Each year right before Christmas, I send several large platters of cookies and candies along with my husband to his workplace to put out in the break room to share with his co-workers. I also use these same goodies to make gift bags or baskets for friends and neighbors. The three recipes below are my most requested. The Martha Washington candy is a lot of work, but the results are RICH and DELICIOUS! The children and I enjoy working together each year to make these tasty confections...it's a family tradition! They especially like getting their (clean!) hands in the mix! LOL And Cowboy Cookies have been a family favorite for years! So, if you need a gift idea that's sure to please...try cookies and candy! Your family and friends will be glad you did!
Martha Washington Candy
2 boxes powdered sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups chopped pecans
2 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter, melted
8 oz. coconut
1 block paraffin wax (1 out of the 4 in box)
1 pkg. chocolate chips
Directions
1. Combine first 6 ingredients and blend well. Roll into small balls. Chill about 1 hour.
2. Melt paraffin in double boiler, add chocolate chips. When melted and mixed well, using toothpicks, dip balls and place on wax paper.
Makes 75-85 balls of candy.
Cowboy Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups rolled oats
1 small pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans)
Cream sugars, butter, eggs, and vanilla until fluffy. Sift dry ingredients and stir in. Add oatmeal, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes around 8 dozen.
Easy Toffee Candy
1 1/4 cups butter, divided
35-40 saltine-style crackers
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts
Melt 1/4 cup butter; pour into foil-lined jelly roll pan. Arrange crackers over butter, spacing evenly. Melt remaining butter; add sugar and boil 2 minutes, stir occasionally. Remove from heat and add condensed milk. Spread over crackers.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until bubbly and slightly darkened. Remove from oven, cool 1 minute, and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes (until chocolate is soft) and spread. Sprinkle with nuts; press lightly into chocolate.
Cool, then refrigerate until chocolate is set. Remove foil and cut candy. Makes about 50 pieces.
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
