With Christmas fast approaching, it is that time of the year again for my family. It is a time to adorn one another with aprons and head for the kitchen to endless hours of baking.
We have so many friends and people who make a difference in our lives that we never have the money to give the gifts we truly want to give. So we do the next best thing and bake goodies.
Our family uses these homemade goodies not just as gift to show good will but to show Christ's love during the holiday to those around us. So every year, we bake and bake. My son and daughter then walk with their father to deliver to neighbors and friends.
It is important to recognize those that serve you all year without you realizing how much they do for your family. We make sure to bake extra for the postman, the doctor's office, work, etc. This way everyone feels special and not forgotten and you haven't burned a hole in your finances.
This year, though, I am changing the menu. I usually bake cinnamon bread, banana bread, pumpkin bread, etc. After attending a party last night, I am feeling inspired to change it up a bit. There are so many simple, easy recipes that won't leave you broke for Christmas. I decided to share some of the gifts I plan on doing this year.
Chocolate Covered (Fill in the blank)
I just recently received the most beautiful gift. It was chocolate dipped pretzel sticks. It was gorgeous. The woman bought the big pretzel sticks from the store. The nearest store to us has a bag for $1.15. She then melted the brown and white almond bark and dipped the sticks. She placed them on wax paper to harden. She then mixed some of the white bark with green or red food coloring and drizzled it on top. They looked so professional! She bought a wire basket and goodie bags and placed some in the bags to deliver. They were delicious. You can also dip strawberries, cherries or even marshmallows for kids.
Truffles
Last night I tasted the most amazing truffle. The kick was it was homemade and so easy to make. You take a bag of Oreo cookies and blend them until they are in powder form. Mix with and eight-ounce box of cream cheese. Roll in tiny balls and place in refrigerator to get firm. Place a toothpick in top to dip with. Melt the chocolate almond bark or white for that matter. Dip and lay on wax paper. Remove toothpick after dipping. Do like above and mix food coloring with the white bark. Then drizzle on top. Caution: Very rich so do not eat too many.
Cookies and Cream Bark
This recipe involves oreo cookies as well. You crush a bag of Oreos into chunks. Place on a cookie sheet. Melt the white almond bark and pour on the cookie sheet. Place in refrigerator until hard. Bam-you have cookies and cream treat!
Hot Cocoa
This is another easy, thoughtful gift. Take a coffee cup or goodie bag. Place a serving of hot cocoa in cellophane. Wrap mini-marshmallows in cellophane and place on top. Leave a cute not of instructions and pretty ribbon and let someone know they were thought of during this season.
Spiced Pecans
Spray two cookies sheets with nonstick spray. Combine one cup of sugar, a quarter teaspoon of salt, a quarter teaspoon of allspice and one teaspoon of cinnamon in a heavy two-quart skillet. Add a third cup of water and a quarter cup of corn syrup and stir well. Cook over medium heat until mixture starts to boil, stirring constantly. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally until syrup temperature reaches 235 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and add two cups of pecan halves and a teaspoon of vanilla. Drop tablespoon size chunks on the cookie sheets to cool. Pack in a goodie bag or jar.
Sugar Cookies
I have a confession. I cheat at sugar cookies. I buy pre-made cookie dough from the store. Sometimes, I sprinkle red and green sprinkles on before I bake. Sometimes, I roll it out and my kids cut shapes out. When they are done cooking, we ice with the carton icing and sprinkles as well. It is quick and easy and way less messy!
Easy Fudge
What is Christmas without fudge? Have you ever seen the packages of the Old Fashioned Cream Drops. They have white centers and chocolate outsides. Easy fudge can be made by melting the package in a microwave safe container, add one cup of peanut butter and refrigerate until hard. It taste just like fudge and it takes a total of five minutes plus cold time.
These are just a few suggestions. I am sure others have some easy recipes to share. Feel free to do so in the comments! I hope I have inspired you to do some easy baking. Remember almond bark can go a long way in making desserts!
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