Keep in mind though, these gifts are wonderfully thrifty - if you don't have to mail them. If you are looking at mailing gifts, think seriously about something very light that would ship cheaply, like a silk scarf or a family portrait.
Thrifty Gifts - Easy Candy!
Don't be disuaded from making candy, even if you have failed before. Trust me, my family has eaten more than their share of grainy, syrupy fudge. (Even frosted a cake once....) All of these recipes are easy to make and are well received.
*Easy Change Fudge*
14 oz sweetened condensed milk 12 oz sweetened candy chips (semisweet chocolate, or peanutbutter, etc.) 1 t. vanilla
Butter a 8x8x2 pan. In a saucepan combine all the ingrediants. Heat and stir over low heat until mixture is smooth. Spread in pan and chill until firm.
For nutty fudge: add 1.5 c. chopped nuts For swirled fudge: Make two different flavors (chocolate and peanut butter are great!) Chill until setting, but not firm. Add one fudge to the other and fold very gently.
*Peanut Brittle* 1.5 t. baking soda 1 t. water 1 t. vanilla 1.5 c. sugar 1 c. water 1 c. light corn syrup 3 T butter 1 lb shelled, unroasted peanuts 3 drops red food coloring (if desired)
Combine the sugar, 1 c. water and the corn syrup in a 3 quart saucepan. Cook and stir until the syrup reaches 240 degrees (soft ball stage). Stir in butter and peanuts and cook until 300 degrees (hard thread stage). Remove from heat and add the baking soda, water, vanilla, and food coloring. Pour the candy mixture onto buttered cookie sheets. When cool, break into pieces. Stores well.
*Mint Wafers*
31/2 to 4 c. powdered sugar 2/3 c.sweetened condensed milk .5 t. of your favorite mint extract a few drops of green food coloring .5 c. chocolate chips
Mix together the sugar, milk, extract, and food coloring. Knead until smooth. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on waxed paper. Flatten to 1/4 inch thickness. Let dry for an hour, flip and let dry for another hour. Gently melt the chocolate chips. Brush the melted chocolate on the tops of the wafers.
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