Easy Holiday Fudge-Thrifty Gifty #12

For those of you who really only have about an hour to dedicate to whipping up a holiday treat...this EASY holiday fudge is for you!

INGREDIENTS (to make one batch of fudge):

•1 can sweetened condensed milk
•1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz)
•A package of candy or a couple candy bars
 (m&m's, peppermints, heath bar, reese's peanut butter cups, etc.)
•Saucepan
•Spatula
•Can Opener
•Round cake pan
•Saran wrap
•Crisco or non-stick baking spray

DIRECTIONS:

•Grease a round cake pan
•In a saucepan, add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
•On medium heat, stir consistently until all ingredients are well melted and mixed.
•While the ingredients are melting on the stove, rinse out milk can and cover with saran wrap. Grease the covered can with Crisco and place in the middle of the greased round cake pan. 
This will create a wreath shape when the fudge is removed!

•Pour the melted ingredients into the round cake pan and around the milk can that is in the center.
•Add crushed candy to the top of your fudge and place immediately into the refrigerator to cool for at least four hours.
•Cut up and enjoy!

IDEAS:

•This holiday treat is great as gifts for teachers as you and your child can make it together!
•Plate up some cookies and add a few sweet fudgie treats to the platter and give to a neighbor or friend!
•Pop out of the mold and serve on a beautiful dish with a knife and let guests enjoy their own personal sized samples.
 

Gifts in a Jar, Thrifty Gifty #11

Time is passing quickly and Christmas is around the corner! Uh oh, do you still have people that you wanted to give gifts to??? Here is a great solution to your dilemma. This is such a fun idea and it does not take a lot of time. You will be assembling the ingredients for a wonderful, yummy treat but you will not be cooking it. You will provide directions on how to complete the "treat" whenever the recipient would like to. You can make several of these "gifts in a jar" at one time and have them ready to give to friends at a moment's notice. This is a great gift to make and have on hand just in case someone stops over and gives you a little something. Then you have something very nice to reciprocate with. I have been making these little gifts for a long time. You can vary the recipes from year to year and always have something new and fun to give. These gifts are fun for all ages.

Supplies:

Mason jar with lid

Nice small piece of fabric

Gift tag or label (see our other post on how to make recycled gift tags - http://allaboutbeinginspired.blogspot.com/2010/12/thrifty-gifty-8-gift-tags-recycled-from.html

Ribbon or raffia

Rubber band

Kitchen supplies - bowls for mixing, measuring cups and spoons, spoons for stirring

Recipe for a Gift in a Jar and those particular ingredients

Directions:

1.Find a great recipe you like for your Gift in a Jar. Here is a great link I found for some awesome recipes. There are so many, I am sure you will love them.

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml

2. Gather your ingredients and mix all together according to the recipe.

3. Follow the recipe and layer the ingredients correctly.

4. Print out the recipe directions for the recipient of your gift so they know how to make whatever you are giving them (hot cocoa, cake, cookies, soup,etc.) and attach to the gift tag or label.

5. Close the jar with the lid. Use the small piece of fabric and cut a square or circle about 3 inches larger than the lid of your jar. Use pinking shears if you have them so your fabric does not fray.

6. Center the fabric on the jar lid and use a rubber band to secure around the neck of the jar.

7. Tie a piece of ribbon or raffia around the rubber band so it looks pretty.

8. You can make a nice label for your jar stating what the treat will be.

For example: Yummy Peppermint Hot Cocoa

These make very nice gifts for teachers, bus drivers, friends and family. I would love hear your comments on these ideas. Let us know what you made!