Fancy Fancy Fancy

This has been a great month for me. It was a fun festive time. My big project this year was making candy for friends and family. I wanted to make the perfect fudge so I tried a half dozen recipes. First I attempted to make it the old fashioned way over the stove but it didn't turn out so well. The flavor was good but the texture was weird. Most of the fudge recipes I tried were a variation of "easy fudge" simply because I didn't have much time to slave over the stove. They all tasted pretty good. I think my favorite was when I mixed half chocolate chips and half white chocolate chips. I also made a completely white chocolate fudge which was for a friend at work who requested it. It turned out pretty good but next time I want to put crushed peppermint pieces in it. There are so many fun things you can put in fudge. Most of all, I like chopped pecans. I also made chocolate chocolate chip cookies, divinity and caramel.

What I have learned from this experience:

1. Don't try to cook too many things at once or in one day. Especially if you've never made any of the items before.

2. Candy isn't so hard to make if you have a candy thermometer and you check the temperature frequently.

3. Divinity is easy to make as long as you have a KitchenAid mixer. Delicious!

4. ALWAYS spray the container before you pour in the caramels to firm no matter what material you use.

5. Practice practice practice and always try again even if you have to wait a few days to let your frustrations cool.

The only candy I haven't tried making yet is Boston Cremes which are something my Dad grew up with his Dad making. I found out from my Aunt Kim that she was making them for a French class project and her Dad told her that if they didn't set up they could call them Riviera chews. Fortunately they did set up and kept their name as Boston Cremes. It is hard to describe what a Boston Creme is. Every time I've had them they turn out differently. They are a dark golden color and the consistency is much like a cross between caramel and fudge. Very delicious. Too bad I left my candy thermometer at my brothers house! I will have to make them another day.