Holiday Prezel Kisses

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels
	Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug
	M&M's candy

1. Heat the oven to 170º. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.

2. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss.

3. Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.

From Family Fun Magazine

Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn

I got this recipe from my friend, Michelle's website. She gives other flavoring ideas (strawberry, amaretto) and some great fund raising ideas to go along with the popcorn!
http://jolleyfam.blogspot.com/2008/04/popcorn-recipe.html

It was so fun to make, I actually gave my kitchen sink a good scrubbing and then used it as a large bowl (I doubled the batch and didn't have a bowl big enough).

3 Bags Orville Redenbacher 94% fat free popcorn (if you use the regular bags it turns out to buttery and salty---takes away from the flavor
1 1lb bag Wilton Vanilla flavored chocolate wafers- I did one batch red, the other white and mixed them together for a candy cane effect.
6-8 drops peppermint flavored oil (I got mine from Michael's, by the candy melts)

Pop the popcorn. Remove seeds. Melt chocolate. Stir in 6-8 drops of oil.Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn and stir until well coated. Let cool on parchment lined cookie sheets.

(I added small crushed pieces of candy cane for a little extra jazz.)

Chewy Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Really chewy pepermint cookies, this is a variation of the cake mix cookies. This is what you need to make...

1 package White Cake Mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 cup crushed peppermint candy cane
Peppermint Hershey Kisses unwrapped - about 30

Mix together all ingredients except the Hershey kisses, scoop into 1 1/2 inch balls onto a cookie sheet(make sure you spray before, these get stuck even with the spray!) at least 1 1/2 inches apart - they flatten out! Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until slightly golden brown around the edges! Transfer to wax paper as soon as they are out of the oven and add the hershey kiss in the middle!

Mint Thins

Compliments of the Kraft Food and Family magazine...love these!


Prep Time:
20 min
Total Time:
20 min
Makes:
3 doz. or 12 servings, three coated crackers each

What You Need
1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1 sleeve RITZ Crackers (36 crackers)
1 peppermint candy cane (6 inch), crushed

Make It
MICROWAVE chocolate in small microwaveable bowl as directed on package. Stir until completely melted. Blend in extract.

DIP crackers in melted chocolate, completely coating crackers with chocolate. Carefully scrape off excess chocolate. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheets; sprinkle with crushed candy.

REFRIGERATE 30 min. or until chocolate is firm.
Kraft Kitchens Tips

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies
Omit peppermint extract and candy cane. Spread each cracker with a thin layer of peanut butter before dipping into the melted chocolate.

Neiman Marcus Bars

This is a standard around our house when it comes to Christmas baking...they are rich, but GOOD!!!

1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 c. melted butter (1 stick)
3 eggs
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 (1 lb.) box powdered sugar
1/2 c. flake coconut
1/2 c. chopped pecans (I usually use walnuts)
Beat 1 egg and butter. Add cake mix. Pat into 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix cream cheese, 2 eggs and powdered sugar. Add coconut and pecans. Spread over cake. Bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Cut when cool.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cracker Cookies

Ritz Crackers

Peanut Butter

Almond Bark, Milk Chocolate, or round chocolate melts

Colored Candy Sprinkles

1. Spread peanut butter between two crackers to make "sandwiches".

2. Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling, water. Reduce heat and keep chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water.

3. Dip each cracker "sandwich" in chocolate, allowing excess to drain back into pot.

4. Place coated crackers on wax paper and add sprinkles. Allow coating to completely set, placing in refrigerator for 15 minutes.