Deck the halls, wrap those gifts, and gather with loved ones. Celebrate this festive time of year with peace, goodwill and lots of delicious goodies. With so many fabulous options to choose from, we’ve selected five tasty treats to get you started.
1. Sea of Sweetness.
‘Tis the season for chocolate. These luscious caramels are handmade with fresh butter and cream, then covered in Wilbur milk or dark chocolate. A crunchy sprinkle of sea salt on top provides the perfect finishing touch. Spread the joy and pass a box around for a melt-in-your-mouth treat. Sea Salt Caramels, $15.95 per box, Reppert’s Candy, 2708 W. Philadelphia Avenue, Oley, 610.689.9200. reppertscandy.com
2. Spice It Up.
Reward yourself and end your year on a sweet note. These delicious cinnamon glazed nuts are roasted in-store so you can savor the amazing aroma. Choose from pecan, cashew and almond. Each comes wrapped in a paper cone. Enjoy one now, get one for later, and gift one to a friend. Cinnamon Glazed Nuts, $4.50 for 1, $8.50 for 2, $12 for 3, Zipf’s Candies by Sweet Surprises, 544 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 610.373.2121. sweet-surprises.com
3. Slice of History.
A symphony of nuts and dried fruits combines with delectable pound cake to create a holiday classic. These fruit cakes are full of cherries, raisins, lemon and orange peel, and pineapple, too. Celebrate with the sensational colors and flavors of the regular variety, or savor the dark variety’s rich molasses and spices. Claxton Fruit Cakes, 1 lb. bars – singles and 3 packs, call for pricing, Weaver’s Orchard Farm Market, 40 Fruit Lane, Morgantown, 610.856.7300. weaversorchard.com
4. With a Twist.
Take your tree-trimming to the next level with handmade candy canes. Delight family and friends with flavors like peppermint, sugar plum, caramel apple, and naughty or nice. This flavor will taste like strawberry if you’re nice or black licorice if you’re naughty. Cross your fingers, take a lick, and find out! Hammond’s Candy Canes, call for prices, The Peppermint Stick Candy Store, 26 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, 610.473.2616. peppermintstickcandystore.com
5. Nog of Approval.
Enjoy the holiday season’s signature beverage: egg nog. Crafted from a recipe that hasn’t changed in more than 40 years, this egg nog is delicious, creamy and made from milk supplied by local farms. Add a garnish of cinnamon or nutmeg, and you have the ultimate companion for those fresh-baked holiday cookies. Egg Nog, $2.29/quart, Clover Farms Dairy, P.O. Box 14627, Reading, 610.921.9111. cloverfarms.com
