Gifts of Love From The Kitchen. I am thrilled to be joining a great group of ladies for the Homespun Holiday Hop hosted by my dear friend Laura @ Decor to Adore. She has organized a group of ladies to share their favorite Holiday Craft, Recipe, Decor or Gift Wrap ideas. This will give us all a ton of inspiration to add something new.
Gifts of Love from the kitchen. Each year I try to remember a few friends with a “love” gift of something from the kitchen. This year I thought I would switch it up and make a ton of Chocolate Christmas Bark candy. It is so easy, so inexpensive and it makes a ton of candy in minutes. This is the perfect gift to make with your children or grands. I have a little 6-year-old grand that would love to help me make some this year.
The wonderful thing about this is you can make all kinds of flavors and decorate with all kinds of different things. This one is made with pecans, chocolate chips, cherries and mini marshmallows.
Here is all you need to make what ever you want. You can mix these up any way you like. I used regular and chocolate graham crackers, cherries, peppermints, chocolate chips, dried cranberry chips, chopped pecans, mint extract and vanilla chocolate candy wafers. I had all these toppings in my pantry, so all it cost me was the price of the candy wafers.
Create a double boiler by adding water to a pot and placing a glass bowl over it. You need a pretty good size bowl for all the candy wafers.
See the 2 lbs really fills up a big bowl.
Line a baking sheet with graham crackers.
Crush up your mint candies if you’re using them. This is a fun project for the children. it’s fun to hit them and roll them out to break them up.
Keep your eye on the stove and be sure to stir the candy wafers occasionally as they are melting.
Fill some bowls with your topping so it is easy to add them to the candy when it is time.
I added two drops of mint extract when the wafers were completely melted and stirred thoroughly to make sure it was mixed in well. (This is totally an option – the vanilla flavor of the candy is wonderful by itself.)
Be sure to use hotpads to pick up the bowl and pour all the melted candy wafers over the graham crackers. It sets up fast, so the candy needs to be spread evenly quickly to coat all the crackers.
Now is the fun part. Just start sprinkling all your topping all over the candy. (Work rather fast so it doesn’t set up on you. Then take the back of a spatula and gently press the toppings into the candy mix.)
All done. Now just place in the fridge to set up. This one has marshmallows, cherries, chocolate chips, mint candies and pecans. (Use whatever you have on hand, it doesn’t take a lot of anything and everything is wonderful on chocolate. )
I found some really cute Christmas Tins at the Dollar Tree. They are the perfect size for a “love” gift. They had several different designs too.
I lined the inside with parchment paper.
When the bark is all set, just break into small pieces and fill your container. You could also put these in cute boxes too. I am sure your friends, co-workers, neighbors or anyone would love this gift. One tray filled up 6 of these boxes. That brings the cost of each box to about $2 including toppings and the box.
This is soooooo good, and who doesn’t love chocolate? Such a fun way to spend time with the children and to create gifts of love from the kitchen.
Next up on the tour is Laura @ Decor To Adore. I know you will love her amazing prairie wonderland ornaments. Then be sure to click on any of the links below to see all of the amazing posts.
Decor To Adore https://decortoadore.net/2023/12/homespun-holiday-prairie-wonderland-ornaments.html
So glad that you are feeling better. Hugs and blessings to you, my friend
Such a sweet and thoughtful gift idea, Marty. We used to spend lots of time in the kitchen baking with my Granny during the holiday season so it’s really special that you and your grands make memories in the kitchen too. I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks delicious and will be a big hit at our house this Christmas. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season, CoCo
Marty your recipe for Chocolate Christmas Bark looks so delicious and so easy to make! What a special treat for a gifts and it looks so pretty in the tin! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a speedy recovery!
Marty this is a great gift idea – especially if one hasn’t been feeling well – quick, easy, affordable.
Just pinned it and am so inspired. Thank you! Hope you are feeling better each day. Hugs. ♥
Miss Marty I am having my annual treat exchange this Saturday and this recipe will be perfect. I only wish I could beam you in for the afternoon. Thank you so much for adding such delicious ideas to the hop. I sure do miss you!
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I miss everyone too. Wish we could go shopping and have lunch like we use to. xo Marty
What a wonderful gift of love from the kitchen Marty. I’m going to have to try this before the holiday season ends. I’ve been praying for your speedy recovery and hope you are feeling better every day. You are so loved by this community. I hope you are feeling it, my friend.
What a sweet (literally) and thoughtful gift, Marty! Now, I want to make this recipe to give to a couple of my dear friends. Thanks so much for the yummy recipe! Hope you are doing well. Praying for you. Merry Christmas.
Marty,
This looks devine. I love anything chocolate. I too love to give my neighbors and friends a little something, thank you for this yummy recipe, I can’t wait to try it.
What a perfect gift of goodness, Marty. Looks delish and so pretty. I love that the littles can help create this. Hope you’re feeling better, friend. Take care of yourself and have a wonderful Christmas Week!
Yum; this sounds delicious, and so easy! I like to whip up something as seasonal hostess gifts, too. This year it’s granola:) Hope you’re feeling better, Marty!
Marty, your holiday bark looks so easy and delish! I love how easy it is to customize for the recipient, what a wonderful gift of love! I’m so happy you were able to join us and hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating with your sweet family!