CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Grandma Clara's Christmas Treats Recipes
Christmas time evokes many, many memories of childhood. Each family has their unique traditions of Christmas cuisine and Christmas treats, most of which were rich in sugar. The following are family Christmas recipes for some traditional Christmas treats.
Fruit Cake
½ lb. butter
1 pkg currants
½ lb dates
½ package raisins
4 cups water
2 cups sugar
Boil above ingredients together 15 minutes and let cool.
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon cloves
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon all spice
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
2 beaten eggs
1 cup walnuts
1 cup pecans
Instructions: mix well; bake 350 degrees for 1 hour (variety: add 1 pkg. Fruit mix; gum drops, jams or jellies)
$150 Fudge
1 cube unsalted butter
1 ½ cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
10 marshmallows
1 T water
2 cups sugar
¾ can canned milk
Instructions: (1) Put 1 cube butter. 1 cup nuts, 1 ½ cup chocolate chips and 1 tsp. vanilla in mixing bowl; (2) Melt 10 marshmallows in top of double boiler with 1 T water; (3) Put 2 cups sugar and ¾ cup canned milk in kettle and bring to slow boil 6 minutes; (4) Add marshmallow mixture to mixing bowl and add sugar to mixing bowl; and (5) Beat by hand until thick and pour into greased pan and chill in refrigerator overnight.
Butter Mints
3 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 square unsalted butter (must be butter)
Instructions: Bring to rapid boil and cook to exactly 250 degrees; pour on slab of marble; add 3 drips of Oil Peppermint (buy at drug store) and three drops food coloring (red or green etc.); pull until can't clutch any longer; spread out and cut with scissors; do not let pieces touch each other for about an hour; store in air tight container.
Popcorn Balls
1 cup white Karo syrup
1 cup molasses
1 cup sugar
5 quarts popcorn, popped
Instructions: cook to crack stage or hardball. Add 1 tablespoon butter and ½ tsp soda. Add green and/or red food coloring to make a Holiday treat. Pour slowly over hot popped corn, mixing well to coat every kernel.
Press into balls (butter hands if necessary). Try not to burn your hands.