tis the season

yesterday i ventured into my first holiday candy-making experience.  after narrowing down some recipes, i decided on making buckeyes, chocolate & butterscotch fudge, and peppermint patties.  again, i have never made any of these tasty treats.  my slightly more experienced sidekick, andrea, gave me a few pointers as we began our day of candy making.

we put the recipes side-by-side and created a master shopping list.  at the store, we filled our cart with five bags of semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels, two bags of powdered sugar, butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and a few other necessary items (read: wine).  we carefully planned out all the timing of the various sugary treats and started with the peppermint patties.

the peppermint patties were something that i heard many friends talking about making last holiday season.  i researched them a bit and told myself that i would make them next year.  the recipe sounded quite simple and it actually was!

peppermint patties
3/4 c. condensed sweetened milk
4 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 
3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 bar of paraffin wax 

In a large mixing bowl, combine condensed milk and peppermint extract. Beat in enough confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, to form a stiff dough that is no longer sticky. Form into 1 inch balls, then place on waxed paper and flatten with fingers to form patties. Let patties dry at room temperature two hours, turning once. 

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate with paraffin in a double boiler, stirring often. Dip patties, one at a time, into chocolate by laying them on the tines of a fork and lowering the fork into the liquid. Let cool on waxed paper until set.  

the first part was quite easy and the patties began to dry quickly.  the more difficult part was dipping the patties into the chocolate.  if you don't do it quick enough, the patties begin to melt.  it's also difficult to lower the patties in the pan deep enough.  we discovered it's good to have another pair of hands help you slide the covered patty onto the waxed paper.    they're VERY tasty!  just like a york peppermint patty.  

 while the peppermint patties were cooling, we made the chocolate & butterscotch fudge.  this was a recipe that i can across on hershey's website.  this isn't made like regular fudge...it's easier!  

chocolate & butterscotch fudge

• 1 c. butterscotch chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk 
• 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Line 8-inch square pan with foil.  

Place butterscotch chips and 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk in small microwave-safe bowl; set aside.  

Place chocolate chips, remaining sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted. 

Stir in walnuts. Spread evenly in prepared pan. 

Microwave butterscotch chip mixture at MEDIUM 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted. Spread evenly over chocolate layer. 

Refrigerate until firm. Remove from pan; place on cutting board. Peel off foil; cut into squares. Store tightly covered in refrigerator. 

About 4 dozen pieces or 2 pounds. NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.

super easy!  just follow the directions and pop it in the refrigerator!  once hardened, you have delicious (and rich!) fudge!  

the final candy treat we made were the buckeyes, using the davis family recipe.  while i've eaten my fair share of buckeyes, i've never made them and was eager to give them a try!  though our peanut butter balls were nothing spectacular and varied in size, they turned out very well!  the peanut butter was very creamy and they almost melted in your mouth!  

buckeyes

1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. peanut butter
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla

Mix well and roll into balls.
Melt 1 lb. choc chips and paraffin (1/3 cake) in double boiler.
Dip balls halfway into chocolate.
Cool on waxed paper. 

i had a great time making these tasty treats!  it was SO much better than baking!  i didn't have to turn on the oven, deal with messy ingredients, or ice and decorate dozens of cookies!  it seemed like a much easier process!  maybe next year i'll make even more!