Plates of homemade candy are one of the most common and most beloved gifts during the holiday season. Here are my recommendations for creating the ultimate candy plate. I think these six candies are all traditional crowd-pleasers, and when combined on a gift plate, they offer the perfect combination of taste, texture, and variety.
1. Easy Walnut Fudge
Elizabeth LaBau
It wouldn't be Christmas at my family's house with huge slabs of this delicious fudge! Rich, creamy chocolate fudge is studded with walnuts to produce the perfect blend of smooth and crunchy candy. The best part about this fudge is that it's super-simple to make: no beating and no candy thermometer are required.
2. Orange Chocolate Truffles
(c) 2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com
Actually, any truffle recipe would be welcomed on a candy gift plate. But I think the combination of rich chocolate and fragrant orange zest is wonderful, and since oranges are in season around the holidays, it's nice to include some citrus notes in your candy assortment.
3. Sweet and Spicy Candied Pecans
(c) 2009 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Candied nuts are one of my favorite holiday munchies, and this sweet-and-spicy version helps break up the monotony of an otherwise sugary plate. These mahogany pecans are coated with a spice mixture that includes cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and maple syrup, and the results are completely and utterly addicting.
4. Rum Balls
(c) 2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Rum Balls are a holiday classic, with a a sophisticated taste that appeals to adults. These rich, chocolatey balls have cookie crumbs, nuts, and a generous helping of rum (or bourbon). To make a nonalcoholic version, you can substitute fruit juice or water for the rum without sacrificing any texture or chocolate taste.
5. Peppermint Bark
(c) 2009 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Peppermint bark is a Christmas classic. Who can resist dark chocolate, white chocolate, and crisp bites of minty candy canes? This candy is easy to make in large quantities, and its taste and appearance adds the perfect holiday touch to your candy plate.
6. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels
(c) 2007 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Christmas candy doesn't get much easier than dipping pretzels in chocolate. But the genius of this candy is in the simplicity, because it leaves plenty of room for your creativity to shine through. Try dipping the pretzels in different types of chocolate, and finish them with chocolate drizzles, toasted nuts, coconut, crushed candy canes, holiday sprinkles, or anything else you can dream up!
