What’s happening that’s festive in your kitchens?
Nut mixes? Fudge, caramels, and other sweets? Preserves and curds (and all the things they can go into)?
I procrastinated on my holiday treat-making this year because Thanksgiving is so late (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it 
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(May all your efforts be well-rewarded, but, just in case, the Mishaps thread is here 
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Related:
— 2024 Holiday Treats
— 2025 Not Baked thread
— 2025 Holiday Baking
The offspring now does all the baking in their own kitchen. Any treats I make will be last minute.
I want to try @Nannybakes’ microwave lemon curd this year.
I just picked up a jar of mixed berry and lemon curd from TJ’s because I thought it might be an easy sandwich layer for a cake, if it tastes good, it might be interesting to replicate (with frozen berries).
I’ve made passionfruit and tangerine with that same formula. I’ve also made a few different cranberry curds which are delicious, a rhubarb curd, just okay, and pineapple curd which @CaitlinM has posted several times. I can’t recall for sure if I’ve made a berry curd but I have a vague recollection of making one and found it muted in flavor possibly due to all the eggs, maybe some citric acid would be a good addition to a berry curd.
ETA I just picked up some crushed candy canes at World Market as my DD likes to use them for Holiday chocolate brickle.
Here’s what I bought – ingredient list has lots of juice concentrates, probably for the reason you described.
Had not heard that term yet, but such a better name!
I’ll try and pick some up in the next couple of days. I would think the concentrates would intensify the berry flavors. Do tell when you try it!
I am currently soaking fruit in rum for fruitcake.
I plan to make some cheddar shortbread or cheddar pennies this year.
I think I’ll be gifting some friends fruitcake, olive oil, coffee or tea instead of cookies and squares this year.
I also decided , I’ll bake my own fruitcakes and mail them, rather than buying as many mail-order gifts this year.
I like making people baskets and gift bags, so I will continue with that. More homemade stuff this year.
Some ideas for baskets and other foodie gifts from years past.
Do You Send Food Gifts For The Holidays?
Favorite Holiday Gift Food Mail Order Companies
Gift baskets and gift boxes in the Greater Toronto Area
Making your own holiday gift basket in Ontario- what would you include?
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I need to start a list of which friends like or don’t like nuts, and like or don’t like Fruitcake!
I know many folks make spiced nuts to give away, and I’ve been toying with the idea of trying NYC-style honey roasted cashews – “Nuts4Nuts”.
