Cathy's Christmas
  Candy Jar  

That sweet tooth of yours is working, huh?  LOL  Well, that's fine, there is plenty of homemade candy here for you.  Just help yourself.

   

English Toffee

  • 1/2 lb. milk chocolate
  • 2 cups salted almonds
  • 2 cups butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. corn syrup
  • 6 Tbsp. water
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate over low heat.  Slice 1 cup almonds in halves, lengthwise and coarsely chop the remainder.

Melt butter in heavy saucepan.  Add sugar, almond halves, corn syrup and water.  Stir only until sugar is blended in. Cook very slowly, stirring occasionally, until small amount in cold water makes hard threads (290 degrees F).

Add vanilla.  Pour onto marble slab or buttered tray.  Let it spread out to 1/4" thickness.

When cool spread melted chocolate evenly on top, and sprinkle with remaining almonds.

makes 3 lbs.

   

Million Dollar Fudge

When Mamie Eisenhower came to the White House, she brought along a recipe for fudge that called for marshmallow creme.  Her candy was so creamy the president reportedly called it the "million dollar" fudge.  This is that recipe!

Ingredients:

  • 1 12-oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 11-1/2 oz. pkg. milk chocolate chips
  • 1 7-oz.jar marshmallow creme
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 1 12-oz. can evaporated skimmed milk
  • 2 Tbsp. butter

Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan.  Lightly butter foil; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, marshmallow creme, walnuts, and vanilla.

In a heavy large saucepan, stir together the sugar, evaporated skimmed milk, and butter.  Bring to boil over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve sugar.   (Avoid splashing mixture onto side of pan)  Lower the heat to moderately low, bring to a boil and stir 1-2 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Carefully pour the boiling mixture over the chocolate mixture, and stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is creamy and well combined.

Quickly turn the fudge into prepared pan and while it is warm, use the tip of a small knife to score into 1-inch squares.

When fudge is firm, lift it out of pan and cut into squares.  To store, cover tightly and refrigerate.

HINTS
To easily cut the fudge, line the pan with foil, then you can remove the fudge quickly and easily.  When the candy is firm, grasp the foil and lift the block of fudge out of the pan.  Remove the foil and place the candy on a cutting board.

Using a long-bladed, serrated knife, such as a bread knife, cut along the lines scored in the fudge.  To get a smooth even cut, place one hand on the knife handle and the other on the top of the blade, then press down evenly until the knife cuts through the candy.

makes about 3-1/2 pounds (117 pieces)

   

Christmas Divinity

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup white corn syrup
  • 1 egg white (stiffly beaten)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup broken nut meats (optional)
  • pinch of salt
  • food coloring (optional)

Beat the egg white in a large bowl and set aside.  In a saucepan, boil the sugar, water and syrup while stirring gently.  The mixture is done at 235 degrees or if it forms a soft ball when a tablespoon full is dropped into cold water.

Pour the mixture over the beaten egg white, beating continually.  Add vanilla, nuts and a pinch of salt.  Add a few drops of red or green food coloring if desired.  Beat this mixture until it is almost hard, then drop by the teaspoonful onto waxed paper.

makes about 35-40 pieces.

   

Old Fashioned Sponge Candy

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1 Tbsp. vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. baking soda

Combine sugar, syrup, and vinegar in heavy sauce pan.  Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Continue to cook until it reaches 300 F or crack stage.

Remove from heat, stir baking soda in quickly, mixing well.  (it will become frothy)   Pour into buttered pan.  Cool and break into pieces.

Optional - cover with melted chocolate.

   

Marzipan
(German Christmas Candy)

  • 2 8 oz. cans almond paste
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 2 Tbsp. amaretto
  • 4 tsp. almond extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 16-oz. Hershey's special dark chocolate
  • 5 sq. unsweetened chocolate

In a large bowl, cut almond paste into chunks; add egg whites, 2 tablespoons amaretto, 4 teaspoons almond extract.  Mix well.

Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar (small amount at a time) to stiffen.  Add almond extract, amaretto, sugar and cornstarch until dough is stiff and tastes the way you like it.

Chill overnight, then roll into balls.

Melt chocolates together over double boiler (or melt in microwave).

Dip balls in chocolate and chill in refrigerator

   

 

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