Christmas Candy Traditions

By -

 




Christmas Candy!  Just the thought brings the buttery sweet scent vividly to my mind. Can you almost smell that?  My growing up years, my Dad often made fudge and Mom made caramels.  Together they made peanut brittle and sometimes divinity and cheat Marzipan.  Sooo good!   I mainly watched and licked spoons that were meant to be washed.   As Dave and I created our own candy traditions, we had a lot to combine!  His Grandma Evelyn was a big candy maker.  She made candy and cookies and shipped them to all of her children.  We inherited Grandpa's marble slab and large pan that he used to make caramels.  I remember him talking me through making caramels several times the first years we were married.  It took many tries to get them to turn out as well as his and Grandma's, but finally I can do them justice!  Grandma used some of the caramels as well as fondant she made and dipped chocolates, she made so many kinds of cookies.  We continue using many recipes from both sides of our family.  I love the connection I feel with the past when we do that.

Here are links to several of the candies and cookies we love to make.  David makes the fudge at our house, and he does a delicious job of it!  BUT I haven't posted his fudge recipe yet.  Maybe I'll get to that this next year.  

Candy

Caramels


Peanut Butter Fudge


CRACKer Candy


Reeces Squares


Chocolate Truffles



COOKIES

Double Crunchers


Snowballs


Sugar Cookies to Decorate



Enjoy celebrating the holidays in your kitchen!  Merry Christmas!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Creamy Pork Chops and Potatoes

By -
Image
The other day I needed a dinner that I could make ahead and leave in the oven.  I combined a couple of recipes to come up with this.  It was a hit with our entire family. I like to buy full boneless pork loins at Sam's Club and then cut them into chops or leave the size we need for a roast.  The price is usually cheapest that way and I'm all about cutting our food budget.  I keep everything in this recipe on hand (aside from the French's Fried Onions) so it is something I could throw together  spur of the moment. Creamy Pork Chops and Potatoes 6-8 pork loin chops (boneless or bone-in) 6 LARGE  russet potatoes , peeled and sliced 2 10 oz. cans condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk 3/4 C. water 3 T. onion soup base (1 package of Lipton onion soup is a little over 2 T. so just use that if you'd rather not have a package open.  I buy mine in bulk so it's easier for measuring) 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. salt French's fr...
Read more

Brown Rice, Broccoli and Chicken Bake

By -
Image
My family doesn't generally love brown rice.  They really enjoyed it in this dish though.  I started out to do a skillet dinner, but I took a little time to put it all in a pan and melt the cheese in the oven.  Next time I'm going to try just mixing it in and letting it melt in the skillet rather than sprinkling it on top. This was a tasty dinner and full of healthy ingredients.   My family requested it again! Brown Rice and Broccoli with Chicken 1 1/2 C. brown rice 3 1/4 C.chicken broth or water with 3 tsp. chicken boullion  Place in medium pan, bring to a boil and cook for 40 minutes.  Remove from heat. While the rice is cooking, saute the following in 1 T. of olive oil: 2 chicken breast, diced 1 C. onion, diced 1 C. mushrooms, sliced 2 C. broccoli florets (fresh or frozen is fine) When the rice is done, place it on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan .  Spread chicken and vegetables over rice.  Drizzle a couple of tablespoon...
Read more

Molasses Oatmeal Bread

By -
Image
Molasses Oatmeal Bread is a hearty (and heart healthy!) bread that is easy and delicious!  We love it toasted and spread with homemade jam.  So good!  Molasses adds a rich flavor and beautiful color. Molasses Oatmeal Bread 2 T. instant dry yeast (my favorite brand is SAF) 1/2 C. warm water Dissolve yeast in water and set aside In large bowl (or mixer bowl if you have one that will do bread), put: 2 C. quick rolled oats 2 T. oil 2 C. boiling water Stir and let sit about 10 minutes or until lukewarm.   Stir dissolved yeast, 1/2 C. molasses, and 4 tsp. salt into the oatmeal mixture.   Add about 3 cups of flour and mix well.  Stir in 2-3 cups more flour until you have a firm dough that you can knead.  Knead 5 minutes by hand or with mixer.  Place in a greased bowl, being sure to grease the top as well.   Cover and let rise until double.  About 45 minutes to an hour depending on how warm your room is. Punch down...
Read more