Aaaahhhhh.
So I've managed to fill up the time making Christmas gifts. I spent every last cent of the Christmas budget so now I am feverishly trying to make nice presents. This isn't new, I try this every year, but this year I think I'm getting the hang of it. Sort of?
I'm always very critical of my homemade gifts. I watch people open them and wonder if they are thinking "Why in the world do I want this?" and when I leave it promptly finds it's way to the trash.
Oh well. At least I tried if that happens.
I thought I'd share a few of my ideas if you have also run out of money and still need a few gifts.
1. Almond Bark
This is embarrassingly easy, but it tastes like you spent all day making it. Get a bag of chocolate chips. I like Giardelli 60% cocoa, but you can use anything including white chocolate chips. Melt them in a double boiler (I just put my smaller pot in my larger one with water in the bottom of the larger one. As soon as they are melted, pour in a bunch of almonds. It doesn't really matter how much you put in. If you only use a few it will be more chocolately, if you dump in the whole bag it will be very almond-y. Either way it will be GOOD.
I should add that you're going to want your parchment paper covered baking sheet ready before you start. I usually don't, but at this point I always wish I did.
Pour out the chocolate and almond mixture (after you have stirred it) onto the parchment paper an smooth it out evenly and thinly. (If you want to at this point you can crush a candy cane and sprinkle it on top) Stick it in the fridge for a couple hours and Whoallah - you have almond bark.
Is that how you spell "Whoalah?" I confess I've never used that word before in my life. I'll bet spell checker is going to LOVE it.
2. Hot cocoa mix
I went online and googled (Actually, I "yahooed" it, but that doesn't sound as cool) "best hot cocoa mix." I came up with this one, which I didn't really feel was the best hot cocoa mix until I added more cocoa and sugar and cut down on the creamer. It was pretty much milk with a faint cocoa taste before that. I also added to this recipe a little bit of instant coffee and a big dash of cinnamon.
Here's the link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hot-Cocoa-Mix/Detail.aspx
3. Chocolate Chip cookies
I know that isn't a picture of the actual cookies. I didn't take one and I'm too lazy to do it now. Suffice it to say they look just like the picture on the link.
This is the best recipe I've found for Chocolate chip cookies. People will usually comment on how good they are, and I think that's because of the secret ingredient - vanilla instant pudding mix. They never turn out flat. I hate flat chocolate chip cookies.
Another secret I found after many many years of overcooking baked good because I was afraid the salmonella wouldn't get cooked out - take them out as soon as you see the tiniest hint of golden brown. They taste MUCH better this way.
Link. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Award-Winning-Soft-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies/Detail.aspx
So enjoy making your own yummy yet inexpensive gifts, or scoff at my ideas because yours are WAY better. Then share them.
And spell check's verdict is that I should have spelled it "Wallah."
