I love giving gifts from the kitchen…especially this time of year.  This is a simple fudge recipe that can be set in cookie cutters and given as a yummy gift.

Peppermint Fudge

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups (16 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup round peppermint candies, plus 18 for garnish
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups sugar

Directions:

Spray a baking dish and the inside of chosen cookie cutters.  Place cookie cutters in the prepared baking dish.

Place chocolate in a bowl. In a food processor, pulse candies until finely chopped. In a medium saucepan, combine candies, cream, marshmallows, butter and sugar over medium-high. Whisk until smooth, 5 minutes.  {Candies will clump this is okay.}

Pour mixture through a strainer into bowl with chocolate; let stand 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Pour into cookie cutters and smooth.  (Use a little water on your finger for less mess.}  Refrigerate until set, atleast 3 hours.  Sprinkle the top of fudge with crushed peppermint candies and gently press into the top.

Wrap in a cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon.  Now spread the Christmas cheer to all those you love.

*Of course you can make this in a 9 inch baking pan.–Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Line pan with two pieces parchment paper in both directions, leaving 2 inches of overhang on all sides; spray parchment.  Make fudge with the directions above.  Pour fudge into baking pan and refrigerate until set, 3 hours. Cut fudge into 1 1/2-inch squares. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.

**Recipe slightly adapted from marthastewart.com