A homemade box of chocolates makes the perfect holiday gift. Really how wouldn’t love to receive a big box of chocolates.
These orange and raspberry chocolates are a favorite in my family.
When my daughter tasted the orange version of these she said “Mom these taste just like the kind you get in a box of chocolates.” And I was so happy, because that is just what I was hoping for.
Because of my daughter’s nut and peanut allergy, boxes of chocolate are pretty much off limits for our family. They just aren’t safe because even the non-nut ones have too high of a risk of cross contamination.
So, these homemade fruit chocolates work great for us.
You can really use any extract for these. Lemon is good and I think cherry would also be good. If you make up several flavors of these and place them in tins or boxes, they would make a unique and delicious gift. And also a pretty inexpensive gift to give.
Homemade Raspberry and Orange Chocolates
- 3-3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 teaspoons raspberry or orange extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add milk and mix well.
- Spread mixture onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. ( I use my silpat mat)
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.
- Melt 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of shortening in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Spread over chilled mixture and chill until chocolate is set.
- Flip bars over and carefully peel or parchment paper. Melt remaining chocolate and shortening and spread over the flavored layer. Chill until set.
- After firm, bring to room temperature and then cut them. If the chocolate is solid these will be hard to cut. I bring them to room temperature to cut them, and then put them back in the refrigerator to store them.
Oh! These look wonderful and easy! My dad would love the orange ones!
These sound so good but have a question for you. I have never seen raspberry extract before, where did you find it?
I find it on the baking aisle with the other extracts. The one I used was McCormick brand.
What a great idea, Lynn! I love your creativity to make something that is now off limits for your family.
these are my favorite storebought candy! i can’t wait to try this.
I made these for my mother in law who loves orange chocolate. She loved these!!! ALOT!