Does anyone have a simple, prize-winning holiday candy recipe?

Question

I entered fudge last year and placed 2nd in our local candy contest. My ego doesn't really need to win this year, but I feel like I need to do something good this year to match my reputation. I want a simple recipe. I refuse to use a candy thermometer.

Answer 1

Hey Now...

You not wanting to use a thermometer really cuts down
on your choices but I did find this one in my "Box"...
Hope you like it...

Almond Brittle or Croccante

1/4 cup almond oil
4 cups blanched and sliced almonds
3 cups sugar
1/4 cup water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Grease a cookie sheet with the almond oil.
Place the almonds on a separate baking sheet and toast them until light golden grown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

In a medium, very heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water and cook over medium-high heat until the sugar liquefies, then turns light golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not stir, but brush the sugar crystals off the sides of the pot with a wet pastry brush as necessary.
Once the sugar begins to brown, watch carefully and remove from heat as soon as it is the desired color, as the sugar can burn quickly.

Once the caramel is off the heat, immediately add the almonds to the pot and stir quickly to incorporate.
Turn out onto the prepared cookie sheet, spreading quickly to an even thickness.
Allow the brittle to cool completely, then break into festive shapes.

Ok I found another one!!!
This is a great recipe...
I made this last year for an holiday party and got
12 marriage proposals!!!
LOL

Chocolate Caramel Peanut Truffles

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup heavy cream
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts, for coating

Place the sugar in a heavy saucepan.
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring just until the sugar has melted.
Continue cooking, swirling the pan often, until the sugar is dark golden caramel.
Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the cream. Return the pan to the heat and simmer, stirring, until the caramel has dissolved.
Remove the pan from the heat and, while hot, stir in the chocolate, peanut butter, salt, and vanilla.
Let stand for about 5 minutes or until the chocolate and peanut butter have dissolved.
Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 hours.

Use a small spoon to scoop out the truffles and form into 1-inch balls.
Roll the truffles in the peanuts and transfer to a tray covered with waxed paper.
Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Smiles

Answer 2

I rather help you find sites cause everybody is different on what they like.

Here is a website were you can find each one of these recipes:

Rocky Road Fudge
Cream Pralines
Quick Praline Bars
Pralines with Pecans and Marshmallows
Eggnog Fudge
Spiced Pecans
Easy Truffles
Candied Pecans
Bourbon or Rum Balls
Baklava
Buckeyes Recipe
Candy's Microwave Peanut Brittle
Cashew Brittle
Apricot Balls
Peppermint Patties
Easy Butterscotch Pralines
New Orleans Pralines
Toasted Almond Candy
Heavenly Hash
Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
Easy Cream Cheese Fudge
Easy Ritz Cracker Treats
Judy's Buttery Toffee
No Bake Chocolate Candy
Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Marshmallow Peanut Butter Fudge
Haystacks
Microwave Peanut Brittle
Nutty Clusters
Mock Truffles
Bourbon Pecan Pralines
Favorite Peanut Butter Fudge
Georgia Peanut Brittle
Orange Balls
Quick Peanut Butter Bon Bons
Bourbon Balls
Peanut Butter Confections
Peanut Butter Coconut Delights
Easy Karo Fudge
Sour Cream Fudge
Velveeta Fudge:
Candy Recipes - Main Index
Holiday Cookie Recipes
Food Gifts from your Kitchen
Gift Tags
Christmas Recipes Index
Holiday Recipes Index

Here are a few websites you may like.

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/holiday-recipes/holiday-candy-recipes.html

http://thanksgiving.spike-jamie.com/candy.html

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Cream Cheese Mints "These seem to be everyone's favorite holiday candy recipe. Could be the melt in your mouth texture, or perhaps the sweet peppermint taste. Could also be the fact that this is the easiest candy recipe around! If stored in airtight container, these can be frozen for a couple months. These can also be made into pretty shapes by rolling in granulated sugar, pressing into candy molds, and dropping them out." PREP TIME 30 Min READY IN 2 Hrs 30 Min SERVINGS & SCALING INGREDIENTS 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon butter, softened 3 cups confectioners' sugar 2 drops peppermint oil any color food coloring paste (optional) DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, and confectioner's sugar. Mix in peppermint oil. Color as desired with food coloring paste, or leave white. Roll mixture into small balls, and place on waxed paper. Flatten with a fork dipped in confectioners' sugar. Let dry for about 2 hours on waxed paper, then freeze or refrigerate.