Today is not just Cyber Monday, it’s Green Gift Monday too. I’m so happy to be joining the good folks at the Nature Conservancy to celebrate Green Gift Monday by making some green gifts for some of my favorite friends.
I’m making Chocolate Fudge Sauce to give in Mason Jars.
Oh, how I love Mason Jars- useful, reusable, and charming. They were green before green was cool.
Here’s how I’m making my gifts:
You’ll need Mason Jars: This recipe makes about 1 – 1/2 cups or 3 half pints. Most of the gifts I’m giving today are going into half pint wide mouth jars. I’m also making a few pints jars full, like the one I’m sharing here.
For the hot fudge sauce you’ll need:
Hot Fudge Sauce
1/2 cup of butter (1 cube) 1 cup of good quality semisweet chocolate chips 1 (12 ounce) can of evaporated milk 2 cups of powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)In a double boiler over medium melt the butter and chocolate chips, whisking constantly until combined. Whisk in the evaporated milk and powdered sugar and bring to a boil, stirring often, for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla if desired. Store in a glass container in the refrigerator. Keeps for several weeks.
Here’s the step by step:
Add the chocolate chips and butter into your double boiler.
Yes I am a trouble maker and a rule breaker. I am not patient enough for the double boiler, and I have a lot of hot fudge to make. I make it right in my sauce pan, BUT I do not leave the stove, and I have a good stainless steel pan and gas burners, so I can turn it down if things are too hot.
When the butter and chocolate chips are melted and combined, stir in the evaporated milk…
and then whisk in the powdered sugar.
Bring it all to a boil over medium to medium-high heat and cook for 8 minutes, stirring often. The sauce will start to thicken. Remove from the heat and add vanilla if desired.
My mason jar and twine is waiting. Don’t you just love candy cane baker’s twine?
Pour into your mason jars and allow to cool before putting on the lids.
While the chocolate is cooling, I cut the fabric with my pinking scissors. I cut a 7 inch square for a wide mouth canning jar. It could be a little bigger, but I’m always trying to waste not. 7 inches is enough.
Here’s one of my favorite tips. Have you ever tried to add fabric to the top of a mason jar. One day while I was having the fabric slip around as I was tying the ribbon, I had a brainwave to use a rubber band to hold the fabric in place.
As soon as the ribbon or twine is in place, I slip the rubber band off. (Just don’t cover it with the ribbon.)
Tie it on with a little tag and a bit of twine… and you have a very lovely gift: homemade, delicious and green.
Are you making any wonderful green gifts this season?
im making some hot chocolate mix for teachers and coaches. putting it in mason jars and other leftover small jars. mmm!
This year I am making crock-pot apple butter for friends and family. It is going in half-pint and pint jars also. Everyone knows that if they want more next year, they have to return the jars and rings! I’m also re-purposing old clothing into pot holders and skillet potholders this year. It’s fun being green :)
[…] Homemade Gifts for Green Gift Monday Make It Do […]
I’m making baker’s twine! I already have the white crochet thread and sharpies! I watched a tutorial…easy as pie. I will give to my quilt group members at our party! Thanks for the fudge recipe.
looks yummy and cute too! great gift idea.
We made honey and oatmeal goat milk soap that we’re giving this year!
I made vanilla for my friends – can’t wait to give it to them.
I want to make this for gifts, but am a little concerned that it needs to be kept in the refrigerator. How long can it sit out? Thanks!
[…] This hot fudge recipe is divine….. […]
Please let me know if this has to be refrigerated after making or if it can remain out of the refrigerator until it is used. Thanks, Debby O’Neal and daughter GIGI
HI Debby, Yes it does need to be refrigerated. When we made it for the teachers and had close to 80 bottles, we were able to keep the bottles in our garage, but the outside temperature was quite chilly.
I hope that helps. Happy baking, Calli
If I do not have enough chocolate chips, could a person use Bakers semi sweet baking chocolate squares to make up difference?