Christmas Hampers

I have been making Christmas hamers for my neices and nephews , but I have wrapped them up and taken them off to Devon without photgraphing the finished product! Last year I made them all cushions. It's quite hard thinking up fresh ideas for them all, There are four, all married with two children each. I knitted the hats for the little ones. I bought rectangular  baskets something like the one below, lined them with e new tea towel and filled them with homemade jam, chutney pickled onions, white chocolate and cranberry fudge (recipe below) and a packet of cheese cackers. I put the fudge in celephane bags and tied them with Christmas ribbon. The fudge is lovely, I thought it may be too sweet with it being white chocolate but it is just right...I had better get making some more for my children!

 

White Chocolate & Cranberry Fudge

350g 12oz) granulated sugar

25g (1oz) unsalted butter

175ml (6fl oz) can evaporated milk

100g (31/2oz) dried cranberries

300g (10oz) white chocolate, chopped

• Cut a piece of baking parchment large enough to line a shallow 25x20cm (10x8) baking tin or a 1kg (2lb) loaf tim
• Put sugar, butter and evaporated milk in a large heavy-based pan. Heat gently until sugar has dissolved completely
• Bring to the boil, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 mins. It is a good idea to time this to be exact
• Immediately remove from the heat then add the cranberries and chocolate. Allow the chocolate to melt, then quickly stir the mixture and pour straight into the tin. It will thicken immediately
• Spread into the tin and chill for an hour or so until firm. Cut into small squares,
• Place the fudge in a decorative box or bag and tie with ribbon