Sugarplums Tightly covered, these keep for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. 1/2 cup slivered almonds 4 ounces dried figs 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons honey Grated zest from 1 orange (1 tablespoon) 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup granulated sugar In...

Sugared Curried Pecans 1 pound (about 5 cups) pecan halves 1 egg white 3/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 tablespoon salt Heat oven to 250º F. Arrange the pecans on a cookie sheet and toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the egg white...

Pecan Sticky Buns 6 tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 cup brown sugar 36 pecan halves, plus 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 loaf (1/2 2-pound package) frozen white-bread (not pizza) dough, thawed 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon To make it... Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Spoon 1 teaspoon melted butter...

Nutted Popcorn This recipe is best saved for a low-humidity day (as is any kind of candy making). Dry conditions help the caramel become and stay crisp, not chewy. 8 cups popped popcorn 2 cups pecan halves 1 cup whole unblanched almonds 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon...

Magic Cocoa 1/2 gallon whole milk 1 12-ounce bag Premium Dark Cocoa Candy Melts or semisweet chocolate chips Heat the milk over medium-low heat; don't let it boil. Add about 1/4 cup of the Candy Melts or semisweet chocolate chips to each of 8 mugs and fill them with the hot milk. Stir. Note: There's...

Fudge Sauce To reheat, microwave the sauce in a small cup for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each heating, until smooth. 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 12 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 2 teaspoons vanilla In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the...

Individual Chocolate Melting Cakes 10 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt Caramel sauce Coffee ice cream Heat oven to 325º F. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with...

Ice Cream Bombe 2 pints vanilla ice cream 2 pints chocolate ice cream 1 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies Line a medium-size bowl with 2 sheets of aluminum foil. Scoop the vanilla ice cream into balls and place in bowl. Freeze for 30 minutes. Repeat with the chocolate ice cream, placing it...

Chocolate Bread Pudding 4 cups milk 4 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 8 tablespoons butter or margarine 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 loaf white bread, crusts trimmed 1 pint heavy cream, whipped To make it... Whisk the milk, eggs, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Add the butter...

I know what your thinking, "He already posted this one didn't he?" Last time it was a Cookie Tree! Not Tree Cookies!! Tree Cookies 1 18-ounce tube refrigerated ready-to-bake sugar-cookie dough 3 1.08-ounce tubes M&M's Minis Heat oven according to the label directions. Cut the dough...