Beyond the Cookie :: 4 Alternative Holiday Treats

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beyond the cookie

December seems to be the month of the cookie — decorating, swapping, and gift giving every flavor from sugar to chocolate to peppermint. This year, why not go beyond the cookie? Here are four creative sweets that are easy to adapt to Christmas, Chanukah, or winter celebrations.

Gingerbread Crisped Rice Treats

Last year, I found a super easy recipe for Pumpkin Crisped Rice Treats that were the hit of our Thanksgiving party. I began to wonder what other flavors might be possible. My husband and I looked at each other with lit-up eyes: “GINGERBREAD!”

gingerbread crisped rice treat
Give gingerbread crisped rice treats holiday spirit by spreading melted white chocolate over them and decorating with holiday-colored sprinkles/sugar.

Following the traditional recipe for Crisped Rice Treats, add one packet of gingerbread-flavored pudding to the melted marshmallow before adding the cereal. Once the treats are set, cover with melted white chocolate and holiday-colored sprinkles/sugar.

Candy Dreidels/Tops

There were very few Chanukah-specific treats when I was growing up, so the kid in me squealed when the directions for candy dreidels started making the rounds. Here I share my version, which has been slightly modified from the original, which is easily found on Pinterest.

 

candy dreidels: step 1
Step 1: Push halves of pretzel sticks into large marshmallows.
candy dreidels: step 2
Step 2: Dip marshmallows in melted chocolate. While chocolate is still wet, adhere kiss-shaped chocolate.
candy dreidels: step 3
Step 3: Decorate! If making dreidels, pipe Hebrew letters on the chocolate.
candy dreidels: step 3b
Step 3: If making tops, decorate with colored sugar.

If you don’t celebrate Chanukah, you can decorate these with alternative colors to make Christmas — or even birthday — tops.

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels/Pretzel Bites

Chocolate-covered pretzels and pretzel bites are one of my go-to homemade presents for the holidays. Most people enjoy the sweet and salty combination, and they’re so easy — and fun — to make.

For chocolate-covered pretzels, start with pretzel rods. Melt colored chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler. Dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate, covering 1/3 to 1/2 of the pretzel. Place on waxed paper. Then shake sprinkles, colored sugar, or nonpareils over the chocolate before it hardens. Let the pretzels set for half an hour or so. Once the chocolate is hardened, peel from the wax paper and place in containers.

chocolate-covered holiday pretzels
A blue and white/silver color scheme was used to make Chanukah-themed chocolate-covered pretzels.

For pretzel bites, start with pretzel squares (also called “snaps”) on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place one chocolate melt on each square. Bake on low heat (175-200 degrees) for 2-5 minutes until chocolate softens (it should look wet while still retaining its shape). Remove from oven and sprinkle with colored sugar. Let the pretzels set for half an hour.

holiday chocolate-covered pretzel bites
White candy melts with red and green sugar make pretzel snaps festive for Christmas.

These treats are incredibly versatile: Change the colors of the chocolate melts and decorations to fit whichever holiday you are celebrating.

Cranberry Clusters

My grandmother-in-law was an amazing baker and candy maker. I was lucky enough to learn how to make a few of her signature treats before she passed. A favorite of mine is the Cranberry Cluster: white chocolate clouds chock-full of dried cranberries.

Melt white chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler. Stir in a generous amount of dried cranberries. To make clusters, place heaping spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper and let set. Once hardened, peel from the wax paper and place in a container.

With colored chocolate melts and holiday-shaped silicone baking molds, Cranberry Clusters can be adapted for almost any occasion. Don’t like dried cranberries? Substitute dried blueberries or cherries.

cranberry cluster trees
Green chocolate melts and a tree-shaped silicone baking mold pan turn ordinary cranberry clusters into Christmas treats.
cranberry cluster Stars of David
Use white chocolate melts and a Star of David silicone mold pan to turn cranberry clusters into Chanukah gifts.

Do you go beyond the cookie for the holidays? What kinds of treats do you make? Share with us in the comments!

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Cheryl Glantz Nail
The new mom of a baby boy, Cheryl Glantz Nail started her blogging and freelance writing career in 2008. She has written articles for several blogs and websites, including 24/Savvy and InterfaithFamily.com. Shortly after moving to Columbia, she turned her love of content writing and social media into a career in communications, currently serving as the Community Relations Director for a local non-profit. Prior to this career change, she enjoyed 10 years in education, both in the classroom and as a curriculum developer. When she isn't in front of her computer or wiping up baby drool, Cheryl can be found curled up with a young adult novel and a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, looking at cats on Instagram, or attempting to be artsy. She blogs at Take a Second Glantz (www.secondglantz.com/blog), trolls Pinterest for recipes she'll probably never cook, and sleep tweets during late-night feedings.

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