Easy holiday treat recipes?

[freeplessinseattle]

that you've actually made yourself..and that preferably don't require a mixer, sifter, rolling pin, or anything else that I don't have, my kitchen is sparse, and this is really the only time of year I use my oven, to be honest, except to heat up some garlic bread now and then..

I used to love to make microwave peanut brittle, but the dish is a pain to clean without a dishwasher, and now I can't eat it anyway after some oral surgery. if I find the recipe tho I'll post it b/c it was really easy and yummy, and cheap ingredients, just the clean-up can be a pain. I also like making rocky road candy, also in the microwave. I don't remember the recipe, but I think it's just a bag of chocolate chips, a cup of walnuts, a bag of marshmallows, maybe some butter, just melt the chips at a certain temp (I think 50%, I'll have to check, but some experienced cooks may know) until just barely melted, but stirrable, then dump the marshmallows and the nuts in and stir until everything is covered in chocolate. spread in a wax paper lined pan and refridgerate...so addictive, be careful!

[warrens]

1. This one is a winner: CRAB BALL

Get equal amounts of canned crab, the best you can afford (claw meat doesn't work well) and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Put in bowl and add chopped garlic or powdered garlic (the latter actually works better, but YMMV), a bit of lemon or lime juice, a pinch of pepper, and work it all into a ball after mixing well by hand. This is very messy. But fun.

Put into fridge to chill a bit, then roll in dried parsley.

Get out the Wheat Thins and go nuts.

[cornermouse]

2. Easy to make?

Orange balls

1 lb. box vanilla wafers, crushed.
(To crush, use the rolling pin on the unopened bag. Eventually the bag will pop open, but it contains most of the mess)

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 can frozen orange juice, thawed

1 stick margerine softened to room temperature

Mix well. Form into balls. Roll in coconut and put on cookie sheet to set.

No cooking, not really much mess.

Another one you might want to look at

Easy Macaroons

2 - 8oz pkgs. shredded coconut

1 - 15 oz can (1 1/3 C.) sweetened condensed milk

2 tsps. vanilla

Mix ingredients. Drop teaspoonful onto well-greased cooky sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly; remove to rack.

[sandnsea]

3. My two favorites

CHOCOLATE OATMEAL NO-BAKE COOKIES

2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. peanut butter
3 c. oatmeal
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix together and bring to a boil the sugar, butter, cocoa, and milk. Boil 1 minute. Add peanut butter, oatmeal, and vanilla. Combine well. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

TOFFEE
(makes 3 dozen pieces)

1 cup pecans
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions
Butter a 9x9 baking pan and spread pecans evenly in the pan. In a heavy bottom sauce pan, heat brown sugar and butter over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Spread sugar mixture over pecans and sprinkle with chocolate chips; cover with cookie sheet. Let stand for about 1 minute until chips are softened; spread chips over toffee. While candy is hot, cut into 1.5 inch squares. Refrigerate until firm

[freeplessinseattle]

4. I'm getting hungry! Thank you, these all sound great, so much that

I'm tempted to go to the store right now, but guess I should sleep a bit first, and go crazy in the kitchen tomorrow (well, today, technically) yum!

[efilon]

5. Almond Bark Candy

Melt 2 pounds almond bark in a 250 degree oven until softened add 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 cups small marshmallows
3 cups rice krispies
9 oz. jar of peanuts

Just melt the bark in a 9X13 pan then add and stir in the rest of the ingredients right in the pan and let set.

Only one pan to wash!!!

[efilon]

6. Caramel Marshmallows

27 caramels
1 stick margarine
1/2 can sweentened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Rice Krispie type cereal
1 package large marshmallows

Heat caramels, margarine, milk and vanilla in a double boiler (I just melt in a regular sauce pan watching very carefully) Stir to make a smooth mixture. With a fork dip a marshmallow in the caramel mix. Drop into cereal and turn to coat both sides. Put on baking sheet to set.

These are delicious!!

A few hints: I find it easier to use two forks to hold the marshmallow
Also, I put the rice krispies out on a jelly roll pan so it
is easier to roll the marshmallows and cover them
completely.