Cooking Quick & Easy Christmas treats - *UPDATED* - compiled recipes - Page 53

[kuusimo]

I know that my friends that are on diets like to have fruit & fruit dip if you can come up with a low fat version of a dip. You could get the low fat strawberry cream cheese and add a little orange juice for a quick dip.

Another really good fruit dip is lemon yogurt with cool whip mixed into it. You can get the fat free kind with both. I know that it is a hit whenever it is brought.

For a veggie dip- we get fat free sour cream and mix in dry ranch dressing.

 

[pbharris4]

A quick Fat Free, Sugar Free, Low Cal but REALLY yummy fruit dip recipe I made up:

(this is for an individual serving..if you want more just adjust the amounts)

2-3 Big scoops of Frozen Cool Whip Free (it HAS to be frozen)
1 small packet of Splenda

Zap in microwave for 10-12 secs. stir really well until the consistency of marshmallow topping (like the kind on a sundae). Dip your fruit. It's really good with blueberries! Kids love this as well. You can probably add a little juice for more flavor, but I've never done that.

It tastes just like marshmallow, but w/o all the extra sugar. Ironically, I happened to have reg. marshmallow topping in the fridge. Cool Whip Free and the topping had the exact same ingredients except the fat and sugar. The difference is in the consistency.

 

[CindyD]

From my Southern Living Christmas 2006 book:

Slow-Cooker Candy!!

Triple Chocolate-Nut Clusters

1-16oz jar dry roasted peanuts
1- 9.75oz can salted whole cashews
2- cups pecan pieces
18 (2 oz) chocolate bark coating squares, cut in half
1- 12 oz package semisweet chocolate morsels
4- 1 oz bittersweet chocolate baking squares, broken into pieces
1- tablespoon shortening
1-teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine 1st 7 ingredients in a 5-quart slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW 2 hours or until chocolate is melted. Stir chocolate and nuts, add vanilla, stirring well to coat.
Drop candy by heaping teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let stand at least 2 hours or until firm. Store in airtight container. Yield: 6 dozen

White Chocolate-Peppermint Jumbles

2- 16 oz packages vanilla bark coating
1- 12 oz package white chocolate morsels
1- 6 oz package white chocolate baking squares
3- tablesppons shortening
1- 16 oz package of pretzels nuggets (Synder's Sourdough Pretzel Nuggets)
1- 8 oz package animal crackers (3 cups)
1-cup coarsely crushed hard peppermint candies

Combine 1st 4 ingredients in a 6-qt slow cooker. Cook, covered on LOW for
90 minutes or until vanilla bark and chocolate look very soft. Uncover and stin until smooth. Stir in preztels, crackers and crushed peppermint candies. Drop candy by heaping tablespoonfuls onto wax paper. Let stand 1 hour or unitl firm. Yield: 8 dozen

Both sound yummy and easy!!! Although I have not yet tried either one!

 

[Tigger7570]

Hi:
I have a question about the microwave popcorn with the chocolate. I tried making this yesterday and I must have done something wrong. I made a bag of microwave popcorn, melted hershey's dark chocolate baking bits and dumped the popcorn in the bowl with the melted chocolate then spread it out on the wax paper, but mine didn't harden. The popcorn had a sogginess to it. Is it possible the chocolate wasn't hot enough? I didn't want to overdue it, but I obviously did something wrong. Any help would be great. Thanks so much.

 

[Suz D]

Thanks for the NUT recipe!!!! i LOVE LOVE LOVE these when i buy them! now let's hope i can make them too!

I'm glad someone was interested in these. I posted it last year and it still is by far my favorite gift item. SO incredibly easy and they're yummy! Happy munching!

Suz

 

[MEM]

I'm glad someone was interested in these. I posted it last year and it still is by far my favorite gift item. SO incredibly easy and they're yummy! Happy munching!

Suz

Found it, thanks! Would it work with cashews?
Can you please guide me to your original post with the recipe? Thanks!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Just figured i would post the list that i have so far of the faves i have!!

The NUT recipe is here!

recipes:


Originally Posted by Tiinkerbelle
I took 2 instant white chocolate puddings, mixed them in different
bowls, added red food dye to one, and green to the other. In 8 small
glass mini bowls put a bottom layer(2 tablespoons) of red, then a
layer of green (2 tablespoons), then another layer of red, and green.
You can either leave it like that or take the end of a spoon and stir
a little so it looks swirled.

A great touch to your pretzels is, get
white chocolate chips, melt them and add 3-4 drops of green dye. Get
a spoon full of the chocolate (to keep the chocolate warm, use a
bigger bowl full of hot water and place your chocolate bowl into it),
and drizzle over the pretzel rings. As the chocolate starts to harden
on your pretzels start to push it into an O shape and sprinkle red,
and white sprinkles onto them. Once they are completely hard take
those gel decorating tubes for cookies and cake and draw a bow on the
bottom.

Holiday Hot Cider

1 gallon apple cider
2 pkg. cherry koolaid w/ nutrasweet
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t cloves
cinnamon sticks to float - optional
orange rind to float - optional
Mix and warm. We mix up the whole batch and then put it back in the
gallon container (minus our taste tests, of course) and into the
fridge. When we want a glass, we pour it and pop it in the microwave
to warm it up. It smells wonderful while it is warming on the stove.

Easy Fruit Dip
1 soft strawberry cream cheese
Orange juice (have also used pineapple juice)
Leave cream cheese out to soften. Add orange juice to dipping
consistency. Serve with any kind of cut fruit. Kids love this.

We bought a small package of those Brownie Bites at SAMS (little
brownies shaped like cupcake bottoms!!)Then I put a little glob of
whip cream on them and DD decorates them with sprinkles, gum drops,
smashed candy cane fragments! and voila instant cupcakes!!
IT's sooo fun and super easy for the younger kids! we usually do a
station of these at family parties, to involve the kids in something!

Originally Posted by Suz D
WARNING: Hard to resist these, so beware!
These literally take less than 5 minutes to whip up and then bake
them for 20 mins while you are doing something else.
Spiced Nuts
Ingredients:
1/2 c. sugar
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
Mix these 3 ingredients in a small bowl. In a large bowl beat 1 egg
white gently with a fork. Add 1 pound of nuts (I use almonds but my
sister is going to try it with pecans). Stir until coated. Add the
cinnamon/sugar/salt mixture and stir to completely coat. Pour onto a
baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 300 for 20 mins. Put on
waxed paper in a single layer to cool.
I put these in festive cellaphane bags with a bow and a hand stamped
Christmas tag (also great for Valentines day). They are DELICIOUS!!!

Christmas Pops
Refrigerator Cookie Dough
Popsicle sticks
Red or green candy melts
Sprinkles
Directions: Cut the roll of cookie dough into thick slices. Lay them
on the cookie sheet and stick the popsicle sticks into them. Bake and
let cool. Melt the candy melts into a bowl, then dip only the top half
of the cookie pop into it. Immediatly sprinkle with red or green
sprinkles. These make great gifts for the kids.

Easy Taco Dip
My sister made this, and it's good and very quick!

1 can refried beans
1/2 cup salsa
8 oz (1 cup) sour cream
1/2 packet of taco seasoning
1 bag iceberg lettuce shreds
1 large tomato, diced
1 can sliced black olives
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

In a pie plate (whatever size you have -- I use a 10-inch) mix
refried beans mixed with salsa, add a little more if needed to make
it spreadable. Spread evenly over the bottom of the pie plate. In a
separate bowl, mix sour cream with taco seasoning, and spread over
the bean mixture. Top that layer with the iceberg lettuce shreds,
and add diced tomatoes, diced/sliced black olives and top it all off
with shredded cheddar cheese. I'm sure 8 oz. will do for most people,
but I'm a cheese-a-holic, so I add more!
Serve with veggies or tortilla chips!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

a few more



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Pretzel wreaths
Ingredients
Pretzel rings (round shaped pretzels)
Hershey's Hugs
Christmas M&M's
Easy release aluminum foil

Line a cookie sheet with easy release aluminum foil. Place the pretzel
rings flat on the cookie sheet. Place one Hershey Hug in the center of
each pretzel ring. Put the cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 3
minutes (just until the Hug gets melty). Remove from oven and place an
M&M on top of each hug, and press the M&M down so the melted Hug fills
the center of the pretzel ring. Let cool for 5 minutes (until the Hug
has set up a bit)remove from pan. Place on wax paper to completely cool
**NOTE – We use candy wafers (I like vanilla) from the candy section
of the craft store. You can buy a bag for around $1.70. Much cheaper
than Hershey Kisses and much easier than unwrapping all the candy.
They also come in different colors.

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Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow

9 C. Chex cereal (rice ones are best for this recipe)
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. creamy peanut butter
1/4 C. margarine
1/4 t. vanilla
1 1/2 C. confectioner's (powdered) sugar

Put the powdered sugar in a plastic bag or big bowl with lid and set
aside. Melt choc chips, peanut butter & margarine in microwave. Add
vanilla & mix thoroughly and then stir in cereal until coated. Work
quickly - before the mixture cools off too much! Add the chocolate
coated cereal to the bag/bowl of powdered sugar and shake until all
pieces are coated with sugar. Dump/spread out onto a baking sheet and
allow to cool/set. Store in air-tight container.
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[DisneyMommyMichelle]

A good kids punch recipe!

Equal parts white grape juice and club soda! it's bubbly & fun! Dsis and i used to think we were cool when our parents served it in a champagne glass (plastic of course!!)
I like to add strawberry slices too!!-+

=================

A fun tip for hot chocolate!

After pouring it and adding a dollop of whipped cream, during the holidays i like to add some candy cane fragments on top! it looks great and adds a bit of flavor!!

(i just take a candy cane and crush it with a meat tenderizer!)

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YUUUMMMY SANGRIA recipe:

1 liter of club soda
1.5 cups of sugar
1 bottle of red wine

Mix together and add fresh fruit slices!!!

I find this a GREAT use for cheap red wine that i wouldn't otherwise like the flavor of


ENJOY!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

 

[Reese]

I just tried the Reese bars and they are great. My DD, 6, and me made these last night and they took ten minutes for an entire cookie sheet.

 

[taraprather]

These all look so delicious. I plan on going shopping tomorrow and baking this weekend. I'll let you know how everything turns out..

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

 

[mommytomy3]

My dd likes to give these out-
chocolate covered oreo cookie lollipops
Stick a lollipop stick through a double-stuffed oreo , dip in melted chocolate, decorate with sprinkles for the holiday, let harden (sometimes we make these on Valentines day and use pink or white chocolate/candy wafers, and sprinkle with hearts/lips... you can do any color chocolate and so many different holiday sprinkles.. st. patricks, etc)
place in clear lollipop bag and tie with a ribbon.

Here is a great site for different holiday recipes
http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/

 

[curlybop]

Chocolate covered cherries
60 maraschino cherries(about three 10oz jars)
3 TBSP maragarine or butter(whichever you prefer)
3 TBSP light corn syrup
2 C sifted powdered sugar
1 bag wiltons candy melts.

Drain cherries thoroughly on paper towels to remove all moisture. Combine butter & corn syrup. Stir in powdered sugar; knead mixture till smooth(chill if too soft to handle)
Shape about 1/2 tsp of your "fondant" around each cherry. Place onto baking sheet lined with waxed paper and chill about 1 hr or until firm.(Don't chill too long or your fondant will begin to dissolve) I always check after 45 mins.
Melt your chocolate melts and by holding the stem, dip your cherries. Set onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet and let chocolate set up.
These are best left in the fridge for a week or two before eating so the fondant can soften and liquefy a little.


Chocolate Phyllo Cookies

Buy frozen Phyllo dough and plan Hershey's candy bars (milk or dark chocolate) ... break candy appart into individual squares. Brush Phyllo with melted butter or spray with spray butter. Cut strips of Phyllo a bit wider than the candy. Place a piece of chocolate on a strip and fold like a flag into a triangle. Bake at 375 till lightly golden brown and then cool ... dust with powdered sugar &/or cocoa &/or cinnamon.

 

[PaulDavid's mom]

I either use the Wilton chocolate wafers or I order from Wilbur choclates in Litiz, Pa. My mom used to make candy (centers, crackers, mints, all sorts of stuff) and sell it from our house. I used to help her when I was little. Everyone loved her candy and she was going to open a candy store, had some of the displays, etc., but I never know why she didn't. Then she passed..so I may do it some day! Anyway, she would use Wilbur Chocolate a lot.

How much of the wilton chocolate wafers do you use for one bag of popcorn? is it one bag popcorn and one bag wafers? TIA

 

[GDUL]

These are very popular around our house at Christmas:

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

2/3 cup of sugar
1 cup butter softened
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups all purpose flour
seedless raspberry jam (for filling)

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
2 -3 tsp water


Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, and extract. Beat at medium speed until creamy - 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add flour. Continue beating until well mixed - 1 to 2 minutes. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. With thumb, make indentation in center of each cookie (edges may crack slightly). Fill each indentation with about 1/4 tsp of raspberry jam. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let stand 1 minute - remove from cookie sheets.

In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and extract. Gradually stir in enough water to make a thin glaze. Drizzle over warm cookies (hint: put glaze into a zip lock bag and cut a tiny corner off and use bag to spread glaze).

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

These are very popular around our house at Christmas:

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

2/3 cup of sugar
1 cup butter softened
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups all purpose flour
seedless raspberry jam (for filling)

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
2 -3 tsp water


Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, and extract. Beat at medium speed until creamy - 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add flour. Continue beating until well mixed - 1 to 2 minutes. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. With thumb, make indentation in center of each cookie (edges may crack slightly). Fill each indentation with about 1/4 tsp of raspberry jam. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let stand 1 minute - remove from cookie sheets.

In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and extract. Gradually stir in enough water to make a thin glaze. Drizzle over warm cookies (hint: put glaze into a zip lock bag and cut a tiny corner off and use bag to spread glaze).

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

OMG!!! These are one of my favorites!!! I have never made them but I have eaten a ton

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

The new additions sound fabulous!

 

[karenbaco]

subscribing

 

[Imzadi]

I'm watching this show on the Food Network right now & they showed this woman who took the simple chocolate covered pretzels she made & after dipping, covered them up with some festive toppings like multi-colored sprinkles, or chopped nuts, or rice crispies, shredded coconut, mini m&m's, then drizzled them with white & dark chocolate, etc. The more colors & variety the better!

It looked sooo easy! You just need enough sprinkles & toppings to lay out in a big wide bowl or cookie sheet to literally bury the chocolate covered pretzels in. They looked so colorful, festive and not your ordinary pretzels.

In between the twisted pretzels, she covered thick pretzel rods, (not the little sticks,) then twisted them into the toppings. She wrapped a few up together into a colorful pretzel rod "bouquet" with a ribbon. It looked yummy!

Here's a link to the woman's website:
http://www.pretzables.com/

Here are pics of her finished pretzels. (Not my own pretzels.)