Sunday Funday - Homemade Christmas

I hope everyone is having a fun and relaxing Sunday. It is hard to believe we are approaching the middle of December. Christmas is so close and there is so much to get done. I am sure some of you are in the same boat. My biggest worry is that I still need to do my Christmas shopping and I have no idea what to get for my family and friends. Then I was thinking everyone loves baked goods. Not just any baked goods will do at Christmas, so this year I will make some delicious and delectable edible treats. If you feel like creating some Christmas magic in the kitchen this year then join along and follow the recipes below for some homemade holiday fun.

Oreo snowmen pops

This little treat is super sweet and fun to eat with no baking involved! The snowman is made out of an Oreo covered in white vanilla candy.

What you will need:

• Oreo Cookies

• Cake pop sticks

• Quick-melt vanilla candy coating

• Small candies of your choice for the nose (candy corn works well)

• Black frosting for the eyes and the mouth
• Insert the cake pop stick in the cream filling of the Oreo, pressing gently so the cookie doesn’t break.

• Melt the vanilla candy coating according to package instructions. Drizzle over the cake pop, coating all sides. Do not dip the cookie – it will fall off the cake pop stick! I found the drizzle method much more effective

• Place your pops on wax or parchment paper to cool.

• Before the candy coating has cooled completely and is still slightly soft, push the snowman’s nose into the middle of the cookie. Allow to cool before adding the black frosting dots for eyes and mouth.

That’s it! Could it get any easier or cuter?

Rice Crispi Trees





What you will need:

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine

• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows

• 6 cups rice Crispi’s cereal

• Canned frosting or decorating gel

• Assorted candies

Directions

 In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.

 Remove from heat.

 Add rice Crispi’s cereal. Stir until well coated.

Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into Christmas trees. Decorate with frosting and/or candies. Best if served the same day.



This next treat is perfect for the coffee or cocoa lover in your family.

Candy Coated Chocolate Spoons

What you will need:

• 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

• 5 candy canes

• 20 plastic spoons

Directions:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Prepare your candy. If using peppermint then crush the candy canes by placing them in a blender or food processor, and hitting the pulse button on/off until the candy is in small pieces. Alternately, you can place the canes in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to finely crush them. Separate out the large pieces for another use, and place the small shards in a bowl. The crushed candy pieces will get sticky if left for a long time at room temperature, so if you are not going to immediately use them, place them in a Ziploc bag to protect it.
• Put chocolate in a small microwave safe bowl and heat in increments of a minute while stirring in between so as not to overheat the chocolate.
• Your chocolate should be melted and smooth, start dipping the spoons in the chocolate. Hold a spoon by the tip of the handle and dip it 2/3 of the way into the chocolate. Depending on the shape of your bowl, you may want to use another spoon to ladle chocolate over the back of the spoon, ensuring even coverage. Tap the spoon against the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate, next instead of dipping the spoon in the candy you can hold the spoon over the bowl of candy canes pieces. Sprinkle the pieces in a light layer over the front and back of the spoon. Place the spoon bowl-up on the baking sheet, then repeat with remaining candy and spoons.
• Put the spoons in your fridge for at least 20 minutes. I like to make them at night that way I have no worries they won’t be hardened and I don’t have to impatiently wait for them. Once they are set pull them out of the fridge and wrap them in clear wrap with a little curling ribbon. Be careful not to store them in a warm area for fear of melting.

Marshmallow Popcorn

 



 


What you will need:

3 bags microwave popcorn (be sure you take out all the kernels that didn’t pop)

2 sticks of butter

16 oz bag of marshmallows

1 cup brown sugar

Directions:

In a microwave safe bowl add the butter, the marshmallows, and the brown sugar. Microwave for 2.5 min then take the bowl out of the microwave and stir. Place the bowl back in the microwave for 1 minute. Repeat until the consistency becomes thin enough to easily pour, then pour over popcorn and mix.

Next you can shape the popcorn into baseball size balls, wrap them in clear wrap and tie off with curling ribbon.

If you decide to make any of these goodies I suggest you do it with a group of friends, maybe a little wine, and some Christmas tunes. You may just make some new holiday memories you will never forget. Enjoy!