I had big plans to post a bunch of individual Christmas ideas.  But you know, life happens and it doesn’t always go as planned.

So today I’m going to jam just some of the goodies that we made this year.

Since we’re in the camper, we cut down on baking this year.  Significantly.  In fact I did a baking day at a friend’s house and that was it.

But you’ll notice that the recipes below have some things in common.

1. no bake
2. almond bark (I’m not obsessed with the stuff, I promise)
3. quick and easy to make

We did make other goodies and I swear, and they didn’t even have almond bark!  These are just the quickest things we made and are perfect for last minute treats.

So here they are…

Grasshopper Mint Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 (10 oz pkg) Grasshopper cookies
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 8 oz almond bark
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• green food coloring

Directions

In a food processor or blender (I used my Ninja), place the cookies and pulse them until they are a fine crumb consistency.  In a bowl, pour the cookie crumbs into a bowl and mix with the cream cheese, use your hands if necessary.  Refrigerate mixture for about 20 minutes.  Shape mixture into 3/4 inch ball size and place them on wax paper.  Refrigerate for about 20 minutes more.

Once cold, place the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for about 1 1/2 minutes or until almond bark is almost melted. Stir well (heat in 15 second increments if its not quite melted).

To the almond bark, add the peppermint extract and food coloring.  Dip the truffles into the flavored and colored almond bark.  Tap slightly to remove excess almond bark and place them on wax paper.

Refrigerate in an air tight container.

NOTE:

• The peppermint extract causes the almond bark to thicken slightly so these don’t end up as smooth as they would if you dipped them in melting chocolate alone.
• We tried these with regular chocolate and white chocolate (Trust me, DON’T even try the white chocolate – peppermint makes it clumpy and nasty for whatever reason and it’s not a good coating choice).  These are far better with pepperminted almond bark or you can use the mint Ghirardelli (I couldn’t find any though).
• Other candies and cookies absorb peppermint flavor so if you bring this with other cookies, just be sure to keep the peppermint separate.

 

Ritz Peanut Butter Cookies

*These are about as easy to make as you can get.  My aunt made these last year and I was surprised at how good they were.

Ingredients

• 1 (24 oz) pkg almond bark
• Ritz crackers
• creamy peanut butter

Directions

Place the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for about 1 1/2 minutes or until almond bark is almost melted. Stir well (heat in 15 second increments if its not quite melted).

Meanwhile, spread one Ritz cracker with peanut butter.  Place another Ritz on top to sandwich the crackers.

Dip “sandwich” in melted almond bark. Place on wax paper to cool.

NOTE:  1 pkg almond bark is enough to make about 60 cookies.

 

Peanut Almond Chewies

Ingredients

• 1 (24 oz) pkg almond bark
• 1 c. peanut butter
• 2 c. peanuts
• 3 c. miniature marshmallows
• 4 c. rice krispies cereal

Directions

Place the almond bark in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for about 1 1/2 minutes or until almond bark is almost melted. Stir well (heat in 15 second increments if its not quite melted).

Mix in the peanut butter until smooth.  Let the mixture cool slightly, then add the peanuts and marshmallows. Gently stir in the rice krispies, you don’t want to crush them.

Using a small cookie scoop, spoon candy onto wax paper and let cool.

 

So there you have them….some great, easy last minute treats to make for Christmas.

But I have to ask, am I the only last minute cook??  I find that if I make goodies to early, we eat them all.

How about you?