Sugar Free Sweets to Make as Gifts

Many of the sugar free sweet recipes featured here would make ideal gifts but here are some others that you could also try if you are looking for something special to make and give to someone.All of these sweets make rich, sugar free treats. They will all also keep for several days in the fridge and are firm enough to be boxed attractively or wrapped in cellophane and ribbon, and given as a gift.

Macadamia Chocolate

This is a deliciously rich sugar free sweet. Macadamia nuts are not the cheapest nuts you can buy, which makes them ideal for one-off use in a special gift like this.

Ingredients:

• 350g (12oz) cocoa
• Five tbsp honey
• 250ml double cream
• 30g (1oz) butter
• 150g (5oz) macadamia nuts
• Pinch of salt

Method:

Melt your honey, butter and cocoa powder together in a medium pan over a low heat. Stir until completely dissolved. Keeping your pan on a very low heat, gently stir in your cream, salt and macadamia nuts. Remove from the heat and allow to start cooling. Grease an 18cm fudge tin and pour your liquid in. Once completely cool, place in the fridge and allow to set over night. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and wrap or package.

Chocolate Almond Balls

These marzipan-like sweets can be presented as squares, stars or other shape, if your prefer. They can also be prepared without the chocolate coating.Instead of diabetic chocolate, you could use very high cocoa content dark chocolate, which has very little sugar in it.

Ingredients:

• Two tbsp honey
• 150g (5oz) soft ground almonds
• One small egg
• One tsp almond essence
• 150g (5oz) diabetic dark chocolate

Method:

Melt your honey in a small pan. Pour your almonds into a bowl and slowly add the honey and almond essence. Beat your egg, then add it to the mixture, little by little, until you have a good paste. Place in the fridge and allow to harden. Meanwhile, melt your chocolate in a small heat-proof bowl over hot water, or in the microwave. Take your almond mixture, roll into balls and dip into the melted chocolate. Once each ball is well covered, place on a baking sheet in the fridge and allow to chill and set. Then wrap in cellophane or present in a box.

Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Fudge

This chocolate mint fudge is the perfect after dinner sweet. Present just four or five squares in an attractive box and it will make a wonderful gift.

• 350g (10.5oz) cocoa
• Four tbs honey
• 200ml double cream
• One tsp peppermint essence

Method:

Melt your honey and cocoa powder together in a medium pan over a low heat. Stir until completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for a while. Stir in your cream and peppermint essence. Lightly grease an 18cm fudge tray and pour your liquid in. Once cool, place in the fridge to set. Cut into squares and lightly dust with cocoa powder before wrapping or presenting in a gift box.