HOLIDAY PRETZEL TREATS, CRUNCHY SNOWMEN, RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER COOKIES & SANTA COOKIES!

HOLIDAY PRETZEL TREATS

Salty pretzels combine with sweet chocolate for these fun treats that make a yummy gift few can resist.

INGREDIENTS:

Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels
Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug
M&M's candy

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oven to 170F. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.

Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss.

Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.

CRUNCHY SNOWMEN

Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats, these stylish, easy-to-make snowmen are sure to liven up any holiday gathering.

INGREDIENTS:

bag of 8-inch pretzel rods
1 cup white chocolate chips
mini chocolate chips
orange decorators' gel
fruit leather (various colors)
gummy rings
gumdrops

DIRECTIONS:

To make a batch, melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler.

One at a time, dip one end of an 8-inch pretzel rod in the melted chocolate and use a plastic spoon or knife to spread the chocolate two thirds of the way down the rod.

Set the pretzels on a sheet of waxed paper and press on mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. Use orange decorators' gel to add a carrot nose.

When the chocolate has hardened, stand the pretzels in a mug or glass and tie on strips of fruit leather for scarves. For each hat, stretch a gummy ring over the narrow end of a gumdrop and secure it on the pretzel rod with a dab of melted chocolate.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER COOKIES

Very CUTE little cookies that will bring a smile to the little ones faces! Great little cookies to send to school on "Christmas Party" day! You will be the hit of the classroom.

INGREDIENTS:

4 ounces chocolate-flavored candy coating
pretzels
1 (16 ounce) package Nutter Butter sandwich cookies
64 miniature M&M baking bits (blue, green, or brown)
32 cinnamonred cinnamon candies or 32 red miniature M&M baking bits

DIRECTIONS:

Microwave the chocolate in a small glass dish on high for 3 minutes, stirring once.

For each Rudolph dip 2 pretzel sticks in chocolate and stick to top of each sandwich cookie, forming large antlers.

Break one pretzel in half, dip in chocolate and place pretzel half next to longer pretzel sticks, forming antlers.

Dip one side of blue, green, or brown mini M&M's in melted candy coating and place, coated side down, on cookies for the eyes.

Dip one side of the cinnamon red hot, or red M&M in candy coating, and place on cookies, coated side down, for the nose

SANTA COOKIES

Sprinkle shredded coconut on the beard to make it look more like Santa’s beard.

INGREDIENTS:

2 (6 ounce) packages white chocolate baking squares, chopped
1 (1 lb) package Nutter Butter sandwich cookies
red colored crystal sugar
32 vanilla chips or 32 white chocolate chips
64 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
2 red-hot candies

DIRECTIONS

In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt white chocolate, stirring occasionally.

Dip one end of each cookie into melted chocolate.

Place on wire racks.

santa's hat, sprinkle red sugar on top part of chocolate.

Press one vanilla chip off-center on hat for pom-pom, let stand until set. Note: you can also use a mini marshmallow cut in half for the pom-pom.

Dip other end of each cookie into melted chocolate for beard, leaving center of cookie uncovered. If you want to use the coconut on the beard now is the time to sprinkle it on.

Place on wire racks.

With a dab of melted chocolate, attach semisweet chips for eyes and a red-hot, or red mini M&M's, for nose.

Place on waxed paper until chocolate sets.