Christmas Candy Recipes

Indulging in a bit of festive cheer is the perfect winter tonic. Candy is essential at this time of year, but make sure you have a variety of different kinds to choose from, all enfused with diffent Christmas spices and flavours. Opt for chocolate or honey based candies, for a more healthy choice.

Decoration is key to making anything look festive, so adorn your Christmas candy with edible glitter and baubles. This is especially important when creating your own gingerbread house; let your kids enjoy attaching candy and sweeties to each part of the building.

The best way to go about creating your own gingerbread house, is really to buy a packet, so you are guaranteed that the house won't cave in a few days before Christmas. Readymade candy house kits often come with icing and decorations, so are also good value for money.

But to enjoy the taste of Christmas Gingerbread without demolishing your house, follow the recipe and learn how to make these tasty Yuletide Biscuits.

In many people's opinion, Christmas would not be the same without chocolate, and what better gift to give than something small and covered in this delicious ingredient. These two recipes are something of a tradition in houses all around the globe:

♥ Christmas Eve Truffles

- Start by covering a baking tray with clingfilm, so you have somewhere for your truffles to set.
- Place 225g of plain chocolate, broken into small pieces, in a large glass mixing bowl.
- Now bring 175ml double cream to just before boiling point in a small pan, and then immediately pour onto the broken chocolate pieces. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Leave the mixture to cool for about 2 hours at room temperature until it has set. This is called a ganache.
- Once it has set, take a teaspoon and scoop out small bitesize pieces.
- Dust your hands with cocoa powder and then roll out these pieces into balls using the palms of your hands.
- Roll the truffles in cocoa powder, icing sugar or finely chopped nuts. Put these on the prepared baking tray, and pop in the fridge to cool.

You can vary the way you make these in several ways. You could add 75 ml alcohol to the mix before allowing the ganache to set; rum and brandy are real favourites.

How about using milk or white chocolate instead of plain or dark? Or you could dip the rolled balls into melted chocolate once more to give them a really professional finish.

Buy some cute gold chocolate cases and boxes to give them as a lovely Christmas gifts to friends or work colleauges.

♥ Festive Florentines

These are great given out as gifts to your neighbours and relatives. Wrap them up in clear wrapping and tie up in a bow with red and gold ribbon.

- Start by melting 2 tbsp of butter in a pan, then add 75g of golden caster sugar, mix, and then add 2 tsp of flour.
- Keep stirring until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.
- Stir continuously whilst adding 75 ml of creme fraiche, until the mixture is smooth.
- Add 50g toasted flaked almonds, 2tbsp candied peel, 2tbsp stem ginger and 50g dried cherries (sour cherries work best here).
- Put teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto a non-stick baking tray, and then pop them into the oven for about 12 minutes, or until golden.
- Leave them to cool.
- Melt about 150g dark chocolate in a bowl suspended over hot simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth. Then take the florentines, and dip part in the chocolate. Then leave to set.

Eat these up with a hot cup of coffee in the morning or as post-dinner snack.

Find more Healthy Christmas Recipes on Enjoy Healthy Eating, and learn to create a beautiful menu that everyone can appreciate and boast about come New Year's.