Homemade candies are special treats for family and friends. They also make great gifts for housewarmings, birthdays, Valentine's Day, etc. This article features homemade candies that are easy and inexpensive to make yet they will please your family and friends.  The fudge recipe below combines two of our favorites-chocolate and peanut butter into one delicious treat.  Add some chopped peanuts or use chunky peanut butter if you want to add some crunch.  Personally, I love the crunch but some in my family don't like nuts so how I make this recipe depends on who will be here to eat it!  The Fudge Peanut Butter Blossoms are made with sweetened condensed milk and you know anything made with that is delicious!  Captains Hash was so dubbed by my grandchildren since one of its main ingredients is Cap'N Crunch Berry Cereal.  It is colorful and easy to make with the little ones.

CHOCOLATE/PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
4 cups granulated sugar
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tall can evaporated milk
1 pkg (12-oz) chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and milk; bring to a roiling boil. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and vanilla. Pour into a lightly buttered pan immediately. When cooled and set, cut into squares.

SIMPLE FUDGE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS
1 pkg (12-oz) peanut butter chips
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
finely chopped pecans
1 pkg (9-oz) chocolate kisses
Melt the peanut butter chips in the condensed milk in the top of a double boiler over hot water; stir until completely smooth. Turn mixture out into a 9-inch pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to cool. Using your hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and roll in the finely chopped pecans. Press a kiss candy into the center of each. Store in an airtight container once they are completely cooled.
Yield: approximately 48 blossoms.

CAPTAIN'S HASH
4 cups Cap'n Crunch Crunch Berries cereal
2 cups dry-roasted peanuts
2 cups slivered almonds
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 lb white almond bark

In a large bowl combine the cereal, peanuts, almonds, and marshmallows, mixing well.

Melt the almond bark in the microwave for 1 minute; remove and stir.  Continue to microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each time, until the coating is all melted.  Pour the melted coating over the cereal mixture in the bowl; mix well to coat all the cereal, etc.

Spread the mixture out on a waxed paper covered baking sheet.  Let stand until firm then break into small pieces.  Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!