3 Simple Christmas Treats For Giving As Gifts
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When Charlie and I got married and moved into our first home, I was so excited to celebrate the Christmas season together. As my favorite holiday, Christmas seems to invade our lives with excitement, joy, hope and sweet anticipation. Even as a little girl, I was wrapping presents in July and setting aside the recipes for Christmas treats I wanted to try in October. So, coming upon our first married Christmas in our new home, I could not wait to try every new recipe and décor idea.
After spending hours in the kitchen, days creating evergreen home displays and evenings making cranberry and orange garlands, I realized that all good things have their limits and sometimes less is more. I learned this lesson most thoroughly with the treats that I gave our neighbors. Wanting to create sweet relationships with those living near us, I worked over a hot stove for some time waiting and checking for the exact temperature needed to remove the caramel from the eye to quickly stir in the vanilla and pecans for chewy pecan clusters, all while watching the oven for the moment to whisk away the chocolate crinkle cookies. And while at the end of my cooking adventures, I was so excited to share them with our neighbors, I was also totally exhausted. With so many parts of the Christmas season being tied to the hustle and bustle of gifts, traveling, and preparations, being able to have a couple of quick go to recipes to share is a must. Sharing with those close to you does not have to come with exhaustion, but instead truly can be a life-giving endeavor. Thus, I created 3 simple Christmas treats: Toffee Pecan Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Truffles and Sweet and Salty Caramel Clusters. Each of these treats are easily shareable and are perfect for your next Christmas party or neighborly gift.
Toffee Pecan Cookies
As a family favorite, these Toffee Pecan Cookies are a beautiful balance of soft and chewy with a pop of crunch. All in one bowl and baking tray, these are quick and easy cookies that feel they should have come straight from a bakery.
Toffee Pecan Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter salted
- 1 ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup demerara or turbinado sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsp milk 2% or whole
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup bread flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 1 cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Remove butter from the fridge and place in microwaveable bowl. Melt completely for 1 to 2 minutes. Be sure to cover the top to prevent the butter from popping.
- Add the brown sugar and turbinado sugar to the melted butter. Beat until combined.
- Mix in the egg, egg yolk, milk and vanilla into the butter sugar mixture.
- Next, add in the all purpose flour, bread flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans and toffee bits into the cookie dough.
- Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Scoop a spoonful of dough onto the cookie sheet. Next, place another scoop of dough ON TOP of the first scoop, to create a double scooped cookie. Continue until your cookie sheet is full with about 2-3" between each cookie.
- Place baking tray with cookies into the fridge to chill for at at least 30 minutes.
- Part way through the chilling process, preheat the oven to 375°.
- Remove the baking tray from the fridge and place in warmed oven. Set the timer for 6 minutes.
- Following the 6 minutes, open the oven and turn the baking tray, to allow the cookies to cook evenly. Bake for another 6 minutes.
- Remove the gently browned cookies from the oven. Allow them to cool on the tray for at least 10 minutes.
- Repeat for any remaining cookie dough.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Peppermint Oreo Truffles
While I am sometimes hesitant about the mixing of chocolate and mint (I don’t want to feel I am brushing my teeth and having dessert at the same time), these Peppermint Oreo Truffles are truly the best combination. Think rich, decadent chocolate sprinkled with a pop of crisp, bright Christmas. As a no bake option with only 4 ingredients, these truffles are a wonderful go to treat that pack a powerful punch.
Peppermint Oreo Truffles
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese room temperature
- 1 package Oreos original family sized
- 12 oz Baker's Chocolate all semi sweet or mix them (unsweetened, semi sweet and German)
- 5 peppermint candy canes
Instructions
- Add 2 ½ sleeves of the Oreos into a gallon bag or food processor. Beat with rolling pin or in food processor to small grinded pieces.
- Place cream cheese in bowl and add Oreo bits. Mix together thoroughly until fully combined.
- Cover baking tray with wax paper. Roll Oreo mixture into 1 inch balls. Place on wax paper tray.
- Unwrap the candy canes and place in gallon bag. Beat with rolling pin into small pieces. Set aside.
- Place chocolate in microwaveable bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until melted, stirring between to prevent burning the chocolate.
- Coat each truffle with chocolate and place back on wax paper tray.
- Finish off any remaining chocolate on top of the truffles. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy canes on top of each truffle.
- Place the baking tray in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or until set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Sweet and Salty Caramel Clusters
Unlike many homemade caramels that are so time consuming yet utterly delicious, these Sweet and Salty Caramel Clusters are quick and easy, only require the microwave and give a wonderful balance of chewy deliciousness.
Sweet and Salty Caramel Clusters
Ingredients
- 1 (11 oz) bag individually wrapped caramels
- 1 (15 oz) can mixed nuts salted
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Pour nuts onto a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 3 to 5 minutes or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn.
- Unwrap caramels into microwaveable bowl and add water.
- Microwave caramels and water for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted. Stir in intervals.
- Mix nuts into melted caramel mixture until thoroughly coated.
- Scoop spoonful of nut mixture onto a parchment lined baking tray.
- Place in fridge for about 30 minutes or until hardened.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Final Thoughts
Whether sharing as a gift in a pretty paper box or at a party on a dessert board, these treats are lovely not only when displayed together, but also compliment each other’s flavors. As you enjoy these treats, I hope you can find someone to share them with and reflect on the nature of Christmas and all that has been shared with us.
Happy baking!
