Anise Hard Candy

This is a recipe that was an annual favorite of mine growing up.  When I got older, I was surprised to learn that not everyone eats anise (black licorice flavored) hard candy on a regular basis.  So, in an effort to spread the sweetness around, I'm going to share this recipe from Granny with you all!

Equipment you will need:

• Large pot
• Candy thermometer
• Jelly roll pan (well greased, NEVER use glass!)
• Pizza cutter
• Waxed paper

 Ingredients you will need:

• 4 cups sugar (plus extra for sprinkling the candy)
• 2 cups white corn syrup
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon oil of anise
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring

Measure out your anise oil and food coloring before you start cooking.  If you want a milder flavor, you can use anise extract in lieu of anise oil, but you should triple or quadruple the amount (I used 3 1/2 teaspoons of extract).

Combine the sugar, syrup, and water in the pot with your candy thermometer inserted.  Stirring constantly, bring to a boil until 300 degrees, the hard crack stage.

Add the anise oil or extract and the food coloring.  Beware that this will sputter a bit- wear an apron to prevent staining.  Pour into a well greased jelly roll pan.

Allow to cool about 5 minutes, then sprinkle generously with sugar.  Score the candy with the pizza cutter and allow to cool for another minute or two.

Lift the candy out of the pan and onto waxed paper.  Break into smaller pieces.  Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Peanut Brittle

 

As promised last week, this week I'm featuring a series of posts devoted to Christmas goodies.  It's a whole week of recipes from Granny, and the first up is peanut brittle.  This is a treat I remember enjoying every year growing up, and it is super easy to make.

Equipment you will need:

• Large pot
• Candy thermometer
• Jelly roll pan, greased

Ingredient you will need:

•  2 cups sugar
• 1 cup white corn syrup
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups raw peanuts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoon baking soda

Combine the sugar, syrup, water, and salt in the large pot.  Position the thermometer in the pot, making sure that the tip of the thermometer doesn't touch the bottom of the pan.  Stirring consistently to prevent burning, bring the ingredients to a boil at 238 degrees (or approximately the soft ball stage).

Add the butter and the peanuts and boil to 310 degrees, the hard crack stage.  Be sure you keep stirring!!

When you reach 310 degrees, remove the pot from the heat and add the vanilla and baking soda.  Stir until it is fluffy (which is basically right away), and pour into your greased pan.  Try to pour and spread the brittle quickly and as thin as possible.

Once the brittle is cool, break into smaller pieces.  Store in an air tight container with parchment paper between the layers.

 Enjoy!!

DIY Faux Metal Ornament

 

I just love this last ornament DIY (you can find my other ornaments from this year here and here)!  It looks like metal with a raised pattern hammered in, but it's really just an illusion made with a few simple craft store supplies.  This is so easy; it's only two steps!  The most time consuming part of it is drying time.

You will need:

• Papeir mache ornament (I found mine at Michael's - they have them year round!)
• Puffy paint (any color will do since you'll be painting over it)
• Metallic spray paint (I chose silver)

First, using the puffy paint, make your design on one side of the ornament.  Allow to fully dry before flipping the ornament over and repeating the step on the other side.

Once both sides are completely dry, spray paint one side of the ornament in a well ventilated, protected area.  Allow to dry and repeat on the other side.  Use only as much spray paint as you need to cover the surface and the puffy paint.  You don't want to drench the ornament in paint :)

Then, just hang it on the tree!  Voila!

I hope you enjoyed my week of ornament DIYs!  Next week, it's a full set of posts devoted to Christmas goodies (and all of them are recipes from Granny!). 

DIY Beaded Ornaments

Another post in my week of Christmas ornament DIYs!  This is another super simple craft.

You will need:

• Silver or gold wire
• Glass beads (I used silver and blue)
• Needle nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Wire cutters

 First, form the shape that you want your ornament to be out of the wire either by hand or using the needle nose pliers, and trim the wire.

Then, using the round nosed pliers, create a small loop at one end of the shape (if necessary- I didn't need to for the stocking) to prevent the beads from sliding right off.

Next, simply string your beads onto your wire.  Depending on the shape you have made, you might need to undo your shape a little bit and then reshape it as you go. 

Finally, add one more loop with your round nose pliers to the end of the wire or (depending on your shape) twist the wire around the ornament to secure it in place.

I like these ornaments because they add subtle shimmer and are great for filling in those holes on the tree :)

DIY Painted Glass Ornaments

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  I, for one, love love love Christmastime.  In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I love to decorate the house, make goodies, and just get into the Christmas spirit.

For the month of December, I'm going to be doing week-long series on different Christmas themes.  First up: a week of Christmas ornaments!  If you're needing an idea for a sweet gift or a few extra things to trim your tree, this week of posts is for you!

These painted glass ornaments are such a fun and pretty DIY, even the kiddos could do it!

You will need:

• Clear glass ornaments
• Enamel or similar craft paint (I used Martha Stewart's all surface paint) in a variety of festive colors
• Paper towels

Pop the tops of the ornaments off and arrange them in their plastic tray.  One by one, squeeze several drops of the paint into the ornament and swirl it around.  You can add all of your colors at once, or go one at a time.  Either way, I found that the best method was to use more paint than necessary.  That way, it will easily flow inside the ornament.

Once you are satisfied with the look of your ornament, tap the excess paint out onto your paper towel.

Repeat the process until all of your ornaments are done.  Then, allow to dry completely before replacing the ornament top.

Pretty!

Grilled Bagel Sandwiches

So, I feel like I had a stroke of brilliance when I thought of this idea: a grilled bagel sandwich that was actually toasty on the outside!

Simply cut a bagel in half.

Butter (or margarine) the slices.

Place one half butter side down on a non stick frying pan or griddle.

Stack up your sandwich fillings and top with the other bagel half, butter side up.

Cook until it is golden brown on both sides.

Yummy!  I used a plain bagel with black forest ham and provolone, but use your imagination!  I'm thinking an asiago bagel with sun dried tomatoes, turkey, and mozzarella would be amazing!

Granny's Gingersnaps

 

These yummy cookies are an winter favorite of mine and yet another recipe from Granny.  To make these tasty gingersnaps, you will need:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Combine the sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.  Stir in the spices.

Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles large crumbs.

Stir in the molasses and egg.

Form into one inch balls and place on an unlined, ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Remove from the sheet immediately.

The cookies are soft right out of the oven, but firm up as they cool.  So yummy!