Christmas Crunch

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup popping popcorn kernels, or 2 bags tender white popcorn
  • 1 (12 oz) bag Vanilla Candy Melts (such as Wilton Candy Melts)
  • 1 1/3 cups broken pretzel pieces
  • 1 (12 oz) bag green and red Milk Chocolate or Mint M&Ms
  • Red, green and white Sprinkles (I used Jingle Mix Nonpareils)

Directions:

1. Pop popcorn in a popcorn popper into a large bowl (or alternately in the microwave if using microwave bags of popcorn) according to manufactures directions. Remove any un-popped popcorn kernels. Toss in broken pretzel pieces and M&Ms.

2. Melt Vanilla Candy Melts in a microwave safe bowl on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Drizzle half of melted chips over popcorn mixture, then stir, tossing gently a few times with a rubber spatula. Then drizzle remaining half of melted chips over popcorn, and gently stir mixture until evenly coated (don't over stir though or your sprinkles won't stick if the white chips begin to set and harden).

3. Pour mixture into a single layer onto wax paper. Sprinkle entire mixture evenly with sprinkles (as many as you'd like) before vanilla chips set. Allow to cool and harden, then gently break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

 

Tasty No Bake Santa Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 (6 oz. each) pkgs. white chocolate baking squares, chopped
  • 1 (16 oz.) pkg. Nutter Butter cookies
  • red decorative sugar crystals
  • 32 vanilla or white chocolate chips
  • 64 mini chocolate chips
  • 32 small red-hot candies

Directions:

1. In microwave over low heat, melt white chocolate, stirring occasionally, til just melted

2. Dip one end of each Nutter Butter cookie into the melted white chocolate for the top part of Santa’s head. Place cookie on a wire rack.

3. While chocolate is still warm, sprinkle red sugar on top part of chocolate to make Santa’s red hat. Quickly press one white chocolate or vanilla chip for ball on Santa’s hat (place it off to one side). You can also use half of a mini-marshmallow for a fluffy ball.

4. Let stand on wire rack til set.

5. When set, dip “bald” end of each cookie into the white chocolate (rewarm in microwave if necessary) for Santa’s beard. Don’t cover center of cookie– gotta leave room for Santa’s face! Place again on wire rack.

6. Using a small amount of melted white chocolate as glue, attach chocolate chips for Santa’s eyes and a red-hot candy for his nose.

7. Place cookies on waxed paper until set.

8. Makes 32 cookies.

Rice Krispie Christmas Ornaments

Ingredients:

  • 12 (6-inch lengths) red or black string licorice
  • 12 miniature marshmallows
  • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows

- OR -

  • 4 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • Frosting
  • Candies

Directions:

1. Fold each licorice piece in half and push ends through centers of 12 miniature marshmallows. Set aside.

2. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add 10 ounces marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies.

3. Using 1/2-cup measuring cup coated with cooking spray divide warm cereal mixture into 12 portions. Using buttered hands shape each portion into ornament shape around licorice ends. Cool. Decorate with frosting and candies.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 through 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.