Christmas Candy Food Gifts - Christmas - Cooking

Make Candy, Make Sweet Christmas Gifts

No Comments | Written on December 15, 2011 at 11:00 am, by Amy Palanjian

Coconut Almond Candy Bars I’m a big fan of food gifts. especially when they involve candy or preserves. This year I only bought one single solitary gift—the rest of our giftables were made months ago when we had summer produce galore (I’m not sharing any more details, lest I give away the scoop on everyone’s holiday gifts). And as a recipient, I’d rather be given something useful, which in my world means something that can be eaten or used in the kitchen. I like the practicality and the thought that goes into a gift of something that I wouldn’t necessarily buy or make for myself. This means high-quality olive oil, well-made preserves, sea salt, dark chocolate—and dark chocolate made into edible delights.

Last year I made a super-simple batch of Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry, Cranberry, Cashew Clusters (shown above) and learned how quick and easy making candy at home can be. Plus, I enjoyed knowing exactly what went into each cluster, and being able to enjoy a sweet that was as simple to make as it was delicious to eat. They don’t take too many ingredients (which means less money and less of a mess in the kitchen), and they are a nice counterpart to the more complicated desserts which invariably show up at holiday dinners and parties.

Plus, a little bag or box of these treats would make an excellent last-minute gift. Here are a few more of my favorite recipes:

Coconut-Almond Candy Bars: Six ingredients and a recipe that can be made up to a week in advance. Plus it tastes like an Almond Joy bar, which is a serious bonus. (If I haven’t told you, I love coconut in most all forms!)

Five-Minute Fudge: The name says it all! Homemade fudge is the best. And if walnuts aren’t your thing, you can sub in whichever nut you like best.

Chocolate Bark with Pistachios and Dried Cherries: A classic bark recipe, this simple candy is crunchy, a little chewy, and will make any health-nut happy with it’s high-quality (and antioxidant-rich) dark chocolate.