Howard Family Holiday Candy

Every year my mother-in-law makes something she calls "Christmas Candy." When she says these words, my husband and his sister start bouncing around like kids on Xmas morning. Christmas candy is simple to make, and it's great to take with you to holiday parties or dinners.

And don't forget that homemade gifts cost you less and can be made in big batches.

You probably have all the ingredients already in your pantry, which makes it even easier. If you can get yourself some local pastured butter it will add a rich flavor to this already yummy treat.

So, here we go:

Grease a baking sheet and stick it in the freezer.

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)

1 cup sugar or evaporated cane juice

1/4 cup water

Cook together in a pot over medium heat until temp reaches 285 on a candy thermometer. I recommend stirring pretty constantly with a silicon spatula while it cooks.

Ok, when it reaches 285, you've got to be ready to work fast!

Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans or almonds), and pour out on the center of the baking sheet. The candy will be a thick liquid, and will have changed to a light caramel color. Don't worry about pouring it evenly or in a perfect square or anything--just don't let it drip over the edges of the baking sheet!

Throw the baking sheet in the freezer for a few hours, or overnight if you can.

When the candy is set, you move on to the last step:

Take a 1 lb bag of chocolate chips (I like 365 brand, of course, and only $1.99) and melt 1/2 of them over low heat. You don't want to turn your heat on too high, because they will burn the bottom of the pan. When they are melted, you pour it over the top of the set candy. Spread around evenly, and throw back into the freezer till set. Take it out, turn it over, melt the remaining chips and repeat.

Break up the candy in rustic, uneven pieces, throw it in a holiday tin and give it away as a hostess gift...or just eat it all while you watched TiVo'd General Hospital after the kids have gone to bed.

Simple. Yummy. Finished!