Last-minute ideas for Christmas treats
After work tonight, I'm on the way to the store to pick up some last-minute supplies for some treats I'm making tomorrow. Most of these ideas are kid-friendly as well, so make it a family activity if you need a way to keep the kids busy. :)
Almond and Peppermint barks: These are two of the easiest things in the world to make. First, line a cookie sheet with wax paper. For the almond bark, melt 1-2 pounds of chocolate on the stove. When melted, add 1/2-1 cup of slivered almonds. Pour mixture onto the cookie sheet, and let it set til firm (about an hour). Break into pieces and keep in a covered container. For the peppermint bark, crush 12 candy canes in a plastic bag with a hammer. Melt 1-2 pounds of white chocolate, and add the crushed candy when melted. Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet, and let it set for about an hour. Break into pieces. You can also add different flavorings to the chocolate when it's melted, from peppermint to Kahlua, from Irish Cream to toffee.
Puppy chow:
9 cups Chex
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Put cereal in large bowl. Melt the chips, peanut butter and butter. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over cereal, and mix well. Put it in large plastic bag with sugar and shake to coat. Spread on wax paper to cool. Keep in a covered container.
Chocolate-covered pretzels, cookies: You can use pretzel twists, pretzel rods or cookies such as Nutter Butters and Oreos. Melt chocolate or white chocolate on the stove or in the microwave. (If in the microwave, melt it in small batches, stirring every thirty seconds until smooth.) Using a fork, dip pretzels or cookies into melted chocolate and set on wax paper to dry. Dip just the top three-quarters if you use pretzel rods. You can decorate them while they are still wet, using a spoon to drizzle chocolate of another color or adding colored sugar or sprinkles. Put them in a covered container when set, using wax paper to separate layers.
Other quick holiday favorites:
Microwave French silk fudge
Pumpkin Apple Cake
Cinnamon Pound Cake
