With Christmas and New Years coming up around the corner, that means winter break for the little ones. So how do you keep the kids entertained during winter break?

One holiday activity you can’t leave out is baking! There’s nothing like the smell of delicious festive cookies and other goodies during the Winter holidays. Here are some creative snacks and kid-friendly winter recipes and snacks your children can make this month!

(via hungryhappenings)

Chocolate Pretzel Snowman Craft

Make these cute sweet and salty snowman snacks out of pretzels and chocolate! Not only will your kids love creating them, but they’ll be a festive addition to any Christmas party.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces melted orange Candy Melts*
• 1 bag Snyder's of Hanover Pretzel Dipping Sticks
• 16 ounces melted and tempered pure white chocolate
• or melted white confectionery coating/Candy Melts*
• 8 ounces melted and tempered pure semi-sweet chocolate
• or melted dark cocoa confectionery coating/Candy Melts*
• 24 snowflake sprinkles

Instructions

1. Pipe small triangle shaped orange carrot noses onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
2. Freeze for 2 minutes.
3. Remove from freezer and peel them off the paper.
4. Dip one pretzel into white chocolate, leaving the top edge un-coated.
5. Set on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
6. Dip 5 more pretzels, setting them next to each other on the pan.
7. Freeze for 3-5 minutes until the chocolate sets.
8. Dip the un-coated part of the pretzels in dark chocolate.
9. Set on baking pan.
10. Dip one whole pretzel in dark chocolate and set it across the snowman creating the brim of the hat.
11. Freeze for a few minutes until hardened.
12. Attach one orange carrot nose to the snowman's face and a white snowflake on each hat.
13. Paint or pipe dark chocolate dots for the eyes and mouth

 

(via sugarhero)

Oreo Cookie Christmas Ornaments

This DIY christmas treat is perfect for your little ones! Not only do get to hang up real ornaments on a tree, but can even make edible ones too. They can even be made for a small treat to give to friends and coworkers!

Ingredients

• 16 oz white candy coating wafers
• 24 chocolate sandwich cookies like Oreos
• 24 miniature peanut butter cups
• Miniature M&M candies or other small candies

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper. Place the candy coating in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating, until the coating is melted and smooth.
2. Using forks or candy dipping tools, dip a cookie in the melted coating until it's completely covered. Remove it from the coating and let the excess drip back into the bowl, then place it on the baking sheet.
3. While the coating is still wet, press a mini peanut butter cup onto the side of the cookie. Add mini M&Ms to the top in a decorative pattern.
4. Repeat, dipping the remaining cookies and decorating them with peanut butter cups and M&Ms. If the coating gets too thick while dipping, re-warm it briefly in the microwave until flulid again.
5. Refrigerate the tray to let the coating set completely, for about 10 minutes. Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

 

(via itsalwaysautumn)

Peppermint Reindeer Bark

Spice up a simple chocolate bark and make it festive this holiday season! Not only are these sweets adorable, but your children will love making their own little reindeer.

Ingredients

• 1 12oz bag milk chocolate chips
• Candy eyes
• Red m&ms
• Mini pretzel twists
• 1 candy cane

Instructions

1. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the chocolate chips
2. Pour all the rest of the chips into a microwave safe bowl and microwave them for 30 seconds. Then stir. Repeat one or two more times until the chips are completely melted.
3. Then toss the 2 tablespoons of chips you kept out back in, and keep stirring until those chips are melted as well. Viola: tempered chocolate that won’t streak as it sets up and won’t melt on your fingertips when you eat it.
4. Crush the candy cane and cut up the pretzels to make antlers.
5. Line standard sized sheet pan with wax paper
6. Spread out chocolate in a thin layer onto the wax paper covered pan
7. Place m&m nose, pretzel antlers, and candy eyes on chocolate
8. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top
9. Refrigerate until firm, then cut or break into pieces

 

(via ohsweetbasil)

Santa Hat Brownies

Make these cute Santa hat brownie with your kids this Christmas! It’s great as a dessert or even a sweet treat for the holidays.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate
• replaceWithoutSep" id="66" data-gr-id="66">Chips divided
• 9 fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup vanilla frosting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda together in a small bowl and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, and oil for 2 MINUTES!
5. Whisk in water and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
6. Whisk in the dry ingredients.
7. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in microwave on 30-second intervals until melted, stirring in between, about 60 seconds.
8. Whisk melted chocolate into the brownie batter until fully combined.
9. Mix in the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
10. Pour batter into baking pan.
11. Bake for 50-55 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and transfer to a baking rack to cool.
13. Cut into 9 brownies and pipe a circle of frosting (I used store-bought because you need so little) on each one, top with a strawberry that has had the stem sliced off, then pipe a little dollop of frosting on the point of the strawberry to complete the hat.

 

(via cleanandscentsible)

Chocolate Rice Krispies Gingerbread Men Pops

Gingerbread men fit for a child’s taste buds! This recipe is a fun project to do with your little ones and is a great treat for a children’s holiday party.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter + more for greasing
• 6 cups marshmallows
• 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 5½ cups chocolate Rice Krispies
• white cookie icing
• M&Ms or other candy for buttons
• paper straw {if desired} or popsicle sticks

Instructions

1. Over low heat melt the butter. Add in the marshmallows and stir to melt. Combine with cocoa powder and remove from heat.
2. Stir in the Rice Krispies until combined.
3. Grease the inside of a gingerbread man cookie cutter {as well as your hands!} and place on waxed paper or parchment paper. Press the Rice Krispie mixture firmly into the mold. If you are making pops, you will need to make the gingerbread men a little thicker {about 1 inch} to hold the stick in place. If you are just making the gingerbread men with no stick, they do not need to be as thick.
4. Remove the Rice Krispie treat from the cookie cutter and place on waxed paper or parchment paper. Twist the stick in at the bottom. Keep firm pressure on the gingerbread man so he stays together. You may need to just re-form the shape a bit once the stick has been inserted. Press firmly together.
5. Decorate with cookie icing and candy as desired.

 

(via lilluna)

Christmas Popcorn

Make this colorful and festive treat with your toddler. Best of all, it’s the perfect snack pairing for a Christmas movie!

Ingredients

• 1-2 bags plain popcorn
• 24 oz vanilla bark or candy coating
• 1-2 cups plain christmas M&Ms
• crushed candy canes
• red candy coating
• green candy coating

Instructions

1. Start by popping the popcorn. When it's done, pour it into a bowl making sure no kernels are in the bowl.
2. Break your candy coating into squares (it makes it melt better) and place in a pan on low heat. Stir until it is all melted.
3. Pour candy coating over the popcorn and mix until all the popcorn is coated.
4. Add M&Ms (however many you want) and spread out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Top with crushed candy canes and drizzle candy melts on top.
6. Refrigerate for a bit but take out ½ hour before you eat it so it's not so hard. ENJOY!

 

(via wholefully)

Perfect Frosted Sugar Cookies

This sugar cookie recipe is perfect for any holiday! Try using any Christmas or winter themed cookie cutter, such as a Christmas tree, and let your children have fun with the decorating!

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (3 sticks), softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, almond, peppermint, or coconut extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the frosting:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-4 tbsp. milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond, peppermint, or coconut extract
• Food coloring

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and extract until well-combined.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remainder of cookie ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet in batches until combined.
3. Divide dough into quarters, form into discs, and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 400°.
5. Removed one disc from fridge and roll out on floured surface until dough is 1/8"-1/4" thick.
6. Cut with cookie cutter and baked on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6-8 minutes, watching closely. Cookies are done when bottoms are just barely golden brown. Let cool completely on wire racks before frosting. Make sure cookie sheets are cool to touch before place more cookie dough on them.
7. For frosting, combine sugar, two tablespoons milk, and honey, adding more milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. For piping and spreading, you're looking for a thicker frosting (like cake frosting), for dipping cookies, you'll want something a little bit thinner.
8. Pipe, spread or dip onto cookies. Will dry to a soft frosting with a glossy coating. If you'd like to use sprinkles, apply them before the frosting dries.

 

(via awwsam)

Melted Snowmen Holiday Donuts

Make your own snowman at home with this fun recipe. This is a simple, no-bake recipe that your children can do all on their own.

Ingredients

• Plain donuts
• Plain donut holes
• White chocolate candy melts
• Orange fondant
• Pink fondant
• Rolling pin
• Black round candies

Instructions

1.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt the white chocolate in 30 second intervals until completely melted. Put a small dab of white chocolate on a donut and stick the donut hole on top of it, securing the donut hole.
2. With your orange fondant, make very small cone shapes for the snowman’s nose and set aside to harden.
3. Using a spoon, cover the whole top of the donut with white chocolate, allowing some chocolate to drip down the sides to look like melted snow. While the chocolate is still wet, attach the nose and candy buttons.
4. Put the donuts in the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened. Once the chocolate has set, remove the donuts from the refrigerator and serve!
5. If you want to add a scarf, roll out your pink fondant to 1/4″ thick and cut out a small scarf shape.

 

 

(via thefirstyearblog)

Christmas Wreath Cookies

These aren’t your ordinary kind of cookies. This is actually an easy, no-bake cookie made of corn flakes and marshmallows! Your toddler will love getting their hands sticky with this one.

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
• 1 bag of mini marshmallows, 10.5 oz
• Green food coloring
• 5 cups corn flakes cereal
• Mini red chocolate candies (like mini m&ms or red hots)
• Twizzler's pull and peels for the bows

Instructions

1. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
2. If using twizzler’s pull and peels to make bows, assemble the bows now. You can place a baking sheet on top of the bows to keep them from coming apart.
3. In a medium pot, melt the butter and marshmallows over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the marshmallows are melted. Add in green food coloring until you have your desired green color.
4. Pour the melted marshmallows over the corn flakes, mixing with a spatula until all the corn flakes are covered.
5. To form the wreaths, I found it easiest to spray my hands with a little bit of cooking spray, then take a handful of the corn flake mixture and form it into a ball. Use the palm of your hand to flatten the ball into circle. Next use your finger to poke a hole through the middle of the circle and reshape as needed until you have a wreath shape.
6. Place on the lined baking sheet and add the chocolate candies right away while the marshmallows mixture is still sticky. Add a twizzler bow if desired
7. Place the Christmas wreaths in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to set. Remove from the fridge, serve and enjoy. Store in an airtight container.

 

(via itsalwaysautumn)

Christmas Oreo Pops

Get creative with this super simple recipe. Decorate oreos with your children and create various designs such as a Christmas tree, reindeer, and Santa Claus!

Ingredients

• Double Stuffed Oreos (normal ones won’t work)
• Candy melts in red, white, and green
• sucker sticks
• candy eyes
• Christmas color Sixlets (for the reindeer and Santa)
• mini pretzel twists (for the reindeer)
• sprinkles + star sprinkle (optional) for the trees

Instructions

Santa

1. Dip a double stuffed Oreo into melted white candy melts, dipping it a little more than halfway in. Gently push a sucker stick into the bottom of the Oreo, right in the center of the half that is covered white. Place on wax paper and allow to set. (You can do a bunch and then put them in the freezer to set up quickly).
2. Then, holding the Oreo by the stick, dip the other half into red candy melts, not quite halfway, and place on wax paper. Use a white Sixlet to make the “poof” at the end of Santa’s hat. Use a little extra melted candy to “glue” on candy eyes and allow to set.
3. (I like to put some melted candy in a ziplock bag and snip a tiny hole at the corner, then “pipe” melted candy on the back of each eye.)

Reindeer

1. Separate a double stuffed Oreo. Dip a sucker stick in melted candy and push it into the cream side of the Oreo, then replace the other cookie and press gently to sandwich the stick inside the Oreo. Allow to set (can be placed in freezer).
2. Break mini pretzel twists to get antler shapes as shown. This can be tricky and you will end up with extra pieces that don’t break the right way, but keep at it until you get enough (and snack on the ones that didn’t work!). 
3. Dip the end of a pretzel piece in melted candy and stick it into the Oreo. Repeat with the other pretzel. Use more melted candy to “glue” on eyes and a red Sixlet nose.

Christmas Tree

1. Dip about one third of a double stuffed Oreo into white candy melts, then gently push a sucker stick into the Oreo in the middle of the white candy. Place on wax paper to set.
2. Put melted green candy melts into a ziplock bag. Snip a small hole in one corner. “Pipe” green candy in a tree shape on the Oreo. Add sprinkles and a star sprinkle if desired.

We hope you and your little ones enjoy creating and eating these fun snacks! If you’re looking for more fun Christmas activities for kids, check out our previous blog where we talk about fun and festive things to do at home with the family!