Candy Day {anti-Black Friday}

This post is a little late in coming but I still love to share :)

Doesn't it seem like the holidays is where the most traditions are started?

My favorite way to bring in the holidays is Candy Day.

Until this year, Candy Day didn't really have a name. It was simply the day after Thanksgiving (aka, Black Friday) where my mother in law and two sister in laws got together and we made Christmas candy. This year was our third year.

Before last year, we just had the oldest grandchild to mind - Pammy. Then last year Pammy was accompanied by a new baby brother and cousin.. This year Penny jumped on board, along with another cousin who moved from Georgia. Things get a little crazy.

 

Clockwise from the top left: Uncle (Adam's twin bro) and biggest cousin keeping the littles out of mischief / Penny ergo'd up while I bake / Big kids showing off their architectural skills with the ginger bread house / Sampling along the way is a necessary evil

Some of our candy staples include:

• Peppermint Bark
• Tiger Butter
• Fudge
• Chocolate covered pretzels (my favorite!)
• Peanut Brittle
• Crockpot Apple Cider
•  And a new recipe .. Salted Caramels!

 This was adapted from a recipe found at The Yummy Life. It's so easy because you make it in the microwave!

You will need:

• 1/4 cup butter, cut in 8 pieces
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup (we used Karo)
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• coarse sea salt
• Your choice of toppings - such as chocolate to drizzle, nuts or sprinkles
• A 2 quart microwave safe bowl 
• A baking pan lined with parchment paper and cooking spray

You will do:
1. Combine the butter, both sugars, syrup, sweetened condensed milk, & vanilla in the microwave safe bowl. 
2. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, stir, microwave for another 2 minutes, stir, and microwave for another 2 minutes (for 6 minutes total).
3. Prepare your baking pan with parchment paper (or tin foil if you don't have any) while microwaving. Lightly spray with cooking oil.
4. After the 6 minutes, carefully take the bowl out of the microwave and stir again, so that everything is well mixed.
5. Pour the caramel into your prepared cooling dish and sprinkle with sea salt (or your choice of toppings). You can put it in the fridge for about an hour, or if you have the patience (and I applaud you if you do), just let it sit out and cool.
6. Once completely cool, remove the caramel in one whole piece from the parchment paper. Cut into whatever sized pieces you want!

Voila! So delicious, I promise it won't stick around for long.