food sectionfood sectionCaramels, the smooth amber squares of sugary goodness used for making different candies and baked goods, can easily become hardened if they get too cold or are left sitting for too long unused. Don't throw out that whole bag of caramels or pick out each caramel candy from your Halloween bucket and toss it in the trash just yet. You can give those little candies new life with just a few seconds in the microwave.
Caramel hardens when it ages. Hard caramel can be difficult to add to dishes because it will not mix well. Instead of cutting the caramel into small pieces, you can soften it to the right consistency by warming it in the microwave or in a bowl of hot water. Once the caramel softens you should use it immediately or it will begin to harden again.
Caramel candy, a mixture of ingredients such as cream or milk, butter, caramelized sugar and vanilla, can be quite hard. This can present a problem if you want to eat a piece, but you fear for your teeth and fillings. In addition, if you plan on using the caramels in a recipe, you often have to cut the candy into bits. Fortunately, you can soften hard caramels with a popular household appliance and achieve your purpose.
Snowman soup is a gift that combines hot chocolate mix, chocolate pieces, marshmallows and a candy cane in a package. This gift is easy to assemble; it takes under 10 minutes. Customize snowman soup by using flavored hot chocolate mix, different types of chocolate and different types of candy canes. For example, use raspberry-flavored hot chocolate, white chocolate pieces and a mint candy cane. Snowman Soup is an inexpensive gift for teachers, co-workers, relatives and caregivers.
What can be sweeter than a marshmallow? How about a marshmallow covered in chocolate. Chocolate covered marshmallows are easier to make than they appear and can be made as finger food or on a stick. If you are making chocolate covered marshmallows, you can either purchase the large already puffed marshmallows or start from scratch. Making your own marshmallows allows you to create flavored or colored marshmallows by inserting any extract, dye or powdered flavoring (such as coffee) that you desire.
