Gifts From the Kitchen

Homemade treats sweeten the holidays and let the kids participate

This year, spend a little less time in the stores and a little more time in the kitchen, baking up some holiday gifts. These tasty treats can be fun for the entire family to make together. Attach a recipe card to each gift.That way, your friends and family will know how to bake up some holiday cheer, too.

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Holiday Peppermint Bark

Source: Courtesy of Nestle'

Ingredients:

Directions:

Line baking sheet with wax paper. Microwave morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on medium-high for 1 minute; stir. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.

Place peppermint candies in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Crush candies using a rolling pin or other heavy object. While holding a strainer over the melted morsels, pour crushed candy into the strainer. Shake to release all small candy pieces; reserve larger candy pieces. Stir morsel-peppermint mixture.

Spread mixture to desired thickness on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; press in lightly. Let stand for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes 1 pound of candy

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Curried Snack Mix

Source: Courtesy of Betty Crocker.com

Ingredients:

Directions:

Heat oven to 250 F. In a 15-by-10-by-1-inch pan or large roaster, mix cereals, pretzels, cashews, raisins and cranberries.

In a small bowl, mix the remaining ingredients. Pour over cereal mix; stir to coat well.

Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until crispy and well coated with seasoning. Spread on waxed paper or cooking parchment paper to cool. Cool completely, about 10 minutes, before packaging in holiday tins or boxes.

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Strawberry-Orange Spread

Source: Courtesy of Betty Crocker.com

Ingredients:

Directions:

Mix strawberries, pectin, orange peel and orange juice in a 3-quart saucepan until pectin is dissolved. Heat over high heat about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to a rolling boil. Stir in sugar. Heat again to a rolling boil, stirring constantly; remove from heat.

Skim off foam. Immediately pour into hot, sterilized jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace, or into freezer containers, leaving ½-inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars or containers; seal. Let stand at room temperature about 24 hours, or until set. Store in the refrigerator or freezer up to 3 months.

Makes 4 cups

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix In A Jar

Source: Courtesy of Nestle'

Ingredients:

Directions:

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.

Makes 2 dozen cookies

Posted November 28th