Chocolate Haystacks

Beth from A Word From Aunt B is sharing a delicious Haystacks Recipe:

My mom was great at making Christmas.  She found all sorts of holiday activities for us kids. We hung butcher paper the length of the hallway and painted a winter mural.  We made miles of paper chain.  Christmas cards were crafted, as was wrapping paper.  We went for long walks in the evening, looking at Christmas lights.  We sang Christmas carols and went to community Christmas concerts.  We cooked.  We baked for our Christmas visitors, for donations to the church bazaar, and for Christmas gift giving.  

Every year, we made chocolate haystacks as one of our Christmas baking projects.  To my brother, sister and I, they were synonymous with the season.  I have but to close my eyes to see pretty plates piled with chocolate haystacks, wrapped in plastic wrap, and decorated with bright ribbon bows.  I have but to smell them baking to remember their rich choclate taste–not too sweet–and the texture of coconut on my tongue.  Wonderful!  

On baking days our house was scented with sugar and we fell asleep dreaming of chocolate. Those are the sort of memories the very best holidays are made of.

Chocolate Haystacks

Recipe from: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

Ingredients:

• baking sheets and parchment to line them with
• a 14-ounce tin of sweetened condensed milk (400 grams)*
• 3 ounces of good quality, unsweetened chocolate
• 3 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 1 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• a dash of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a bowl.  Chop the chocolate and add it to the milk.

Heat the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate together in the microwave, in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until the chocolate has melted.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Scoop heaping teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment lined cookie sheets.

Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes, taking care that the bottoms don’t burn.  Allow them to cool on the cookie sheets and then transfer them to an airtight container for storage.

Visit Beth at A Word From Aunt B. Here is a little more about her: I am a grandmother of five and a Jane-of-all-trades with an insatiable curiosity–and enthusiasm for–life.  I’ve worked in bakeries, in restaurant kitchens, and at my own catering business.  I’ve worked in offices and retail stores.  I’ve worked as a gardener.  I’ve worked as a nanny.  Every day that I learn something new is a good day for me.  Like everyone, I’ve had my share of challenges.  They’ve taught me that my heart is happiest when I’m in my kitchen or craft room, or spending time with my family and friends.  I am a homebody who delights in learning about and valuing her community, and who counts her blessings every single day.

This post is part of The Week of Handmade Gifts. Check back each day for new gift ideas and handmade giveaways.

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and Gluten-Free Wednesdays.