What would Christmas be without homemade candy? If you were lucky enough to have grown up with it as part of your family tradition, then you probably have a list of favorites in your treasured cookbook or recipe box like I have. You can always tell the best ones – they have the stains from the drop or two of vanilla or the butter spilled on them.
If you’re new at attempting to make candy or even if you’re a pro at making all kinds of Christmas delights, here are a couple of easy-to-make recipes that will save you time during the busy holiday season.
If you decide to make small gifts of these homemade treats, you’d better hide them from the family or they will disappear before you have time to wrap them and put a ribbon on top. Merry Christmas!
EASY CHOCOLATE FUDGE
1 (4-serving) package cook and serve Jell-O chocolate pudding
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup chopped nuts
Combine pudding mix and milk in a heavy saucepan and add butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar a little at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Add nuts. Quickly spoon into a buttered 8-by-4-inch loaf pan and smooth with back of wooden spoon. It will quickly become quite stiff. Chill about 30 minutes. Cut into pieces. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator. Makes 18 pieces.
CHEWY MACAROONS
1 (4-serving) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 2/3 cups angel flake coconut
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
15 Halved maraschino cherries (optional)
Combine pudding mix, coconut, milk and extract. Drop from teaspoon onto well-greased and floured baking sheets. Garnish with cherries, if used.
Bake at 325 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from baking sheets at once and cool thoroughly on racks. For ease in removing cookies from baking sheet, dip spatula in water. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.
Note: If cookies cool and become difficult to remove, reheat in oven for a minute or two.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature.
Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
