Bushels Of Fun!: Candy Time!!!

Saturday my mom, sister and I had our annual candy making day! The last few year the 3 of us have gotten together to make candy! W have so much fun getting together and baking together. Every year we make so much candy that we are just totally exhausted by the end of the day, but it sure is fun to see all the candy that we have made. I love to make candy and treats, but I don't really like to eat it. It is funny because I will make all this candy and then Michael takes it to work to his workers. :) It works for me though and his workers absolutely love it! :) We made truffles, fudge, English toffee, peanut brittle and these pretzel treats called bear claws. All of these things are super easy to make and are way yummy!

My mom and Alisa working on some of the candy! Of course mom has to do her cheesy and dorky wave! :)

Holiday Truffles
Ingredients:
3 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
Finely chopped toasted nuts, flaked coconut, baking cocoa or red and green sprinkles.

Directions:
In a microwave , combine chips and milk. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring after 1-1/2 minutes; stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Chill for 3 hours or until firm.
Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in nuts, coconut, cocoa or sprinkles. Chill 1 hour or until firm. Store covered at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Yield 6 dozen.

Pretzel Bear Claws
Ingredients:
Pretzels
Hersey kisses (any flavor)
M&M's

Directions:
Place pretzels on a baking sheet and place unwrapped Hershey kisses in the center of the pretzels. Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees and place the pretzels and Hershey kisses in the oven for 5 minutes. Pull the pretzels out of the oven and place a M&M in the center of the kiss. Let cool and enjoy!!

Pretzel Bark
Ingredients:
1 Cup Chopped Pretzels
1/3 Cup Chopped Toasted Pecans
1-1/2 pkg. (8 squares each) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Directions:
Stir pretzels and nuts into chocolate; spread onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

Microwave Peanut Brittle
Ingredients:
1 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1 Cup Salted Peanuts
1 Teaspoon Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

Directions:
Butter a cookie sheet. Combine Sugar and corn syrup in a 2 quart glass bowl and microwave on high 4 minutes. Stir in peanuts and microwave on high 3-1/2 minutes more, then stir in butter and vanilla and microwave for 1-1/2 minutes.
Stir in baking soda until light and foamy. Pour onto cookie sheet and spread thin. Cool completely and break into pieces and serve.

Sister Bradfords Famous Fudge
Ingredients:
4 cups White Sugar
1 lb. pkg. mini marshmallows
2 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large can evaporated milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 lb. real butter
1 lb. walnuts (optional)
1 (8 oz.) Hershey bar with almonds

Cook Sugar, evaporated milk and marshmallows in a heavy pan on medium heat until it comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Boil for a full 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add Hershey bar, chocolate chips and butter (cut into chunks). Mix until butter melts and is smooth. Add vanilla and then the nuts. Pour into sprayed molds or into a PAM sprayed 9x13" pan. Let cool and refrigerate and then cut into pieces.