DIY Velveeta, Caramel, Peppermint Syrup…and Acorns!

A short time ago, i said that i was trying to go through a gazillion bookmarked recipes and i still am.  A few lately have been one-hit wonders and not worth blogging about but today i’m giving you a boatload of possiblities, just in time for the holidays.

Homemade Velveeta

First out of the chute, Homemade Velveeta.  Now, while it may not be cost effective (especially if you buy store brand Velveeta or have a coupon), you will at least know that your version has fewer chemicals/preservatives.  It looks and feels a little grainer than its counterpart but melts just fine.  I’m actually looking forward to tweaking it and making a Mexican version, Italian version and mixing it up with unusual cheeses like Swiss.  Oh, and just a note.  Don’t know what i was thinking but i totally goofed on the dry milk and used good ol’ regular 2% milk…and it worked!

Homemade Caramel

Next up, Homemade Caramel.  Now, this will knock your socks off!  I didn’t tell my family what i was doing until after it was done and tried to make them guess what it was by tasting it.  They all had that slightly nervous, skeptical look until they put their chops around the spoon and said, “Caramel?”  Well, it is now but it started life as…sweetened condensed milk!  Yes!  I’m not kidding!  Check out the recipe to learn how to magically change SCM to caramel. ;0)

Next up in our bag of tricks is Homemade Peppermint Syrup.  We stopped by Daily Grind Friday night while Ashley was working to bring her some chow and to get something to drink, of course.  Since i’m not a coffee person (do you hate me now?), i always ask her suggestions on what to get.  She recommended a Peppermint Patty steamer.  Since i’ve got this thing for chocolate and peppermint, it was a great idea. Now she can make them for me at home (hint, hint!) since i made a jar of Homemade Peppermint Syrup.  It would be great for coffee, ice cream, chocolate-chip pancakes, etc.

Last, but not least…Homemade Acorns.  Mama sent this to me and i’ve been saving it to do for Thanksgiving.  They are soooo easy to make and are just as cute as a button!  Or rather an acorn.

Hope you find something in here that will make your cooking and your holidays just a little bit richer!  If i don’t see you before Thanksgiving, just know that i am grateful for your time.  You must be a special person to have read through my rantings.  Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!

Homemade Velveeta

1 1/2 pounds (6 cups) of grated Cheddar cheese, divided into 2 cups worth

1 1/2 cups almost boiling water, divided into 1/2 cups

1/2 cups plus 1 Tbs. dry (powdered) milk, divided into 3 parts (see note above)

1/2 envelope (1 1/2 tsp.) unflavored gelatin, divided into 1/2 tsp increments

Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap.

Pour 1/2 cup water, 3 Tbs. milk and 1/2 tsp. gelatin in blender.  Blend until mixed.

Add 2 cups of Cheddar and blend well.  Pour into loaf pan.

Repeat process twice more.  Cover and refrigerate cheese overnight.

Yield: 2 lb. loaf

Homemade Caramel

1 can of sweetened condensed milk (not with a pop-top lid)

1 crock pot

water

Peel the label off of the can of S.C. milk.  Place a plate or a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom of the crock pot, since can will rust a bit.

Place can on top and fill pot until water is around an inch above the top of the can.

Turn crock pot on low and leave for 8 hours/overnight.

Allow contents to cool.  Enjoy your caramel!

Homemade Peppermint Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

3 peppermint candy canes, broken in large pieces

Put water, sugar and candy canes in a medium saucepot.  Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until candy canes are completely dissolved.  Add a little red food coloring, if you want a deeper color.

Refrigerate overnight.

Homemade Acorns

1 box miniature Nutter Butter cookies

1 bag Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

1 bag miniature Semi-Sweet chocolate chips

Pour a couple tablespoons full of chocolate chips in a bowl and microwave until melted.

Using melted chocolate as your glue, attach the flat bottom of the Hershey’s Kiss to one side of the Nutter Butter.  Again using the melted chocolate, attach a mini chip to other side of Nutter Butter as the stem.

Makes as many as you’d like…or until you run out of ingredients.

Special Birthday Shout-Out to my Favorite Father-in-Law, Lornie Franz!!!  Hope you had a WONDERFUL day!

Pickin' and Grinnin' with Devin and Cody

Birthday Boy!

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