Jars Filled With Love

If someone asked me a year ago to make them candy as their Christmas present, I'd have said, "Sorry, but I don't think so."  Although I could have probably made something good, I would not have had the confidence to know the recipient of the gift would enjoy it.  But, over the last year, I have made lots of different food and baked a lot of different desserts.  I have loved feeding friends and family with my gluten-free vegan goodies and loved how much they loved them.  So this year, I decided I was ready.  Ready to make candy and ready to give it as Christmas presents.  And ready to spend my two days off from work doing so.

Mini Almond Joys
 

The first treats I created were Mini Almond Joys.  They were made specifically for my dear friend, Karen, who is currently on a bastardized version of the Paleo diet.  I thought Mini Almond Joys were about as close as I could get to making her a Paleo-friendly sweet(whatever that means). 

The Mini Almond Joys were also made for my grandfather, who has forever been a fan of coconut, almonds, and chocolate.  His doctor recently told him he was allowed to eat small amounts of dark chocolate with almonds, which he has been getting from a well-known local candy store.  I decided homemade(and vegan) would be better.

 
Almond Joy Bark
 

I used the leftover dipping chocolate from the Mini Almond Joys(which contained shredded coconut that I had fallen off of the candy), added some almonds, and made Almond Joy Bark for my brother.

Chocolate Truffles

I made Chocolate Truffles for my Mother-in-law, who is a chocoholic.  She always expresses guilt to me after she indulges in chocolate and desserts. In fact, the only time she doesn't seem to feel guilty is when she eats desserts that I make.  If Caitlin made it, it's safe. 

You're damn right it's safe ;)

Peppermint Fudge

 
I made Peppermint Fudge, also for my Mother-in-law, and Dayv.  This fudge is officially Dayv's most favorite dessert ever.  It's also his most favorite meal ever, as this is what he ate for lunch on Christmas when I was busy making dinner(he told me about his meal choice several hours later).

I had cut the fudge into bite-sized pieces and began wrapping two at a time in parchment before placing them in the mason jar.  However, not long into this project, I began to notice that the tape was not sticking to the parchment, which then began to unravel.  So, I tied each little fudge bundle with red ribbon.  This is when I realized that I enjoy torturing myself.  But they ended up looking quite adorable, if I do say so myself. 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Truffles

Lastly, I made Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Truffles for my Mother-in-law, my Aunt Kathy, and my mom.  It's hard not to please when you give a bite-sized treat made of one of the greatest food combos of all time.

(Aunt Kathy, if you're wondering why you got snubbed of the fudge, it's because I ran out of ribbon to tie the bundles.  So sorry.  I owe you.)

I hope everyone had a productive and enjoyable holiday!