DIY Holiday Gift Treats

By Latina Promotions | 12/12/2011 - 14:30 |

Chocolate Dipped Fruit

Chocolate-covered dried fruit looks fantastic and tastes even better. The first few pieces might look a little strange, but you'll quickly get the hang of it. Later on, you can even experiment with decorations such as nuts or garnishes of different chocolates. Start out with the basic recipe and idea.

Things You'll Need

Dried fruit
Wax paper
Cookie sheets
1 pound bittersweet chocolate
Microwave safe bowl
Skewers
Fork (optional)

Instructions

1. Pick the fruit. Almost any type of fruit works from bananas to strawberries and you can even mix and match by picking different types of fruit. Just make sure to cut larger ones into bite size pieces. Keep in mind that smaller dried fruits like raisins are a little harder to dip in the chocolate.

2. Place sheets of wax paper directly on top of several cookie sheets. The dipped fruit dries on the wax paper once it comes out of the chocolate, but it prevents the fruit pieces from sticking to the surface of the cookie sheet. In a pinch, you can also use paper towels.

3. Add 1 pound of bittersweet chocolate to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds on high. Remove the bowl, mix the chocolate and place it back in the microwave for 45 seconds. Continue doing so until the chocolate is completely smooth and tempered.

4. Stick skewers in the ends of the fruit pieces, which gives you something to hold onto and keeps your hands from getting messy. Dip each piece directly into the chocolate and roll it around lightly to ensure an even coating. If you're using a harder fruit like apple or banana chips, drop them in the chocolate and use a fork to roll them around in the chocolate. Then use the fork to remove them from the chocolate.

5. Give the fruit a slight shake, which causes the excess chocolate to slide off. Then set it on top of the cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheets in the freezer or refrigerator to harden and keep them cool until eating.

Magdalenas

There’s nothing like a homemade gift to show you care. And nothing’s more welcome than a treat that comes straight from your kitchen! These gifts are not just fun in the giving…they’re fun in the making. I’ve made these myself, but why not invite over your sisters or a group of your best girlfriends, and make a party out of baking together? It’s a great way to kick off the festivities and get everyone in the holiday mood.

Ingredients:
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 4-oz. stick unsalted butter
• 1 2/3 cups unbleached white flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• zest from 1 lemon
• 1 Tbsp milk

Preparation:
Serves 9. Yield is 18 magdalenas.

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Centigrade). Measure 1/4 cup sugar into small bowl and set aside.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the eggs with 3/4 cup sugar. Beat until the mixture is light.

2. In a small sauce pan, melt the butter on medium on the stove top. Or, melt it in the microwave. Make sure that the butter cools slightly and is not bubbling. As you continue to beat the egg mixture, slowly pour in the melted butter, making sure to mix thoroughly. Stir in the lemon zest and milk.

3. Measure out the flour into a separate bowl. Add the baking powder to the flour and mix thoroughly.

4. While stirring the egg mixture, add in the flour mixture. Continue to stir until all ingredients are mixed well. The batter will be very thick.
Place paper liners in to cupcake pan. Use a large serving spoon to spoon batter into pan, filling each one half full. Batter will more than double in size when baked. Use a teaspoon to sprinkle each magdalena with a bit of the reserved sugar.

5. Place pans on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until magdalenas have turned a golden color. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before taking out of the pan to cool further.

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