Classroom Holiday Party Treats

As a teacher, I know this upcoming week will focus two things: mid-terms and HOLIDAY PARTIES! I don't know about other classrooms, but we always had a full menu (with all the trimmings): appetizers, ham, casseroles, bread, and tons and tons of desserts.  Some parents would stop at Publix and pick up some cookies or cupcakes (nothing wrong with that at all) and some would bring in homemade cute desserts that they made.  Here are a few recipes that you can make on your own or with your child for their holiday party.  I found theses recipes on the familyfun.go.com website.  

Holiday Pretzel Treats

Ingredients: Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels, Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug, and 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.

1. 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.
2. 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 the Snowman

   
   Ingredients:  Bag of 8-inch pretzel rods, 1 cup white chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, orange decorators' gel, fruit leather (various colors), gummy rings, and gumdrops
   
   
   Directions: To make a batch, melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler.
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
      
      
      SnickerdoodleSandwiches
      
      Ingredients:  3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, ONE 16 1/2 ounce 
      package of refrigerated sugar cookie dough, 8 ounce package cream cheese softened, and 3tbsp of honey
      
      
      Directions: 
               1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Shape cookie dough into 3/4- to 1-inch balls; roll balls in cinnamon-sugar to coat. Place balls 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
      
      
      2.
      
      

       Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 9 minutes or just until edges are firm. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
      
      
      3.
      
      

       Meanwhile, for filling: In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, honey, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Beat with a wire whisk until smooth. If desired, stir in raisins.
      
      
      4.
      
      

       Spread filling generously on the bottoms of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down, pressing lightly together. Makes about 24 sandwich cookies.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      Hope you can use one of these recipes for you classroom holiday party!