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