Date Night: Christmas Themed (DECEMBER)

Who doesn't love Christmas and all the yummy treats that come along with it?!

Cheese, Grape & Cranberry Christmas Tree

Who doesn't love an EASY and festive snack? This is probably the most simple recipe I'll ever post and I'm not mad about it. ENJOY!

Ingredients:

• Red Grapes

• Green Grapes

• Colby Jack Cheese

• Monterey Pepper Jack Cheese

• Mild Cheddar Cheese

• Dried Cranberries

Directions:

1. I found it easiest to lay out the cheese cubes first. Cut them up and lay them out to form a tree (skipping a space in between each line for the grapes).

2. Wash your grapes and then add them to the board once you've dried them.

3. Layer the cranberries on top of the cheese and grapes to give a "garland" look.

Mini Grinch Kabobs

Okay... THIS might be the easiest recipe I post. It's a toss up... LOL

Ingredients:

• Green Grapes

• Strawberries

• Banana (Sliced)

• Mini marshmallows

• Toothpicks

Directions:

1. Start by washing your grapes and strawberries and then drying them off.

2. Prep your fruit: Cut your banana into slices and cut the greens off the strawberries.

3. Add a mini marshmallow to one end of the toothpick.

4. Then add the strawberry so the point touches the marshmallow (creating a hat).

5. Then add the banana slice to resemble the bottom of the hat.

6. Last, add the green grape!

*Note: Assemble right before serving to prevent browning of the banana.

Rudolph Oreo Bites

These are my new favorite. I could probably eat them all myself!

Ingredients:

• 32 Oreo cookies

• 8oz block of cream cheese (room temperature)

• 1 tsp vegetable oil

• Pretzels

• Melting Chocolate

• Red M&M's

Directions:

1. Add the Oreo cookies to a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground.

2. Now add the block of cream cheese and "knead" until combined.

3. Roll the mixture into 12 equal size balls and put them on parchment paper.

4. Melt the chocolate over the stove and add 1 tsp of vegetable oil.

5. Coat each Oreo ball in the melted chocolate and then place back on the parchment paper.

6. While the chocolate is still wet, add the m&m (Rudolf nose) and pretzels (antlers) to the ball.

7. Cool in the fridge until chocolate is set.

Reindeer Food

I'm DROOLING just thinking about this. This is an easy snack/ dessert and this recipe makes A LOT of it. It's nice to have around the house or to give as a gift!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of cinnamon Chex cereal (12 oz box)

• 1 bag of white chocolate morsels (12oz bag)

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1.5 cups of powdered sugar

• 1 cup of mini marshmallows (12 oz bag)

• 1 cup of Christmas M&M's (12 oz bag)

• 1 cup of Nestle Toll House peppermint filled baking truffles (12 oz bag)

Directions:

1. Melt the white chocolate and 1 tbsp of vegetable oil on the stove until smooth.

2. In a bowl, add the entire box of cinnamon Chex cereal.

3. Pour the melted chocolate into the bowl of Chex cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.

4. Once the mixture is cooled, add 1.5 cups of powdered sugar to the bowl and stir until fully coated.

5. Last, add 1 cup of mini marshmallows, 1 cup of Christmas m&m's and 1 cup of the nestle toll house peppermint filled baking truffles.

Polar Express Hot Chocolate

This hot chocolate reminds me of my best friend, Emily! We would have holiday movie nights and make this hot chocolate. It's rich and delicious... and I made this version DAIRY FREE for you guys.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of dairy free chocolate chips (Enjoy Life)

• 1 can coconut condensed milk

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream alternative (SILK)

• 6 cups of vanilla almond milk

Directions:

1. Pour all the ingredients in a pot on the stove (or in a crock pot), mix and heat until combined.

2. Top with marshmallows, chocolate, peppermint or cinnamon and ENJOY

Add everything to your charcuterie board, along with marshmallows, pretzels and Oreos.