Favorite Christmas Recipes

Two are from friends, one from my Mom, and one I found myself two years ago in a magazine. :) Enjoy!

FAST FUDGE

1 Bag (12 oz) Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Bag (12 oz) Butterscotch morsels
1 Can (14 oz) Sweetened condensed milk

Mix ingredients in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, take out & stir, microwave for another 30 seconds, take out & stir briskly. If all chips are melted, pour into a greased 9 X 9 pan. Otherwise, microwave another 15 seconds until melted. (If you microwave too much, you'll scorch the chocolate...ask me how I know. :::wink::) Refrigerate until solid, then cut into squares.

SOUTHERN SPICED PECANS

1/4 C butter or margarine
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
3 C pecan halves
2 T sugar
1 tsp. salt.

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add the cumin and cayenne; cook and stir for 1 minute. remove from heat; stir in the pecans, sugar and salt until well coated. Spread in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 300 for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Cool. Store in an airtight container. Note: Feel free to up the ante on the butter & spices. I don't measure & I know I end up using more than the recipe calls for. :)

CANDIED NUTS

(These taste like cinnamon rolls in a nut!)

1 egg white
4 C nuts (pecan halves or walnuts, whole almonds or hazelnuts)
1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 T cinnamon (I use 2)
1/4 tsp. salt

Beat egg white until foamy. Stir in nuts. Combine dry ingredients and add the nuts; stir well to coat. Spread on greased cookie sheet; bake 30 minutes at 300. Remove with spatula & break apart as needed.

PECAN SANDIES (My Mom's recipe)

1 C margarine
1/4 C. confectioner's sugar
2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 C ground pecans
1 tsp vanilla

Cream margarine and sugar, add flour & baking powder (sifted to combine). Add nuts and vanilla, mix thoroughly. Shape with fingers into small rolls about 2" long, or small balls. Bake in a 350 oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Roll in confectioner's sugar while hot. Note: This dough is really stiff because the only wet ingredient is the vanilla - just keep kneeding & mixing - the result is worth it. :)

Knitting news: I'm up to the decrease row between ribbing sections on Gigi's top. I'd like to say I'll be finished today but.... I'm working all day & then hubbie is having a friend over after she gets off from work. I wonder if she'll mind if I knit while we talk??? hehehe

Comments

[Silja]

Wow, Ty Bron. These must be tried!
Dont know if I can get holde of Semi-sweet chocolate chips here in norway, could you please post a photo so I can see what these look like so I can try to find some in a store here?
Big hugs :)

[Mia]

"And coming up next on FoodTV, the Bron show!" I like the recipes.

[emily]

My grandma gave me the recipe for candied nuts, now I have to make them for my dad and boyfriend every year. They freeze really well!

[Dawn]

YUM! thanks for the recipes, Bron.
~ DAWN

[Bron]

You're welcome, everyone!

Emily - those candied nuts never last long enough around here to freeze! But that's good to know. :)

Silja - Either chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips sould work - chocolate chips just make a sweeter fudge. But I'll see what I can do about a pic for you!

[maryse]

thank you bron -- i've been needing some recipes for small gifts for colleagues at work and hostess gifts for parties and these are great recipes.

one question -- i was at the store checking out the nut selection -- the nuts you mention in your recipes -- can they be already roasted (unsalted) or should we start with raw nuts -- or does it really matter.

thanks so much for the recipes.

[Bron]

Hey Maryse! I'm glad you like the recipes. :) The recipes say "raw nuts" but I think roasted but unsalted would work just as well. You'll just be re-toasting them to set the coating. :)

[Margaret]

Okay, I am going to make your Southern Spiced Pecans TODAY! Will let you know how we like them! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!