Christmas is only a few days away! If you need a last minute gift for someone, I have a couple of suggestions. These are a favorite of my family and I hope they become yours.
Caramel Corn
(Bag this in zip lock bags or plastic gift bags.)
Cooking Spray
4 quarts popped popcorn (you can use microwave popcorn to make it even easier!)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Light OR Dark Corn Syrup
1/2 cup butter OR margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
Directions: Spray large shallow roasting pan with cooking spray. Add popcorn and place in preheated 250 degrees F oven while preparing caramel. Mix brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat.
Boil 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla; mix well.
Pour syrup over warm popcorn, stirring to coat evenly. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and spread on foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool; break apart. Store in tightly covered container.
Angel Candy
1 cup white sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 pound chocolate confectioners’ coating
Directions: Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, corn syrup and vinegar. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Heat, without stirring, to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda, it will foam up. Pour into prepared pan; do not spread. Mixture will not fill pan. Allow to cool completely.
In the microwave or over a double boiler, melt coating chocolate, stirring frequently until smooth. Break cooled candy into bite sized pieces and dip into melted candy coating. Let set on waxed paper. Store tightly covered.
I really enjoy this time with you each week and would love to hear from you. Do you have any requests? Is there a recipe you have been looking for or remember from your younger years? Can I help you find it? Do you have any recipes that are special to you that you could share with us?
Please contact me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.
