Friday, December 19, 2014

English Toffee

This time of year I love to make gifts to take to friends and loved ones. This candy is fast and easy to make. AND everyone thinks you're a great cook because it tastes so good. (Butter and sugar always melts in your mouth.)



2 cubes butter which is half a pound (must be AA grade. Lesser grades of butter have water in them and the candy will separate.)
1 cup sugar
5 T. water
1 t. vanilla
Chocolate – use good quality, your favorite
Nuts – any kind you wish.

Put the butter, sugar and water in a frying pan and turn the heat up high. Don’t turn it down. Stir the whole time. It takes about 10 – 15 minutes to make. Cook it until the color turns caramel.


You can see little puffs of smoke coming from the caramel-colored bubbles. Take it off the heat and add the vanilla.
Pour the candy over the sliced almonds or chopped walnuts. I have a marble slab that I pour the candy on, but you can use a cookie sheet set on a bread board. The candy gets so hot, I wouldn’t put the cookie sheet directly on Formica. It might burn through. If you want the candy covered with chocolate, sprinkle pieces on top while it’s hot and let it melt. Spread it out.

Cool, break it into pieces and enjoy. Plan on making several batches. My kids can eat it faster than I can make it.

Happy Holidays! Enjoy!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Holiday Granola



Holiday Granola that blesses our lives all year long.

My husband loves granola, so I've experimented over the years, and this is what we've come up with that we both love. It started as a holiday treat to give family and friends, but we've extended it to last all year long.
It's quick and easy to make!

Bob and Christy's Holiday Granola
12 cups old fashioned oats (use good quality ones)
1 cup wheat germ
2 cups sun flower seeds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Add nuts, chopped or whole, as you wish.
I include almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts - all unsalted and coarsely chopped

Bake on a cookie sheet at 275 degrees for 15 minutes, stir and bake another 15 minutes.
Add dried fruit you wish.
I add 16 oz raisins and 1 cup of dried pear bits (from the tree in our back yard)

Enjoy!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Book Winner Announced

Congratulations to Kristina, winner of Family Talk.

Thanks to all of you who entered the contest. I am grateful that you visit my blog. Have a great holiday.


Hugs all around! Christy