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

[disneydream'n]

Someone please help... How far in advance could I do things like the pret. rods with choc and the smores marshmellows....

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Someone please help... How far in advance could I do things like the pret. rods with choc and the smores marshmellows....

The real question is "if you make them early, will you NOT eat them" I made a huge tray of the pretzels (see pic above) and they were done within 2 days. Cannot, Cannot do early in this house as DH & kids will wipe them out!!! As long as you seal stuff in a airtight container you could do them a week or so in advance with pretzels. Candy even 2-3 weeks early and they will hold up fine.

 

[karenbaco]

Someone please help... How far in advance could I do things like the pret. rods with choc and the smores marshmellows....

Ha Ha.....i made the turtles and ate the whole batch myself already they are addicting!!!!!

 

[RangerPooh]

subscribing. I had to search of this topic as I didn't bookmark it last year.

 

[Kycha]

I plan on making several of the treats listed here in this thread, and I'd like to out them in clear cellophane bags, tie them with nice ribbon and present them as gifts.

Does anyone know any stores that carry the clear cellophane bags? I'm looking for pretty good sized ones that can hol,d the popcorn- and smaller ones that will hold the turtles.

THANKS to anyone that can give me a good suggestion.

I have found the decorated cello bags at our local Dollar Tree store. I got 20 bags for $1. They were 5 1/2" x 10" size with snowmen.

Even better than the dollar store, try your local grocery or bulk food store. I was able to get 100 large, clear cello bags for a couple dollars. Best thing is they have any size you could possibly want.

 

[ckoncurat]

Barefoot Contessa Truffles..
(This recipe is so easy, I whipped it up after watching the show once)
1 cup Heavy Cream, 2 cups chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips)
1 teaspoon flavoring, such as vanilla, almond, brandy, etc (she uses grand marnier)
Stuff to roll these in, like chopped nuts, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, powdered sugar or cocoa.

1.Mix the first three ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stir until melted (do not boil).
2.Pour into any freezer safe container- tupperwear, baking pan, etc. Freeze for 2-4 hours or until about the consistency of playdough.
3.Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to scoop this out. Roll into balls with your hands, Roll in toppings.
4. Store in the fridge. (Although these can be set out at room tempeture for serving or giving)

YUMMY!

 

[disneydream'n]

I love this thread... Starting to work this weekend on all the treats I have to make... 20+ snack trays for family and friends... Anyone have any advise on how to keep DH out of them till Christmas.. HA HA

 

[pbharris4]

Remember waaaayyyy back when I posted about the Chocolate covered potato chips? Well....Neiman Marcus is selling them for $40!!

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/products/mn/NM-0L5Q_mn.jpg.

 

[jenr812]

LOL about Neiman Marcus. Along the same line, at Linens N Things yesterday, I saw a 4 pack of hot cocoa spoons for $5. Basically, just gold plastic spoons dipped in chocolate with some mini marshmallows stuck in the melted chocolate. Then it was just wrapped in cellophane and tied with gold curling ribbon. Such a ripoff but you know people will buy it!

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Great thread...here's my contribution:

The Best Damn Hot Chocolate Ever

1 qt. whole milk
1 at. half & half
1 lb. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 c. packed dark brown sugar
2 (4-inch) strips of fresh orange zest
2 or 3 cinnamon sticks
1 T. instant coffee crystals
whipped cream
peppermint sticks
mini marshmallows
chocolate sprinkles

In a large saucepan, combine milk, half & half, chocolate chips, brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and coffee crystals. Simmer over medium-low heat, whisking frequently until chocolate is melted (about half an hour or so). It's done! If you're not serving it immediately, pour it into a crock pot set on low. Ladle into pretty mugs and garnish with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and peppermint sticks. (This is completely optional, but I usually set out the Kaluah and Bailey's so that my guests can add either of them to their own cups.)

 

[bengalbelle]

I could have sworn I posted this recipe last year, but I didn't see it as I was browsing. If you like peppermint bark, you'll LOVE this recipe! They're also very pretty if you're giving them as gifts.

Christmas Minties

12 peppermint candies
12 double graham crackers
6 squares white almond bark
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
¼ teaspoon green food coloring
2 squares chocolate almond bark
1 square white almond bark

Crush peppermint candies in Ziploc bag. Lay graham crackers, top
side down, into a greased foil lined jelly roll pan, to fit in single
layer.
Melt 6 squares of white almond bark in the microwave on low heat
until smooth. Mix in green food coloring and peppermint extract.
Pour over crackers and spread evenly. Melt 2 squares of chocolate
almond bark, place in Ziploc and drizzle in vertical lines over
crackers. Melt 1 square of white almond bark and drizzle over
crackers. Use a toothpick to swirl chocolate and white chocolate
drizzles into a marbleized pattern. Sprinkle with crushed
peppermint candies. Chill for about 15 minutes or until firm.
Break into irregular pieces.

 

[Kycha]

Chocolate covered cherry mice

These are easy and fun to make.

1 jar maraschino cherries with stems, drained and dried
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
36 Hershey kisses
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 tube red (clear) gel icing
Chocolate jimmies

Line a cookie sheet with waxed or parchment paper.

Rinse the maraschino cherries, drain thoroughly, and let dry on paper towels, turning often.
The cherries must be completely dry or the chocolate will seize and get crumbly.

Gently melt chocolate in the microwave for approx. 2 minutes. Stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted.

Dip dry cherries in melted chocolate to completely cover up to the stem. Place on lined cookie sheet. Immediately press on Hershey kiss, flat side to the front of the dipped cherry, to form a head.

Allow to harden in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Chocolate should still be soft but not melted or the ears will slip. Then, wedge two sliced almonds between Hershey kiss and cherry to form ears. Let cool.

Use a toothpick to dab beady red eyes on either side of the Hershey kiss with the red gel icing.

Refrigerate to firmly set chocolate.

Sprinkle chocolate jimmies on serving platter to resemble mouse droppings.

Yield: about 36 chocolate-covered mice

I have pictures that I will post as soon as I find them.

ETA: The only photo I had was a butt shot. But, I think you get the idea.

 

[karenbaco]

stupid question here.......
what is a jelly roll pan??

 

[kaytieeldr]

Remember waaaayyyy back when I posted about the Chocolate covered potato chips? Well....Neiman Marcus is selling them for $40!!

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/products/mn/NM-0L5Q_mn.jpg.

Oh, please - those aren't even real chips. They're Pringles-style "potato crisps". On the other hand... they ARE uniform...

 

[kaytieeldr]

stupid question here.......
what is a jelly roll pan??

Rectangular pan (13 x 9, 18 x 15, etc) about a half inch deep. Primary purpose is to bake a thin sponge-cake-like cake (or similar) that can then be spread with a variety of foods and, well, rolled up and cut into pinwheels.

Amazon's got a bunch of them, if you want to just take a look.

 

[bengalbelle]

stupid question here.......
what is a jelly roll pan??

If you're asking because of the recipe I posted, you can use a regular cookie sheet. The size of the jelly roll pan just helps hold the graham crackers in place easier when you spread the almond bark on.

 

[jchick]

This may have already been said, but this is a super easy "truffle" type recipe:

Crush 1 pkg oreos (or the cheap brand of oreos)
Mix with 1 pkg cream cheese
Roll into marble sized balls. Chill for about 1 hour.
Dip in almond bark (I used white, then sprinkled with choc. in a zip lock bag for a nice look).

I'm bringing these to a Christmas cookie/candy exchange tomorrow night. They were really easy, but taste very very good! Also, I was thinking (but have not tried) that you could use the cheap peanut butter cookies or other flavors too.

 

[bengalbelle]

Last year I was going to make a recipe I found on the Dis, but never got around to it. I thought it was on this thread, but now I can't find it. I think it had graham crackers, and I know it had crushed Heath bars on top. Does anyone have any idea what I might be thinking of?

 

[jillyjoey]

Is this the recipe your thinking of:
Almond toffe squares:
12 whole graham crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Assorted nuts and/or chocolate chips as desired

Preheat oven to 400
Line a cookie sheet with foil and lay out graham crackers on top
Stir together butter and brown sugar on the stovetop until boiling. Boil 1 minute.
Pour butter mixture over graham crackers. Put in the oven
Bake 3-6 minutes until bubbly.
Remove from oven. Cool slightly. Spinke on toppings as desired (I used crushed pecans, semi-sweet chocolate chips and heath brickle bits.
Cool completely. Breal each cracker into 4 sections.
Makes 48 squares.(rectangles)

I can't remember who OP was but I pasted it to a Word document cause it looked so good.

Anyway -- after silently reading everyone's wonderful recipes and copying them and probably gaining weight just by thinking of making these goodies -- here is an appetizer that is easy, elegant and always gets rave reviews:

Brown Sugar Brie

1 whole baby brie
1 can crescent rolls
brown sugar
walnuts

roll out crescent roll dough. Place baby brie on dough. Sprinkle GENEROUSLY with brown sugar and walnuts. Wrap brie in dough. Brush with egg wash. Put in fridge for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until golden brown.

I served this with apple and pear slices and crackers -- -wonderful!!

 

[bengalbelle]

Is this the recipe your thinking of:
Almond toffe squares:
12 whole graham crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Assorted nuts and/or chocolate chips as desired

Preheat oven to 400
Line a cookie sheet with foil and lay out graham crackers on top
Stir together butter and brown sugar on the stovetop until boiling. Boil 1 minute.
Pour butter mixture over graham crackers. Put in the oven
Bake 3-6 minutes until bubbly.
Remove from oven. Cool slightly. Spinke on toppings as desired (I used crushed pecans, semi-sweet chocolate chips and heath brickle bits.
Cool completely. Breal each cracker into 4 sections.
Makes 48 squares.(rectangles)

I can't remember who OP was but I pasted it to a Word document cause it looked so good.

Anyway -- after silently reading everyone's wonderful recipes and copying them and probably gaining weight just by thinking of making these goodies -- here is an appetizer that is easy, elegant and always gets rave reviews:

Brown Sugar Brie

1 whole baby brie
1 can crescent rolls
brown sugar
walnuts

roll out crescent roll dough. Place baby brie on dough. Sprinkle GENEROUSLY with brown sugar and walnuts. Wrap brie in dough. Brush with egg wash. Put in fridge for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until golden brown.

I served this with apple and pear slices and crackers -- -wonderful!!

That is it!
I saw that earlier, but I skimmed the list of ingredients and when I didn't see the Heath I skipped over it. Thank you!

Your brie sounds delicious! I think I'll be adding this to our Christmas Eve menu.