Christmas Treats

I have already made and delivered most of the goodies that I made for friends and neighbors this year. In past years, I have waited until later in the month and have been so stressed over it. I hope this is the beginning of a new tradition!

Here are the recipes for the things I made:

The first one is one that most people call Reindeer Mix. But I think that the name I came up with is actually more accurate. Not because it is a drug, but because it is super addictive.

Christmas Crack

5 cups Corn Chex

5 cups Cheerios

10 oz pretzel squares

1 bag of M&M’s (Red and Green)

24 oz Almond Bark

3 Tbsp. oil

Mix the first 4 items together in a LARGE bowl. In another bowl, add the Almond Bark and oil. Microwave on high for one minute, stir. Continue to microwave, stirring at 30 second intervals until it is all melted. Pour that over the cereal mixture and stir well. Make sure that you bring up the cereal from the bottom of the bowl so that everything is well coated. Pour out on a large piece of foil and allow it to dry. When it is dry, break into smaller pieces and store.

* Easy way to break the pieces up is to actually roll up the foil and it will break the pieces for you.

Toffee

1 sleeve Saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup light brown sugar

½ bag of chocolate chips (or white chocolate)

3 oz. chopped almonds

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Line up the crackers on the sheet in 8 rows of 5, with the salt side up. In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter then add the brown sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil and set your timer for 3 minutes. You will need to stir this for the entire 3 minutes that it is boiling. Pour this mixture over the saltines, trying to cover each one (this will make the next step easier). Quickly spread the mixture so that you cover each saltine as much as you can. Place the cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool for about 2 minutes. Then pour the chocolate chips evenly over the crackers and wait a minute or two until they begin to melt. Then, spread the chocolate chips over the crackers evenly. Top with the almonds. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer to set. After it is set, remove from the pan, using the foil as a lifter. Break into small pieces.

Turtles

Square pretzels

Rolo candies

Pecan halves

Place pretzels on a cookie sheet in rows. This is important because it will be easier when it is time to place the pecans. Top each pretzel with a Rolo. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 4 ½ minutes. Remove from oven and immediately place a pecan on top and push down slightly, making sure not to push too far or you might burn your finger on the hot caramel! Let them cool and then serve.

* Buy the Rolos that you find at the check out counter at the store, not one’s in a bag. These are not individually wrapped and you will thank me.

Here are some of the baskets that I made for our neighbors