Last Minute Treats for a Merry Christmas

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are all ready 

for Christmas! 

The big day has crept up on us, and as I scramble

to get all the many things checked off my list, 

I thought I would share with you some easy

 and delicious, last minute Christmas treats. 

Candy bark is very easy to make 

and is a nice alternative to cookies. 

Simply line a baking sheet with aluminum foil

and melt your favorite chocolate candy chips

in a shallow bowl in the microwave. 

A one pound bag of chocolate chips will 

melt in approximately 2 minutes, stirring 

at 30 second intervals. 

Spread the melted chocolate in the pan with a 

rubber spatula. Here I have melted semi-sweet 

chocolate chips and spread them first, adding 

melted white chocolate in dollops here and there and

then swirling together. 

For this flavor, I added 1 tsp. mint extract to each batch

 of the melted chocolate, then topped it with 

crushed candy canes. 

This batch was made with white chocolate

and topped with coconut and candy sprinkles. 

I made a third batch with bittersweet chocolate 

and topped it with chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. 

Dried cherries and almonds would be nice, too. 

Be sure to gently press the toppings into the still melted 

chocolate with the rubber spatula. 

Chill the chocolate bark until firm, about 2 hours, 

then peel off the aluminum foil. 

The fun part is breaking it into pieces, 

which looks like tree bark! 

Can you say Yummy, Yum-Yum?

For gift-giving, simply slip it into pretty bags

with a little ornament for decoration. 

Or a pretty tin. 

Here's another quick and easy holiday treat - 

candy covered marshmallows

for hot chocolate. 

You need large marshmallows, chocolate chips for melting, 

and candy sprinkles. 

Dip the marshmallows in the melted chocolate, 

using a toothpick....

And let rest on a waxed paper lined pan for about 3-4 minutes. 

Then roll it in candy sprinkles or crushed candy-canes. 

For serving, remove the toothpick, 

 cut a pretty straw in half and insert in center. 

Such a cute idea for hot chocolate! 

Here's one last quick and easy treat .....

Vanilla ice-cream 'snowballs'. 

You simply use a small ice-cream scoop to form

a ball and roll it in shredded, sweetened coconut. 

These will keep covered in the freezer on a bed of coconut. 

I plan on serving these alongside gingerbread cake :)

It's been cold and we have fresh snow in the foothills now. 

The winter solstice is upon us and as we gather 

to celebrate this special day, 

remember the poor, the lonely, and the innocent 

animals left out in the cold. 

I wish you all my deepest, heartfelt Christmas wishes 

wherever you are. 

You are in my thoughts and prayers on this holy day. 

xoxo