Tag Archives: christmas confections

Walnut Caramels

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Preparation time: 15 min.
Cooking time: about 1 hr.

Luscious caramels make a welcome gift at Yuletide. They can be made a week to 10 days ahead of presentation, as long as they are wrapped airtight and stored for the interim in a cool, dark place.

For 64 candies (about 1½ lbs.) you will need:

2 cups sugar
¾ cup light corn syrup
½ cup (¼ lb.) butter or margarine
2 cups half-and-half
½ cup finely chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla

Preparation:

  1. In a large heavy saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and half of the cream. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  2. Stir in remaining cream, nuts and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches a temperature of 244°F. on a candy thermometer (small amount dried into very cold water will form a firm ball). As mixture becomes thick, stir constantly.
  3. Immediately pour mixture evenly into a well buttered 8-inch-square pan. Let stand until cool.
  4. Cut into 1-inch squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper or plastic film.

© MCMLXXXIV MY GREAT RECIPES®. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Spicy Sugared Nuts

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Preparation time: 15 min.
Cooking time: about 15 min.

Easily-made, this unusual confection is wonderful as a holiday treat. Include it with other candies for a welcome gift.

For about ¾ lb. of candy you will need:
½ cup pure maple syrup or maple blended syrup
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp. Butter or margarine
½ tsp. Cinnamon
¼ tsp. Ginger
⅛ tsp. each ground cloves and allspice
Dash salt
1½ cups pecans

Preparation:

  1. In medium saucepan, combine syrup and sugar.
  2. Bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Using a candy thermometer, cook syrup without stirring until temperature reaches 236°F or the softball stage.
  4. Remove from heat. Add butter, spices, and salt.
  5. Stir in nuts, then beat with spoon until syrup begins to thicken and becomes slightly creamy in color.
  6. Spread on waxed paper, separating nuts with a fork.
  7. Cook, then store in airtight containers.

© MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED®. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Christmas Confections

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Cereal Christmas Trees

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
32 large or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon green food color
4 cups Cheerios cereal
Small gumdrops

In large saucepan, heat butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring constantly, until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and food color. Fold in cereal until evenly coated.

On waxed paper, quickly shape warm mixture with buttered hands into Christmas tree shapes, using about 2/3 cup mixture for each place card-size tree or 1/4 cup mixture for each cookie-size tree. For ornaments, cut gumdrops into slices and press onto trees. 6 to 8 place card-sized tress or 16 to 20 cookie sized trees.

Cereal Christmas Balls: Shape mixture into balls, using about 1/2 cup mixture for each. Cut gumdrops into fourths and press onto balls. 8 balls.

Carameled Cereal

In top of double boiler over hot water, heat 28 vanilla caramels in 2 tablespoons water, stirring frequently, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour caramel mixture over 5 cups Kix cereal; mix gently. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. About 3 dozen candies.

©Copyright 1971 by General Mills, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.