Christmas wouldn’t be the same without candy – candy canes, colorful ribbon candy and even boxes of chocolate covered cherries or mixed chocolates. However, there’s nothing like homemade candy to share with family and friends at Christmastime.
Like Christmas cookies, we all have our favorite homemade candies that remind us of the happy holiday season from our childhood and the special moms, grandmas and aunts who made the candy. Many of us know those recipes by heart and make them every Christmas.
This year I tried two new easy-to-make candies and thought you might like to try them, too. Merry Christmas!
CRUNCHY CLUSTERS
1 (12-ounce) package of semisweet chocolate chips or 3 (6-ounce) packages butterscotch flavored chips
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
2 cups pretzel sticks, broken into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
In a heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine broken pretzels and sliced, toasted almonds. Stir in chocolate or butterscotch mixture.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper-lined baking sheets. Chill for 2 hours or until firm.
Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes 3 dozen clusters.
SNAPPY PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
1 cup peanut butter
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 1/2 cups rice cereal
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
4 teaspoons shortening
In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and marshmallow crème. Add cereal and stir until well coated.
In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave, uncovered, for 1-2 minutes or until chips are melted; stir until smooth.
Roll cereal mixture into 1-inch balls. Dip balls into chocolate mixture and place on a waxed paper-lined pan.
Refrigerate until set. Makes 2-1/2 dozen balls.
Note: Reduced-fat or generic brands of peanut butter are not recommended for this recipe.
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.
