Sweet gifts, fit for a sugarplum fairy

Sat, 12/20/2008 - 1:43pm by Liberry Shortstack

Well, I'm not proud of it, but I'll admit to it: I haven't finished my Christmas shopping. Whew. Now that I've owned up to that, I feel better. But maybe this is because I've been using all my shopping-days-before-[insert desired holiday here] looking for homemade gift ideas. After much thought and since nothing screams "Holiday!" like massive amounts of sugar consumed quickly and often, candy will be my gift of choice for family and friends.

These Chocolate Dipped Pretzels look delicious and sound easy to make--no candy thermometer necessary. This recipe could make a good project for kids home on winter break.

Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food has recipes for basic candies, like caramels, fudge, peanut brittle, and chocolate truffles.

If you need candies for your vegan friends, Vegan Peanut Brittle may just fit the bill.

For all the peppermint patty junkies in your life, try making some from scratch with this recipe. I've always wondered what went into peppermint patties with a little fear and trembling, but when you make your own, you know exactly what goes into them.

If you're feeling nostalgic for classic local candy recipes, check out the Candy section of Ann Arbor Cooks. Ooooh, Sea Foam Candy...