boxes and bins where I have tried–in vain–to organize them.

Then a light-bulb moment! A breathtaking light-bulb moment. I ran to the Dollar Tree to grab my supplies, rushed back home, and in no time at all I had my coloring supplies organized. For $5.00!

No, I’m not kidding.

So here we go.

Traditional organizational strategies don’t work for me. I have learned over the years that as much money as I might spend and as lovely as they might be, these systems simply won’t work for me. They simply won’t work.

But what can be easier and less expensive than this: a dollar each for clear plastic pencil pouches [clear is the operative word]…

…and a dollar for six binder rings.

I sorted through my endless supply of markers, pens, and colored pencils and organized them by type. [Obviously I couldn’t resist another trip to the Dollar Tree for a couple more pouches.]

Look at those markers–right there in the pouch clear as day!! Exactly what a visual processor needs.

After I filled the pouches, I put three of the rings to use.

And there you have it! Dozens of writing and coloring tools in one neat “booklet”–ready to grab and take wherever my ADHD whim takes me.

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8 Super-Easy DIY Watercolor Birthday Cards

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I introduced the idea of using watercolors to create super-easy birthday cards, and I included a step-by-step tutorial in my original post: Super Easy Watercolor Birthday Cards. And now–ta dah!–here are eight more ideas to get your creative engines whirring.


So have fun looking at the cards I designed (with the help of Pinterest) to wish my family and friends a happy birthday. [I have created a supply so that I have them ready to put a stamp on and drop in the mailbox throughout the year.] Hopefully these will spark some great ideas of your own! And remember, these cards are not about perfection; they are about made-with-love whimsy.

Six watercolor cards

-1-

The warm birthday wishes are written inside.

-2-

-3-

A postcard, of course!

-4-

-5-

-6-

And, because I couldn’t resist, here are two Gel Pens ideas

-1-

-2-

So there you have it– eight super-easy DIY birthday cards you can create [even if you think you can’t draw].

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Super Easy DIY Watercolor Birthday Cards

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

One of the disappointments of my life is that I can’t draw. I used to dread art class in high school because what came so easily to others was sweat and tears for me. Thanks to Pinterest, however, I have recently learned that I actually can “draw”.  If you don’t believe me, look at the birthday cards I “drew”! Cute as anything, aren’t they?

 Oh, I love the simplicity of this card. And it’s whimsical, so there’s no pressure for perfection.

Knowing that I can make cards like this is especially exciting to me; you see, I have six children, plus their six spouses, along with 18 priceless grandchildren. And it is my pleasure to send birthday cards to all 30 of them.

Supplies Needed:

—Cardstock. I always have a supply of both white and off-white sheets of cardstock on hand

—Envelopes. I always keep an eye out for envelopes on sale or at garage sales or thrift stores. Currently I have a supply of both white and off-white A2 size [4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″] envelopes on hand–just the right size for 8 1/2 x 11″ card stock. [If you are using a different size envelope, just adapt the card measurements.]

—Pen. Since their ink is waterproof, my personal preference is Sakura Pigma Micron 05 pens for drawing the candle and writing the text.

–Watercolor Pencils. Instead of watercolors, I use watercolor pencils. When I discovered these Fantasia Watercolour Pencils [half price at Michaels], I had no idea the pleasure they would bring me.

So here we go. A card can actually be made in minutes once the supplies are assembled. And once you get going, it’s so much fun you don’t want to stop.

#1

Cut a sheet of cardstock in half on the 11″ side.

#2

Fold the two sheets in half, creating two cards 5 1/2″ x  41/4″. Then press firmly with a bone folder, a ruler, or a dull butter knife to flatten the folded edge.

#3

Draw the outline of the candle and flame with the pen, and write the birthday message. No fancy lettering required. Remember, whimsy doesn’t require perfection.

#4

Color in the flame and candle with the watercolor pencils, then brush lightly with water.

And that’s it!

#5

How about some postcards?

Postcards are another money-saver with just as much pleasure for the recipient. One sheet of cardstock creates four cards–good deal, huh? And there’s still a space to write a lovely Happy Birthday note.

So there you have it! Ever so easy and fun with a personalized love note written inside.

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