Home > Holidays > FOUR 5-Ingredient Christmas Treats FOUR 5-Ingredient Christmas Treats October 25, 2016 | 17 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES. A few quick tips: I recommend a high quality white chocolate for flavor purposes, and for the best possible melt. My favorite white chocolate to use is Guittard or Ghirardelli. Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal of these peppermint bark cookies Product Links: Grasshopper Cookies Food Processor Peppermint Candy Canes FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Peppermint Bark Cookies 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Peppermint Bark Cookies 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword Christmas Treats Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 20 minutes minutes Servings 1 (10 ounce) package cookies Author Chelsea, inspired by Williams Sonoma Cost $4.57 Ingredients▢ 1 package (10 ounces) Grasshopper Cookies▢ 1 bag (12 ounces) high quality white chocolate chips*▢ 2 teaspoons vegetable oil▢ 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract optional, NOT mint▢ 7 full sized candy canes InstructionsPlace the cookies in the fridge just while preparing the chocolate. Crush the candy canes in a blender or food processor to get crumbs. Prepare a large sheet pan by covering it with parchment paper.Pour the chocolate chips into a large microwave safe bowl. Add in the vegetable oil and peppermint extract. (Add extract for an extra peppermint-y treat!) Mix well.Microwave in bursts of 20 second stirring in between each burst for about 10-15 seconds until the chocolate is melted.Patiently and slowly melting the chocolate will ensure you don't burn it. To make it easier, you can separate the white chocolate into 2 batches and only melt one at a time!Remove the cookies from the freezer and place one cookie on a fork over the bowl of melted chocolate. Use a spoon to spoon chocolate over the cookie and fork.Tap the fork on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.Transfer the dipped cookie onto the prepared sheet pan.Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes over top. Repeat for all the cookies.If desired, dip just half a cookie in the melted chocolate for some fun variety!Let the cookies harden at room temperature. Video Recipe Notes*I recommend Guittard or Ghirardelli for flavor purposes and also because it melts the best and mixes well with the extract. Cheaper white chocolates are more prone to seizing/not melting well. We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below. FOOLPROOF MICROWAVE FUDGE A few quick tips: Use high-quality chocolate chips. My favorites are Ghirardelli® and Guittard® (not sponsored). The higher the quality of chocolate, the tastier your fudge will be! To avoid burned fudge, microwave the mixture for 30 seconds at a time, and stir it for at least 20-25 seconds between each microwave burst. Remember, the ingredients are still being heated even after they have been removed from the microwave. Line the pan. To make sure the fudge will come out nicely, be sure to line the pan with parchment paper or foil. Product Links: Andes Peppermint Crunch Chips FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Foolproof Microwave Fudge 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Foolproof Microwave Fudge 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword Christmas Treats Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Cook Time 2 hours hours Total Time 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes Author Chelsea Cost $5.81 Ingredients▢ 4 tablespoons SALTED butter melted▢ 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk*▢ 3 cups high quality milk chocolate chips▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla or peppermint extract▢ 1 cup Andes peppermint crunch chips or crushed peppermint InstructionsLine an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.In a large microwave safe bowl, add the butter and melt.Pour in the sweetened condensed milk on top of the butter and whisk to combine.Add in the chocolate chips and stir.Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds stirring in between each burst for 10 seconds until the mixture is melted.Remove and add in the extract. Stir.Spoon into the prepared 8 x 8 pan and smooth to make the fudge even.Top with the crunch chips or crushed peppermint.Cover and place in the fridge for about 2-3 hours until set up. Recipe Notes*Make sure you have sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk. Do not use a lower fat version or it won't set up correctly. Cook time refers to chilling time. We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below. TOFFEE CASHEW CLUSTERS A few quick tips: Use high-quality chocolate chips. My favorites are Ghirardelli® and Guittard® (not sponsored). The higher the quality of chocolate, the tastier your fudge will be! (You can use chocolate chips or the baking bars for these toffee cashew clusters.) Line the pan for easy clean up and removal Product Links: Roasted and Salted Cashews Toffee Bits FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Toffee Cashew Clusters 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Toffee Cashew Clusters 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword Christmas Treats Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 20 minutes minutes Author Chelsea Cost $6.62 Ingredients▢ 16 ounces white baking chocolate chopped*▢ 14 ounces milk chocolate chopped▢ 4 cups roasted and salted cashews▢ 1 and 1/4 cups toffee bits▢ Optional: vegetable oil InstructionsPrepare a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.Roughly chop all of the chocolate into small pieces using a serrated knife.Place the chocolate in the bottom of a metal or glass heat-proof bowl.Meanwhile, fill a large saucepan with about an inch of water and bring to a simmer in the saucepan over low heat.Place the bowl of chocolates over the simmering water making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water.Stir the chocolate as it softens. When all but a few small chunks are melted, remove it from the heat and continue to stir until completely melted.If the chocolate is too thick, add in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil to thin. Add slowly and stir until well mixed in.Add in the cashews and toffee bits and stir until well coated.Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheet pan.Refrigerate 10-15 minutes or until set. Store in an airtight container. Recipe Notes*Make sure to measure the chocolate to ensure you have the right amount. Use chocolate bars not chocolate chips! We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below. RUDOLPH BITES A few quick tips: You can also use melted chocolate pipped into a bag or frosting in a bag to pipe on the eyes and nose. Product Links: Red Hot Candys (You can use these in place of the mini M&M’s for noses if needed) Mini M&Ms Edible Candy Eyes Pretzel Twists FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Rudolph Bites 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Rudolph Bites 5 from 5 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Four different easy, quick, and fool-proof Christmas treats that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolph bites. Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword Christmas Treats Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 20 minutes minutes Servings 20 Rudolph Bites Author Chelsea Cost $5.23 Ingredients▢ 3-4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter▢ 20 Miniature Reese's Cups▢ 1 bag of pretzel twists▢ 20 Miniature Red M&Ms▢ 40 edible eye candies InstructionsBreak the pretzel twists in half and further break off pieces to get them to look like antlers. A lot will just break and not work out, but after breaking a few, it get's easier 🙂Find the soft spot in the reese's and press the pretzel antlers into that spot.Using the peanut butter, spread some on the back of the mini M&M and attach to the reese's.Spread more of the peanut butter on the back of the edible eyes and attach those.Continue to press and secure any of the pieces that aren't sticking until firm.Enjoy 🙂 We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below. More Christmas Treats Peppermint Sugar Cookies Microwave Fudge (Just 5 Ingredients) Candied Walnuts Turtle Bark S’mores Fudge
Here’s an article on the difference between baking chocolate and chocolate bars you’d eat: http://www.livestrong.com/article/430248-baking-chocolate-vs-chocolate-bars/ You can find chocolate baking bars on a baking aisle next to chocolate chips 🙂 Enjoy Nancy! Reply
Hi Chelsea, I am going to try the Toffee Cashew Clusters. You recommend using baking bars instead of chips. If I use chips instead of bars how will that effect the recipe? Thanks! Cindy Reply
Hi Cindy! I hope you love them 🙂 It’s easier to burn the chocolate if using chips and it might seize up on you. The bars don’t have the additives that chips do making them easier to melt evenly and mix with the other ingredients. If you do use chips I would recommend very high quality chips (Ghirardelli or Guittard) Reply
Hello. None of the recipes indicate how much it makes. I am making the clusters for a cookie swap . Can you let me know if I go by recipe, how many will that make? Thank you. Reply
Hi Emily! The amount of clusters really depends on how large you scoop them out; you should be able to get 30 or more clusters. Reply
I’m so happy to make the rudolph bites for my mom for Christmas, she has been looking for a good recipe and I have finally found it!!!! Reply
I’m so happy to make these Rudolph bites for my mom because she has been searching the internet for awesome recipes and it is finally my chance Thank you so much!!! Reply
I have seen some candy recipes similar to this that can be made in the crockpot set on a low temp. Do you think that would work for this recipe? Reply
Sorry Regina, I’ve never tested this recipe (or any candy recipes) in a crockpot, so I really have no idea how it would do. Reply
