| When it comes to giving out holiday gifts, I love | | | | container until the chocolate is melted. Add |
| to make homemade gifts for my friends and | | | | chopped almonds, dried cranberries and the |
| family. I enjoy spending an afternoon in my | | | | grated orange peel, stir until blended. Spread |
| kitchen making some delicious fudge, cookies, bars | | | | chocolate mixture into your prepared pan and |
| and scones. | | | | cover with aluminum foil. Refrigerate the fudge |
| You can present your homemade goodies in | | | | for 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan using |
| food-safe gift bags, food-safe cellophane bags or | | | | the foil and place on a tray. Once its on the tray, |
| you can purchase some food-safe storage tins or | | | | cut into bite-sized serving pieces. Store in an |
| containers. Once you have your treats properly | | | | airtight container in the refrigerator. |
| packaged, just attach a gift tag and a bow. | | | | Cream Cheese and Nut Fudge |
| The following 2 recipes are easy to make and | | | | 2 packages (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened |
| they are a big hit when I give them as gifts. | | | | 2 teaspoons cold milk |
| White Chocolate Fudge with Cranberries | | | | 4 cups confectioner's sugar |
| 2 packages (6 squares each) White Chocolate | | | | 4 squares (4 oz.) unsweetened chocolate, melted |
| 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk | | | | 1 teaspoon vanilla extractdash of salt |
| 1 cup almonds, chopped | | | | 1 1/2 cups peanuts, chopped |
| 1/2 cup dried cranberries | | | | In a medium-sized bowl, beat cream cheese and |
| 1 tablespoon grated orange peel | | | | milk until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioner's |
| Line a 8" square pan with aluminum foil, with the | | | | sugar, then blend in the melted chocolate. Stir in |
| ends of the foil extending over the sides of your | | | | the rest of ingredients. Press into a lightly greased |
| pan, set aside. Microwave white chocolate and | | | | 8" square pan. Chill until firm and then cut into |
| sweetened condensed milk in a microwave-safe | | | | squares. |