Holiday Sweets

Recipes:

• White Hot Chocolate
  Its intense vanilla flavor is showcased in this cream-colored version of classic hot chocolate. Be sure to add a chocolate-covered marshmallow just before serving for dramatic and delicious effect!More.
• Dark Chocolate-Covered Homemade Marshmallows
  You can easily make these delightful confections in your own kitchen. Delicious on their own or even more decadent dipped in chocolate and garnished with nuts, sprinkles or toasted coconut.More.
• Cranberry Bliss Bars
  While copycat recipes abound, this one, adapted from Diane Phillips, a popular Viking Cooking School guest chef, makes a blissfully delicious bar.More.
• Gingerbread Scones with Maple Glaze
  These are spiced with cinnamon, ginger and cloves and studded with crystallized ginger. A decorative drizzle of maple glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness.More.
• Butter Toffee Almonds
  These whole almonds enrobed in toffee make a charming and thoughtful hostess gift and are a delightful addition to any cocktail party.More.
• Pumpkin Bread with Vanilla Cream Cheese Filling
  This holiday favorite has a surprise - a stripe of creamy filling inside! This recipe will make 2 standard-sized loaves, which are ideal for entertaining, or 8 individual loaves, which are perfect for gift giving!More.
• White Hot Chocolate with Dark Chocolate-Covered Homemade Marshmallows
  
• Sample Recipe:
  

Tips & Techniques:

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  Using a Candy Thermometer

  Tips for using a candy thermometer - a must for making perfect candy. More.

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  Quick Breads

  Are ’quick breads" so named because they may be made quickly?  Learn this and more about this type of bread. More.

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  Toffee

  A candy thermometer is a must when making toffee.  Learn how the right temperature can affect it. More.

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  Temperatures and Stages of Sugar Syrup

  Learn the role of temperature in achieving the various stages of sugar syrup in candy-making. More.

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  Crystallized Ginger

  A pungent yet sweet ingredient from the gingerroot. More.

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  Measuring Flour

  Learn how to measure this most important ingredient without a scale. More.

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  Molasses

  Learn the difference between the various types of molasses including when to use light or dark. More.

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  Baking Powder

  Learn about this important ingredient in baking that causes a bread or cake to rise. More.

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  Cooling Scones

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  The Key to Tender, Fluffy Scones

  Create perfectly tender, fluffy scones with these expert tips. More.

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  Melting Chocolate Example

  Three methods for melting chocolate. More.

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  Tempering Chocolate

  Methods for tempering chocolate for dipping and molding. More.

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  Melting Chocolate

  Three methods for melting chocolate. More.

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  Hot Chocolate

  Share this trivia while sipping a cup of hot chocolate. More.

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  White Chocolate

  Interesting facts about this not-so-chocolate chocolate. More.

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  Gelatin

  For recipes that call for gelatin, you should know the types and various forms in which it is available. More.

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  Marshmallows

  Learn how marshmallow candy, originally made from the sap of a plant, has evolved. More.

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  Ghirardelli Chocolate

  Learn about Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and their chocolates. More.

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  Confectioners' Sugar

  What does XXX indicate on a box of confectioner's sugar? More.

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  Gingerbread

  Gingerbread has evolved from being sheathed with gold and given as gifts to its modern day charm as gingerbread boys and girls. Learn more about this spiced treat. More.

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  Bar Cookies

  How bar cookies are formed. More.