Candycane-crusted fudge.

My first attempt at fudge went well. It's easier than I planned for! That was a pleasant little surprise. A few people asked for the recipe, so I shall share it here. The original came from this blog. But I made some tweaks and used specific brands of stuff, so here you go, friends.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (I used Eagle Brand)
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used Hershey's)
• 4 squares Bakers unsweetened chocolate (4 ounces. This is the key to the off-the-scale yummy factor. This is the best brand of chocolate.)
• Three crushed peppermint candycanes 

Directions

Line an 8 x 8-inch pan or a 9 x 9-inch pan with foil and set aside. 


Combine the cream and sweetened condensed milk in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Heat until it is steaming, but not boiling, stirring occasionally to keep from scorching. 

Add all of the chocolate and remove from the heat. Allow the chocolate to melt, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. (This part was so hard for me. I wanted to stir it. But I did not.) 

After 10 minutes, whisk firmly until it is thick and shiny. You can add a few drops of flavoring extract or oil at this point, or add some powdered espresso or vanilla. Whisk vigorously again to incorporate the flavoring (if used.) 

Use a rubber or silicone spatula to spread the mixture out evenly in your prepared, foil-lined pan. Sprinkle some of the crushed candycane on top. 

Allow to cool at room temperature 12 hours or overnight so that it firms slowly. Take the fudge from the pan and remove the foil. Place on a cutting board. 

Using a knife heated with hot water and wiped dry, cut the fudge into cubes. Press the cut sides of the fudge into crushed candycanes.

Wrapping it up.

First and foremost, thank you, Pinterest, for being born and giving me endless ideas and a tidy little place to organize them. I love you so.

My xmas wrapping technique was a compilation of many ideas, some gathered here on my packaging pinboard. I didn't have time to do a lot of homemade gifts this year, so I was feeling like the presents needed a special personal touch. Brown butcher paper (recycled, easier on the environment) + paper doilies + dipped yarn did the trick. My grandma was especially excited about the wrap job.

My Martha Steward edger hole punch decorated the tops of the bags perfectly. 

That yarn (found at Ben Franklin Crafts in Kaysville) was dip-dyed in green and red. 

I did make a few felt flowers (because what is a Christmas without those?). I turned them into hair thingies for the little girlies in the family. And also maybe one big red one for myself. 

I hope your holidays were merry and bright!