Christmas Candy Recipes

Christmas candy ... perfect for sharing at holiday parties, giving as gifts, or just making and eating with your family. Making candy can be very intimidating for the beginning chef, but it doesn't have to be.

Molded Chocolate Mints

(you'll need a candy mold for this, any style you like, found at a baking supply store)

1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 package white chocolate chips

crème de menthe candy oils

green candy coloring (or you can simply use green candy melts instead of white chocolate chips)

In a small microwavable bowl, melt the semi-sweet chips, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Spoon into molds, filling about halfway. Melt white chocolate chips (or candy melts) the same way. Add a few drops of crème de menthe oil, to taste, along with the food coloring (if you're using chips), then spoon into molds, filling the rest of the way. Allow to set before popping candies out of molds. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

This is the easiest way I've found of making this sugary confection!

Vanilla frosting

Maraschino cherries

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Candy molds

Melt the chips as described above. Drop a small dollop of chocolate into each mold, then, using a paintbrush, smooth the chocolate along the inside of the mold until it is covered. Add a small bit of melted frosting to each mold, followed by a single cherry, then cover with another layer of chocolate. Allow to set before removing from mold and store in an airtight container.

Potato Candy

1 cup potatoes, mashed (real potatoes, not the instant kind)

1-2 lbs. Powdered sugar

1 ½ cups peanut butter (may be crunchy or smooth, as you prefer)

Mash potatoes thoroughly, squishing all lumps. Gradually blend in sugar until you have a thick dough. Sprinkle powdered sugar onto waxed paper, and roll dough out until it's about ¼ to 1/3" thick. Smooth peanut butter across the surface of the dough, then roll the dough into a log shape, Chill for at least an hour before slicing. Store in an airtight container until read to serve.