Christmas is a great time to spend with kids in all activities, but nothing is more fun than inviting the kids into the kitchen to help prepare some special treats for Santa! There are not only great cookies that can be made which we all know are Santa's favorites. I bet he would also love some great Christmas candy.
My mom made caramels and double decker fudge a lot when we were kids for Christmas. Today, I found her recipes, handwritten in a cookbook! I may have to add one of these to my Christmas baking list this year. The caramels were always a personal favorite and sooo good! I will provide my mom's recipes below.
Another great Christmas candy is Peppermint Bark. It is so easy to make and will put a big smile on the kids and Santa's faces. The recipe I will be making this year is for marbled peppermint bark.
Marbled Peppermint Bark
Dark Chocolate- bark or chips
White Chocolate- bark or chips
Peppermint- usually crushed candy canes
Melt the dark and white chocolate in two separate bowls using a double boiler method or in the microwave.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the dark chocolate evenly on the parchment paper, about 1/4 in thick. Then add dollops of the white chocolate on top.
Use a knife, chopstick, or skewer to swirl the white chocolate into the dark chocolate then sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
Place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour. Then remove from the fridge and break into pieces with your hands or knife.
You can store this on the counter, fridge, or freezer.
Grab those kiddos, bake some cookies (chocolate chip or sugar are the most popular) any kind. Or treat Santa to a special treat of peppermint bark, or fudge. Don't forget the milk for Santa and the treats for Rudolph!
Mom's Double Decker Fudge
1 C Peanut butter chips
2/3 C Eagle brand evaporated milk
Melt in microwave 1 1/2 minute. Pour into 8x8 pan lined with wax paper and cool.
1 C chocolate chips and the rest of Eagle brand.
Melt and pour on the peanut butter fudge and cool.
Cut into squares.
Mom's Caramels
Need: stainless steel saucepan with lid, candy thermometer, wooden corner spoon, wax paper, sheet cake pan.
1/2 stick of butter
2 C sugar
1 C light corn syrup
1 can of Eagle evaporated milk.
Cook to 242 degrees and remove from the stove, stirring occasionally. Then stir in 1 1/4 tsp vanilla. Stir then transfer to pan lined with parchment paper.
Cool completely. Once cooled, cut the caramel into small squares and wrap them in wax paper. Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
Other great candies you can make are toffee, other types of fudge (one I have always wanted to try is Eggnog Fudge), puppy chow, chocolate covered pretzels, and turtles. Does your family do any special candies or cookies for Christmas?
I hope you and your families and friends have a fabulous Christmas. I hope it is a time of togetherness, remembrance, and just happiness. I hope you and the kids in your life have a great time preparing for Santa!
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