The Legend of the Candy Cane
adapted by Bethany Roberts, copyright 2001

Once upon a time, Mr. Sweet, a candy maker, opened his candy shop door wide. "I have made a surprise for all the children of the village," he called. All the boys and girls came running.

Mr. Sweet held up a candy cane.
"It is shaped like a shepherd's staff," he said. "Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
It is white because Jesus is good and pure.
It has red stripes because Jesus shed His blood for us.
It is made of hard candy because Jesus is our Rock.
It is sweet because Jesus' love for us is sweet."

Then Mr. Sweet held the candy cane upside-down.
"What letter of the alphabet is it?" he asked.

"J!" cried the children.

Mr. Sweet's eyes twinkled. "Yes, it's a J for Jesus!" he said.

Then Mr. Sweet handed a candy cane to each boy and girl. "It is a gift, because Jesus is a gift to us," he said. "Whenever you eat a candy cane, remember:
Jesus loves you!"

CANDY CANE RECIPES

CANDY CANE COCOA Wonderful on a frosty day!

1 cup milk
2 teaspoons cocoa
2 heaping teaspoons sugar
whipped cream
peppermint candy cane

1. Heat milk on stove or in microwave.
2. Add cocoa and sugar to a mug and mix.
3. Pour hot milk into mug and stir.
4. Garnish with whipped cream.
5. Serve with candy cane serving sticks!

CANDY CANE COFFEE SPOONS
(these are great, easy-to-make gifts)

1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 candy cane or 5 peppermint candies, crushed
12 heavy-duty plastic spoons in Christmas colors

1. Put candy in a baggie and crush with a rolling pin.
2. Melt chocolate.
3. Dip spoons into chocolate to fill.
4. Sprinkle with crushed candy.
5. Place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet to cool.

Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbons for gifts.

CANDY CANE BARK CANDY -crunchy and yummy!
6 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate (6 oz.)
6 squares white baking chocolate (6 oz.)
1 Cup crushed candy canes (or about 40-50 peppermint candies)

1. Crush peppermint candy by placing in plastic bags and crushing with rolling pin or meat mallet. (Note: Kids love this method, but an easier and less messy method is to use a food processor to crush the candy.)
2. In two microwavable bowls, separately melt semi-sweet and white chocolates in the microwave, about 2 minutes, on high, stirring half-way.
3. Stir half of the crushed candies into each bowl.
4. On wax paper lined cookie sheet, spoon small mounds of the chocolates alternately.
5. With a butter knife, swirl the chocolates together, creating a marblized look.
6. Refrigerate 1 hour, or until hardened.
7. Break into pieces.

MORE CANDY CANE RECIPES- LINKS
making candy canes- from Abigail
candy cane cookies- yum!

Visit the Merry Christmas Gift Shop-
a sleighful of gifts for all ages!

The Legend of the Candy Caneadapted by Bethany Roberts, copyright 2001

The Legend of the Candy Cane
adapted by Bethany Roberts, copyright 2001