Today, Sugarwings and I spent a few hours in the kitchen, working on getting goodies made up to fill the treat cabinet for our guests.
We made 2 pumpkin pies, a pumpkin cheesecake, brownies, pecan cheesecake, fudge, and pralines.
This recipe, torn from a 1933 magazine has been on my desk taunting me for weeks. I don't typically make food from recipes, I make up my own, but this, well, this one looked special. Plus, I loved the idea of recreating something from 70 some years ago.
Also, my favorite candy store in the world, Savannah Sweets in St. Augustine, FL has pralines that look just like these and I adore those yummy, rich, pecan treats!
Not owning a candy thermometer didn't stop me. I like doing the "soft ball" test. I kept a glass of ice water by the stove to check for the right temp. But honestly, if you've ever made fudge from scratch, this is similar and you can about tell by looking at the bubbling goo to see if it is ready to remove from the stove or not.
One thing I changed from the original recipe was to add Belguin chocolate chips.
Another change was to use this silicon pan instead of buttered aluminum foil or wax paper. I got this one at Target for $9 and use it like crazy. Nothing sticks, and all the desserts or muffins look so pretty when they come out.
See? Nice little squares. I dropped the brown sugar mixture over the chocolate chips and pecans that were waiting in the sprayed pan, and pushed it all down into the squares. The recipe said it only made 9 servings, but using mine ended up filling two of these pans. I used more nuts, broken up instead of 3 big ones per piece of candy.
And I'm glad I added the chocolate. Wow, these are good!!!
I hope you all have a sweet holiday, with plenty to be thankful for.
I know what I am thankful for. I'm extremely lucky that my life has turned out the way it is, with healthy, happy sons, a husband who makes me laugh, and Sugarwings to snuggle with.
Life wasn't always this good, we've seen some major bad times.
I've broken my back and didn't know if I'd ever over come chronic pain. I've lost both parents in recent years, and I thought I'd lost my son to addiction. My husband and I have lost jobs, beloved dogs, and savings accounts, but have never lost each other.
Yep, I'm VERY grateful.
Plus, I got my studio clean and am ready for guests!!!
I'm really thankful that is behind me. I'll leave you with a few pictures of the cleanup and of the dinner table. I used white bottle brush trees down the center of the table along with all the other things I am taking to sell at Miss Frenchie's next week. After the holiday, I'll just stick price tags on it all, pack it up and I'm ready to go.
Happy Thanksgiving! The room looks so magical! Beautiful..Grace xoxoxo
Karla, a blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Everything looks lovely.
Hugs,
Janis
Karla, you have a lot of good things to be thankful for…your treats sound delicious…i am doing dinner tomorrow…but my MIL is providing the treats: her yummy cheesecake, home made fudge, and TDF horn cookies…we are not pumpkin pie fans over here…i hope your Thanksgiving is a beautiful one!!!
Beautiful, Karla!! And now I’m sooo hungry! Pralines are my absolute fav food! Your studio looks so clean and inviting! I just love your style, but ya already knew that!!
Happy Thanksgiving, Sweetie!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
KARLA!!!!! Everything is stunning!! I LOVE your table! And oh my goodness, you have me so hungry right now, for dessert! Sugarwings looks so beautiful, she is really growing up! It must be so fun to bake together 🙂 I cant wait to bake with my mom and my little guys 🙂 In this house, if I dont wait til about a week or two before Christmas, there wont be any cookies left for Santa, lol! I am so ready to pig out tomorrow!! Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Love and hugs,
Amy
Karla,
Everything looks so delicious and your home looks so peaceful and lovely! When I was young, my mom used to make fudge “from scratch” and I have tried and tried but it always “sugars” on me. I wish she were still around to ask her how to do it.
I have much to be thankful for, as well. Addiction plagued our family, as well (my father and all of his family) and I am extremely grateful that, so far, none of my brothers or nieces and nephews suffer from this disease. I, of course, had no idea that you had suffered from a broken back and chronic pain. I am so happy things are better. My mil accidentally ran over my sil about ten years ago, breaking her back, and we worried she would never walk. She still has some pain but is walking relatively well. You both give me hope that some day my pain will be more manageable. I am especially glad that your son is doing better. I know that sinking feeling so well…when our chicks are having trouble, so is mama! I never imagined my daughter would graduate from high school and she is now working on her MSW. So…Thank God!
Have a wonderful holiday and thank you for all the joy you bring to us!!!
Hugs,
Suz
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Diane
It all looks lovely! Hope you have a wonderful holiday. You are right, all we really need are our people. Glad you will have yours around you.
Your home is beautiful Karla & looks as if it is filled with love. I enjoyed seeing you again at SB & meeting your son & his girlfriend…both so very nice! I hope your Thanksgiving Day is wonderful! Your treats look sooo yummy!
hugs,
Sherry
Karla as usual..everything looks smashing….I love your studio…waiting for my lovely crown ring…Lorraine
FINALLY! I’m able to visit you and get caught up. Your posts are wonderful!!! Laurie
Drool! Swoon! I love it all!
Hello Karla… thank you so much for visiting me at my blog and your heartfelt comment… your home is beautiful… I love the little bottle brush trees, and well, just everything! Your pralines look so very yummy, they are my favorites! I love to hear what others are thankful for… especially when you have gone through hard times and can still say you are thankful for so much… I am signing on as a follower to your lovely blog… Happy Thanksgiving… Bisous… Julie Marie
What a beautiful table setting! Your home is lovely. The white theme looks so elegant. As for vintage recipes, I like making treats from my grandma’s old cookbooks, especially the christmas cookies.
Happy Thanksgiving, Karla. You remind me to be thankful for the things that really count.
And oh my, how grownup Sugarwings is beginning to look.
Lorrie
Happy Thanksgiving, your home looks awesome as usual. I just love looking at all the old things you have. Have a wonderful holiday.
Karla,
Your home looks so warm and inviting!!! All those treats looks so yummy!!! Your table looks gorgeous.. Hope you and your family have a wonder Thanksgiving!
STephenie
Karla, wishing you and your lovely family a very happy Thanksgiving! I am Thankful too, to have met you in blogland, now I sit here enjoy everything, while it is raining cats and dogs outside. Thanks for all your lovely posts!
Have a lovely and blessed Thanksgiving. I am thankful for our blogging friendship.
Have a wonderful day.
Beautiful!
Happy Thanksgiving back to you ~ enjoy!
Your studio is GORGEOUS!!!! I hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving, Karla!
Karla…first off Happy Thanksgiving! And I want to tell you this room looks AMAZING!! So cozy and festive! Have a great time with family, friends and mostly FOOD!!
xoxo
Rochelle
Karla, I don’t know how but somehow I’d lost track of you and your sweet Sugarwings! She looks so grown up! So many have gone through pain and heartbreak and hard times this past year. I’ve been one of the lucky ones, but know that no one is immune and hope for the best everyday. I’m so glad to have found my way back to you. Adding you to my sidebar right now so I’ll be around to watch as Sugarwings spreads hers!
Brenda
Happy Thanksgiving Karla!!
Love the pictures. Sugarwings is growing up too fast.
It’s all so pretty and ready for a wonderful day. Hope your Thanksgiving was great!
Wow. Everything is so beautiful. Sugarwings reminds me of my Humbug, in that she likes to help in the kitchen and is a real little lady – so grown up! :O)
I’m glad you had a good Thanksgiving, and have lots to be thankful for. Can I snaffle a piece of pumpkin pie on my way out?! ;o)
xx
Karla, Happy Thanksgiving Looks like you had so much fun cooking with your little helper. The sweet goodies you made look so tasty. Thank you for sharing the recipe with.
Your table is lovely, a beautiful place for you and your family to give thanks.
Hugs Karen
What a warm and welcoming home you have Karla, hope you had a lovely thanks giving. Here in Australia we do not celebrate so much and it seems to have come so commercialised. Best wishes for Christmas and more of the same for the New Year.
Hi Karla – I love all of your white bottle brushes and soothing whites in your decorations. I haven’t had a chance to see you again since Miss Frenchie’s in April. Thanks for all the inspiration! I wanted to go to the Silver Bella vendor fair but thought the cost to get in was a bit pricey. : (
What a good Thankful List, reminding of what is really truly important to be grateful for.
The pumpkin cheesecake sounded goooooooooood. Especially with fudge to alternate bites.
That silicon tray for making treats looks like a brilliant idea. Perfect finger-sized for snacking.
Your studio looked fabulous! Very clever to use it as a Miss Frenchie prep. Congratulations on getting it all ready.
This is such an eloquent, thought-provoking post, Karla. Beautiful, as beautiful as your space!
Let me say I’m grateful I discovered the Cottage in my blog adventures. It’s always a delight.