Easy Time-Saving Christmas Snack Recipes
I grew up in a family where my grandmother spent a week or more cooking for Christmas. Candies, pastries, all sorts of goodies. She showed me how to do it all but to be honest I just don't have the time she did to cook up the Christmas goodies. Luckily I have found quick and easy Christmas Snacks that I want to share with you.
Easy Sausage Balls
My Mom's Recipe
My mom cooks these every year for us and every year I tell her she needs to double the recipe. When all the family piles in Christmas morning they disappear quicker than a $100 bill on the sidewalk.
Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick
2lb Sausage (mild, hot, maple, turkey it is your choice)
2 cups cheddar cheese
milk for moisture
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
In a bowl mix the Bisquick, sausage and cheese. Add enough milk to bind the mixture.
Roll into balls and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes until brown.
Let cool a bit then enjoy.
Store in an air tight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge
Everyone loves fudge during the holidays and I found a delicious recipe that I have used for years. It is quick and easy and everyone seems to love it.
Ingredients
1 lb. powdered sugar (3 1/2 - 3 3/4 cups)
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 c. crunchy or smooth peanut butter
2 sticks butter
Directions
Place sugar, peanut butter and butter in glass bowl and microwave for 2 minutes on High. Stir a few times during cooking. At the end of 2 minutes, remove and stir until smooth.
Add vanilla and blend well.
Pour into a buttered 9x9 inch dish.
Chill for 30 minutes.
Cut into squares.
If you want a chocolate-peanut butter fudge add 1/4 c. cocoa to the ingredients.
Microwave Peanut Brittle
Traditional Peanut Brittle takes awhile to cook however if you don't have a lot of time and love peanut brittle. Enjoy this easy microwave recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup salted peanuts
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
Directions
1. Butter a cookie sheet. Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 2 quart glass bowl and microwave on high 4 minutes. Stir in peanuts and microwave on high 3 1/2 minutes more, then stir in butter and vanilla and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
2. Stir in baking soda until light and foamy. Pour onto cookie sheet and spread thin.
Cool completely and break into pieces and serve.
Easy Peppermint Bark
By now you know my love for peppermint, so it's no surprise that I would include a recipe for peppermint bark.
Ingredients
1 bag of chocolate chips (any kind you like)
1 bag of white chocolate chips
24 mini candy canes, crushed *do not crush using a food processor – place candy canes in a zip lock bag and use a hammer to crush into small pieces
Directions
Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
Pour (brown) chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave chocolate chips in increments of 30 seconds stirring the chips each time until chocolate chips have completed melted and mixture is smooth.
Spread melted chocolate as evenly as possibly into lined pan. Place pan into freezer for 20 minutes.
Repeat the same melting process with the white chips. While chocolate is still smooth, stir in half of the crushed candy cane mixture. Allow the white chocolate to slightly cool for a minute.
Remove pan from freezer and spread white chocolate/crushed candy canes mixture on top of the chocolate layer. Spread white chocolate as quickly as possible.
Top off with remaining crushed candy cane and gently pat down with the back of a spatula.
Return pan to freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from freezer and gently lift the whole mixture from the pan with a butter knife.
You should now have a solid sheet of peppermint bark.
Remove parchment paper and break into pieces.
Store any left over bark in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer.
Enjoy!
Puppy Chow
Don't let the name fool you, this stuff is not for puppies, it is for human consumption and it is very easy to make and very delicious.
Ingredients
9 cups crispy rice cereal squares (like Chex)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate; add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
2. Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until coated.
3. Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal and shake until well coated.
Store in airtight container.
Christmas Party Mix
This is perfect for the Christmas Time Munchies
Ingredients
3 c. Rice Chex
3 c. Cheerios
1 (16 oz.) pkg. M & M's
3 c. Corn Chex
2 c. peanuts
2 c. pretzels
16 oz. white chocolate
Directions
Mix the cereals, M & M's, peanuts and pretzels.
Melt chocolate and pour over mixture.
Cool on wax paper.