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! Recipes via chelseasmessyapron.com
FOOLPROOF MICROWAVE FUDGE! 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! Recipes via chelseasmessyapron.com

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.

Image of the Peppermint Bark Cookies that go along with these Christmas treats

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

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5 from 5 votes

Peppermint Bark Cookies

Four different easy, quick, and fool-proofย Christmas treatsย that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolphย bites.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1 (10 ounce) package cookies

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

Instructions 

  • Place 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.

Image of the fool-proof microwave fudge

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.

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5 from 5 votes

Foolproof Microwave Fudge

Four different easy, quick, and fool-proofย Christmas treatsย that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolphย bites.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

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

Instructions 

  • Line 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.

Image of the cashew toffee clusters that go along with these Christmas treats

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

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5 from 5 votes

Toffee Cashew Clusters

Four different easy, quick, and fool-proofย Christmas treatsย that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolphย bites.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

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

Instructions 

  • Prepare 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!

 

Image of the Reindeer Bites that go along with these Christmas treats

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:

5 from 5 votes

Rudolph Bites

Four different easy, quick, and fool-proofย Christmas treatsย that the kids can help with! Perfect for gift-giving and enjoying with the family. Peppermint bark cookies, toffee cashew clusters, microwave fudge, and rudolphย bites.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 20 Rudolph Bites

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

Instructions 

  • Break 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 ๐Ÿ™‚
  • 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

 More Christmas Treats

Meet Chelsea


Hi there! Iโ€™m Chelseaโ€“the recipe developer, photographer, writer, and taste tester behind Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron (although my little ones help me out quite a bit with the taste testing part!). I LOVE getting creative in the kitchen and then posting my creations here for you to enjoy.

Thanks again for stopping by!

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5 from 5 votes

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17 Comments

  1. Abbi Ostrander says:

    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!!!!

  2. Emily says:

    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.

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      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.

  3. Cindy says:

    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

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Hi Cindy! I hope you love them ๐Ÿ™‚ 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)

  4. Nancy says:

    What is a baking chocolate bar? And where do I find that?

  5. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says:

    You are QUEEN of adorable treats!!!

  6. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says:

    That fudge is SO happening this season!

  7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:

    OMG! Those Rudolph bites are super cute!! They all looks delish Chelsea!

  8. Matt says:

    I want to make these with my sons for Christmas!

  9. Olivia Howell says:

    These are amazing! So simple, yummy, and the perfect Christmas gift for the neighbors!

  10. Shawnna Griffin says:

    5 stars
    hey girl these all look so yummy!