Need a few more gifts before Friday but don’t feel like dropping more cash on the holiday? Why not give the gift of sweets? A few years ago I started to make sweet treats for my friends Christmas presents, and they have been a big hit. I have two that are my go-to gifts and both are fairly easy to make and look beautiful wrapped up in a clear bag with some ribbon.
The first and easiest holiday treat to make is peppermint bark. Melt down a bag of milk chocolate chips and lay it over a cookie sheet of parchment paper. While that cools, melt down white chocolate chips and four drops of peppermint oil. Spread this over the hardened milk chocolate. Last, crush up candy canes and sprinkle them on top. When the bark is cool have fun smashing the bark off the parchment paper!
My other favorite sweet treat to make is not only delicious but beautiful as well. I luck out in the fact that my parents winter in Florida and like to send me boxes of fresh citrus. I recently got a box of fresh oranges and decided to make candied orange slices dipped in chocolate. The process takes a while but the end result are beautiful translucent orange slices that are the perfect sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 1-3 navel oranges (depending on how many slices you want to make, one orange produces about 6 slices)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 oounces dark chocolate
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the oranges to get rid of any waxy residue.
- Slice off and discard the ends, and slice the rest of the fruit into 1/2 inch slices.
- In a wide pot, heat and stir water and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- Avoid stirring after this point to prevent crystallization.
- Bring to a gentle boil and add the orange slices.
- After 15 minutes, lower the heat to medium-low.
- Flip over the slices and continue cooking on low for another 15-20 minutes, until the peel becomes translucent and the syrup has thickened.
- Place a wire rack on top of a lined baking sheet, and transfer the candied slices on top to cool.
- Melt chocolate and dip slices halfway.
- Place slices on a parchment-lined tray and chill.
