6 (1 oz each) semi-sweet chocolate squares
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla, orange, almond, etc.

In the top of a double boiler (over boiling water), melt the chocolate pieces. Stir in the butter, until melted.

Add sweetened condensed milk. Cook until the mixture thickens (may take as long as 15 minutes).

Add your choice of flavoring (vanilla, orange, almond, mint or other concentrated flavors).

The mixture should be cooked until it is thick enough to drop by the spoonful and still hold its shape.

As the mixture begins to cool, it can be shaped into centers for dipping in chocolate or fondant. Chopped nuts may be worked in (a good idea is to use complementary flavorings and nuts).

Dip in tempered or dipping chocolate and allow to set on wax or parchment paper. Pack in candy boxes individually wrapped in paper cup liners or foil wrappers.

Hand dipped chocolates make a thoughtful gift and are a fun project to make with the kids.

Submitted by: CM