Christmas Candy

Christmas Candy Galore

Just the word, "Christmas," brings to mind the aroma of gingerbread, warm kitchens, and little tins full of the Christmas candy and cookies we all shared when we were younger: peanut brittle, peppermint bark, sugar cookies, and mountains of chocolate. Nothing says Christmas holiday traditions to the young and young at heart like delectable Christmas treats.

If you want to give a gift that will spark some great Christmas memories, consider a holiday gift basket, or a tin of favorite Christmas candy. We can't think of a single adult who doesn't remember their own childhood Christmases with the minty breath of peppermint candy canes.

Make it special for your own little ones, too. Build a gingerbread house with your kids, make some Christmas candy to deliver to neighbors, and bake a few batches of Christmas cookies to give to your child's teacher. And don't forget the people at the office, where Christmas goodies will go far (although they probably won't last long). Make extra for the people who service your company, whether it's the mail carrier, the cleaning crew, or the package delivery drivers.

Just remember to make a little extra for yourself, while you're at it.

Tuesday, 13 October 2009 12:48

Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe

Written by Janell Oakes

Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe

This gingerbread house recipe has been perfected over many Christmases spent with my children and their cousins. It's become a tradition in our family for the kids to make the gingerbread house recipe and assemble it on December 23rd, decorate it on Christmas Eve, then wait an agonizing 24 hours until they're finally allowed to demolish it for dessert Christmas night. On the occasions when we aren’t able to spend Christmas together, my sister and I always send each other gingerbread house kits, or pre-made gingerbread houses for our kids to decorate. It’s been an enduring tradition that's linked our family through many years and thousands of miles. On this page, you'll find our Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe, instructions on making your own gingerbread house pattern, and a fool-proof royal icing recipe. Enjoy!

Gingerbread House Pattern

A gingerbread house pattern can be the classic, Hansel & Gretel-style house or you can create your own unique design. For a classic gingerbread house, follow these simple steps: You will need 3 (8" X 11") pieces of cardboard or sturdy card stock and scissors. On the bottom of the first piece of cardboard, draw a square with 5" sides and top it with a 3" tall triangle (for the front and back walls). Next, on another piece of cardboard, draw a rectangle that is 5" tall by 6" long (for the side walls). Finally, on a third sheet of cardboard, draw a rectangle 5" tall by 7" long (for the roof). Cut out the shapes and use them as templates for your house. This process for making a gingerbread house pattern will work no matter how fanciful your design. Get creative! Make a replica of your own house, a miniature of your child’s school (a great teacher’s gift), or the house of your dreams. Find a detailed description of how to put your house together in our Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe and Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Instructions, found below:

Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Ingredients
½ cup shortening
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup dark molasses
¼ cup water
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon salt

Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Instructions

-Cream together shortening and sugar in a large bowl, then add molasses and water
-Sift in the dry ingredients, mix well and divide dough into 3 equal balls
-On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8" thickness. Use each of you templates twice to cut out a front and

back wall, 2 side walls, and 2 roof pieces. Have fun personalizing your house by designing and cutting out your own

windows and doors (don’t get too carried away, for stability there should be more wall than windows).
-Transfer your shapes to a greased baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

-Bake 8-10 minutes
-Cool completely on the baking sheet

Royal Icing Recipe
Royal Icing is the “glue” that holds the house together. Once you've completed the steps in the Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe, making sure that the gingerbread has cooled completely, make a fresh batch of this royal icing recipe. For best success, this should be the consistency of toothpaste.

4 cups confectioner’s sugar
4 egg whites (pasteurized or powdered egg white equivalent for safety)
1 tablespoon cream of tartar

-Simply mix all ingredients together and use this royal icing recipe as the glue for your gingerbread walls and roof

-Use whatever you can find to hold the walls in place overnight, or until the icing dries (soup cans work great for this)

-Once the icing is completely dry it’s time to put the finishing touches on you house with gumdrops, peppermints, or whatever Christmas candy tickles your fancy.

Published in Christmas Candy

How to Create an Old Fashioned Christmas Holiday for your Family

Written by Holiday Talk Admin

Childhood Christmas Holiday traditions like learning to build a gingerbread house, sitting around the tree decorated with popcorn strands, Christmas candy shaped like ribbons, and the wonderful smells of cinnamon and hot apple cider are memories we never forget. The magical dreams we have during the holidays were built upon childhood Christmas holiday traditions, developed by generations of family members. If you are looking to develop your own Christmas traditions, and have been longing for the memories of your childhood memories of an old-fashioned Christmas, read on for these unique Christmas holiday ideas.

Make Your Own Christmas Stockings

Start by either sewing a basic, plain red stocking or even purchasing an unadorned stocking at your local discount retailer. Find a free Christmas holiday stocking sewing pattern here or simply make your own. A Christmas holiday stocking is a fairly basic shape and really only requires two cut pieces of fabric.

Assemble your decorating supplies, glue sticks, needles and thread, felt pieces, bells, buttons, fabric scraps and other pieces that can be used to decorate a Christmas holiday stocking. Then, gather the family and start decorating! Everyone can decorate and personalize their own stocking, making this an activity that encourages family together-time and the old-fashioned spirit of Christmas.

Take Holiday Sleigh Rides

A Christmas sleigh ride is a great old-fashioned Christmas activity that will get the family outdoors, enjoying the crisp winter air and celebrating the holidays together. To find holiday sleigh rides in your area, try Googling “Christmas holiday sleigh rides” and your city, or check your local newspaper’s Christmas event listings.

Make Your Own Christmas Candy

Making your own Christmas candy is a great way to spend a winter day with your family. You’ll need a candy thermometer, a thick pot and a lot of patience, but it’s worth it. And remember, when making your own Christmas candy, you’re dealing with exceptionally high temperatures, so always be careful and avoid doing this activity with younger children in the kitchen.

For younger kids, bake some plain Christmas holiday shortbread cookies ahead of time, and let your kids go wild with sprinkles, dyes and cookie paints. You’ll get a batch of old-fashioned Christmas holiday cookies and your kids will get to spend the day doing something fun and creative.

Find some free and fun Christmas candy recipes here.