Sweets & Candy Gifts from the Kitchen
10. Traditional Coconut Ice
Delightfully easy to make, traditional Coconut ice is as much fun to make, as it is to receive. Mix 450 gm. castor sugar and 140 ml. milk and cook till syrup reaches soft ball stage. Add 125 gm. desiccated coconut. Add few drops of light pink food coloring and pour into a loaf tin to set. Mark out pieces with a knife. When set, turn out and cut into pieces. You can also divide the mixture into 2 halves and add white and pink food coloring to them. Pour the halved mixtures one upon the other into the loaf tin to get two-colored ice.
Image via: https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/christmas-ice/ddd60052-d3c3-4fae-a105-b4a25f1100bc
11. Microwave Fudge
Fudge is another Christmas favorite, quick and easy to make. And if you have only a couple of hours notice, you can prepare Microwave Fudge quickly by placing together 450 gm. icing sugar, 50 gm. cocoa, 100 gm. butter and 1/4th teacup milk in a non-metal bowl. Cook this uncovered on full power for 2 minutes without stirring. Add 1 tsp. vanilla extract and stir till well blended. Pour in 7-1/2 inch greased square tin and refrigerate for 1 hour. When set, cut in squares and put in paper cases to arrange in your gift box.
12. Homemade Chocolate Candy
Like cookies, candy is another gift always liked by everyone and can be made in an unlimited number of ways, or limited only by your creativity. For an extremely easy to make homemade chocolate candy, melt chocolate and add condensed milk to it while half melted and then continue to melt completely. Add nuts and pour in a buttered tin and press well. Top with more nuts and refrigerate overnight. Cut into squares and store in a cool place.
13. Candy Canes
Candy Canes are great favorites with children. Simmer 1 cup sugar with ¼ cup light corn syrup, ¼ cup water and 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar until the mix reaches about 280 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat and add few drops of peppermint flavoring. Divide the syrup in half. Add food coloring to one half; pour out separately onto the greased surfaces. Cool for 1 to 2 minutes.
Pull each half separately; roll into 1/2″ thick ropes. Twist colored batch around the white batch pulling until the colors adhere. Cut with scissors into 6″ long lengths; bend to crook one end.
14. Granola Bars
Granola Bars, Squares and Balls can be put together in a jar or tin for a lovely gift.
15. Popcorn Balls
Popcorn Balls can be made easily at home. Melt 1 cup Margarine. Add 1 1/3 cup sugar & 1/2 cup corn syrup. Bring to a full boil and boil for 3 minutes, Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir and Pour over 4 qts. popped corn and mix well. Roll popped corn into balls.
16. Chewy Caramels
Chewy Caramels can be made easily in the microwave by cooking 75 gm. butter in a heat-proof bowl for 1 minute. Stir in 125 gm. golden syrup and 150 gm. clear honey and cook for 9 minutes. Beat this till thickened and add 50 gm. chopped nuts. Pour into greased shallow tin and allow to cool. When cool enough to handle, roll into small balls and flatten them. Place on greased foil and allow to set overnight. This recipe makes about 12 oz. caramels.
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