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Breakfast recipes Desserts Healthy Recipes Recipes

Easy Homemade Granola Bars, Five Ways

Are you tired of reading labels for allergens? Would you like to eat more real food? Why not make your own homemade granola bars? These easy homemade granola bars are simple to modify to add real food ingredients and avoid allergens. They are so tasty!

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Tools Needed to make homemade granola bars:

Coconutty Granola Bars

Coconutty granola bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups rolled oats
  • 1 Cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut
  • 1 Cup Nuts (any nut)
  • 1/4 Cup nut butter
  • 2/3 Cup honey
  • 2 Tablespoons Avocado or Canola oil
  • Cooking spray

How to make homemade Coconutty Granola bars:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place oats, coconut and nuts on a sheet pan. Bake the oats, coconut and nuts for 15 minutes to lightly toast them.

oats, nuts, and coconut on a sheet pan

Meanwhile, combine oil, honey and nut butter in a sauce pan. Mix and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove form heat.

honey, nut butter and oil

Prepare the baking dish by coating it with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted nuts, coconut and oats with the honey mixture.

mix wet and dry ingredients

Toss to coat. Press the mixture into the prepared Pyrex 2 Quart 11 x 7 inch dish.

granola bars ready to bake

Bake the granola bars at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool for 1 hour for 1 hour, then slice into 24 bars.

sliced granola bars

Store in an airtight container.

Fruity Granola Bars

fruity granola bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 Cups Nuts (any nut)
  • 2/3 Cup honey
  • 1/4 Cup nut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons canola or avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup raisins or diced dried fruit of your choice
  • cooking spray

How to make fruity Granola Bars:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place oats and nuts on a sheet pan. Bake the oats and nuts for 15 minutes to lightly toast them. Meanwhile, combine oil, honey and nut butter in a sauce pan. Mix and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove form heat.

Prepare the baking dish by coating it with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted nuts and oats with the dried fruit and the honey mixture. Toss to coat. Press the mixture into the prepared Pyrex 2 Quart 11 x 7 inch dish.

Bake the granola bars at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool for 1 hour for 1 hour, then slice into 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Hazelnut Granola Bars

chocolate hazelnut granola bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 Cups Hazelnuts (slightly crushed)
  • 2/3 Cup honey
  • 1/4 Cup nut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons canola or avocado oil
  • 1/2 Cup mini dark chocolate chips
  • Cooking spray

How to make homemade Chocolate Hazelnut granola bars:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place oats and nuts on a sheet pan. Bake the oats and nuts for 15 minutes to lightly toast them. Meanwhile, combine oil, honey and nut butter in a sauce pan. Mix and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove form heat.

Prepare the baking dish by coating it with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted nuts and oats with the chocolate chips and the honey mixture. Toss to coat. Press the mixture into the prepared Pyrex 2 Quart 11 x 7 inch dish.

Bake the granola bars at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool for 1 hour for 1 hour, then slice into 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Tropical Granola Bars

tropical granola bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 Cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut
  • 1 Cup Pecans, slightly crushed
  • 2/3 Cup Honey
  • 1/4 cup nut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons canola or avocado oil
  • 1/4 diced dried pineapple
  • 1/4 diced dried mango
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
  • cooking spray

How to make homemade Tropical Granola Bars:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place oats, coconut and nuts on a sheet pan. Bake the oats, coconut and nuts for 15 minutes to lightly toast them. Meanwhile, combine oil, honey and nut butter in a sauce pan. Mix and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove form heat.

Prepare the baking dish by coating it with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted nuts, coconut and oats with the dried fruits, nutmeg and the honey mixture. Toss to coat. Press the mixture into the prepared Pyrex 2 Quart 11 x 7 inch dish.

Bake the granola bars at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool for 1 hour for 1 hour, then slice into 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Lemon Blueberry Granola Bars

lemon blueberry granola bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 Cups Almonds, slightly crushed
  • 2/3 Cup Honey
  • 1/4 Cup nut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons canola or avocado oil
  • 1/2 Cup dried blueberries
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • cooking spray

How to make Lemon Blueberry Granola Bars:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place oats and nuts on a sheet pan. Bake the oats and nuts for 15 minutes to lightly toast them. Meanwhile, combine oil, honey and nut butter in a sauce pan. Mix and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, remove form heat.

Prepare the baking dish by coating it with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted nuts and oats with the dried blueberries, zest, extract and the honey mixture. Toss to coat. Press the mixture into the prepared Pyrex 2 Quart 11 x 7 inch dish.

Bake the granola bars at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool for 1 hour for 1 hour, then slice into 24 bars. Store in an airtight container.

More Oatmeal Recipes:

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Desserts Recipes

Easy Peppermint Candy Spoons Recipe

These easy peppermint candy spoons make great gifts especially when packaged with hot chocolate.

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Tools needed to make peppermint candy spoons:

Ingredients:

How to make DIY Peppermint spoons:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Use the flat side of a meat tenderizer to crush 3 candies per spoon. Crush the candies inside of a plastic bag. It’s best to do this on top of a plastic cutting board. Tap lightly, it’s just candy so it will not require much force. Place one whole candy in the top of the Silicone spoon mold, then add the crushed candy to the remainder of the mold.

peppermint candies in a mold

Place the candy mold on top of a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Add additional crushed candy if needed, then bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Remove the mold from the oven and allow it to cool completely before removing the candy spoons.

peppermint candy spoons

Use the candy spoons to stir your hot chocolate to make peppermint hot cocoa.

Peppermint spoon gift idea:

In a cone shaped treat bag, add one serving of hot chocolate, a tablespoon of freeze dried marshmallows and top with a peppermint candy spoon. Tie of the top with a twist tie or ribbon. Place the cone in a cute festive mug. Add additional cookies or candy if desired. Be sure to add directions for making the serving of hot chocolate you included.

DIY Peppermint spoons

More Gift Ideas:

mug full of DIY gifts

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Quick and Easy Hot Cocoa Bombs

These hot cocoa bombs are so easy to make and make great gifts. Although they take some time to cool before you can package them, they only take about 10 minutes to prepare.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make hot cocoa bombs:

Ingredients:

How to make easy cocoa bombs:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Fill the silicone mini muffin pan with the chocolate chips of your choice. Fill each cup level to the top with chips.

chocolate chips in a mini muffin pan
Half milk chocolate, half dark chocolate

Put the pan in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove the pan and top each cup with mini marshmallows or crushed candy cane bits. Add both candy and marshmallows if desired. Press down slightly with the back of a spoon so the marshmallows and candy stick to the chocolate before it hardens.

Wait about 10 minutes, then press a Pirouline creme filled wafer into each cup. If the chocolate is still too melted to hold it in place, wait a few more minutes to insert the wafers.

mini muffin pan hot cocoa bombs

Wait for the chocolate to harden, approximately 8-10 hours depending on the temperature of your home. You can speed up the cooling by placing the pan in the refrigerator or freezer, however your chocolate may turn slightly white on the surface. This will not harm the hot cocoa or change the flavor, but it may not look as nice.

Once hardened. Push up on the bottom of each cup to remove the hot cocoa bombs. They come out very easy.

Bag each bomb in a food grade plastic bag with a twist tie closure.

hot chocolate bombs with a mug

How to serve hot cocoa bombs:

To serve: Mix each bomb in 6-8 ounces of warm milk until fully melted. Use a spoon or the wafer handle to stir.

More Gift Ideas

mug full of DIY gifts

Printable Hot Cocoa Bomb Recipe:

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Easy Apple Cranberry Pie

Why didn’t I think of this tasty idea sooner? This apple cranberry pie is sweet, tart and totally worth the calories! Try it for Thanksgiving or for any event this Fall.

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Tools needed to make apple cranberry pie

Apple Cranberry Pie Ingredients:

  • 5 Cups Apples, peeled and cubed
  • 1 1/2 Cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1/4 Cup tapioca
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • a pinch of salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • Best pie crust: find the recipe here

How to make Apple Cranberry pie

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the cubed apples and cranberries into a large mixing bowl.

apples and cranberries

Add the sugar, tapioca, cinnamon and salt to the bowl. Mix until well coated.

Next prepare the crust. Press the bottom crust into the 9.5 inch Pyrex pie dish. Pour the fruit mixture into the pie dish. Top with slices of butter, then cover with the top crust.

apple cranberry pie filling in bottom crust

Slit the top crust a few times. Crimp the edges with the handle of a butter knife.

apple cranberry pie ready to bake

Cover the edges of the crust with foil.

Bake the pie for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes to brown the edges. Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.

Apple cranberry pie on a cooling rack

What kind of Apples are best for pie?

Any apple can be used for pies. I prefer McIntosh apples because they are soft and sweet.

Printable Recipe

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dessert Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

8 minutes

Preparing Time

30 minutes

Cooking Time

40 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 5 Cups Apples, peeled and cubed

  2. 1 1/2 Cups fresh cranberries

  3. 1 Cup Sugar

  4. 1/4 Cup tapioca

  5. 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  6. a pinch of salt

  7. 2 Tablespoons butter

  8. Best pie crust

DIRECTION

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the cubed apples and cranberries into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, tapioca, cinnamon and salt to the bowl. Mix until well coated. Next prepare the crust. Press the bottom crust into the 9.5 inch Pyrex pie dish. Pour the fruit mixture into the pie dish. Top with slices of butter, then cover with the top crust. Slit the top crust a few times. Crimp the edges with the handle of a butter knife. Cover the edges of the crust with foil. Bake the pie for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes to brown the edges. Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.

NOTES

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Desserts Recipes Sides

Easy Homemade Applesauce with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar

Homemade applesauce is so much better than store bought. You can use lower cost apples straight from the orchard, called seconds. These apples may be mis-shaped or may have some spots. That’s okay, just peel and remove the spots. The brown sugar, cinnamon and apple cider make this homemade applesauce recipe amazing!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make homemade apple sauce:

Homemade Applesauce Ingredients:

  • 6 pounds of apples, peeled cored and sliced
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Cinnamon to taste (optional)

How to make homemade applesauce:

Start by peeling, coring and slicing the apples. Place the apples in the large stockpot. Add the cider, lemon juice and brown sugar and mix.

sliced apples in a pot

Simmer the apples on low, stirring every 5-10 min for the first 30 min. Then continue to simmer for 2-3 hours on low, stirring every 15-20 min.

making apple sauce

Use a potato masher to break down the apples.

Chunky Sauce:

If you prefer a chunky applesauce it may be done at this point. If so, stir in cinnamon if desired starting with 1 teaspoonful. Stir taste and add more if desired.

Smooth Sauce:

If you would like a smoother texture, continue to simmer, stirring and mashing every 15-20 min until the sauce is the desired consistency then stir in the cinnamon. Remove from heat. Serve warm or chilled.

Printable Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Side Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

20 minutes

Preparing Time

60 minutes

Cooking Time

180 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 6 pounds of apples, peeled cored and sliced

  2. 1 cup apple cider

  3. Juice of 1 lemon

  4. 1/2 cup brown sugar

  5. Cinnamon to taste (optional)

DIRECTION

  1. Start by peeling, coring and slicing the apples. Place the apples in the large stockpot. Add the cider, lemon juice and brown sugar and mix.<br>Simmer the apples on low, stirring every 5-10 min for the first 30 min. Then continue to simmer for 2-3 hours on low, stirring every 15-20 min.<br>Use a potato masher to break down the apples. If you prefer a chunky applesauce it may be done at this point. If so, stir in cinnamon if desired starting with 1 teaspoonful. Stir taste and add more if desired. If you would like a smoother texture, continue to simmer, stirring and mashing every 15-20 min until the sauce is the desired consistency then stir in the cinnamon. Remove from heat. Serve warm or chilled.

NOTES

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Breakfast recipes Desserts Recipes

Easy Whole Wheat Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Turn some zucchini into a tasty breakfast treat with this delicious whole wheat chocolate zucchini muffin recipe. These muffins are great way to sneak some vegetables and whole grains into your kiddos. Warning, they will disappear fast!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make zucchini muffins:

Whole wheat chocolate zucchini muffin ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 Cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
  • 1 Cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 Cups grated zucchini, drained
  • 1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/675751119125944329/

How to make chocolate zucchini muffins

Start by grating the zucchini in a food processor. If you are using a large zucchini, remove the seeds before grating. Set aside in a colander to drain off excess moisture while you prepare the muffins.

grated zucchini in a colander

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat together the sugars, oil, eggs and vanilla with an electric mixer until well combined.

mixing muffin ingredients

In another bowl whisk together the flours, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.

whisk together dry ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips.

chocolate zucchini muffin batter

Spray 2 large muffin pans with non-stick spray or line with paper liners. Fill each muffin well 2/3-3/4 full with the batter. This recipe makes approximately 20-22 muffins.

Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.

baked muffins

Transfer the muffins to a cooling rack. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

chocolate zucchini muffins

Printable Recipe

More Muffins and Breads

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dessert Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

20 minutes

Preparing Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar

  2. 1/2 Cup packed light brown sugar

  3. 1 cup canola oil

  4. 3 eggs

  5. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  6. 1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour

  7. 1 Cup whole wheat flour

  8. 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder

  9. 1 teaspoon salt

  10. 1 teaspoon baking soda

  11. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  12. 2 Cups grated zucchini, drained

  13. 1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTION

  1. Start by grating the zucchini in a food processor. If you are using a large zucchini, remove the seeds before grating. Set aside in a colander to drain off excess moisture while you prepare the muffins.<br>

  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. In a large bowl, beat together the sugars, oil, eggs and vanilla with an electric mixer until well combined.<br>In another bowl whisk together the flours, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips.<br>Spray 2 large muffin pans with non-stick spray or line with paper liners. Fill each muffin well 2/3-3/4 full with the batter. This recipe makes approximately 20-22 muffins.<br>
  5. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.<br>Transfer the muffins to a cooling rack.

NOTES

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Desserts Healthy Recipes Recipes

Tropical No Bake High Fiber Energy Balls

These Tropical no bake high fiber energy balls are also a great source of protein. They are made with all natural ingredients with no added sweeteners.

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Tools needed to make tropical energy balls

Tropical Energy Balls Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup diced unsweetened dried mango
  • 1/2 cup diced unsweetened dried pineapple
  • 6 dates, pitted and diced
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 30 macadamia nuts
  • 1/4 cup flax seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, or tropical juice of your choice
  • Lime zest to taste (optional)
Tropical energy ball ingredients

How to make Tropical energy balls

Place the dried fruits and 1/4 cup of the oats into a food processor. Pulse until well processed. If it clumps together, break up the clumps and add the macadamia nuts. Pulse again until evenly processed. Add the seeds and pulse again until well blended. Add the remaining oats and zest if desired pulse until evenly mixed. Although the mixture is very sticky, it will appear dry at this point.

tropical energy ball ingredients in a food processor

Finally add the juice, and pulse until it starts to clump.

Tropical energy ball ingredients ready to roll

Remove from the food processor and roll into one inch balls.

tropical energy balls

Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

How to store energy balls

Store your energy balls in an air tight container the refrigerator for 3 weeks. If you don’t plan to use them in 3 weeks, store them in the freezer. If they are too hard when you remove them from the freezer, allow them to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.

More energy balls

High protein energy balls

Printable Recipe

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dessert Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

12 minutes

Preparing Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 2/3 cup diced unsweetened dried mango

  2. 1/2 cup diced unsweetened dried pineapple

  3. 6 dates, pitted and diced

  4. 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

  5. 1 cup rolled oats

  6. 30 macadamia nuts

  7. 1/4 cup flax seeds

  8. 2 tablespoons chia seeds

  9. 2 tablespoons lime juice, or tropical juice of your choice

  10. Lime zest to taste (optional)

DIRECTION

  1. Place the dried fruits and 1/4 cup of the oats into a food processor. Pulse until well processed. If it clumps together, break up the clumps and add the macadamia nuts. Pulse again until evenly processed. Add the seeds and pulse again until well blended. Add the remaining oats and zest if desired pulse until evenly mixed. Finally add the juice, and pulse until it starts to clump.

  2. Remove from the food processor and roll into one inch balls. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.<br>

NOTES

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Desserts Healthy Recipes Recipes

No Bake High Protein Energy Balls

These high protein energy balls are the perfect healthy snack. No protein powder in this recipe, just all natural ingredients.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Tools needed to make energy balls

  • A coffee grinder, if you choose to grind flax seeds instead of using flaxseed meal
  • Parchment paper

Energy ball ingredients:

How to make no bake high protein energy balls

Grind flaxseed in a coffee grinder or mix flaxseed meal and all other ingredients in a large bowl, start by using a spoon or spatula. You will end up having to use your hands to mix it well.

energy ball ingredients

Once mixed roll into 1 inch balls and place them on a parchment lined rimmed cookie sheet. Place the balls in the freezer for one hour before serving.

energy balls

Storing energy balls

After freezing for one hour, you can remove the energy balls from the freezer and store them in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3 weeks. If you don’t think you will use them in 3 weeks, then place them in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. If the balls are too hard to eat when removed from the freezer allow them to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.

More High-Protein Recipes

More energy balls

Printable Recipe

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dessert Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

16 minutes

Preparing Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 2 cups rolled oats

  2. 1 cup golden flaxseed meal or ground flaxseeds

  3. 1 cup crunchy peanut butter

  4. 2/3 cup honey

  5. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  6. 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTION

  1. Grind flaxseed in a coffee grinder or mix flaxseed meal and all other ingredients in a large bowl, start by using a spoon or spatula. You will end up having to use your hands to mix it well. Once mixed, roll into 1 inch balls and place them on a parchment lined rimmed cookie sheet. Place the balls in the freezer for one hour before serving.

NOTES

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Best Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods Recipe

Chocolate dipped pretzel rods are so easy to make and are a perfect gift for any occasion. You can add colors and sprinkles for any holiday and wrap them individually for a tasty treat. A simple an inexpensive gift for any holiday.

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Tools needed to make chocolate dipped pretzel rods:

Ingredients:

How to make chocolate dipped pretzel rods

Melt the chocolate

First follow the package directions for melting the chocolate. This can be done in a double boiler or in a microwave. I prefer the microwave method. Fill a microwave safe coffee mug with white, milk or dark chocolate melts. Set the microwave to 50% power and microwave for 30 second. Remove the mug and stir for about 1 minute. If it is not melted enough, return the mug to the microwave for another 15 seconds on 50% power. Remove the mug and stir for another minute. It should be fully melted by now, but if it is still not melted return it to the microwave on 50% power for 5 seconds. Do not over heat.

How to dip the pretzel rods

Hold onto one end of the pretzel and dip it into the mug filled with chocolate. Use a spoon to lift the chocolate and drizzle it down the pretzel, this method allows you to reduce chocolate waste.

Chocolate dipped Pretzel rods

How to decorate the pretzel rods

Once the pretzel is coated in chocolate. Place it on a piece of parchment paper and immediately add sprinkles of your choice.

If you want to add a drizzle of another color use a fresh white chocolate dipped pretzel to drizzle on a dark chocolate dipped pretzel or vise versa.

Next, allow the chocolate to set. The time will vary depending on the temperature of your home. If you desire a fasted set, place the parchment paper on a cookie sheet and put the pretzels in the refrigerator.

Decorated pretzels

Preparing the chocolate dipped pretzel rods for gifting

Once the chocolate is set, slip the pretzel chocolate covered end first into a self sealing pretzel bag. Remove the strip from the seal. Fold over the end of the bag and press to seal. You can gift as is or add a ribbon and gift tag if desired.

Giftable Pretzels

How to make Halloween Pretzel rods

Halloween pretzel rods

For Halloween pretzel rods: orange candy melts, Halloween sprinkles, and eyeballs are must! Since candy is a huge part of Halloween, you can also sprinkle candy on the dipped pretzels. Mini M&Ms are perfect for this.

How to make Thanksgiving Pretzel rods

Thanksgiving turkey pretzel rods without candy corn

These adorable turkey pretzel rods are made by dipping the pretzel in dark chocolate then placing and un-melted dark chocolate melt at the bottom of the dipped pretzel. Add a couple drops of melted chocolate on top of the round chocolate and add the eyes. Pipe on orange candy melts for the beak and red for the wattle. Then drizzle with red, orange and/or yellow candy melts for the fan.

thanksgiving turkey pretzels

For these turkey pretzels use an Oreo thin coated in chocolate to make the base of the fan. Surround the head with candy corn to make the fan. Use 2 eyeballs for the eyes, a mini orange M&M for the beak and piped on red candy for the waddle.

How to make Christmas Pretzel rods

Reindeer chocolate dipped pretzel rods

For these adorable reindeer pretzel rods you will need: dark chocolate melts, candy eye balls, red M&Ms, red candy melts, gold ball sprinkles, and mini pretzel knots.

Dip the pretzel rod in dark chocolate, place the top end on a mini pretzel knot. You can place another pretzel knot under the bottom end of the pretzel to help balance it until it dries.

Decorate with 2 eyeballs, and an M&M nose. Later use piped on red candy melt to make the collar and decorate with gold ball sprinkles to make the bells.

snowman dipped pretzel rod

For these festive snowman dipped pretzel rods you will need: white chocolate melts, candy eyeballs, orange Tic Tacs, mini chocolate chips, freeze dried mini marshmallows, dark chocolate melts, festive holiday sprinkles and pull and peel Twizzlers.

Start by dipping the pretzel rod into the white chocolate. Decorate with eyeballs, a tic tac nose, mini chocolate chip mouth and mini marshmallow body. Later dip the top into dark chocolate for the hat and decorate with some sprinkles. Once dry, tie a Twizzler scarf around the snowman’s neck. These snowmen still fit inside the Self sealing pretzel bags.

Christmas Tree pretzel rods

These Christmas tree pretzel rods are so easy. Simply dip in white or dark chocolate. Pipe on green candy melts and decorate with a yellow M&M star and sprinkles of your choice. Pipe on some red candy melt for garland if desired.

How to make Valentine’s Day Pretzel rods

Valentine's Day Pretzels

Stock up on fun Valentine’s day sprinkles.

Dip the pretzels in chocolate and decorate with Valentine’s day sprinkles. Bag and gift along with a Valentine’s day card.

More fun giftable treats:

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Best Sugar Cookie and Royal Icing Recipe

Sugar cookie cut outs are so much fun to decorate for many different holidays. This sugar cookie and royal icing recipe is perfect for any occasion. Just add your seasonal cookie cutter and color the icing any color you wish.

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Tools Needed:

Sugar Cookie Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces of butter, softened
  • 1.5 Cups sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 cups of flour

How to make Sugar Cookie Dough

First cream the butter, sugar and salt in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. In a separate bowl lightly whisk the eggs and vanilla. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture. Finally add the flour a little at a time, mix until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before rolling it out.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use the cookie cutter of your choice to cut out your cookies. Use a dough scraper if needed to transfer the cut outs to a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Royal Icing Ingredients:

  • 2 and 2/3 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 5 Tablespoons water
  • 2 Tablespoon Meringue powder

How to make Royal Icing

Combine the meringue powder with the powdered sugar. Add the water and mix until combined. Whip the frosting using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on high for 2-3 minutes. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Add water a couple drops at a time until the icing is the desired consistency. If you need to thicken the icing add a tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until the icing is the desired consistency. Color as desired and place into piping bags or icing bottles. Use a thicker icing in the bags and a thinner icing in the bottles. This way you can line the edge of each cookie with the piping bags and fill the center with the bottles.

How to make edible gold or silver paint:

Christmas sugar cookies

To make the gold “paint” for Holiday sugar cookies you will need the following ingredients and tools:

In a small bowl add about 1 teaspoonful of the edible luster dust. Using a pastry brush mix in the vodka, 1 drop at a time until the mixture is about the consistency of paint. Use the “paint” to add a gold or silver pop to your cookies after the frosting is dry. The alcohol in the vodka will evaporate at room temperature so no alcohol will remain once the “paint” is dry.

Printable Recipe

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dessert Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

minutes

Preparing Time

minutes

Cooking Time

minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 12 ounces of butter, softened

  2. 1.5 Cups sugar

  3. 1/4 teaspoon salt

  4. 2 teaspoons vanilla

  5. 2 eggs

  6. 4 cups of flour

  7. 2 and 2/3 Cups Powdered Sugar

  8. 5 Tablespoons water

  9. 2 Tablespoon Meringue powder

DIRECTION

  1. To make the cookie dough

    First cream the butter, sugar and salt in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. In a separate bowl lightly whisk the eggs and vanilla. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture. Finally add the flour a little at a time, mix until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
    Wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before rolling it out.
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use the cookie cutter of your choice to cut out your cookies. Use a dough scraper if needed to transfer the cut outs to a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

  2. To make the frosting

    Combine the meringue powder with the powdered sugar. Add the water and mix until combined. Whip the frosting using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on high for 2-3 minutes. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

NOTES

    Add water a couple drops at a time until the icing is the desired consistency. If you need to thicken the icing add a tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until the icing is the desired consistency. Color as desired and place into piping bags or icing bottles.

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