What can I make, food wise, to give as additional gifts for Xmas?

[ThomCat]

I like the idea of making some people in the family home made goodies as additional presents.

I've made piccalilli and simmel cake and I've made pickled vegetables and shortbread.

What can I make this year for a select few family members?

I've just made the cranberry fudge - it's really delicious and easy! thanks for the recipe

Carmenere - did you use fresh or dried cranberries?

Ooooh, I am making Suzywong's famous brownies (with cherry pieces) and sending them off in a homemade box to relatives this year

I made some lovely simple oat and raisin cookies recently so I'm gonna try oat and cranberry ones for christmas pressies - can't remember the amounts but it was basically butter, flour, oats, sugar, golden syrup, ground hazelnuts and raisins/cranberries. i think it was an annabel karmel recipe

What about Rocky Road

choc melts - 2 pkts - white/dark/milk - whatever you like
2pkts marshmallows
jellies or gummy sweets
coconut
nuts ( but not if they are for presents)

Melt the choc
add the sweets
put into a slice tin and refrigerate until sets

cut into squares
EAT

dh was made some rocky road by dd1 for fathers day and I was stunned that he had never heard of it or tasted it ... must have liked it - he has asked for some for Christmas.....

So I am guessing it is an aussie thing?!?!

Edisvold - are the cranberries dried or fresh.
have the recipe in my bag, not made the fudge, but will, it sounds fab

serenity - I think I have the recipe for that choc/peanut butter thingie - I'll try to find it tomorrow.

dried cranberries.... sorry should have put that in the recipe.....

ATTN all - DRIED cranberries...

Eidsvoid, can I just ask, approximately what size tray is needed for the fudge recipe?

I put it into a slice tray - not sure of the size... It fills it to the top.. and you will have a little left over. I also use patty cake tin and half fill the patty pans. You could put it into a sqare cake tin.... I usually line the tin with baking paper.. less washing up adn easier to lift out.

It makes a lot, I got a slice tin and 12 patty pans nad a small layer in the bottom of a loaf tin.

I then - if giving it for presents cut it into fingers and wrap in glad wrap.

Can't find my tape measure to measure the slice tin but will do it when I can.

Thanks eidsvoid.

Marks and Spencer are selling some lovely chocolate moulds, all festive shapes. I paid £6 in Gibraltar, so they are probably a bit cheaper in Uk. I cant wait to make thwm with dd, we are going to put them in little boxes.

these all sound good and would like to make some with my dd but how long do they keep for?

what are teh 'choc melts' please that are needed for some recipes?

I dont know knat because I havent opened the pack as if I do I will eat the chocolate before weve melted and moulded it. Hoping to do it this week as dd is on holiday again!

I feel very smug as I made cranberry & white choc cookies today

[smug culinary emoticon]

Yes but how many have you eaten?

Only 3 actually

oh you have every right to be smug then

choc melts are like chocolate buds.. I guess you could use cooking chocolate...the choc melts just melt quicker. Made by nestle here

thanks Eidsvold. I'm feeling a tad creative so i think i might have a go at making your fudge tomorrow. And yes, copying someone else's recipe does count as creative for me - I'm pants in the kitchen

Dd1 and I are making rocky road for dh for Christmas

How about Cinder toffee - everyone normally loves that and a little goes a long way.

It's the stuff that is in the middle of crunchie bars. It is also spectacular to make, and children love watching it puff up - from a safe distance

don't you mean honeycomb?!?!?

I also love making marsh mallows and french jellies - although I love marshmallows and so they would not last too long at my house