Christmas Recipes: Treats to Give or Keep
My grandmother is a world-class baker and chef. At least that’s what all her family and friends think! She loves to cook and bake and loves to share it with others even more. Every weekend when I was growing up, she would bake bread and then drive around delivering loaves and rolls to neighbors, family, friends and others. At Christmastime, she always baked a huge variety of Christmas cookies, and then put together a “sampler” of each and took them around to everyone. It’s a tradition I loved (and also looked forward to – her candy cane cookies are awesome!).
So last year I decided now that I live in Kentucky, to continue the tradition myself with our friends and family that live around here. This past Friday and over the weekend, I did my baking, and then we made deliveries. I chose to make Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls, Chocolate Pecan Fudge, Coconut Macaroons, Hello Dolly Bars (also called Magic Bars), and Chocolate Pudding Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and my grandmother’s Candy Cane Cookies. Here are some of the recipes that I used – you might decide to make a few yourself this year!
Chocolate Pecan Fudge
1 1/2 C sugar
2/3 C evaporated milk
2 T butter
1/4 tsp. salt
2 C mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate bits
1/2 C chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Line 8″ square baking pan with foil.
- Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces.
