Every year for the past, well, as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed making sweets and treats around Christmastime that I can share with family, friends and neighbors. Of course, I always enjoy it more when I do it with my mom, which, sadly, I was unable to do this year. In the past, it’s worked out to be a great deal for us, because she will buy some of the ingredients and will do ALL the cleaning! I’ll make the goodies and make a tray for her and a tray for me to take elsewhere. I cook, she cleans – each doing the part we prefer :) Plus, it’s fun just to spend time with her and goof off a little bit!
This year, Tom and I are headed across the state to visit family tomorrow, which means that I’m at home on Christmas Eve Eve, the designated goodie-making day. So, I’m cooking by myself this year while Tom works on our winter house project. I say “cooking” because I really don’t do any baking for Christmas. Seems a little strange, doesn’t it? I don’t know why, but somehow all of the treats I like to make are non-cookies and non-baking treats. Here’s what I’m making this year, including recipes for those who are interested:
Oreo Truffles
Adapted from this recipe on AllRecipes.com
I made these for the first time this year after being introduced to them by a friend a while back. They are easy to make and are absolutely delicious! They got rave reviews at my family Christmas gathering – even from people who don’t normally comment on such things! Here’s what you do:
Ingredients:
- 8oz cream cheese (or Neufchatel cheese for a lower fat option), softened
- 1 package Oreo® Cookies (if you REALLY think it makes a difference, you can choose reduced-fat Oreos, too)
- 12oz chocolate chips
Directions:
- Place 6 Oreos in a food processor and process until all you have is fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, you can place them in a sealable plastic bag and smash with a meat tenderizer or anything else that you have handy. Set these Oreo crumbs aside in a small bowl.
- Process or otherwise crumble remaining Oreos in the same manner and combine with cream cheese in a large bowl. *Note: it may look like it’s never going to mix together, but trust me, it will! If you’re not afraid to do so, use your hands – it works a lot better! Oh, come on…you know you like the feeling of goop between your fingers!
- Roll Oreo mixture into about 40 balls, each about an inch in diameter.
- Melt chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Dip or roll each ball into melted chocolate until covered. Use two forks to pick up each ball and place on a cookie tray covered with wax paper.
- Sprinkle remaining Oreo crumbs over top of the truffles.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Peppermint Bark
I believe peppermint bark to truly be the easiest treat to make. Try it out for yourself and see what you think.
Ingredients:
- - 8 peppermint flavored candy canes, crushed
- - 12oz chocolate chips (semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or white chocolate)
Directions:
- Melt chocolate chips over low heat in a medium sauce pan.
- Stir in most of the candy can pieces, reserving a small handful.
- Use a spatula to spread mixture into a thin layer on a wax paper covered cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle remaining candy cane pieces over top.
- Refrigerate until cool and hard; break apart into pieces.
Cream Cheese Patties
The original recipe for these is essentially for “Elegant Cream Cheese Mints”, and comes from a book called Gifts from the Christmas Kitchen. I’ve adapted them slightly and have tried a variation of raspberry flavored patties, which are also tasty! While fairly simple to make, these do tend to take a while. However, they are unique and a fun addition to a Christmas platter.
*A word of caution: I frequently make a double or triple batch of these – because most cream cheese packages are 8oz. If you do that, it makes a TON, and you will be rolling out balls and pressing out patties all day long ;-)
Ingredients:
- 3oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 Tbsp. butter, softened
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. food coloring (I use green for mint patties and red for raspberry patties)
- ¼ tsp. peppermint or raspberry extract
- 1 lb. powdered sugar (3 ½ to 4 cups)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
- Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, food coloring and flavored extract in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
- Gradually beat in powdered sugar on low speed until well combined. Towards the end, you may need to use your hands or a wooden spoon to combine the remaining powdered sugar.
- Place granulated sugar in a small bowl.
- Roll two teaspoons of cream cheese mixture into a ball, and then roll ball in granulated sugar.
- Flatten ball into a patty with a fork, making vertical and horizontal lines.
- Repeat until all cream cheese mixture is used.
- Refrigerate patties until ready to serve.
ABOUTME
Hi there! My name is Dana and I live in West Michigan with my husband, Tom and our dog Copernicus. I created this space as a place to share the things I learn along this journey I call life. I work in marketing and I'm a sort of Jane of All Trades, interested in all things nature, gardening, cooking, exploring and learning new things. This blog is a conglomeration of my interests, hobbies, life and life lessons. Thanks for stopping by!