Sweets for Christmas

[monkeybum]

I am trying not to spend a fortune on pressies this Christmas and apart from the usual chutneys, jelly etc I would quite like to give homemade sweets. My aunt used to something with chocolate and marvel milk powder that were yummy but I can't remember the recipe.
Does anyone have any other sweet ideas I could try?

[Earthbabe]

I have quite a few so will post tomorrow as I haven't a lot of time tonight to dig out books etc. There were some nice recipes in the October Asda magazine. I'm going to try the blackcurrant jelly sweets with some of my frozen blackberries.

[dexterdoglancashire]

This is taking me back to when I first was interested in cooking! I'm not a "sweet" person (although I'm quite cute! ) I have the following recipes if you are interested: turkish delight, vanilla fudge and peanut brittle. I can post them if you are interested. DDL PS just found some flowers from my wedding bouquet (23 years ago Sept!) and the book is the first cookery book I ever owned! DDL

[Shortie]

Yes please to all... Chrimbo sweets recipies sounds fab!!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Actually - I apologize! Have just got out an original Mrs Beeton - there are recipes for every type of sweet you could imagine! Only problem is, there are that many! if you have any ideas, let me know, otherwise we'd be here from now till Christmas! DDL

[Shortie]

Are there any 'seasonal' tasting ones - orange and cinnamon etc...? Thinking for the Christmas theme and all..

[dexterdoglancashire]

Turkish Delight

You will need: (apols for "old money" thats how old the book is! and, erm me! and it is a children cookery book!)

3/4pt cold water
1lb granulated sugar
10z powdered gelatine
few drops vanilla or other essence
few drops chochineal or other colouring
1oz cornflour
1oz icing sugar

Fill a 7x7 inch square tin with cold water and put aside.
Put 1/4pt and the granulated sugar in a pan and dissove over a low heat.
Put 1/2pt cold water and the powdered gelatine into a large saucepan and dissolve over a low heat.
When both the sugar and the gelatine are dissolved, pour the sugar mixture into the gelatine mixture and mix.
Add the flavouring and colouring and bring to the boil and boil FAST for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool by standing pan in a bowl of cold water until it resembles liquid jelly. IT MUST NOT SET AT ALL.
Empty the water from the square tin and pour in the turkish delight mixture.
Leave overnight to set.
Sift the cornflower and icing sugar together.
Cut around the mixture using a knife, warmed in hot water. Toss the stips in the cornflower/sugar mixture.
Makes approximately 1lb 6oz.

DDL note: Im sure that somewhere I read you could add a few drops of rose water to make it smell/taste extra nice? not sure though!

DDL

[Shortie]

Old Money's good by me DDL! Might have fun experimenting in time for Christmas here....

[Filbert]

Scottish Tablet

For those of you with a really sweet tooth, this went down really well with the family last year.

Scottish Tablet

Ingredients:
2lb granulated sugar
4oz butter
1/4 pint water
1/4 pint milk
Large tin condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla essence

Method:
Put the sugar, butter, water and milk into a large, heavy pan over a low heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil and boil for 10 mins without stirring. Stir in condensed milk and boil for another 10 mins. Remove from heat and add vanilla essence. Beat the mixture for 1 min, then pour into a buttered tin and mark out into squares. Cut when cold.

Hope you like

[dexterdoglancashire]

Peanut Brittle

you will need:

4oz roasted peanuts
8oz sugar
4 tablespoons water
squeeze lemon juice

Butter a 7" square tin.
Chop the peanuts.
Dissolve the sugar in the water in a large saucepan ove ra low heat. Add the lemon juice.
Bring gently to the boil.
As the sugar begins to turn colour remove from the heat add the chopped peanuts and pour into the prepared tin.
Do not let the sugar turn too brown. It must not burn.
When set, break into bite sized pieces.

DDL

[dexterdoglancashire]

Has anyone got a recipe for coconut ice? DDL

[dexterdoglancashire]

Just having a "fertle" for christmas ones! do you want the vanilla fudge recipe? DDL

[dexterdoglancashire]

Erm, not that many christmas ones. candied chestnuts, candied peel, choc pralines? any good? DDL

[ChrisB]

Home made rum truffles made with good ingredients - very rich. Peppermint creams

To add another two to the list

[nick the grief]

Has anyone got a recipe for coconut ice? DDL

Yes thank you