Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Holiday Candies and Confections Roundup

The holidays wouldn't be the holidays without an (overabundance) of the modern day version of sugar plums. In other words, incredibly mouthwatering, decadent candies, cookies, cakes, and confections. Some made year round while others traditionally made only during the month of December. However, it's the candies and confections appearing on platters and in gift boxes once a year that seem to be the ones causing our eyes to widen, hearts to race, and mouths to drool. A twelve month wait can seem awfully long (even for those who pride themselves on having high levels of self-restraint). This may explain in part why we allow ourselves to (over) indulge in holiday sweets.

I thought I would again share, in no particular order, seven of my most favorite 'sweets' to make for the holidays. Although I will admit to being partial to the Sea Salted Chocolate Covered Caramels. With the exception of the marshmallows and caramels, everything else here are confections having limited run engagements around here. With a few exceptions, of course. The recipes range from easy to make to being a little on the tedious side (the orangettes win the time intensive but well worth the effort award). All but two of them involve either dark or milk chocolate. Only one requires the use of an oven. They are all wickedly, insanely delicious. However, most importantly nothing you buy at the store compares to holiday candies and confections made with love.

All of these holiday candies and confections are great travelers as they retain their freshness for weeks. Especially when packed well. This is especially important when your lovingly put together packages get temporarily lost in the mail or when the post office explains two day shipping actually means three or four day shipping in the weeks before Christmas.

Last weekend was holiday baking phase one around here. Phase two will happen sometime next week. Time enough for my chocolate dipping nightmares of being locked in a Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory, oh I mean dreams, to go away. What all this means is that you still have time to make something 'new' for the holidays. This could be the year you decide to start a few new holiday candy and confections traditions of your own.

You can link back to the recipes in the blog's archive by clicking on the descriptions below. How easy is that?