Sunday, December 14, 2014

Christmas Card Boxes That Are Too Pretty To Throw Away? -Fill Them With Homemade Fudge!!!!

I can't bear to just throw away

those pretty boxes that Christmas cards come in.

I hate to throw them away because

they have such "pretty" faces.

They make GREAT gift boxes filled with fudge!

I did a post about this before but some of you

may not have been following me then to see this.



THE EASIEST HOMEMADE

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

ever. period.

I wish I could tell you where

I got the recipe but I can't remember.

So...

Drag those pretty boxes out that you have saved.

Here's how to take the box below

and turn it into a special

gift.


Open the box and line it with tin foil.

Butter the tin foil.

Then make this:

In pan over medium heat melt
2 sticks of butter

When melted stir in 

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy.
Like this.

Stir in one teaspoon REAL vanilla.

Mexican Pure Vanilla Extract

Add 2-3/4 cups CONFECTIONERY SUGAR

(not granulated)

(That old tin scoop belonged to my Mom-Good  Housekeeping 1954)

I beat it quickly with a hand mixer

(it sets up fast) 

and then pour it into the 

buttered foil lined box.

You should get 2 or 3 boxes full-depending on box size.

Put it in the fridge to harden

and as soon as it sets up

lift it out , peel off the tinfoil 

and wrap it in parchment paper.

Then wrap it with a piece

of ribbon and place it

back in the box.
 I pick up  spare knives all year here and there

and include one in each box.
The fudge stays fresh 

until they cut it.

Put the lid on and it presents

like this when opened.

Recipe:

SMOOTH AND EASY

PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

2 sticks butter

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2-3/4 cups confectionery sugar

In saucepan:

Melt butter

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.

Use hand mixer and quickly

mix sugar in. It sets up fast.

Place in tinfoil lined box and

set in fridge until hard.

This is the smoothest peanut

butter candy I have ever made.

This recipe makes two card boxes 

full OR 1 8x8 buttered pan.

It's quick, easy and just

a sweet little surprise.


Save a few pieces for your friends.

 Let them eat this while you sip

black coffee or diet Coke.

Remember...

The fatter THEY get the 

THINNER YOU LOOK

next to them!

Amen
your photo name

69 comments:

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That is a good idea in regards to saving the boxes!

I used to make a lot of fudge when the boys were young because it made nice little gifts for teachers and neighbors and such : )

Pam Kessler said...

Well, aren't you smart! Such a cute idea and you're oh so trendy since you're upcycling and all that stuff!

Sylvia said...

Love this idea and the Good Lord knows I need to (be) look thinner!

Anonymous said...

Your fudge looks so good!! I love the idea of using the Christmas box!!

Kath

Sonny G said...

you are brilliant. I'll be saving all my boxes for nexr year. thanks so much for the idea and the fudge recipes.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Wow Diana I really love this idea! Pretty packaging, yummy treat and an vintage silver plated knife = a very impressive gift from the heart.
I love your Moms old scoop ... I appreciate my kitchen pieces that have been passed down, makes a tactile connection to loved ones I think.
On Thanksgiving I used my Aunt Blanches old Turkey roasting pan and I felt her love and energy along side of me that day preparing our meal.
I'm going to try your recipe and just so happen to have kept some lovely designed boxes from years ago.
Happy Sunday
xoxo

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I've been using mine to store seashells....my neighbors would rather have fudge though! Have a fun day! Holiday hugs, Diane

Simply LKJ said...

That is a fabulous idea!

Anonymous said...

I remember my Mum saving card boxes from Regal cards to do this, I had forgotten all about it, your fudge sounds very good!

Susie said...

Diana, This is from one of your fat fudge loving friends. LOL Heck , I think I'll hang out with old people to look younger...the problem being it's getting harder to find people older than me. LOL. One day it'll just be old fat me. I tell you are feeling better. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Debbiedoos said...

You are so clever!Oh that looks super yummy. Merry Christmas to you and your family Diana!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

What a fabulous idea!! Now pass over a piece of that fudge!

Junkchiccottage said...

How clever are you this morning. What a great idea to use those pretty card boxes for your gifting fudge. Sounds so yummy. Ok so my box of fudge will be arriving soon lol!!!! I am almost through the big box of Chocolates so my fat cells will be needing some fudge soon! Have a great Sunday my friend.
Kris

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

Great idea for repurposing Christmas card boxes and the silver knife is such a sweet little detail....hugs....

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Sweet idea.

Our family recipe uses Marshmallow Fluff. :-)

Debbie Harris said...

Well if that isn't the greatest and I mean greatest idea! I save those boxes as well and use then for "stuff" but this is a much better idea.
Thank you for sharing, Diana.
Have a beautiful day.
Debbie

Jennifer said...

What a wonderful idea! I have not tried making that kind of fudge. I have a recipe that uses chocolate and butterscotch chips and sweetened, condensed milk. It's called 5 Minute Fudge. I think I will try yours this year.

Jettie said...

Candy box in bedroom, will fill it and put it on table for our Christmas snack. Also minister and his wife may get a small box of this, too.

Patty Patterson said...

I don't like peanut butter - but I love the finished product here, so I am going to try this! :-) Such a cute idea!

Linda said...

Another great steal, Diana! My mom will love this Christmas treat. Hugs, Linda@Wetcreek Blog

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Brilliant idea!

Debbie said...

Wow! what a terrific idea! Thank you, Sweetie!
Debbie
xo

Jacqueline said...

Too funny! We have been trying to lose weight after our cruise and avoiding carbs and the holiday treats are so tempting. We have an occasional chocolate and I would be sure to sneak one piece of these. They sound too easy! I adore your idea with card boxes and your presentation with the knife is wonderful! Have to pin this!

Kelly said...

You are sooo clever and very thoughtful Diana!!! This looks scrumptious and classy!!! Plus your other helpful tips...... HaHaHA! Love your Sassy humor dear friend! ;)


l

cathy@my1929charmer said...

What a great idea! I love those boxes too and it's nice to pass on to someone else. What a clever girl you are, really, simple and nice!

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

The fudge looks delicious! What a clever idea using leftover card boxes.

Kelly said...

I love this idea!!! What a sweet gift that would make.

LostRoses said...

Genius!

Kay G. said...

I bet restaurants love to see YOU coming! I can hear them now..."She picks up knives all year you know!" HA!
What a great idea, and you know you might not have thought of this, but this is GLUTEN FREE, so hurray for my husband! Thanks! xx
This would also work for cookie tins too!
They stopped selling the Cadbury's Cookies at Target (sob!) The tins were made in England and they were GORGEOUS! I would save them and make cookies and give them away. Wish I had kept more of them for myself! LOL!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Very clever idea to use up those card boxes! I love that your recipe doesn't use a candy thermometer. I'm always intimidated by the ones that are very precise as to what temperature it has to get to. Thanks for the yummy recipe and cute idea for a gift!

Nonnie said...

Great idea!!! I made fudge two days ago and was wishing I had more Christmas tins. Thanks for the recipe, too. I've never had peanut butter fudge.

Diana Ferguson said...

Cute idea!

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

What an excellent idea! They are too pretty to throw away! I can't wait to try this fudge..Thank you for sharing!

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

Thank you also Diana for all of the smiles on my face!

Chatty Crone said...

This is one of the smartest and greatest thing I have seen! Great idea!

Bethany Carson said...

What a sweet (and awesome) idea!

Kim said...

Great idea, Diana! I remember all those pretty boxes. We do photo cards each year now and they just come in a plain white shipping box...boo. I wouldn't want to eat anything that comes out of there!! ;)

Sweet Tea said...

Thank you for posting this!
So glad I had time to stop by today and grab all these wonderfully, useable suggestions.

tlcukjourney said...

The boxes really do make perfect gift boxes, I like that idea because I'm all about upcycling and recycling!
I hope you're well Diana and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Tammy x

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Thanks so much for the recipe - it really looks so good and yummy. What a great idea to use the Christmas card boxes. You are so cleaver.
Have a wonderful week.
Mary

Rose L said...

Mmmmm...I can almost taste it now! Such a "sweet" gift to anyone! That's what I will miss from my old neighborhood as we had one neighbor who has 3 daughters and they made the most delicious cookies and candy for everyone on our 8 house street.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diana, Love this wonderful gift idea. The card boxes are perfect for this and the recipe sounds so good. Thanks for sharing!!
Great idea to add the knife too. Have a nice evening and week ahead.
Christmas Blessings

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

what a great idea. Now I will no longer throw away those card boxes. The peanut butter fudge looks good, but if you have a recipe for old fashion chocolate fudge, would you post that? I know I ask a lot, but you just might have one for a day when you need an idea for a post.

This N That said...

Good idea Diana! So since I make my own cars I don't have any little boxes. Fudge looks yummy.

SImple and Serene Living said...

This is such a great idea, Diana. Thanks for sharing :)
xo
Laura

Joy Junktion said...

Is there anything that you can't/don't do, Diana??? My oh my, that is Such a great gift idea!! Yummy! Blessings, Cindy

Donna said...

I am totally drooling here, Diana! This is low calorie fudge, right? I just love your idea of repurposing those pretty card boxes. I feel my thighs getting bigger...................

Marigene said...

What a great idea...and I am going to try your recipe, too!

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Christmas card boxes are a great idea for the fudge. It sounds so yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe!

God's Grace Overflows said...

What a GREAT idea, Diana! Oh and that fudge looks heavenly! I love Peanut Butter Fudge. My mom made her famous PB Fudge this weekend and for whatever reason it turned out hard as a rock. (And I've had her famous PB fudge before and it's normally creamy, not hard) I think I will send this recipe to her and see if she wants to try out this one. I can't make fudge, but I think with this recipe, It might turn out!

Thanks for sharing and I must save my card boxes now.....

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Hugs,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Fantastic idea! The fudge recipe looks and sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing this with us!

Gypsy Heart said...

Aren't you clever? Such a great idea ~ easy and yes, a great presentation. Adding the knife is brilliant!

xo
Pat

White Lace and Promises said...

Yummy! I love peanut butter anything!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I love this repurpose !
The fudge is sweet too!

cynthia lee designs said...

What a wonderful idea!!
~Cindy

Kathy said...

Sounds yummy and great idea for the boxes, too!

Anonymous said...

Oh yum...anything peanut butter is my friend (:)
Louise

Mindy said...

Um, yum. And genius packaging idea.

Kathy said...

This is a wonderful recipe. It sounds so easy. I must try it. I LOVE peanut butter fudge. It may not make it to a gift box.

J said...

YUMMO! Sounds wonderful! Thank you!

farmhouse-story said...

i LOVE this, diana! i will try it...and eat it--haha! the box is such a great idea! tfs!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh my gosh, I was just thinking the same thing the other day. Some of these card boxes are too pretty to throw away. Jess does all the baking at Christmas time, and I'm going to mention this clever idea to her, thanks! Your peanut butter fudge looks wonderful, Diana. I want some!

love,
~Sheri

Stephanie said...

Well, aren't you one clever lady! I love the idea of using a Christmas card box. The only problem is....I don't have any. I guess I will have to buy some cards when they are on clearance just so I can have some cute boxes :)

So nice to visit you twice this morning! Hugs!

bj said...

OOO, what a marvelous idea..I wish I had all the pretty boxes that got thrown away. bwaaaaa....well, I'll save them, now.
Can't wait to make this fudge....am on my way to groc store so will buy all the stuff needed...and....I'll take photos of this good looking fudge...(imagine THAT.) HAHHAA....o, I love this time of year so much. and so thankful, at almost 77, to be ABLE to enjoy it all.

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

You had to do it didn't you??? OH MY GOSH! this looks amazing. I love the idea of putting fudge in the boxes... or on my plate with a cup of coffee. YUM!

Cristina Garay said...

It looks so good!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

The fudge looks great and what a great idea to use those pretty card boxes that we so often toss out...

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a darling idea, Diana! I love this - finally a use for all those boxes I have saved that my Mr. teases me about. Now he will finally shut his mouth because it will be stuffed with peanut butter fudge! Thanks for sharing this <3 xo Karen

Gert said...

What a great idea! The fudge looks YUMMY! Certainly...you can send me a box...lol You have such great ideas!

Blessings..