Christmas treats kids can make on their own

Get ready for the holidays with this festive collection of Christmas treats for kids. Not only will the kids enjoy noshing on these holiday favorites, but older kids can make these recipes all on their own!

Do your kids love to get busy in the kitchen? These simple holiday recipes are perfect for kids who like to cook and bake. So get into the holiday spirit and let your little chefs try making some of these tasty Christmas treats.

What you need:

• 1 cup of peppermint candies
• 1 cup of chocolate chips
• Plastic spoons
• Holiday ribbons

Directions:

Begin by crushing 1 cup of peppermint candies with a rolling pin. Set aside. Place 1 cup of chocolate chips into the microwave for 1 minute. Stir gently. If the chocolate does not melt thoroughly, return to the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until chocolate can be stirred smooth.

Dip colorful plastic spoons into the chocolate to coat the top of the spoon. Immediately dip each chocolate-coated spoon into the crushed peppermint candy, covering the bottom half of the spoon only. Set on baking sheet covered with wax paper to cool. Repeat until the chocolate and peppermints are gone.

Tie a colorful Christmas ribbon on the handle of each spoon. Serve the Chocolate Christmas Spoons at a holiday brunch as stir sticks for hot cocoa or coffee . Enjoy!

What you need:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 teaspoons cocoa
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3 cups non-instant oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Adults may not be crazy about this recipe, but your kids are going to love it! In a microwave-safe dish, blend 1/2 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 3 teaspoons cocoa and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Heat the mixture for 3 minutes. Stir well. If the mixture is not smooth, heat for another 30 seconds and stir again.

Next, add in 3 cups non-instant oats and 1/2 cup chopped pecans — the mixture will be lumpy. Now comes the fun part! Grab a spoon and collect the "reindeer poop." Drop lumps of poop onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Let cool for 1 hour.

Serve to all your friends and have a good Christmas laugh together.

What you need:

• Sugar cookie dough
• Red food dye
• Green food dye

Directions:

Turn your own recipe for sugar cookies into a magical Christmas treat.

Simply divide the dough in thirds. Add 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring to 1/3 of the dough and knead until the color is smooth. Repeat the procedure by adding 1/2 teaspoon of green food coloring to a second portion of the dough. Leave the last 1/3 portion of dough as is. Refrigerate all three portions of the dough for 1 hour until firm.

Taking 1-inch scoops of dough, roll out evenly to make 8-inch ropes. Twist opposing-color ropes together to make candy cane ropes and pinch the ends. Curl each twisted rope into a candy cane shape and bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes. Cool and serve with a glass of cold milk. Mmmmmm… It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Images courtesy of Kimberlee Bradford

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