Five Easy, Make-and-Take Holiday Goodies

Through the years I have come across many recipes for holiday treats to serve at get-togethers, take to potlucks and even to give as gifts. This is a collection of the best and easiest of them. These goodies can be made quickly and are so simple the kids can help. All can be made ahead and frozen, and they also travel well. At this crazy-busy holiday time of year, my motto is: the simpler, the better. Try these recipes and see if you agree.

Shopping list for all five recipes:

Three packages almond bark
One bag of chocolate chips
Package of twist pretzels
Package sandwich cookies (Oreos)
Box of Ritz (or similar) crackers
Jar of peanut butter
Jar of dry roasted peanuts
8 oz. package cream cheese
Small jar red sugar crystals
Small jar green sugar crystals
Wax paper

Peanut Clusters
½ package of almond bark
½ cup chocolate chips
1 jar dry roasted peanuts
Put almond bark and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for approximately 1-½ minutes. Stir and continue to microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Remove from microwave and stir in jar of dry roasted peanuts. Place spoonfuls of the mixture on wax paper. When the peanut clusters harden, they can be placed in containers and frozen or kept in the refrigerator until needed.

Coated Pretzels
½ package of almond bark
1 bag pretzel twists
Red sugar crystals (optional)
Green sugar crystals (optional)
Put almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and cook until melted, stirring occasionally. Dip pretzels, one at a time, into the almond bark and remove with a fork, letting excess almond bark drip from pretzels before placing them on wax paper. While almond bark is still wet, sprinkle with red and/or green sugar crystals. Let almond bark harden before packing pretzels into containers. Freeze or keep refrigerated until the night of the party.

Coated Cookies
Sandwich cookies (Oreos)
½ package almond bark
Put almond bark in microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave for 30 seconds at a time until completely melted. Dip sandwich cookies in melted almond bark and place on wax paper to dry. Let almond bark harden and then freeze or refrigerate.

Bon Bons
8 oz. package cream cheese
Approx. one dozen sandwich cookies (Oreos)
Almond bark
Crush sandwich cookies and mix with softened cream cheese. Using your hands, roll mixture into balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. Melt almond bark in the microwave (see previous recipes for instructions). Dip each cookie/cream cheese ball into melted almond bark and allow to harden on wax paper.

Coated Peanut Butter Cracker Cookies
Ritz (or similar) crackers
Peanut butter
1 package almond bark
½ cup chocolate chips
Spread peanut butter on about two dozen crackers. Top with another cracker. Melt almond bark and ½ cup chocolate chips together in the microwave. Dip peanut butter cracker "sandwiches" into melted almond bark and let harden on wax paper.

These treats are sure to become family favorites. Happy holidays!