You can buy ‘ready to build’ gingerbread houses by Wilton all through the holidays and if you’ve never built one, you should. It’s a lot of fun.  This time around, I let Truett do it ALL by himself.  I’ve never seen him so excited as he was to put candy on a house he could eat later!  I wanted to share a photo of him hard at work and in deep concentration and the final product, and well, lets just say it’s not pretty but it’s beautiful to me.

Did you build a gingerbread house over the holidays?

I have this little booklet full of recipes you can make using Carnation Evaporated Milk and what do you think my kids chose?  Yep, fudge.  Of course they would because even though the pear pie and quiche looked fabulous, their sweet tooth tells their brain to pick the fudge. So fudge it is.

Now I have, on several occasions, heard about this recipe before. I’ve heard how it’s creamy sweetness is like no other but is it true?  Well, according to my bunch and apparently the folks who reviewed it at the Very Best Baking site, say it’s the best ever!  And talk about easy to make–recipes just don’t get any easier than this.

My pieces are thinner because I only had a bigger pan but that didn’t hinder the taste a bit;)

INGREDIENTS

• * 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• * 2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk
• * 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• * 1/4 teaspoon salt
• * 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• * 1 1/2 cups (9 oz.) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• * 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

LINE 8-inch-square baking pan with foil.  I used an 8×11 because that’s all I had.

COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.

In keeping with transparency, as always, I did receive a gift card from One2One Network and Carnation for ingredients to create this delicious fudge but in no way was my opinion of evaporated milk bought– fudge, or anything else for that matter.  It’s always been a staple and if you want to search my recipes for it, you’ll know that’s the truth;)  {{giggle}}

In need of a very good treat to give for the holiday?  Almond bark, popcorn, pretzels, peanuts oh my!!  This is the perfect, affordable treat that when wrapped in cute holiday buckets and plastic goody bags, will make anyone smile!   You can make it small and large batches and even use different themed bags & buckets for different holidays.

INGREDIENTS:

• *Air pop corn popper-because my husband is a freak and thinks that Microwave ovens (along with everything else in this world) cause cancer.  I think that SEX causes cancer and that we need to keep that out of our house too!!!!! (lol)
• *Vanilla Almond Bark
• *Spanish peanuts
• *Pretzels
• *Popcorn

DIRECTIONS:

I melt one entire block thingy of Almond Bark on my stove top (again the microwave issue with the man) in a plain ole pot on LO to MEDIUM LO, until completely melted. While the candy is melting, Me & Orville Redenbacher get the poppin’ party started!! I fill the popcorn to the level indicated 2 times. This usually gives me enough popped corn for a full batch of Goodies. I used a fairly HUGE bowl.. Add popcorn, peanuts, & pretzels. When the candy is completely melted (whew, my arm is tried of stirring occasionally to prevent scalding) I add the melted candy and mix until completely covered.

Pour onto a wax paper to cool, as a little holiday cheer, I sprinkle red and green candy decor (sugar) over popcorn goodness before it cools.. Fill up your favorite holiday gift bags, add a cute lil bow or ribbon. There you have a perfect scrumptious homemade gift.

I also have a picture of just a Christmas candy that I make, just excluded the popcorn. Mix candy, pretzels, and peanuts until covered, and plop down on wax paper until cool. I also add the colored sprinkles for some holiday flare…..Get your filthy hands outta there I am taking a picture…….

Get your filthy candy grabber’s outta there, you no microwave wanting Nymph…or you’ll pull back a stump..

Happy Holidays Ya’ll!!