8 Days of Christmas - #3 Sweet and Saltines

Well this is just crack, there's no way that you can eat just one and walk away, frankly there's no way you can eat just two or three and walk away.  They are THAT addicting.

I am not going to post the whole recipe as it's already on my blog, I'll just link you to it.  Enjoy!

8 Days of Christmas - #1  Peppermint Bark
8 Days of Christmas - #2  Homemade Caramels
8 Days of Christmas - #3  Sweet and Saltines

Sweet and Saltines 

8 Days of Christmas - #2 Homemade Caramels

These are not only easy to make but I promise you will never buy store bought caramels again.  So So good.

8 Days of Christmas - #1  Peppermint Bark
8 Days of Christmas - #2  Homemade Caramels

Credit: Southern Plate

Creamy Caramels

• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 Cup Butter or Margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Line an eight inch square pan with heavy aluminum foil. Butter foil and set aside. In large sauce pot, place sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil slowly for four minutes without stirring and then remove from heat. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Return to medium heat and place candy thermometer in pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until thermometer reads Soft Ball Stage (238 degrees). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Pour into prepared pan. Allow to cool until able to handle. Cut into one inch squares and place each square (which will look like a blob at this point) in the center of a wax paper square, roll up and twist ends.

8 Days of Christmas - #1 Peppermint Bark

Can you believe it?  Only 8 days left until Christmas, where has this year gone?

I was going to do the 12 days of Christmas to stick with tradition but I've been so busy around here that I haven't really had a chance to sit down and compose a post.

I've been baking and baking and baking some more, not only for us here at home but for gifts for friends and teachers and so forth.  It's been crazy busy but there's nothing more pleasant than a Christmas Kitchen.

So here we go folks.....the 8 Days of Christmas.   From today until Christmas Day, I will posting a recipe for goodies, who knows maybe it will inspire some of you to get into your kitchens and whip up some delicious gifts for those you love.

First on the list............Peppermint Bark.  Oh yeah, you know I wouldn't let that one go.  This is so so so easy to make and so so so easy to eat too LOL

Use dark, milk or white chocolate, whichever you prefer, I used White chocolate for this batch but my next one is Milk Chocolate.

8 Days of Christmas #1 - Peppermint Bark

 

Peppermint Bark

1 bag of white chocolate chips

1 tablespoon shortening (don't have to use it, I actually learned this trick from my friend Jen and it really does make the chocolate melt easier)

10 or more candy canes

Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds...stir.  Microwave for another 30 seconds...stir again.  Repeat until white chocolate is melted.

Crush candy canes, remember to leave some big pieces.   Place the candy cane pieces into a metal strainer and shake them into the melted white chocolate, stir.  

Line a cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) with wax paper.  Pour the white chocolate onto cookie sheet and sprinkle the remaining candy cane pieces on top of the white chocolate.

Place in the refrigerator until firm.  Break into chunks.

Watch hit disappear!  My first batch is GONE!  Now I have to make the second one.