Homemade Love

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! An exciting post today as Crystal (from Crafty Ave) and I created our own Valentine’s treats, and even made our own boxes to store and gift the tasty indulgences. 

 They look dangerously delectable don’t they!? We made:

• Easy Chocolate Truffles
• Oreo Truffles 
• Peanut Butter Balls, and
• Maple Fudge Walnuts 

For the first three recipes please click on the links above, you can find them over at Crafty Ave. And for the Maple Fudge Walnuts, I found this recipe in the Canadian Living Special Issue “Home for the Holdiays”, Fall 2008.

Maple Fudge Walnuts

4 cups  walnut halves, broken

1 cup   packed brown sugar

½ cup whipping cream

¼ cup  maple syrup

1 tbsp  butter

½ tsp   salt

½ tsp   maple extract

 

Roast nuts, on a lined baking sheet, in 350˚F oven until fragrant and golden, 12 to 15 minutes (be careful with this part, they can go from not cooked to burnt very quickly!); transfer to large bowl.

Meanwhile, in large saucepan, bring sugar, cream, and maple syrup to a boil, and boil until reduced to 1¼ cups (8 minutes, or I say until the liquid is quick thick and sugary). Remove from heat, stir in butter until melted, add salt and maple extract.

Pour syrup mixture over nuts; toss to coat. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool. Break into pieces. (Store in an air-tight container, or freeze for longer storage)

People give and get so many cards every year, I like that this craft re-purposes these cards instead of sending them to the recycling plant. Also, the re-used card handmade boxes can be stored and re-used over and over again, for future tasty treats and small gift giving! To learn how to make them yourself, click here.

Enjoy, and try not to overindulge!