These easy homemade lego candies are the perfect topper for cupcakes and add something fun to the table scape at a lego themed birthday party.  

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I made these lego cupcakes for my son's 7th birthday party.  They were super cute, but I made a yummy chocolate butter frosting that was not strong enough for the weight of the lego candies.  They were sliding off and we had to reposition a few of them when distributing the cupcakes to party guests.  I would suggest either refrigerating cupcakes frosted with a butter frosting prior to your party or using a frosting made with butter and shortening.  

I bought some candy wafers for melting at Hobby Lobby.  You can find these in many colors at most craft stores.  I ordered Lego silicone candy molds from Amazon (affiliate link).  

I followed the simple microwave melting instructions on the candy melts package and spooned the melted candy into the molds.  I then put them in the freezer until firm.  Once firm, they easily push right out of the candy molds.  Start making these a day or two before your party so that you have plenty of time to make multiple colors and the quantity that you need.  

I used extra lego candy pieces to decorate the party table.  

I had a hard time finding anything lego themed for the birthday party that wasn't super expensive and only available online.  I was able to find the silicone molds  on Amazon (affiliate link), but couldn't find much else.  I went with neutral themed bright colored tableware that I bought locally and on sale.  

If you have any awesome ideas or resources for a lego party please share in the comments.  

I thought I would share some ways I like to use leftover mashed or baked potatoes.  These recipes are delicious and often requested by the boys.  Sometimes I even make extra potatoes just to use as ingredients later in the week which simplifies meal planning.  These recipes are all pretty budget friendly too since the main ingredient potatoes are inexpensive.  

Linking up at Linda's Lunacy Homemaking Linky, Voice Boks, Create with Joy, and The Mommy Club

I posted this recipe back in 2011 and it was in dire need of some updating.  This is an old favorite.  The boys love it and it is pretty simple to make.  It does take awhile to cook so give yourself at least an hour, but most of that time, it is simmering so you can multitask.  

American Chop Suey

5 tsp. olive oil (I don't really measure here)

1 pound (90% lean) ground beef or venison (I use 1 lb. beef or venison because we have discovered we like it better with less meat.  The meat can be too overwhelming if there is too much.  The original recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds.  Be sure to use lean ground beef so this dish doesn't get too greasy)

1 onion chopped medium

1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped medium

1 rib celery chopped medium (Money saving tip:  You can omit the red bell pepper if you like and use 2 ribs celery.)

2 garlic cloves minced

Salt

1 15 ounce can tomato sauce

1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (You can also dice 3 large Roma tomatoes and measured them to get 14.5 ounces which was a little  more than 3/4 cup.  I have made this both ways and thought it was better with the fresh tomatoes.)  

1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

8 ounces elbow macaroni (2 cups)

pepper

1.  Heat 2 tsp. of the oil in a large skillet (I use a wok because this recipe makes a lot) over medium-high heat until just smoking.  Brown beef breaking it up with a wooden spoon for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a bowl.

2.  Add the remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to the empty skillet and return it to medium heat until shimmering.  Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and 1 tsp. salt and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

3.  Stir in the tomato sauce, tomatoes with their juice, the broth, and the browned beef, scraping up any browned bits.  Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the beef and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

4.  Stir in the macaroni and continue to cook over low heat, covered and stirring occasionally , until the macaroni is tender, about 20 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  


Buttered Green Beans

2 - 16 oz. cans green beans
1 T. butter
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Drain liquid from 1 can of beans.  Put both cans of beans in a covered saucepan.  Add seasoning and heat through.  



American Chop Suey is adapted from the America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.  One of my favorite cookbooks of all time.

Chocolate curls are one of the easiest things you can make to dress up a simple cake or dessert.  

Use your favorite chocolate bar (leftover solid chocolate Easter bunnies work well too) and a peeler and simply curl the chocolate towards you.  If your chocolate is room temperature in warm weather, it will make beautiful curls.  If your chocolate is too firm, microwave for about 7 to 10 seconds until it is soft enough to curl.  Firm chocolate makes great chocolate shavings if your goal is small shavings of chocolate.  It's always fun to sprinkle a few chocolate shavings on top of homemade whipped cream too.  

Here are some of my favorite cake recipes.
Celebration Cake
Chocolate Cake
Slow cooker Chocolate Cake
Almost Flourless Creamy Chocolate Cake
Molten Chocolate Cakes

Looks like we really LOVE chocolate around here.