Making Gift Worthy Candies for The Holidays

An assortment of Christmas candies makes a dandy holiday remembrance.  Show off your talents as a candy maker by offering candies with a variety of interesting textures and flavors.  A good selection should include some that contain combinations of nuts, fruit, or coconut and others that are plain.  In peanut brittles or other nut brittles, the nuts are essential both for flavor and crunch.  But, in many candies the ingredients can be mixed or matched to suit your fancy.

Velvety smooth chocolate fudge is an all time favorite, but this year why not treat your friends to Java Fudge or Peanut Butter Fudge.  Let taffy or caramels provide a delightful contrast in chewiness.  Creamy white divinity can be dressed up with candied fruit jewels.

The container for these masterpieces may be as simple as a brightly papered box or as fancy as a candy dish or brandy snifter tied with a saucy red bow.

Try this simple variation of a fudge recipe.

Java Fudge Recipe

In a heavy 3 quart saucepan, combine 3 cups of sugar, 4 teaspoons of instant coffee powder, and a dash of salt.  Stir in 1 cup of milk, ½ cup of light cream, and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup.  Bring this mixture to a boiling stirring constantly.  Continue to boil over medium heat without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 234 degrees.  Remove the mixture from the heat and add 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Do not stir and let cool to 110 degrees.

Beat this mixture until it begins to thicken and starts to lose its gloss.  Stir in a fourth cup of chopped walnuts.  Pour the fudge into a buttered 8-inch pan.  Cool and cut this fudge into 1 inch squares.

Why not try this next recipe for a delicious holiday treat.

Molasses Taffy Recipe

Generously butter the sides of a large 2-quart saucepan.  In it, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of light molasses, and 1/3 cup of water.  Heat this candy mixture slowly stirring it constantly just until the sugar is dissolved.  Bring the mixture to boiling and add 2 teaspoons of vinegar.  Cook the taffy to a soft crack stage or 268 degrees.

Remove the taffy from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter.  Sift half teaspoon soda into the mixture and mix. Pour the taffy into a pan that has been slightly buttered.  Let this mixture cool slightly until it is comfortable for you to handle.  Butter your hands and gather the taffy into a ball and pull with your fingertips.  When it becomes a light taffy color and is hard to pull, cut it into fourths.  Pull the taffy into a long strand that is about half inch thick.  With buttered scissors, cut the taffy into bite size pieces and wrap in waxed paper.

There are so many recipes for holiday candy that the only problem will be choosing which ones to make.  This year why not look for holiday candy that is not just ordinary chocolate fudge and surprise everyone on your Christmas gift list with a plate of delicious candy for the holidays.

And why not make some easy divinity.  You can find several divinity recipes at Making Perfect Divinity.