Truffles typically have the added richness of cream and butter. These ingredients help stabilize chocolate, which tends to scorch, separate, or become grainy if not heated carefully.  This recipe adds corn syrup and evaporated milk instead for smooth, creamy confections.  Still delicious, but a little lighter version. Yield: 19 truffles (serving size: 1 truffle) Ingredients [...]

Classic chocolate pecan fudge is a holiday staple.  This recipe is simple and turns out creamy and delicious every time.  It’s very important to use a candy thermometer for best results. Yield: Makes 96 pieces Ingredients 2  (12-ounce) packages semisweet chocolate morsels 1  cup  butter or margarine 1  (7-ounce) jar marshmallow cream 4 1/2  cups  [...]

These are the best melt-in-your-mouth caramels I’ve ever made.  They’re on my holiday baking list every year! Ingredients: 2 cups white granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups dark corn syrup 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup unsalted butter 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions: Butter a 9 x 13 dish. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn [...]

Second in a series of “cookie ball” recipes, this one is my favorite.  Of course it’s because it has the peanut butter and chocolate combo. 1 one pound package Nutter Butter peanut butter sandwich cookies. 1 8 oz package cream cheese 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup powdered sugar 16 oz semisweet or milk chocolate [...]

Absolutely divine divinity!  Divinity is a treat that brings me back to a time when my Mom and Grandma used to make it every year for the holidays.  I remember burning up several hand mixers during those years.  Thank goodness for stand mixers! These melt in your mouth treats are less than 60 calories per [...]

Look out cake balls, cookie balls are on the scene!  I’m going to give you several versions of this delicious and super simple dessert over the next few days.  I debuted this recipe originally titled Oreo Truffles.  You can make your own version of this elegant “truffle” by using any type of sandwich cookie that [...]

Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats, these stylish, easy-to-make snowmen are sure to liven up any holiday gathering. Ingredients bag of 8-inch pretzel rods 1 cup white chocolate chips mini chocolate chips orange decorators’ gel fruit leather (various colors) gummy rings gumdrops Instructions To make a batch, melt 1 cup of white chocolate [...]

A really good friend of mine gave me this recipe and it’s been a favorite of not only mine, but my family as well!  Super easy (only 3 ingredients) and so delicious, you won’t believe it. Makes 4 doz. or 48 servings, 1 truffle each Clear 1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1 [...]