Szaloncukor

(Sa♦lon♦soo♦kor) : a traditional Hungarian Christmastime sweet of fondant covered in chocolate.

I’m gearing up for my second Christmas away from home and I’m already realizing there’s one thing I took for granted–candy canes. But in Hungary there’s a different candy to bombard my sweet tooth with: the szaloncukor.

The szaloncukor is a tasty treat (and it disappears much faster than a candy cane)–fondant or marzipan draped in chocolate (mmm, yes please) wrapped in a colorful foil that makes that exciting crinkly sound when you unwrap it. Along with eating them (by the handful), it’s also customary to decorate your Christmas tree with them. At first I thought this was odd, but then I realized that I grew up hanging curved peppermint all over my evergreens, so I guess it’s not really that different.Last year I was always taken off guard by the ubiquitous little packages, but now I welcome them with open arms. Because they’re not only a sweet treat–they’re a sign of the holidays! I’m starting to associate fuzzy feelings with those tiny candies that pop up everywhere this time of year, with their little rush of sweetness and the rosy glow of Christmas lights reflecting off the colored foils.

My favorite Hungarian got me a box of szaloncukor’s, and I can’t wait to put them to good use! If they’re still around by the time I get a Christmas tree to decorate, that is…

Merry Christmas!

xoxo