snocapped christmas

so a long time ago an aunt (that would be me) took a nephew (that would be my oldest nephew - the first one who is now 31 and still totatlly has my heart) to the movies. We saw "Who framed Roger Rabbit". Now the important part of the excursion apparently was my introducing nephew to Snocaps. He never forgot the snocaps.

In 1995 I got the book Martha Stewarts Handmade Christmas and lo and behold - there is a recipe to make nonpareils. I decided I'd make them for nephew and he loved them. You gotta watch out sometimes when you do these things - traditions are born. (wink) So I have been making nonpareils every year at Christmas. And yesterday and today I made a bunch (you see he's not the only one who loves them. Now I need to make a lot for many family members). Sometimes I can find the white sugar beads and sometimes I cannot - no one ever complains although i prefer the look of the white ones myself (yes, I'm totally into tradition and the classic look of things).

They're very easy to make - 8 oz bittersweet chocolate melted in a double boiler. Stir in a 1/2 tsp of vegetable shortening. Spoon out maybe nickel sized rounds of chocolate onto parchment paper. Wait around 20 minutes and then sprinkle on the sugar beads. If you don't wait til the chocolate has cooled a little the sugar beads will melt.

Once the candies have hardened you can just peel them off the parchment paper and enjoy!

By the way - although i've looked at some of my regular rounds of favorite blogs I haven't commented much. I will get back to my regular schedule soon okay? Thanks!