Posts Tagged ‘fudge’

• Teacher Gifts!

  Date: 2011.12.19 | Category: saving money | Response: 0

  I saw this idea on Pinterest several months ago and I knew it was what I was going to do for teacher gifts this year.

  

  Don’t those look delightful?  Since I always make fudge I thought these would be perfect.  I found a cute set of cookie cutters 75% off at Hob Lob and decided to make two flavors, Peppermint Fudge and Orange Almond Fudge for each teacher.

  Here’s how mine turned out.

  

  Peppermint

  

  Orange Almond

  I learned a few lessons in the process that I’ll keep in mind for next year.  I think I slightly overfilled the cookie cutters- next time I’ll leave a little more space on top.  I was also worried that the fudge would dry out in the fridge overnight, so I used press n seal on top, but then I ended up with some smudges and texture from the press n seal on the “pretty” side.  Oops. Next time I think I’ll put the foil in a tupperware or something for while it sets up in the fridge.  I decided to leave the snowman and star plain while I decorated the tree and the snowflake with some crushed candy cane.  Had the texture been smooth and pretty it would have been even better!  In the picture above I have the star and snowman flipped over so you are seeing the bottom- sadly it’s the prettier side with the marks from the press n seal on the other side.  Oh well- it’s still yummy!

  

  

  I wrapped each cookie cutter in a baggie  and paired it with a coordinating pot holder.  Oh, and here’s a simple trick for little bags of treats- grab a fold top sandwich bag and use scissors to cut up the seam where the fold is.  Then place your treat inside and tie off the top with some curling ribbon.  It’s much less expensive than buying bags designed for gifting!

  Hopefully Ms. Sherri and Ms. Connie will enjoy their treats!

  

• Homemade Fudge

  Date: 2011.12.15 | Category: recipes | Response: 1

  I know that last year I mentioned one of my favorite Christmas treats is homemade fudge.  I usually make a peppermint and an orange fudge.  Well, this year I added a new type for my beloved husband who loves white chocolate… white chocolate vanilla fudge that I found on one of my favorite food blogs.  (I think it tastes too much like vanilla frosting.  My hubby says it’s just perfect.  It has me thinking though about using cream cheese frosting or something else.)  When I made the orange fudge this year I got a little crazy and switched out the vanilla extract for almond extract.  It’s a winner!  I really like the creamy texture with the orange almond flavor.  I’m also a better blogger this year, so I took pictures before we devoured the entire batch!

  Here are the recipes with pictures this time!

  Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

  1 pkg Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips
  1/2 pkg Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
  1 can sweetened condensed milk
  dash of salt
  1/2 tsp peppermint extract
  1/4 cup crushed candy canes

  Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in the microwave at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30-60 seconds.  Stir in all other ingredients.  Spread in a foil lined 8×8 baking dish.

  

  

  
  Chocolate Orange Fudge

  1 1/2 pkgs Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
  1 can sweetened condensed milk
  3 TBS chocolate syrup
  1/2 tsp orange extract
  1 tsp almond extract

  Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in the microwave at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30-60 seconds.  Stir in all other ingredients.  Spread in a foil lined 8×8 baking dish.

  

  

  
  Vanilla Peppermint Fudge

  1 (12 ounce) package of white chocolate chips or high quality white chocolate bar
  1 (16 ounce) container vanilla frosting
  1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  8 drops red food coloring
  2 Tablespoons crushed peppermint candies

  Line an 8X8 pan with foil
  Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval.
  Stir the frosting into the white chocolate chips.  Stir in peppermint extract. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Drop 8 drops of food coloring evenly spaced on top of the fudge. Using a knife swirl the food coloring. Sprinkle top of fudge with crushed peppermint candies and press down slightly.

  

  

  For each recipe, chill at least 2 hours. Turn fudge onto a cutting board and peel off foil.  Cut into small squares (I use a pizza roller).
  Store in a tightly sealed container at room temp.

  Can you just imagine all the yumminess here at our house?  Fudge also makes a great gift!  Check back in a few days to see how I made teacher gifts for JT’s preschool teachers.

  

  

  

  Yum!

  

• Christmas (or anytime!) Fudge

  Date: 2010.12.22 | Category: recipes | Response: 0

  These recipes are easy and by far make the yummiest fudge around!

  Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

  1 pkg Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips

  1/2 pkg Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

  1 can sweetened condensed milk

  dash of salt

  1/2 tsp peppermint extract

  1/4 cup crushed candy canes

  Chocolate Orange Fudge

  1 1/2 pkgs Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

  1 can sweetened condensed milk

  3 TBS chocolate syrup

  1/2 tsp orange extract

  Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk in the microwave at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30-60 seconds.  Stir in all other ingredients.  Spread in a foil lined 8×8 baking dish.  Chill 2 hours or until firm.

  Turn fudge onto a cutting board and peel off foil.  Cut into small squares (I use a pizza roller).

  Store in a tightly sealed container at room temp.

  Yum!