Is it time for a CHRISTMAS CANDY - RECIPES thread?? (I remembered, Marcy O.!!)

[Corie]

I remember Marcy O. mentioning that she has her Aunt's
fabulous candy recipes. So, I wrote it down in my calendar
to remind myself to start a Christmas candy-recipe thread. :)
(I didn't want to forget!)

So, everyone dust off your Christmas Candy recipes
and let's start posting!!! Can't wait to start making
all these recipes!!

[SeekerMage]

I have a good carmel recipe that I can dig out if wanted....and one for stained glass candy that is YUMMY but a lot of work. Here is one in the mean time :)


Pepermint bark:

1 pkg white chocolate/vanilla flavored chocolate ( I dont remember the brand but its sold in the baking aisle at the grocery store and come in squares in a little tray you can microwave it in..browinsh pkg maybe? it also comes in regular chocolate too)

1 box of candy canes or pepermint candies

few drops of pepermint oil (optional)

Directions:

first break up the candy canes (in the blender works well or freeze and beat to death with a hammer.) you want them broken up well but not turned to powder...a little chunk is good.

melt the chocolate/vanilla (I do it in the microwave about 30 secs at a time, stir and then cook more...dont over cook it it will start to harden)....pour in the crushed candy, stir (you can also add a few drops of pepermint oil if you want it REALLY pepperminty)
and then pour onto a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. You dont want it too thick, but not too thin either. Also depends upon your preferences, both ways work well!

let cool (I sometimes sit it outside) and then break into peices. YUMMY!

It tastes just as good as the stuff fannie may sells if not better!


You can also use this recipe to make chocolate pretzel bark too....I dont remember who sells it but someone makes little chocolate covered pretzel chunks that are basically broken up pretzels in melted chocolate that they just make into balls or chunks...as if one big peice was just broken up...go figure!

Also, the same recipe can be use to make almond bark...just add sliced almonds and maybe a little almond oil. or whole almonds broken up. :)

[Corie]

What am I supposed to make for candy this year??

I guess I could pass out miniature Reese's peanut
butter cups! :)

[SeekerMage]

Yeah no kidding...we need some more candy goodies!

[linsei]

This is sounds a little odd, but it's super easy, and so yummy!!! I don't even know what they are really called.

Spread peanut butter on Ritz or Townhouse crackers (I use the snowflake shaped ones for Christmas) and place another cracker on top to make a sandwich. Dip in melted chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.

Linda

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[jodi_b]

These cherry mash bars are a favorite of my family and coworkers. The recipe is no secret... it's from the back of the Gurley's cherry chip package... but here it is just in case your local grocery store stocks a different brand of cherry chips.

Cherry Mash Bars

2 cups sugar
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
12 marshmallows (not the mini marshmallows)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cherry chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 ounces chopped peanuts (I usually use less)
2 cups milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter

In a 2 quart saucepan, boil the sugar, milk, butter, marshmallows, and salt for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cherry chips, vanilla, and half of the peanuts. (I don't add the peanuts to the cherry layer... just a personal preference.) Spread in a 9X13 pan lined with waxed paper. Set aside.

Over low heat, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter. Add the remaining chopped peanuts. Pour over the cherry layer. Allow to set. (I usually have to refrigerate it at least overnight before it's firm.) Cut into 1 inch squares.

Enjoy!

Jodi

[jodi_b]

These really are very good... sweet and salty all at once... what could be better?

I DO realize we're past the Halloween season, but I think this idea is just too cute not to share...

One of my former coworkers used to make 'ghosts' that were very similar to these treats. She would dip 3/4 of a Nutter Butter bar in almond bark and then add two mini chocolate chip eyes. Easy and SO good!

Jodi

[boogiemom]

It's not necessarily a "Christmas" candy but I always make this at the holidays and everyone loves it! Super easy!

Cracker Candy
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a 10x15 inch cookie sheet with foil.
Cover foil with rows of saltines(I like Premium brand best).
Boil 1c. brown sugar and 1c. butter(no margarine!!!) for 3 min. (don't let it burn!)
Pour mixture over saltines and spread.
Bake 5 min.
Sprinkle with 12 oz. bag semi-sweet choc. chips and spread over top as they melt.
Refrigerate until hardened and break into pieces.

Tastes like heath bar or skor candy.
YUM!

[brittone2]

Oh these are good...one of the kids I treated made these for me one year and I seriously ate almost the entire tin before I got home ;) Dangerous stuff...beware ;)

[linsei]

I just tried these recently because one of my co-workers made some. Her's had graham crackers instead of saltines. Very good but it was really, really sweet with graham crackers, so I think saltines might actually be better.

Linda

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[Oregonmother]

I've done this before too and made santa's.

Dip the top part of the Nutter Butter in white almond bark for Santa's hat

Next dip the upper part of the white almond bark in red sprinkles leaving a white edge for the fur around the hat

Use 2 mini choc chips for the eyes

Add a red hot candy for a red ball on Santa's hat

Hope this makes sense.

[tippy]

Yankee Doodle Dandies (not sure why they are called this but they are dandy!)

1 large bag semi sweet chocolate morsels
1 small bag butterscotch morsels
1 can LaChoy Chinese Noodles *(I know this sounds weird but trust me these are so good)!
1 cup unsalted peanuts (Crush these between wax paper or pulse them in a food processor. You want to leave a bit chunky, don't pulverize them)

Melt chocolate and butterschotch morsels together over double boiler until smooth.
Stir in La Choy noodles and peanuts until completely blended. It’s ok if the noodles break while you stir.
Place by the tsp on wax paper. Refrigerate until hard. Enjoy.

These are SOOOOO much better than you expect them to be. I usually don't tell people what is in them until after they have tasted them. I have made a version where I add a small bag of mint chips and coconut and omit the butterschotch and peanuts.

Teva
Mom to AJ born 1-8-03

[linsei]

Peanut Butter Chocolate Marble Fudge

1 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips (divide into 1 cup and 1/2 cup)
3 1/2 c sugar
12 oz evaporated milk
1/2 c butter
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1 tbsp white vinegar
1/4-1/2 tsp cream of tarter
2 1/2 c peanut butter
7 oz marshmallow cream (I use mini marshmallows)

In 4 quart heavy pan combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, corn syrup, cream of tarter, and vinegar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until full rolling boil. Boil 5 minutes and stir constantly.

Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and marshmallows. Blend until smooth.

Pour 1/2 of peanut butter mixture over 1 cup chocolate chips. Blend well and pour chocolate mixture into 13x9 pan.

Pour remaining half of peanut butter mixture over the first layer. Immediately sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips over surface. Use knife to swirl, creating a marbled effect.

Cool and cut.

Linda

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[Corie]

I dug out my recipe box from 7th grade
Home Economics. These Hopscotch Crunchies are
great!!


HOPSCOTCH CRUNCHIES

1 - 6oz. pkg. Butterscotch morsels
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups chow mein noodles
1 cup miniature marshmallows (I use the colored ones!)


In a double broiler, melt the morsels over hot water.
Add peanut butter. Remove from heat, stir until melted.
Add noodles and marshmallows. Stir carefully until coated.
Drop in small piles on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.
Shape slightly with fingers. Chill to set.
Makes about 30.

[Corie]

Here is a recipe for Chocolate Scotcheroos.
I found it on the Rice Krispies cereal box awhile
ago and they are so delicious.


Chocolate Scotcheroos

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 package (6oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips


Place corn syrup and sugar into large saucepan. Cook on
med. heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and
mixture starts to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut
butter. Mix well. Add rice krispies cereal. Stir until
well coated. Press mixture into a 9 x 13 pan coated with
cooking spray. Set aside.

Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in a small
saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Spread evenly
over cereal mixture. Let stand until firm. Cut into
bars when cool.

Makes about 48 bars.

[juliasmom05]

A little late to the party but here are easy recipes for almond roca and turtles

Almond Roca

1 1b butter
2 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 large Hershey candy bar (or bag of chocolate chips)
chopped almonds (app. 1 1/2 cups)-enough to cover cookie sheet.

Cook butter, sugar and salt over medium heat in saucepan until mixture is the color of peanut butter (15-20 minutes).

Pour onto cookie sheet. Spread evenly.

Break up chocolate bar and place pieces on top of hot candy mixture

Cover loosely with foil for app. 5 minutes to melt the chocolate.

Spread chocolate evenly over candy mixture

Sprinkle with chopped almonds

Cool in fridge until chocolate solidifies

Break into pieces.


Turtles

Pecan halves-amount depends on how many you want to make (3/candy)
Carmels (unwrapped)-amount depends on how many you want to make
Chocolate chips ( approx. 1/2 bag)
1 tsp shortening

1. Place aluminum foil (shiny side up) onto cookie sheet and grease it.
2. Place 3 pecan halves on greased foil in peace sign (1/2 inch or so apart)
3. Place carmel in between pecan halves
4. Heat in 300°C oven for 8-10 minutes until carmel has melted
5. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave until melted. (usually just do 30 seconds at a time and stir to see if all the chocolate is melted).
6. Pour a spoonful of melted chocolate on top of carmel
7. Cool in fridge until chocolate is set.


Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[mamicka]

I'm making these this morning for the first time but they sounded really good. This is from Frugal Gourmet's Christmas. Not really candy but I thought they were close enough.

PEPPERMINT CANDY COOKIES

1 C butter - softened
1/2 C confectioner's sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 C flour, all-purpose
1/2 C walnuts - chopped (I'm leaving these out & I hope it won't matter)
Candy Mixture
1/4 lb peppermint candy - crushed
1/2 C confectioner's sugar
The Filling
2 TB cream cheese - softened
1 tsp milk
1 drop red food coloring (I'm also omitting this, I just don't like using food coloring)
1/2 C confectioner's sugar
3 TB candy mixture - see above

Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla together until fluffy. Add the flour and walnuts and blend to form dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
Candy mixture: In a small bowl combine both ingredients. Set aside. Three tablespoons of this mixture is used in the filling and the remainder is used to garnish the cookies.
The filling: In a bowl blend together the cream cheese, milk, food coloring and the conf. sugar until smooth. Blend in 3 T of the candy mixture.
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and for each cookie pinch off a rounded teaspoon of the dough.
Form into a ball and shape around your thumb to make a little compartment in the middle. Place about 1/4 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling in the depression. Pinch the dough back together and roll it back into a ball. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling. Place the balls on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 10-12 minutes. Do not brown.
Remove cookies to a cooling rack. To garnish, roll the cooled cookies in the remaining candy mixture.

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We used to make these Buckeyes every year but won't this year because of DS's allergies. I pasted these from cooks.com but I think it's exactly like my MIL's recipe.

BUCKEYES (CANDY)

2 lb. creamy peanut butter
1 lb. butter
3 lb. confectioners' sugar
2 pkg. (12 oz.) size chocolate chips
1/2 bar paraffin

Mix peanut butter, butter and sugar till smooth texture develops-form small balls size of "Buckeyes" (or large shooting type marbles). Refrigerate balls. Next slowly melt chocolate chips and paraffin together in top of double boiler. Using toothpick, dip cold "Buckeyes" into chocolate till tow thirds covered. Let dry on wax paper. Touch up toothpick hole with chocolate. Paraffin can be omitted, but candies will need to be refrigerated. Makes about 166 candies.

Allison

[brittone2]

These are on my list to make this year. I've never tried them but they seem fairly easy, and IMO they sound like candy ;)

Hey, if I use Newman's version of Oreos and organic cream cheese, they are healthy, right?? ;)

http://organizedchristmas.com/recipe498.html