I don’t always know what to get someone for Christmas, so most of the time I’ll pass out cookies, candies, or a combination of both. I have yet to hand them to someone and see them frown at the array of treats before them. Here are just 7 yummy Christmas treats that I often give away during the holidays. Most of these I only make during the holidays, so the family really looks forward to this time of year for a chance to have their favorite goodies baked for them to eat.
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You’ll need a candy thermometer for this treat and raw peanuts, not roasted. Raw peanuts are usually easy to find during Christmas time, since peanut brittle is a common treat to make for the holidays. I know my dad can’t seem to get his fill of the stuff. This candy is easy to make and takes patience. You’ll need to keep an eye on the sugar mixture so it doesn’t burn and then there is the wait involved for the brittle to get hard enough to break into pieces.
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I’ve also seen these cookies formed into crescent shapes and referred to as Mexican Wedding Cookies. I’m not sure if there is much of a difference in ingredients. I actually think the sugar to nuts ratio is a bit different. The Mexican Wedding Cookies have more nuts and less sugar. These rich cookies consist of a cup of butter a cup of powdered sugar, and almost a full cup of nuts, so they are very sweet and nutty. I’ve noticed that these are usually some of the first cookies to disappear of the cookie tray at my grandmothers when the family arrives for the annual Christmas celebration.
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The first time I ate Baklava, I thought it was the fanciest dessert ever and that it would be very difficult to make. It isn’t at all! If you can layer the thin sheets of phyllo dough and apply the filling without ripping the doughy sheets, then you’ll have no problem at all. I’ve heard of using many different types of nuts as the filling, but I prefer to use pecans. Whichever type you decide to use, you’ll need a pound of them for a basic baklava recipe.
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You can’t find a Christmas treat that is easier than this to make. Grab some fat pretzel sticks and dip them in melted chocolate. You can even get a bit fancy and roll the chocolate-laden stick in some cookie sprinkles for a bit of flair. Lay the pretzel on a piece of wax paper so the chocolate can harden a bit and then wrap these treats up for friends and family to enjoy.
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This is a very time consuming treat to make, but well worth the amount of time it takes. There used to be a bakery near my grandmother that would sell Povitica each Christmas and it was heavenly. They have since gone out of business and I’ve resorted to making it from scratch. A hot slice of this bread with a dab of butter goes great with a fresh cup of coffee any time of day.
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As a classic Christmas cookie, Spritz cookies are always found on the table during this holiday when my family gathers together. These tiny cookies require the use of a special cookie press, but you can always make up a batch of dough, roll it into balls, and press it onto a baking sheet for a great cookie. They may not turn out as pretty as the pressed variety, but they are still delicious! I think these cookies are addicting because of all the butter they contain; 1 and one-half cups.
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These peanut butter laden balls of goodness are scrumptious! If you love peanut butter with a little bit of chocolate, then this is the treat for you. These make a great addition to any plate full of Christmas cookies. They consist of peanut butter, chocolate, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and a small amount of shortening. Each candy resembles a nut from a variety of buckeye trees. Don’t forget the refrigeration portion when making these treats. Skipping this step doesn’t allow the Buckeyes to set properly.
These 7 yummy Christmas treats are always at the top of my goody list for the holidays. Occasionally I’ll try a new recipe for the seasonal plate of treats I pass to friends and family members, but I have made these same 7 for years. I doubt I’ll ever replace any of these treats for something new. Do you have certain treats that you make every Christmas?
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