Winter break is wonderful, isn’t it? Finals are over, school is out and we can freely spend our time doing the things we do best: roaming the Internet and snacking. Well, friends, I am offering you a two-for-one deal; if you’re reading this article then you’re already on the Internet (good job!) and if you stick around long enough, you might get some great snack ideas out of it. Happy reading, happy snacking and happy holidays!
1. Chocolate Marshmallow Peppermint Pretzel Bars
What you’ll need:
6 cups pretzels
½ cup crushed candy canes
1 bag mini-marshmallows
1 cup chocolate chips
butter
Steps:
- Put 3 tbsp. butter in a large pot and let melt. Add marshmallows.
- When marshmallows are fully melted, shut the flame and add chocolate chips. Stir.
- Add in pretzels and stir until they are covered well with the chocolate marshmallow mixture.
- Add candy cane bits and pour mixture into a greased pan. Cover with wax paper and press down so the mixture fills the pan evenly.
- Let cool and cut into bars. Serve with milk!
NOTE: Any flavor of chocolate chips work well, but I like white chocolate when peppermint is involved.
2. Cran-Apple Cobbler Drink
What you’ll need:
cranberry juice
apple juice (clarified, not cloudy)
lemon juice
graham crackers
cinnamon
apple slices
whipped cream
Steps:
- Mix two parts apple juice, one part cranberry juice and one dash each of lemon juice and cinnamon. Heat in microwave for about 45 seconds (or to desired temperature).
- Crush a few graham crackers in a plastic bag. Rim the glass with the crushed pieces (lemon juice helps them stick to the glass well).
- Pour heated mixture into the glass and squirt a dash of whipped cream on top. Garnish with an apple slice.
NOTE: If you’re over 21, you can try adding a shot of vodka and serving Cran-Apple Cobbler Martinis as a party drink (heating not recommended).
3. Quick and Easy Fudge
What you’ll need:
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 oz. can of condensed milk
dash of salt
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup chopped walnuts
Steps:
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave.
- Add whole can of condensed milk and mix well.
- Add salt, vanilla and walnuts to mixture.
- Line a pan (8 in.) with wax paper and pour in fudge. Make sure the fudge is spread evenly throughout the pan. This step will be difficult because the fudge will be very thick.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before lifting fudge out of the pan and cutting into small pieces.
NOTE: If you want, sprinkle crushed peppermint on top before refrigerating!
4. Caramel Cheerio Cookies
What you’ll need:
3 cups plain Cheerios
2 tbsp. water
salt
14 oz. bag caramel squares
Steps:
- In a big glass bowl, melt caramel with a pinch of salt and 2 tbsp. water (melt for one minute, remove and stir, then continue melting in 10-second intervals).
- Mix in Cheerios. Cover well with caramel.
- Take teaspoon full of the caramel-Cheerio mixture and roll it into a ball (you might want to butter up your hands, it’s very sticky) and place onto wax paper. Let harden and store in a (decorative!) tin.
Hope you enjoy making these delicious treats! They make great presents for friends and family (or perhaps a post-finals treat for you). Happy holidays!
Any treats you like to make? Let us know in the comments.
Sources:
Crushed Candy Canes (photo): Makeandtakes.com. 9 Dec 2011. http://www.makeandtakes.com/wp-content/uploads/Crushed-Peppermint-Candy.jpg
Caramel Cheerio Cookies (photo): RealMomKitchen.com. 8 Dec 2011. http://realmomkitchen.com/1021/cheerio-treats-and-a-giveaway/cherrio-treats-2-450/
Cobbler Martini (photo): Cocktailtimes.com. 7 Dec 2011. http://www.cocktailtimes.com/original/top_fall_apple_cobbler.jpg
“Cran-Apple Cobbler.” Cocktail Times. 7 Dec 2007. <