Sponge Toffee

Here is a different candy idea that is fun and easy to make and tastes great! It is like the inside of a Crunchie bar. The pieces could also be dipped in chocolate which would taste really good. There are lots of recipes on the web for this candy. Some include vinegar and others don't. I got my recipes here which doesn't use vinegar. Make sure you line your pan when making this with parchment otherwise you will have a difficult time removing it when it's done. Have fun!

Peppermint Bark

Nothing says the holidays like peppermint bark! All you need is white chocolate and candy canes. Unwrap and put candy canes into a Ziploc bag. Now take out all those mall-shopping frustrations and hit them with a wooden mallet, heavy pan, or a hammer until they are in small pieces. Try not to turn them into powder. Over a double boiler, melt white chocolate (the amount is up to you, it all depends on how much you want). Mix in peppermint pieces. I also add peppermint flavouring for a bit of extra flavour. Put a piece of parchment paper or a Silpat over a cookie sheet and pour chocolate onto it. Spread out using a spatula. You can top your bark with more peppermint pieces or use green melting chocolate and drizzle that on top. Put it in the freezer until it hardens (~15 minutes) then break into chunks. This is a simple recipe and can be adapted depending on the amount you want to make. This is a fun recipe to do with kids too because they can have fun breaking up the peppermints. Happy Holidays!

Mint Patties

This is a yummy peppermint recipe for the holidays. It comes from my Auntie Rita who makes them every year and I just had to have it because they are so good! You could probably cover them in chocolate too and it would taste really good or even try out some different flavours. These are really easy to make and just as easy to eat!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp cream (or milk)
• 1-2 tsp peppermint extract to taste (I used a few drops of candy flavouring in mine)
• Red and Green food colouring

1. Mix all ingredients except food colouring until smooth and creamy. (Using your hands here works well)
2. Divide mixture in half and colour.
3. Roll into small balls and place on waxed paper. Flatten slightly with a fork. They should be about the size of a quarter.
   
4. Let dry for several hours. Store in an air tight container.

This makes about 50 patties. Enjoy!