Everyone is in a spot; monies are tight yet we all want to give at this time of year. What to do? Go to your cupboard and pull out your dark chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla, sugar, wafers, and peanuts, in your fridge: butter, and whipping cream. You now have a wonderful conglomerate of ingredients to create home baked gifts.

Chocolate truffles

1. Place 2 lb dark chocolate and 1 lb butter in a mixing bowl
2. Bring to a boil 1 pt cream
3. Add cream to the chocolate, stir until melted
4. Chill until firm, using a melon ball cutter form balls
5. In a double boiler melt chocolate
6. Carefully dip truffles into melted chocolate
7. After dipping coat with chopped nuts and wafer mixture

Fresh Peanut butter caramel

1. Make a simple sugar caramel
2. 1 cup sugar, 3 tbsp water, drop of lemon juice and 1 tsp vanilla
3. Boil the above until golden brown
4. Add half a cup of peanut butter and 1 cup cream
5. Mix well and take off the heat, let cool

The key is in the packaging always use a reusable, recyclable container. Place the finished truffles carefully in your designated container (do not smoosh!)

Use a preserve jar for the caramel! Remember the red festive bow!