Holiday Treats

Each Christmas, I usually like to make some yummy treats to take with us as we visit family & friends. I usually like to try something different each year as well. In the past I have made cut out shortbread cookies sandwiched in raspberry jam, fudge Christmas rings filled with fruit & nuts, and growing up sugar cookies with Mom. I have such fond memories of baking simple sugar cookies with Mom and would look forward to it each year. This year with my very active toddler and busy wrapping up our last minute shopping & wrapping I chose to keep it simple with various chocolate confections. I just couldn't seem to get motivated until the week before Christmas. First I made White and Semi sweet chocolate dipped pretzels and wrapped them in pretty packages for my coworkers and Vic's coworkers. Below are only the white batch that I did.

I also tried a new recipe for loaded pretzels and although they were good, but I wasn't exactly in love with them to make them again. However they did look nice for a Christmas party we went to.

There was more chocolate melting with my make shift double boiler or a bowl and pan. I made white & milk chocolate bark with pistachios & dried cranberries. This recipe was good and will be added to my repertoire.

I also made white chocolate bark with crushed candy canes and red filled Oreo sandwiches. The red filling turned the filling pink and in the end I just wasn't crazy about this one. Once done, I placed the bark in pretty containers with pretty labels that I downloaded online and gave them as gifts.



After all this, I can go for a while with NOT melting any chocolate :) But the process couldn't have been easier and I'm happy with how it all turned out. Ava was my little tester in the kitchen and I am hoping by next year she can get her hands dirty and help make some Holiday treats.