Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen

In a large pot, bring all ingredients except for popcorn and soda. Boil for five minutes, mixing well and stirring frequently. Remove from heat and quickly stir in soda. Pour popcorn into pot and mix quickly and well. You'll need two large flat pans (I spray mine with non-stick cooking spray) - spread the popcorn mix over the pans in a thin layer, and bake at 250 degrees F for about one hour, stirring a couple every 20 minutes. This stores very well in a tightly sealed container. For variations, you can add peanuts or pecans in when you add in the popcorn!

Peanut Brittle

2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups raw peanuts
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

In a large pot, mix sugar, syrup, and water, bringing to a hard boil (test with candy thermometer). Then add peanuts and stir well, then mix in butter. Cook this to a hard crack stage (again, test with candy thermometer). Remove from heat and mix in baking soda and vanilla. This will foam up, that's why you need a large pot. Pour onto a buttered cookie sheet immediately, stretching out as thick or thin as you like it, and then let it cool and harden. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

Praline Pecans

1 cup brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
3 tbsp light corn syrup
3/4 cup evaporated milk mixed with 1/2 cup water
2 tsp maple extract
1 1/2 cups pecans

Bring all ingredients except maple extract and pecans to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to cook until mixture reaches the soft ball stage, 236 degrees F. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature without stirring. Then stir in maple flavoring and pecans and mix until the candy begins to hold its shape. Drop onto waxed paper by spoonfuls to form 4" patties. Be sure to work quickly! This will make about a dozen pralines.

Darlene's Rice Krispy Treats

This is so easy! Follow the recipe for Rice Krispy Treats on the cereal box, but instead of using the marshmallows, use six regular sized candy bars - your favorite. I use Snickers Bars. Melt them with the butter, exactly like you make them normally, then mix in your cereal, spread into a pan, cool and cut into serving sizes. Everyone loves these with

The copyright of the article Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen in Southern Cooking is owned by Dar Cheek. Permission to republish Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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