GIFT SPOON IDEAS...USE FOR COFFEE, HOT CHOCOLATE OR TEA! Nice gifts but also but also a great winter time activity!!!

CHOCOLATE SPOONS
These are nice!
For 12 spoons need:
1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 candy cane or 5 peppermint candies crushed
12 heavy-duty plastic spoons in Winter colors

1. Put candy in a baggie and crush with a rolling pin.
2. Melt chocolate.
3. Dip spoons into chocolate to fill.
4. Sprinkle with crushed candy.
5. Place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet to cool.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Dip the spoons into the chocolate and lay on wax paper to harden. If a gift---wrap the spoons in gift cellophane and tie with a ribbon or yarn. Used for coffee or hot chocolate
CANDY CANE COFFEE SPOONS
Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbons for gifts.

___________

PEPPERMINT CANDY SPOONS

• Unwrap and crush peppermint candies until they are broken up into small pieces. You can do this with a rolling pin.
• Place the candy pieces and the corn syrup into a pan and over a low heat allow the candy to melt down and mix with the corn syrup.
• Once the candy is melted remove from heat. Using a metal spoon, place a scoop of the new candy mix into the well of each spoon.
• Using a cookie tray lined with parchment or wax paper--- To prevent candy mixture spilling out-place the spoon handles on the edge of the tray and make sure the handles are higher than the well end of the spoon. so that the toffee won't spill out.
• Place the spoons in the refrigerator and allow them to set. Once the candy spoons have set-- wrap them up in cellophane and tie with ribbon.

____________________________

SWEET AND NICE TEA STIRERS

• Line a jellyroll pan with waxed paper and spray it with cooking spray. In a small, heavy saucepan- combine crushed candies and corn syrup over low heat. Continuously stir as the candy melts.
• Spoon the melted candy into the bowl of each spoon.
• Place the spoons on a prepared pan with a rim so the spoons are level. Let them stay until the candy again hardens.
•  Store in airtight container or wrap in gift cellophane and ribbons for a gift.

34 pieces crushed, flavored hard candy. 2 Tbls. light corn syrup and heavyweight clear plastic spoons Need: Average sized peppermint candies
2 Tbs. Corn syrup
25-30 Heavy plastic spoons

___________

TWO TEA GIFT IDEAS

 
#1 TEA FOR TWO GIFT

• Insert a small funnel into the top of a 3x4 resealable bag.
• Measure and pour into the bag- 2 teaspoons unsweetened instant tea, ½ tsp. sugar-free cranberry gelatin, and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder.
• Remove the funnel and seal the bag.
• Repeat for as many as desired (each gift bag should have two).
• Stack together two 10 ounce foam cups. Put the bags of tea mix into the top cup.
  ____________
  #2 RUSSIAN GIFT TEA
  Put in a jar, wrap prettily and give with instructions.
  Ingredients:
  2 cups Tang
  1/2 cup instant tea
  1 package lemonade mix-3 oz.
  1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  3/4 tsp. cloves (optional)
  1/2 cup sugar
• Combine ingredients. Use 2 or 3 heaping teaspoons of mixture to each cup of water. Serve hot or cold.
• Include the recipe and preparation directions:
  “Pour 8 ounces of boiling water into cup. Stir contents of one tea bag until dissolved. Add sugar to taste.”
• Wrap the cups in colorful tissue paper. Add a ribbon or bow.

__________________

 

CHECK OUT THE recipes and goodies with PRETZELS in the PRETZEL CATEGORY! So many it has its own category! Also has ideas to wrap gift wrap them...

  ____________________

 

HERSHEY'S KISSES Flower Bouquet 

Materials: 6" lengths of 12 gauge floral wire
Silk flower leaves
Green floral tape
Clear cellophane
Glue
Scissors
ribbon
Hershey Kisses Milk Chocolates
To create Chocolate Roses:

•  For each candy rose, spread glue on the bottom of one foil-wrapped chocolate. Firmly press the bottom of another chocolate to it.
• Insert florist wire into one pointed end of the double chocolates, twisting cellophane, continuing down the full length of wire with tape.
• Add 1 or 2 artificial leaves, if desired, securing leaves in place with florist tape.

You can also make them by taking two Hershey kisses...  first insert a pipe cleaner or wire into one. Next attach kisses together at flat end with tape or glue; wrap them with red saran wrap. Take 2 wire leaves and attach them to the pipe cleaner with florist tape.......

____________________

RICE KRISPY HERSHEY KISS

For a Valentine's Day or _____ gift make -- a "Hershey Kiss" using rice krispie treats. 
1. Make a batch of the krispie treats
2. Spray a funnel using Pam and push some of the treat into the funnel making a kiss shape.
3. Put the kiss shape onto a piece of foil and wrap it up. Add a gift carad saying I love you or _________!

__________________

CANDY CANE CAPPUCCINO  (Gift Jar)

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup hot cocoa mix
8 regular sized candy canes, crushed

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until it becomes a smooth powder.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAG (attach to jar/bag): Candy Cane Cappuccino:
Stir 1 tablespoon of cappuccino mix into 1 cup boiling water. For a richer cup of cappuccino, place 1 tablespoon of mix into 1 cup of hot milk.

Place mixture in small jars and decorate with fabric and ribbon-- and attach the tag.

_________________________

COCOA MIX GIFT #1  FOR A COLD DAY...

Materials:
Small glass jar (baby food size)
1 serving of hot cocoa mix
About 1/4 cup of small marshmallows
4-inch or larger fabric scrap (depending on the size of your jar)
18" length of ribbon
Glue
Hershey Kiss candy
Small wrapped candy cane
Card

Directions:
Clean the jar and dry it well. Measure a one-cup serving of the hot cocoa mix into the jar. Fill the jar to the top with small marshmallows. . Cut the fabric scrap into a circle. Center the fabric circle on top of the jar lid. Tie the ribbon around the edge. Glue the Hershey Kiss on top of the fabric cover. Glue the candy cane to the side of the jar. Write a personal note and draw a candy cane or other symbol on the card.

Include simple directions like the following:
"Here's a little gift to warm you up on a cold afternoon. Simply pour this jar of cocoa mix into a mug filled with 6 to 8 oz. of hot water. Top with marshmallows and drop in the Hershey Kiss. Stir with the candy cane and enjoy!"

__________________

COCOA GIFT #2 (SNOWMAN SOUP) WITH POEMS

Place in a clear plastic bag...
1 individual pack hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey's chocolate kisses
10-15 mini-marshmallows
1 small candy cane
___________

Add one of the following poems...

COCOA POEM #1

When the weather outside is frightful,
Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

When you feel a chill or 'burrrrrr',
Use the peppermint stick to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.
_____________

POEM #2

When it's so cold that you holler and whoop,
It's time to bring out the Snowman Soup!

Pour the packet in a mug. Add marshmallows too.
And throw in these kisses that are special just for you.

Now add some hot water and use the cane to stir it.
Sip slowly and soon you'll feel the warm winter spirit!
____________

COCOA POEM #3

A little cup of cocoa, I'm sending your way,
For you to sip and enjoy, On some cold lonely day.

As you sip this cocoa, It's warmth will warm your heart...
Just like our friendship warmed mine, Right from the very start.

_________________

GOURMET APPLES (Adapted from Mrs. Z. Rochester, Mi.)
Apples MUST be dry and room temp.

•Put caramels in a crock pot (You can also microwave the caramel dip sold in stores)
Place Popsicle sticks in  stems of large apples.

•Adult- When caramel is melted, put the apple on a stick in crock pot; make sure it’s totally covered.

•Let it drip; place on wax paper on a paper plate.

•Next have semi-sweet choc melted and put in baggie; snip off the corner of baggie and drizzle over caramel. You can also do white chocolate...

•Decorate  with choice of colored sprinkles, nuts, m&m's, seasonal edible decorations, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, Reese pieces etc. Mrs. Z gives children the choice of two decorations. (At home she does more)

•Lift off the paper plate and place on a doily.

These make a wonderful gift! For two other Apples on a Stick ideas, visit the Apple Foods category...

________________________________

SNOWBALL MARSHMALLOWS

Ingredients:
Bag of Large Marshmallows, Corn Syrup, Sugar Crystals, Cake Sparkle Sprinkles

• Gently brush each marshmallow with corn syrup.
• Roll in sugar crystals and cake sparkles.
• Set aside on parchment paper to dry.
• Cover lightly with saran wrap to keep air off so marshmallows don't dry out.
• Once set, place into snack-sized zip loc bags for gifts or later!

_________________________

COLORED SUGARS IN PRETTY CONTAINERS to give as gifts! To make: Combine 1/4 t. food coloring, 1/4 t. water, 1/2 t. vanilla extract and 1/4 c. granulated white sugar. Mix together and spread out in a thin layer to dry. Rub out the lumps between your fingers to make the powder uniform. Use more food coloring for darker colors, and less food coloring for lighter hues.

You can use clean baby food jars and cover the tops with fabric/felt and ribbon! These are to be used on cookies and desserts...

Recipe #2  Without the vanilla and water-Materials: Ziploc bags, Granulated sugar, Food coloring, Paper plates

Put some sugar into a bag and add a drop of food coloring. Close the bag and, with your hand on the outside of the bag, mix the color in. You may need to add slightly more food coloring or sugar until you get the right color and texture (you don’t want the sugar to be at all damp). Tip the sugar on to a paper plate to dry. To use the sugar, tip it back into a clean bag, seal and break up any lumps which have formed. To give as a gift-layer in jars as directed above. They really do look like sand art!

__________

HOLIDAY GUMDROP/SPICE DROP  CANDY TREE

 Materials:
Gumdrop (Spice Drop) Candy
Styrofoam tree - Any size desired; sample is 6"
Tin foil
Pointed Toothpicks

1. Cover the tree base with tin foil
2. Break toothpicks in half
3. Put a gumdrop on the broken side of the tooth pick...
3. Starting at the bottom of the tree, poke the pointed side of the tooth pick (with the gumdrop on it) into the tree.
4. Continue going around the tree until it's covered with the candy.

Use caution with young children ... it can be difficult removing the toothpicks when eating these. I remember making these in the late 1960's! Seeing a photo of one on a website --brought back some nice memories--so guess what?! I made one and "Hubby" made the other...(B)

Click Here for directions for "Candy Cane Seeds" and "Snowman and Reindeer Poop" Gifts! 

 Back to top of page

Other pages in this category of Crafts that are great for Gifts are:

• Crafts for crafts or that are great for Gifts
• Children's Crafts that Smell Good! 
• Gifts from a Child's Heart
• Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts

________________ 

 

DECORATE VALENTINE COOKIES
 - Set out some unfrosted heart shaped cookies, tubs of ready-made frosting, paper plates, plastic knives and lots of different color sprinkles, and let the kids have fun creating their own Valentine treats!
________

CUPID'S DELIGHT CHERRY FLOAT

Cherry 7-up, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and a maraschino
cherry on top.

_________

STRAWBERRY MICE (Too cute not to put here!!!)

Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, Mini chocolate chips, Black decorators' icing, Almond slivers, Toothpick, Red lace licorice
Cheese (Your choice)

1. For each mouse, slice a small section from the side of a strawberry so it sits flat.
2. Press a mini chocolate chip into the tip for a nose, using a small dab of icing to secure it in place, if needed.
3. Add icing eyes and stick 2 almond slivers into the top of the berry for ears.
4. For a tail, use a toothpick to carve a small hole in the back of the berry and push the end of a piece of licorice lace into the hole.

Serve these cute Berries with small triangles of cheese and maybe crackers...I made these with my 4 and 6 year old grandchildren and they loved them! Submitted by Cassie/Michigan

_________________

REALLY EASY VALENTINE COOKIES

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. Place vanilla wafer cookies 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Set a Hershey's chocolate Kiss on the center of each cookie.
4. Bake at 200 degrees for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and gently press an M&M candy or a candy heart into the center of the softened Hershey's Kiss.
Allow the cookies to cool completely to let the chocolate harden again.

________________________

EASY VALENTINE PRETZELS

 

1. Place ROUND pretzels 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Place a Hershey's chocolate Kiss in the center of each pretzel and bake for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from the oven and gently press an M&M candy or candy heart into the center of the softened chocolate.
3. When pressing down you may need to wiggle the chocolate around a little to fill in any gaps between the chocolate and the pretzel. This will help the chocolate stick to the pretzel.
4. Cool completely  (Found this Photo at No Fuss Fabulous to go with the recipe! So much nicer when you can see what it looks like!)

________________

HEART SHAPED SANDWICHES

Ingredients:
Cream cheese, softened
Red food coloring
Bread
Heart cookie cutter
Jam - strawberry or raspberry

1. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the softened cream cheese and mix until the color is a light pink throughout.
2. Cut bread into heart shapes with the cookie cutter.
3. Spread cream cheese on the bread and top with the jam.

_____________

VALENTINE RICE KRISPY SQUARES

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Butter
10 cups Crispy rice cereal
9 cups Miniature marshmallows
2 cups Candy Heart (the tiny red spice type)
Candy Hearts (the ones with messages)
3/4 c Miniature chocolate chips
Red food coloring

1. Melt butter and marshmallows; stir until smooth.
2. In a large bowl, mix rice cereal, candy hearts(spiced tiny red ones) and miniature chips together.
3. To marshmallow mixture, blend in 2 drops red food coloring, adding more coloring if necessary to reach desired shade.
 
♥ Add marshmallow mixture to cereal mixture; stir quickly to combine. Spread on a large buttered pan; press with buttered hands.
♥ While warm, press on candy heart (with messages) spaced 1 to 1/2-2 inches apart.
♥ Refrigerate and cut into squares.

_____________

 RICE KRISPY VALENTINE POPS

 

Make Rice Krispie Squares according to recipe. Once the Rice Krispies are made, cut them into hearts using a Valentine cookie cutter.  Place a popsicle or candy stick into each cut-out rice krispie. Place the Rice Krispies in refrigerator or freezer for five to ten minutes. The coolness of the rice krispies will help the chocolate adhere quickly and easily to the treats.

Melt chocolate. (You can melt 2 large candy bars or your favorite chocolate) When treats are sufficiently cool, dip each rice krispie heart.  Sprinkle (with sprinkles) each treat immediately after dipping in chocolate being careful to keep them upright while drying. No Fuss suggests placing the dipped choclate treats in a tall glass to dry instead of placing them on wax paper. Eat and enjoy or if giving for a gift--finish the Valentine treats by covering them with cellophane and a bow. Courtesy of No Fuss Fabulous

_____________

FRIENDSHIP FRUIT SALAD

 ♥ Ask each child to bring in a piece of fresh fruit or a can of fruit. Have them chop the fruit with a plastic knife.
♥  Mix all together in a big bowl and serve. 
♥ Optional: top with miniature marshmallows or even add some dry vanilla pudding and shredded coconut to the fruit to make it special.

♥ The extra cans of fruit left over can be donated to the local food pantry.

_____________

VALENTINE COOKIE GRAHAM

Ingredients: a Graham cracker, pink frosting, (put red food coloring into white frosting) Alpha Bits cereal, small candy hearts

Directions:
♥ Frost Graham cracker with pink frosting.
♥ "Write" your message (I Love You or your name, etc.) using the Alpha Bits and placing them on the middle of the frosted cracker.
♥ Decorate the boarder with candy hearts.

________________

HAND-DIPPED CANDIES

Microwave high-quality chocolate in a bowl
Dip any of the following items to make chocolate candies:
Cookies, dried fruit, granola bars, pretzels, peanuts, caramels or cherries.

♥ To avoid messy hands, you may want to try dipping some of them with skewers or toothpicks.
♥ Place the chocolate candies on a cookie sheet that has been covered with wax paper and refrigerate or freeze until they harden.

_______________

PINK TOAST
Mix milk with small amount of red food coloring. Have children paint the bread and then then toast it. Put out the strawberry jam to go with it!
_______________

RED CREAM CHEESE DIP
   ♥ Blend one tablespoon brown sugar into a container of strawberry cream cheese.
   ♥ Dip strawberries, red apple slices and cherries into the spread.

__________
 

FOR OTHER Valentine Day Snacks consider:

 ♥ RED JELL-O jigglers with cool whip and sprinkles or have children use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out hearts from the Jell-O.

♥ RED FRUIT (apples, strawberries, raspberries, etc.)

 

♥ Red/pink fruit JUICE

♥ SANDWICHES:
Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape into one piece of bread. Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich using the heart-shaped cutout slices as the top piece.

♥Heart shaped KRISPIE TREATS: Make normal recipe of Rice Krispie treats, but add red food coloring to butter/marshmallow mixture, cut out with heart cookie cutters. If you do not have heart cutters you can either use a knife to cut them out or cut out a square and shape with your hands.

♥ Valentine's PUNCH
1 liter of Raspberry sherbet, 1/4 cup of pineapple juice, 2 liter sprite.
Put the sherbet in the punch bowl; it works best if it is half melted. Next add your pineapple juice. Wisk them together making a smooth texture. Last, add the sprite slowly, mixing continuously until the punch bowl is full.
The punch tastes good and you can use different colors of sherbet for different occasions.

♥ Valentine ROLL-UPS
Have children spread strawbery cream cheese and strawberry jam onto a tortilla- then roll the tortilla up like a log. Let the children use their plastic knives that they used to spread the cream cheese and jam-- to cut the rolled up tortilla into sections.

♥ Heart-shaped snack cakes or cookies

♥ Valentine candy

♥ Cheese slices pressed with heart shaped cookie cutters...

_____________________

PRETZELS AND GOODIES WITH PRETZELS 

The pretzel recipes on this site have been so popular that they've earned a category of their own! Enjoy!

________________ 

 

#1 HUGS AND KISS ROUND PRETZELS 
Ingredients: 3 (10 ounce) bags checkerboard, windowpane or round shaped pretzels
1 (large pound size) bag M&Ms plain chocolate candies (Use red and green for the Holiday Season)
3 (13 ounce) bags Hershey's Hugs chocolates
3 (13 ounce) bags Hershey's chocolate kisses

 Preheat oven to 170 degrees.

Open the bags of pretzels and place them on a parchment or waxed paper-lined cookie sheets in a single layer. DO ONLY ONE TYPE OF CANDY PER SHEET because the Hugs melt faster than the kisses.

Unwrap Hugs or Kisses, place one on each pretzel, repeat for an entire cookie sheet.

Place cookie sheets in the preheated oven, bake 4 MINUTES FOR THE SHEET OF pretzels and HUGS, 5-6 minutes for the pretzels and KISSES. Remove from oven and immediately put a M&M on top of each pretzel/chocolate, pressing down gently. Place cookie sheet in freezer or refrigerator until the chocolate is reset.
Wrap either in cellophane bags or a candy box.

___________________________
#2
CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZEL RODS
Ingredients:
Pretzel Rods
Semisweet chocolate chips
Sprinkles (the sugar sprinkles won’t work as well as non-perils or “jimmy” sprinkles) (The pictured also have caramel drizzled on them.)

• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• Melt the chocolate chips in either a double boiler or in a mason jar over a pot of simmering water. Remove from heat.
• While the chocolate is still hot, dip the rods in the chocolate and place on the cookie sheet.
• Using a spoon, scoop out some chocolate and finish covering the rods to ½ of the way down.
• Sprinkle with sprinkles. Allow to cool until solid.
  Wrap either individually or in bunches in Pretzel Rod bags.
  ________________

#3 LARGE CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZELS
12 oz.) bag chocolate chips
Large pretzels (Not rods)
Melt chocolate and dip pretzels in chocolate leaving about 1/2-inch space at top of pretzel to hold. Lay on wax paper and let set.
_______________________

#4 WHITE CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZELS 
1 lg. bag pretzels
1 lbs. white chocolate
Melt chocolate in microwave as package shows. Dip pretzel in chocolate and place on wax paper; let cool. To change the color of the chocolate, add food coloring before dipping.
______________________________

#5  MILK CHICOLATE AND PEANUTS 3" PRETZELS

Ingredients: 1 pkg. (11 1/2 oz.) milk chocolate morsels, 3 inch square chopped paraffin wax, 3 1/2 to 4 doz. (3 inch) pretzels, Unsalted peanuts, finely chopped, Mixed colored sprinkles...

• Line several trays or baking sheets with foil; set aside.
• Melt milk chocolate morsels and wax over hot (not boiling) water.
• Stir until morsels and wax melt and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
• Using tongs, dip each pretzel in chocolate; drain excess. Place on foil-lined tray.
• Before chocolate sets, sprinkle with choice of peanuts or sprinkles; repeat with remaining pretzels.
• If chocolate starts to set, return to heat until melted.

_________________________

#6 ROLO CARAMEL SMALL TWISTED PRETZELS
Ingredients:
Small pretzels (twisted)
ROLO Chewy Caramels in Milk Chocolate
Pecan halves 

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Place one pretzel for each pretzel treat desired on prepared sheet. Top each pretzel with one ROLO Chewy Caramel in Milk Chocolate.

3. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until caramel piece begins to soften, but not melt. Remove from oven; top with either A pecan half or additional pretzel. Cool completely.

__________________________

#7 CHOCOLATE (ALMOND BARK) COVERED PRETZELS  

1 bag of pretzel rods
3 to 4 squares of almond bark-any flavor

Melt chocolate in dry, narrow but deep, microwave-safe dish.
Dip in pretzel rods to coat 3/4. Shake off excess. Lay dipped pretzels on waxed paper. Chill or freeze until set.

________________________

#8 BUTTERSCOTCH PRETZELS  

1 (6 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips
1 tbsp. cooking oil
3-4 doz. small pretzels
1/4 c. chopped nuts

Melt butterscotch pieces and oil over hot, but not boiling water. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat but keep over water. With tongs, dip each pretzel into butterscotch. Place coated pretzels on wire racks (with foil underneath to catch drippings, if desired). Sprinkle tops of pretzels with chopped nuts. Refrigerate a few minutes until coating is firm.
Makes 3-4 dozen.

__________________

#9 CHOCOLATE CHIP CARAMEL PRETZELS  

1 (14 oz.) pkg. caramels
2 tbsp. water
20 pretzel rods
3 c. miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

Line cookie sheet with wax paper. Unwrap 1 package of caramels into 4 cup microwave proof measure. Add water. Microwave on high until melted (2 1/2 minutes), stirring every minute. Cool about 10 minutes. Dip 20 pretzel rods into caramels just to coat, leaving 2 inch handle. Roll in 3 cups miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips. Place on wax paper and let stand until firm.

_________________

#10 FROSTING & PRETZELS -- 84 Servings)

Heat contents of 1 tub Creamy Deluxe vanilla or chocolate ready-to-spread frosting in 1 qt. saucepan over low heat until melted. Keep frosting over low heat, stirring occasionally; dip small pretzel twists into frosting to coat. Place on waxed paper; let stand until dry, about 8 hours

_________________________

#11 RAINBOW PRETZELS

Ingredients:
3 different colors of Candy Melts (Purchased at candy supply or craft store)
Pretzel rods or shapes
1. Melt the candy.
2.Using a teaspoon, swirl the colors onto the pretzel rods or shapes--until you achieve your desired 'rainbow' result.
3. Sprinkle on rainbow jimmies before the candy melts dry.
Note: Even though the melts will be pastel colors of pink, blue, green or yellow -the flavors will all be vanilla.

________________

HOLIDAY PRETZEL RODS

REINDEER CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL RODS (Pretzel rods with antlers)

 Ingredients:
4 ounces chocolate vanilla or butterscotch-flavored almond bark--chopped
12 large pretzel twists
12 pretzel rods
24 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
12 red M&M'schocolate candies
1 roll Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot--Cherry or other flavor chewy fruit snack rolls
12 miniature green M&M's

 1. Place candy coating (Almond Bark) in 1-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted.
 
2. Dip pretzel twists into melted candy coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is set.
 
3. If necessary, re-warm coating. Dip top 2 inches of pretzel rod into melted candy coating; attach pretzel rod to bottom of pretzel twist. Place on waxed paper.
 
4. To make reindeer...
Press on chocolate chips for eyes and red M & M for nose-- using melted candy coating.

• Cut scarf from fruit roll; attach to reindeer using candy coating.
• Press on green M & M for button using candy coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is set.
• Store coated pretzel rods loosely covered at room temperature no longer than 2 weeks. Really cute! (Source: Betty Crocker)

____________________________

  

EASY HOLIDAY (Or any Special Day) PRETZELS

Use Red and Green  M&M's for Christmas--Red and Pink for Valentine--Green for St. Paddy Day, etc.

1. Place ROUND pretzels 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Place a Hershey's chocolate Kiss in the center of each pretzel and bake for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from the oven and gently press an M&M candy or candy heart into the center of the softened chocolate.
3. When pressing down you may need to wiggle the chocolate around a little to fill in any gaps between the chocolate and the pretzel. This will help the chocolate stick to the pretzel.
4. Cool completely  (Photo is courtesy of No Fuss Fabulous ! So much nicer when you can see what it looks like!)

________________

HALLOWEEN (or any Holiday color) PRETZEL RODS
Ingredients:
2 cups white chocolate candy melts or white chocolate chips
Orange colored sugar or sprinkles (for Christmas use red and green) 
Chocolate sprinkles
20 pretzel rods
Preparation:
1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
2. Place candy melts or white chocolate chips in a double boiler. Heat over low heat until melted.
3. Spread orange sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles in even layers on two separate shallow plates.
4. Dip pretzel rods into white chocolate, using a spoon to coat the rods well.
5. Press gently into orange or other colored sprinkles. Turn, then press into chocolate sprinkles.
6. Place pretzel rods on prepared baking sheet. Let harden for 20-30 minutes.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

____________________

Any of the above Pretzel Recipes are great for gifts... but also fun to make with kids -- for the kids!!!

If they are for gifts the following may give you ideas...

______________________

GIFT WRAPPING  PRETZEL ROD IDEAS:

1. Purchase 'PRETZEL BAGS'.  Place 1 or more pretzels in a bags--dipped side up. Wrap prettily with ribbon and bow and you're done!

2. SMALL VASE
To make a "bouquet" of pretzels, stand pretzels dipped side up and wrap the tops individually in cellophane. Place them in a small vase and wrap it with a bow.

3. Take a TWO QUART JAR and fill the bottom of the jar a few inches with basket filler, shredded cellophane, or scrunched tissue paper. Put a pretty ribbon/bow or raffia around the jar. Stand the pretzels 'dipped ends up' in the jar.

FABRIC ON ABOVE JAR: You can also take some pretty fabric (or tissue paper); place the jar bottom in the middle of fabric/tisue paper;  pull the paper up with the material or paper flowing over the jar top. Secure the fabric or tissue paper at the jar lip with a ribbon!

4. You can do the same as the above using  SMALL CLAY POTS.

5. Place a few Rods that have been wrapped in individual cellophane pretzel bags and place in a cup...

6. Most everyone loves dipped pretzel Rods---if you are giving another wrapped gift---Use a rod as a decoration!  Place a cellophane  and ribbon wrapped rod on top of the wrapped package.

_______________________

GOODIES WITH PRETZELS AS AN INGREDIENT!

 CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CLUSTERS WITH PRETZELS  

25 soft caramels
1 tbsp. water
1 c. coarsely chopped walnuts
1 c. M&M'S plain chocolate candies
1/2 c. broken thin pretzel sticks

1. In medium saucepan, stir caramels and water over low heat until smooth.
2. Remove from heat and gently stir in nuts, candies and pretzels.
3. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased waxed paper lined cookie sheets. Let stand until firm.

_______________________

PRETZEL CANDY DROPS
1 1/2cup Broken pretzel sticks
1 1/2 cup Nuts; chopped
1 pound White candy chocolate
Break pretzels into thirds, add nuts. Melt chocolate according to package directions. Pour chocolate over pretzels and nuts, stirring to cover all. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper on cookie sheet. Refrig about 10 minutes.

_____________

BARB’S WINTER HOLIDAY SPECIAL (Or anytime special)
This one is really good---a tradition in many holiday homes!  (I make this every year!)

   1 2/3 cups (11-ounce package) Nestle TOLL HOUSE Butterscotch Morsels, divided
   1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) Nestle® TOLL HOUSE Milk Chocolate Morsels
   1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
   2 cups pretzel sticks
   2 cups dry-roasted peanuts
   1 1/3 cups Nestle RAISINETS Milk Chocolate-Covered Raisins
   Directions:

1. Butter 13 x 9-inch baking pan. 

2. Microwave 1 1/3 cups butterscotch morsels, semi-sweet morsels and peanut butter in large, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.

3. ADD pretzels, peanuts and Raisinets; stir well to coat. Spread into prepared baking pan.

4. PLACE remaining butterscotch morsels in small, heavy-duty plastic bag.

5, Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 30 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth.

6. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over candy.

7. REFRIGERATE for 1 hour or until firm.

8. Break into bite-size pieces or chunks.
Source: verybestbaking.com

________________________

CANDY CARAMEL PRETZELS AND CORN  

16 c. popped popcorn
2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. dark corn syrup
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. of M&M'S®, raisins, chocolate mints
5 c. miniature pretzels
1 c. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. salted peanuts

1. Heat oven to 200 degrees. In large roasting pan combine popcorn and pretzels, set aside.

2. In 2 quart saucepan combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (12 to 14 minutes).

3. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally until small amount of mixture dropped in ice forms a soft ball or candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees.

4. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda.
 
5. Pour over popcorn and pretzels, sprinkle peanuts over caramel mixture. Stir until all popcorn is coated.
 
6. Bake for 20 minutes, stir. Continue baking for 25 minutes. Remove from oven.
 
7. Stir in candy.

8. Immediately place caramel corn on waxed paper, cool.Break into pieces and store in tightly covered container.
____________________________

RANCH PRETZELS (APPETIZERS)  

1 bag broken up pretzels
1 pkg. Ranch style dressing (dry)
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. garlic powder or salt
1 c. oil

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Break pretzels in bite size pieces and put in 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Mix oil, Ranch pack, dill weed, lemon pepper, and garlic together in small bowl.
Pour over pretzels and mix up and put in oven for 15-20 minutes. Stir about three times while baking. Let cool.
___________________

BACON PRETZEL RODS (Hmmm-let me know what you think about this one!)  

1 lb. bacon
1 pkg. pretzel rods

Cut each bacon strip in half lengthwise.
Wrap bacon around pretzel rod in a spiral fashion.
Microwave on bacon rack until bacon is cooked, about 6 minutes for 8 pretzels.
These can also be broiled in the oven on a cookie sheet until bacon is done.
Optional: Sprinkle with garlic salt or Worcestershire sauce.

____________________

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL JELLO DESSERT (or buffet dish) - - It may seem this is off  topic--but it DOES contain Pretzels and people really like it!  

 

1ST LAYER:

1 sm. bag pretzels, crushed (about 2 TO 2 1/2 cups)
3 tbsp. sugar
3/4 c. melted butter
Press into 9"x13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool.

2ND LAYER:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese
1 c. sugar
Beat cream cheese and sugar, mix in 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip. Spread over cooled crust.

3RD LAYER:
Mix this layer together first and then set aside to thicken.
Dissolve 1 large box strawberry Jello in 2 cups boiling water. Add diced frozen strawberries, 12 ounce bag or 2 cups cut up fresh. Gently pour over 2nd layer. Refrigerate to set.

________________

BLUEBERRY PRETZEL DELIGHT   

3 tbsp. sugar
2 c. crushed pretzels
3/4 c. butter, melted
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 lg. black raspberry Jello
2 1/2 c. boiling water

Mix together the sugar, pretzels and butter. Press it into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. 

Cream softened cheese, add the confectioners' sugar, beat. Fold in Cool Whip.
Spread it over the baked cooked layer. 

Make Jello, add 2 1/2 cup boiling water to gelatin. Cool until syrupy, add can of blueberry filling. 

Chill until slightly thickened. Spread over cream cheese layer and chill. Serves 16 to 20.

________________________

CHERRY AND PRETZEL DESSERT 

2 c. coarsely crushed pretzels (save out 1/2 for topping)
1 c. melted butter
3/4 c. sugar
Mix together and press in bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan (chill).

1/2 c. powdered sugar
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
Mix together and spread over crust:

1 can cherry pie filling
Pour over cream cheese. Top with Cool Whip and sprinkle 1/2 cup pretzels on top.

__________________________ 
 BUTTER PRETZEL COOKIES   

2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. butter
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. milk
2 c. coarsely crushed pretzels (about 36 thin twisted pretzels)
Confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Sift flour, sugar, and salt together.
3. Work in the butter and vanilla, then add milk and pretzels.
4. Shape into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
5. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake in oven for about 25 minutes. 6. While still warm, roll cookies in confectioners' sugar. Makes about 5 dozen. 

____________________

What are some of your favorite pretzel ideas? Please share via the comment link below or contact page...

_____________________________________

You may also like some of the ideas in the FOOD GIFTS  Category. (Tea mixes, Chocolate covered spoons, Colored Sugars, Apples on a stick, etc.)

Back to top of Page

_______________________________