Candykisses favorite holiday candy recipes

AUNT BILL'S CANDY (MICROWAVE)

Source: LaDonna
Effort: average
Comments: Most people are amazed at doing Aunt Bill's Candy in the microwave. It's always a huge hit.

Ingredients:
2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cup pecans, finely chopped

Instructions:
In a 3 qt. or larger, microwave safe bowl, add first 4 ing.
Stir: cover with plastic wrap; punch hole in wrap (2-3).
Microwave on roast 70% for 15 min. Stir
Continue cooking at roast (70%) for 13 - 15 min. until softball forms in cold water (236 on candy thermometer). Do not put candy thermometer in microwave.
Add vanilla & beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
Watch closely.
Stir in pecans & pour into butter 12 x 7 dish.
Cool & cut into small pieces.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted"

BUTTERMILK FUDGE

Source: LaDonna
Effort: average
Comments: This is very rich.

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick butter
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoon white karo syrup
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
In dutch oven sprayed with no-stick spray
Add sugar, baking soda, butter, buttermilk & syrup
Cook & stir constantly to softball (236) or just a little beyond
Remove from heat & cool 20 min.
Add vanilla & nuts
Beat until stiff
Pour in buttered pan 8 x 11"

"Be happy. It is a way of being wise"

CANDY MAKING STAGES

1. THREAD STAGE: (230º-233º): When a teaspoon is dipped into the hot mixture, then removed, the candy falls off the spoon in a fine, thin thread.

2. SOFT-BALL STAGE (234º-240º): When the ball of candy is removed from the cold water, the candy instantly flattens at room temperature.

3. FIRM-BALL STAGE (244º- 248): When the ball of candy is removed from the water, it is firm enough to hold its shape, but quickly flattens at room temperature.

4. HARD-BALL STAGE (250º-266º): When the ball of candy is removed from the water, it doesn?t flatten until pressed.

5. SOFT-CRACK STAGE (270º-290º): When dropped into water, the candy separates into hard, but pliable and elastic threads.

6. HARD-CRACK STAGE (295º-310º): When dropped into water, the candy separates into hard, brittle threads that snap easily.

?Establishing goals is all right if you don?t let them deprive you of interesting detours?

CASHEW CARAMEL FUDGE

Serves: about 3 lbs.
Source: Inny (TOH)
Effort: easy
Comments: very rich and very good


INGREDIENTS:
2 T. butter (no substitutes)
1/2 c. butter (no substitutes)
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
2 1/2 c. sugar
2 c. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème
24 caramels, quartered
3/4 c. salted cashew halves
1 t. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:
Using the 2 T. of real butter, butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13? baking dish. Set aside
Coat a large heavy saucepan with a little butter (I just used what was left of the 2 T. from above). In the saucepan, combine milk, sugar and 1/2 c. butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
Bring to a rapid boil; boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips and marshmallow crème until melted. Fold in caramels, cashews and vanilla; mix well. Pour in prepared pan. Cool.
Cut in 1? squares. Store at room temperature.

?A clean conscience makes a soft pillow?

CINNAMON ROCK CANDY:

Serves: Makes 2 lbs.
Source: "Quick Cooking" (Nov/Dec. 2000) page 10
Comments: Sam loves this stuff

INGREDIENTS:
1 c. water
3 3/4 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. light corn syrup
1 t. red liquid food coloring
1 t. cinnamon oil
1/3 c. powder sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:
Line a 15x10x1" baking pan with foil and butter the foil; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine water, sugar, corn syrup and food coloring. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes to dissolve sugar crystals. Uncover; cook on medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300 (hard-crack stage), about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in cinnamon oil (keep face away from mixture, as odor is very strong). Immediately pour onto prepared pan. Cool completely, about 45 minutes. Break into pieces using the edge of a metal mallet. Sprinkle both sides of candy with powder sugar. Store in airtight containers.
Yield: about 2 lbs.


"God wants people great enough to be small enough to be used"

MICRO BRITTLE

Source: LaDonna
Effort: average
Comments: Jim absolutely loves this brittle. It doesn't stick to your teeth.

Ingredients:
1 cup raw peanuts
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
Stir together peanuts, sugar, syrup & salt in 1-1/4 qt. casserole.
Place in micro oven & cook 6 min., stirring well after 3 min.
Add butter & blend well
Return to oven & cook 2 min., more or until peanuts are golden
Add baking soda, vanilla & gently stir until light & foamy.
Pour onto greased cookie sheet & let cool.
When cool break into pieces & store in airtight container


"It really isn't a smile until you aim it at someone"

MICROWAVE DIVINITY

Effort: average
Comments: Don?t make this on a rainy day.

Ingredients:
2-1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white karo syrup
1/3 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites, beaten stiffly
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:
Mix first 4 ing. In 2 qt. dish, loosely covered with waxed paper
Microwave on high for 5 min. uncover & stir. Microwave on high another 8 - 10 min., (for my mircorwave just microwave for 6 minutes and then check) until hard ball stage (260)
Beat 2 egg whites on high til firm. Mix syrup, slowly, with egg whites, beat 4 - 5 min. Add vanilla & pecans. Spoon on wax paper

"Cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow, live today"

MILLION DOLLAR FUDGE

Effort: average
Comments: This makes a nice rich fudge. My mom made this every year.

Ingredients:
1 (12 0z.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 oz. Hershey chocolate bar
13 oz. evaporated milk
7 oz. marshmallow creme
4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:
Combine chocolate chips & Hershey bar in large mixing bowl. Set aside.
Combine evaporated milk, marshmallow cream, sugar, & butter in 4 qt. saucepan.
Cook over med. heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil; boil & stir 8 min.
Remove from heat.
Add to chocolate in mixing bowl, beating until completely melted.
Blend in vanilla & pecans.
Pour mixture in buttered cake pan (13x9?).
Let sit.

"Courage is not the absence of fear?it's facing it"

NEVER FAIL PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

Source: Happycooker_AZ
Effort: easy
Comments: smooth, rich and very easy

INGREDIENTS:
1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow cream
1 c. smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. evaporated milk
1 t. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:
Put marshmallow cream and peanut butter in mixing bowl and mix together. Set aside.
Cook sugar and evaporated milk, stirring constantly, to softball stage (234º-240º).
Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Pour into creamed mixture and beat til creamy.
Pour in an 8x8? pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray.
Nuts can be added if you like.
Recipe can be doubled for a 9x13? pan.

?Honesty is something you can?t wear out?

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

Effort: easy
Comments: Shelby was in junior high I think when he first made these.

Ingredients:
18 oz. crunchy or smooth peanut butter
3 cup rice krispy
2 cup powder sugar
big Hershey bar

Instructions:
Mix & refrigerate first 3 ing. When cold enough, roll into balls
Melt Hershey
Roll ball in it.
Put on wax paper
Yum

"Humor is to life what shock absorbers are to cars"

PEANUT BUTTER CUP

Serves: 24
Effort: average
Comments These taste like a Reeces peanut butter cup.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup powder sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb. candi bark
1 cup peanut butter
candy molds

Instructions:
Blend 2/3 cup peanut butter with powder sugar & vanilla.
Using 1/2 t. for each shape into balls (48)
Combine melted bark & 1 cup peanut butter
Spoon just enough mixture into each bon bon cup to cover bottom
Top with peanut butter balls, then cover with remaining chocolate mixture
Chill for faster setting

"Time is the wisest of all counselors"

PEANUT CLUSTERS

Effort: easy
Comments: I love these

Ingredients:
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 oz. peanut butter chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
4 cups salted peanuts

Instructions:
Melt first 3 ing. Then add peanuts. Put out in clusters on wax paper
If your kitchen is a little warm or the weathers warm, these do better in the fridge.

"The finest gifts are the ones we tie with heartstrings"

PEANUT PATTIES

Source: Dorothy
Comments: This is one of Michelle?s favorites


INGREDIENTS:
2 c. sugar
dash salt
1/2 water
1/2 c. Karo Syrup
1 1/2 c. or more raw peanuts
2 T. margarine
1 t. vanilla
red food coloring to suit



INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine first 4 ingredients in 2 qt. or larger glass container. Bring to a boil in microwave (approx. 3-5 minutes). Add the peanuts, return to microwave and cook 8-10 minutes on high to soft ball stage (234 to 240F Soft Ball: a soft ball forms but flattens or collapses if touched). Remove from microwave oven and add margarine, vanilla and food coloring. Cool somewhat and beat until creamy. Can use electric mixer. Pour into butter cookie sheet and spread. Cool. Break into pieces. Can cut with a biscuit cutter when starts to set if desired.
Yummy.
I use a BIG bowl.

?Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears?

STRAWBERRY FUDGE:

Serves: Makes 3 lbs.
Effort: easy
Comments: This is very rich and creamy

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 c. butter (no substitutes)
3 c. sugar
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 pkg. (3 oz.) strawberry Jell-O
1 pkg. (12 oz.) white chocolate chips
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow cream
1 t. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl put in marshmallow cream and white chocolate chips. Set aside
Mix butter, sugar, evaporated milk and dry Jell-O powder in a heavy 3 qt. saucepan. Bring to full boil stirring constantly.
Continue boiling the strawberry mixture 5 minutes over medium heat or until candy thermometer reaches 234º, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.
Pour into large mixing bowl containing marshmallow cream and white chocolate chips. Mix until chips and marshmallow cream is melted and creamy. Add vanilla, mix well.
Pour into a 13x9? pan that has been sprayed with a butter flavored non-stick cooking spray.
Cool to room temperature. Cut into squares.

?The game of life begins at home plate?

TIGER BUTTER

Effort: easy
Comments: I have no idea why this is called tiger butter. It sure is good though


INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg, (20 oz.) almond bark
1 pkg. (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter


INSTRUCTIONS:
Melt half the bark (according to package directions). Mix with peanut butter and spread on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray.
Melt remaining bark (according to package directions) and chips.
Mix until smooth and spread over peanut butter layer. Cool and break into bite size pieces.


?The secret of happiness is to count your blessings, not your birthdays?