Care Package suggestions

[ImissTexas52]

My daughter is deploying overseas. It is recommended that we send care packages to our service members while they're gone. The suggestions include cookies and candy bars, yet the instructions say to wrap food securely so it's edible upon arrival. It can take up to a month for packages to reach any given destination.

My question is does anyone have any suggestions on cookie or candy recipes that will hold up that long? I would think that I shouldn't include items containing chocolate because it will melt but what other kind of candy bars are out there?

Any suggestions would sure be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Cassie-Jane]

I suggest you try peanut brittle, I don't like it but I have a friend who's Husband is overseas and she makes it and sends it! It holds up well too!

[ImissTexas52]

Thanks for the suggestion, Cassie-Jane. I appreciate and I will certainly do that. I never even thought of peanut brittle. That's a great idea!

[CM]

Brittle is a great idea - you can try other brittles, too, such as cashew brittle, macadamia brittle, almond brittle, etc. Peanut clusters are another idea, or trail mix and fruit leathers, if she likes that kind of thing. Chinese sesame chews. How about oatmeal cookies? Pistachio nuts or brazil nuts. Candied ginger. Beef jerky. Toffee. All sorts of hard candies, or candied chopped nuts would probably make it. You can try small canning jars filled with canned treats such as preserves, jams and jellies, too. Ball has some tiny jars that are only 1/4 pint which seem to be nearly indestructable. A food dehydrator can help with things like trail mix, fruit leathers and beef jerky. There are some books out there with recipes for using dehydrators to make foods for camping. Foods meant to be sturdy and long lasting without refrigeration would be a good choice (such as camper's food). Maybe you could find desserts and treats in a camping supply store, too.

[ImissTexas52]

CM, those are great ideas! It has also been suggested to me to vacuum pack any cookies that I want to send. I had no idea there were so many type of brittle. Now I just have to ask my daughter what she likes and doesn't like. Thanks so very much.

[KarenB]

I did a little research after I read the comments by ImissTexas52. I was curious about thinking out side the (peanut brittle) box. Just had to post this recipe. It was way out side the limits of brittle.


Puffed Rice Brittle


By Rheanna Kish and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen Gluten-Free Nut-Free
Be sure to use puffed rice instead of crisped rice. The contrasting texture of crisp brittle and chewy rice makes a surprising and unique candy.

This recipe makes 35 pieces servings

Ingredients

• 2 2cups cups(500 mL) (500 mL) granulated sugar
  1/2 1/2cup cup(125 mL) (125 mL) corn syrup
  1/2 1/2cup cup(125 mL) (125 mL) water
  2 2tbsp tbsp(25 mL) (25 mL) butter
  1 1pinch pinchsalt
  1 1tsp tsp(5 mL) (5 mL) vanilla
  1/2 1/2tsp tsp(2 mL) (2 mL) baking soda
  2 2cups cups(500 mL) (500 mL) puffed rice cereal

Preparation:

In large heavy saucepan, stir together sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to boil over medium heat; cook, without stirring but brushing down side of pan with pastry brush dipped in cold water, until candy thermometer reaches 234°F (112°C), or soft-ball stage when 1 tsp (5 mL) hot syrup dropped in cold water forms soft ball that flattens when removed from water, 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in butter and salt boil until candy thermometer reaches 300°F (149°C), about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda. Stir in puffed rice cereal.

Immediately pour onto greased baking sheet, spreading with greased spatula. Let cool. Break into pieces. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.)

[CM]

Thanks Karen - that sounds like an interesting twist on brittle!

Speaking of puffed rice, they're good stirred into melted marshmallows then dipped into tempered chocolate. Or even chocolate dipped puffed rice alone, or stir in some chopped nuts and let them set up on wax paper. These make nice gifts dropped into candy-cup papers (the ones that look like tiny muffin papers). But I guess they wouldn't be a good choice for shipping under hot weather conditions for care packages.

[Cassie-Jane]

Yes it does I will give it to my friend! who has the husband over seas!

[ImissTexas52]

Well, the first package is on its way! I went simple for the first time around. I sent oatmeal cookies and peanut brittle. Then I packaged it by using a vacuum sealer to seal the treats, and then placed that and some bubble wrap inside the box. Now we'll see if they make it okay. Thank you all for your suggestions.

[KarenB]

I use plain popcorn to package items in a sturdy box with lots of duct tape. Nice smell of home when the box is open.