Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

[IF]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Fudge is lovely Elsa, and so easy; its basically condensed milk and sugar boiled with lashings of Baileys at the last minute and being homemade there are no calories at all

Jane x

Oooh no calories.......my fav type of fudge

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

You wouldn't by any chance pass on the recipe would you Jane?

[tastyjane]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
150ml milk
450g demerara sugar
115g butter

Place the ingredients into a large non-stick saucepan and melt over a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.


Bring to the boil then simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring continuously and scraping the base of the pan. Take care while the mixture boils and during stirring as the fudge will be VERY hot! To test its ready drop a little of the mixture into a jug of ice-cold water. A soft ball of fudge should form. Or check with a sugar thermometer if you have one (approx 118°C).

Remove from the heat and beat the fudge until very thick and starting to set (about 10 minutes).

Pour into the prepared tin and leave to cool before cutting into squares.
I add the baileys just as it is thickening before I put it into the cake tin to cool....
Gorgeous
Jane x

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

M&S have loads of 3for2 and 50% off offers. Went to Meadowhall today, got £120 in our basket and paid just £60 odd. Great bargains to be had. Ideal stocking fillers etc for kids

[Undercover Elsa]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
150ml milk
450g demerara sugar
115g butter

Place the ingredients into a large non-stick saucepan and melt over a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.


Bring to the boil then simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring continuously and scraping the base of the pan. Take care while the mixture boils and during stirring as the fudge will be VERY hot! To test its ready drop a little of the mixture into a jug of ice-cold water. A soft ball of fudge should form. Or check with a sugar thermometer if you have one (approx 118°C).

Remove from the heat and beat the fudge until very thick and starting to set (about 10 minutes).

Pour into the prepared tin and leave to cool before cutting into squares.
I add the baileys just as it is thickening before I put it into the cake tin to cool....
Gorgeous
Jane x

Yay! Thanks Jane
How many bottles of Baileys should I use?

[IF]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

How many bottles of Baileys should I use?

[Never-In-Doubt]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
150ml milk
450g demerara sugar
115g butter

Place the ingredients into a large non-stick saucepan and melt over a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.


Bring to the boil then simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring continuously and scraping the base of the pan. Take care while the mixture boils and during stirring as the fudge will be VERY hot! To test its ready drop a little of the mixture into a jug of ice-cold water. A soft ball of fudge should form. Or check with a sugar thermometer if you have one (approx 118°C).

Remove from the heat and beat the fudge until very thick and starting to set (about 10 minutes).

Pour into the prepared tin and leave to cool before cutting into squares.
I add the baileys just as it is thickening before I put it into the cake tin to cool....
Gorgeous
Jane x

Cook for longer and add more condensed milk and you'll get a Scottish delicacy called Tablet

[diddlydee]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Is "tablet" more toffee like? I prefer toffee to fudge.

I want chocolate Baileys for Christmas and plenty of it If anyone bought me that, I'd be well happy!

[joshing]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Guys I need ideas for small gifts as this year will be very tight for us, the inlaws have everyteing, no room to store anymore bits as they are staying with elderly mother as recently came back from living in the states, Easier then we didnt buy anything lol. Brother in laws always been a pain to choose for as his just designer everything and we wouldnt go there!! Im looking for stuff that can be used....... not stored......... or chucked........ any thoughts?

[diddlydee]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Home made food gifts sound like a perfect solution, jilly.

I have made home-made bread pudding (wrapped in greaseproof paper, then wrapping paper and tied with ribbons it looks pretty), and home made chocolate bars which are personalised. For example, my dad loves dark chocolate with fruit and nuts, so I buy dark chocolate, melt it down then using a bread tin lined with cling film (as its a good size for a choccie bar) as a mold, sprinkle in cranberrys, mixed nuts, raisins etc, and top with the melted chocolate. Let it chill then wrap in foil and present with some pretty bows etc.

Your relatives must have a favourite foodstuff you could make for them?

[joshing]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Home made food gifts sound like a perfect solution, jilly.

I have made home-made bread pudding (wrapped in greaseproof paper, then wrapping paper and tied with ribbons it looks pretty), and home made chocolate bars which are personalised. For example, my dad loves dark chocolate with fruit and nuts, so I buy dark chocolate, melt it down then using a bread tin lined with cling film (as its a good size for a choccie bar) as a mold, sprinkle in cranberrys, mixed nuts, raisins etc, and top with the melted chocolate. Let it chill then wrap in foil and present with some pretty bows etc.

Your relatives must have a favourite foodstuff you could make for them?

But I hate baking nothing turns out right & I end up spending more money.

[Pixie]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Do they like reading? The supermarkets have got paperback books quite cheap.

[joshing]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Do they like reading? The supermarkets have got paperback books quite cheap.

They have them kindle things so books no good, I had been thinking that myself so asked to find our. Iv found some nice keyrings on ebay they engrave them free with a message on back & name on front might go for them if I can think what to put it has to be sort.

[IF]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

Iv found some nice keyrings on ebay they engrave them free with a message on back & name on front might go for them if I can think what to put it has to be sort.

That's a good idea, do let us know what they look like if you order some

[Pixie]

Re: Christmas gift ideas for friends and family

They have them kindle things so books no good, I had been thinking that myself so asked to find our. Iv found some nice keyrings on ebay they engrave them free with a message on back & name on front might go for them if I can think what to put it has to be sort.

Hadn't thought about them having kindles

The key rings are a really good idea...and personal too.