I know. I know. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I can’t help myself. When I noticed that my local market was having a sale on fresh cranberries I instantly thought of all of the homemade gifts I could make with them. I plan to stock up on the tart berries and make a few jars worth of Honey Cranberry Butter to give away as holiday gifts.
For me holiday gift giving begins this month. After all, who goes to a person’s house on Thanksgiving without taking a hostess gift? The following recipes are some of my favorite edible gifts. Not only are they a breeze to make, but also the ingredients are affordable, which is a huge bonus given these tough economic times.
HONEY CRANBERRY BUTTER
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped fresh cranberries (Frozen cranberries may be used in place of fresh)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup prepared cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons ground walnuts
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Directions:
Whip butter until pale yellow. Add cranberries, honey, cranberry sauce, walnuts, milk and orange peel. Whip until light pink in color.
Makes 1 1/2 cups.
HOLIDAY FUDGE
Ingredients:
3 cups (18 ounce) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
Dash salt
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Line 8 or 9-inch square pan with wax paper.
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat, stir in nuts and vanilla.
Chill 2 hours or until firm.
Turn fudge onto cutting board, peel off paper and cut into squares.
Place in decorative tins or other holiday-themed containers and present to loved ones.
MONKEY BARS
Ingredients:
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups rolled oats
4 cups crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup peanuts
Directions:
Combine marshmallows, honey, butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt together in a medium saucepan. Heat mixture over low heat, stirring constantly.
In a 9 by 13 baking pan, combine oats, rice cereal, coconut and peanuts. Pour warm honey mixture over dry ingredients. Mix until thoroughly coated. Pack mixture firmly into pan. Allow to cool completely before cutting.
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