andy ane ane

Every year we purchase candy canes in many flavors to adorn our Christmas tree, and I always keep extra boxes on hand for when the tree starts to run out!  I also like to add them to Christmas packages, use them to stir hot chocolate and even dip mini candy canes in melted chocolate for an extra yummy treat.
 

 

The Legend of the Candy Cane

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".

The candy maker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

 

The True Meaning of the Candy Cane

 Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me

White is for my Savior
Who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus My Lord, that's for sure!

Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me

 

andy ane ecipes

Candy Cane Cocoa

4 cups milk
3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
1 cup whipped cream
4 small peppermint candy canes

Heat the milk until steaming hot - NOT boiling. Add the chocolate and crushed peppermint candy and allow them to melt and become smooth.

Pour into Christmas mugs and garnish with whipped cream. Add candy cane stirring stick to make it extra special :)

Candy Cane Fudge

1 package vanilla milk chips
1 can Pillsbury Vanilla Creamy Supreme Icing
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
4 drops of red food coloring
2 Tablespoons of peppermint candy canes (chopped)

Put vanilla chips in pan on the stove at medium heat. Continue stirring until the chips have melted. Add icing to pan and continue stirring. Take off heat and add peppermint extract until dissolved. Pour mixture into a pan. Take food coloring and add one drop in each corner of pan. Take butter knife and begin stirring until the food coloring has been swirled into the fudge. Add chopped peppermint pieces to top of fudge. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the fudge has harden. Cut into small pieces.

Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup butter - softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup finely crushed candy canes
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, cream the butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the peppermint and vanilla extracts and beat until well blended. Gradually add the flour and salt; mix well. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. Coat two baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed candy canes and the granulated sugar; mix well. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls then roll each ball in the candy cane mixture; place on the baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until browned. Immediately remove from the baking sheets and place on wire racks to cool.


 

 

andy ane rafts


Candy Cane Reindeer

1 12" pipe cleaner
Ribbon - Christmas Color
Wiggley eyes 4mm or 5mm
1 1/4" red pom-pom
Scissors, glue

Loop the pipe cleaner underneath the curved end of the candy cane. Twist until it's nice and tight. Spread the ends apart to form the antlers. Glue the eyes and nose in place. Decorate with the ribbon around the reindeer's neck.


Candy Cane Candle

1 small round candle
Enough candy canes to go around the candle.
*** Canes need to be same height as candle ***
Glue
Pretty Christmas Ribbon

Glue each of the candy canes to the candle until the candle is completely covered.  Decorate with Christmas ribbon and bow.


Candy Cane Ornament

red and white pony beads
white chenille stems or
craft wire

Bend the end of the chenille stem about 1/8 of an inch so that it's larger than the hole of the pony bead.  String pony beads onto the chenille stem rotating between red and white.  After the stem is full, bend the end like you did the first.  Bend the stem to resemble a candy can and hang on your tree.  This craft can be done with wire for older children.