Guys, forget going out and spending a fortune on so-so candy to impress your gal on Valentine’s Day. She’ll be much more impressed when she finds out the scrumptious candies she’s eating were made by hers truly. Now don’t be nervous! You’re not going to have to break out whisks, blenders and mixers. These recipes are very easy and absolutely delicious!
Make a quick trip to a local craft store and you’ll find an aisle that sells all sorts of cooking craft accessories. There you’ll find wraps for the candies, colored foils, and other Valentine’s Day theme needs. In another aisle you’ll find heart-shaped boxes, tins and other containers. These will help you create a magnificent gift that, although homemade, will seem elegant and expensive.
When you have all your accessories ready it’s time to choose the recipe that will impress your gal. One quick yet scrumptious creation you can easily make is chocolate fudge. It can have nuts, or no nuts, but she will love it. Maybe she’s allergic to chocolate? Make peanut butter fudge instead.
In a medium pan combine two cups of sugar and a half-cup of water. Set pan on burner over medium heat. Stir every minute or so until the mixture comes to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for a whole minute then remove from heat. Stir in one cup of peanut butter whether you’re making the peanut butter or the chocolate fudge. Add a teaspoon of vanilla and stir well. If you want the fudge to have nuts stir them in now. If you want chocolate fudge add a quarter-cup of cocoa.
Pour the finished fudge into a buttered pan. Set in refrigerator until cool. Cut into squares or use a cookie cutter to make heart shapes of the fudge. Wrap the individual candies or further package them after they have cooled completely. Freezing the fudge will make it cool faster but it will be harder to cut.
Another very easy recipe makes delicious orange balls your gal will adore. In a large bowl combine 12 oz of crushed vanilla wafers, one cup powdered sugar, and a quarter-cup of butter or margarine. Stir well. Add a half-cup of frozen orange juice, thawed completely. Stir in a half-teaspoon of vanilla and a cup of chopped pecans.
Shape the mixture into balls and roll them in powdered sugar. Place them on tiny paper cups – similar to cupcake wrappers – and set them in a heart-shaped box or other special container. The recipe makes about 40 balls, and if that’s too many for the container, cut the recipe in half.
What woman doesn’t love the decadent treat often referred to as “turtles”. You can make your own turtles in no time at all and thrill that special woman in your life. Arrange pecan halves in an “x” shape, on wax paper. Spray the wax paper with non-stick cooking spray before starting. Make several of the “x’s” then place a single caramel on top of each “x”. Microwave at a low temperature for a few seconds, until you see the caramel starting to melt.
Remove the candies and let them cool. Now spread a dollop of chocolate frosting over the turtles. Place in the fridge until ready to gift. Arrange them in a box but don’t wrap them. The wrapping will stick to the frosting and ruin your creation.
Make your gal a bunch of chocolate covered cherries and she’ll never forget this Valentine’s Day gift! They’re easy to make. Melt a 12 oz bag of chocolate chips in the microwave. Or, put the chips in a small pan, and set that pan on top of another pan. The bottom pan should contain water. Boil the water and stir the chips as they melt.
Dip the cherries into the chocolate, using the stem attached to the cherries, or a toothpick to hold them. Roll the cherries into the chocolate and set them on wax paper. Place in the refrigerator so the chocolate will harden. When the chocolate has set place the cherries in the container you’ve chosen.
If you’re short on cash this Valentine’s Day, or you just enjoy making things yourself, try one or more of the above recipes this year. Your special someone will absolutely love the candies and will be totally impressed by your talents!
