Time is precious during the holidays, so here are two fun ways to spend a little time making traditional treats with family and friends.
Both recipes are from Delish, which has how-to videos for each if needed.
Two more simple holiday treats: Last year, we shared recipes for Santa strawberries and a Christmas tree cheese platter. Check them out, too!
Peppermint Bark
You’ll spend about an hour making this holiday favorite.
Ingredients
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
8 candy canes, crushed
Directions
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill the bottom of a large pot with 3 inches of water and bring to simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then place a large heatproof bowl on top. Add semi-sweet chocolate and stir occasionally until chocolate has melted. Stir in peppermint extract. Pour into prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
Over the same pot of barely simmering water, place another large heatproof bowl. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Pour over set semi-sweet chocolate then top immediately with crushed candy canes. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
Yields 12 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes. Total time: 50 minutes.
Mini Gingerbread Houses
This should take about 20 minutes, but there’s no rush. Enjoy your time with family and friends!
Ingredients
Graham crackers
1 tub vanilla frosting
Candy, for decorating
Directions
Break your graham crackers into squares. Using frosting to glue them together, place two squares on top of each other to form the base of your house. Using a butter knife, spread icing onto the edge of another square. Join it at a 90-degree angle with another square, creating the roof line. Add icing to the two exposed edges and place on the base to create a triangular, A-shaped house.
Decorate houses using your favorite candy! (The recipe writer went with Dots, peppermints, Teddy Grahams, Twizzlers and Red Hots.)
Note: Though the gingerbread house in the photo is rectangular instead of triangular, it’s built much the same as the house created from this recipe.