Quick and Easy Christmas Snacks to Use As Gifts for the Holidays - Maura O'Hare

Peppermint Bark Recipe

Ingredients you will need:

30 crushed peppermint hard candies

1 1/2 pounds milk chocolate candy 

coarsely chopped 1 1/2 pounds white chocolate

chopped 1 teaspoon oil-based peppermint flavoring

Directions:

Spread 1/3 of the peppermint candy over a 9 x 13 inch baking pan lined with wax paper. Melt the milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, just until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the candy on top of the milk chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1/3 peppermint candy on top. Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve.

Christmas "Crack" Recipe 

  

Ingredients you will need:

50 saltine crackers approx.

2 sticks 1 cup salted butter, cubed

1 cup soft light brown sugar packed

2 cups chocolate chips

1/2 to 1 cup M&M’s chopped nuts or sliced almonds

Directions: 

Pre-heat oven to 325°F. Line a large jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray and then line the pan with saltine crackers. Place the butter and sugar in a medium sized pot over low medium-low heat. Stir until the butter is melted. Once the butter has melted, bring to a boil for 3 minutes. Stir constantly. Once it’s nice and bubbly and changed to more of a caramel color, remove pan from heat and pour evenly over saltine crackers. Spread mixture with a knife… however it doesn’t have to be perfect. Try to move fast during this part so the toffee doesn’t harden. Place pan in the oven and bake for 7-9 minutes. The mixture will spread evenly over the crackers as it bakes. Remove pan from and allow to cool slightly. Melt the chocolate and then pour over the top with a spatula. Sprinkle M&M’s (or nuts) on top and then place in the freezer for 15 minutes. Once chocolate has hardened break pieces off the foil and in an container. It will stay fresh for 1 – 2 weeks.