Looking for a low-cost gift for friends, neighbors or teachers? These easy treats to make and give are something that shows the recipient is special, but nothing that requires a reciprocal gift nor breaks the bank. After all, you don’t want your token of appreciation to become an awkward moment or put someone on the spot.
We rounded up some pretty holiday treats based on the irresistible combination of sweet chocolate and cool peppermint that are perfect to make, wrap and give to others to show your appreciation. Kids can help, too, making the gesture even more meaningful if it’s for someone special in their lives.
Peppermint Bars
This bar cookie recipe uses only one dish so clean-up is a snap. Added bonus? It’s based on a boxed brownie mix so it’s super fast. Spread a creamy peppermint layer on top of brownies and top with melted chocolate and crushed peppermint candies. Click here for the Peppermint Bars recipe.
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Crinkle cookies, or ones rolled in sugar then baked to expand and form a crinkled appearance, make it easy to enlist younger helpers to help roll the balls. Just be sure they wash their hands — before and after — and refrain from licking their fingers, no matter how tempting. Kids can also help crush the peppermints in a plastic bag using a rolling pin. Build in some extra time to refrigerate these chocolate and mint cookies so the dough is easy to work with. Click here for the Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle recipe.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Sticks
Make these hot chocolate sticks in bulk in a 9-inch square pan. Using marshmallows, white baking chocolate, cream, sweetened condensed milk and peppermint, they are great to enjoy alone or in hot chocolate or lattes. Here’s how to make these yummy Hot Chocolate Sticks.
Wrap the cookies or bars in clear wrap tied with a festive ribbon or fill a re-usable plastic container. Add a few hot chocolate sticks and perhaps small packages of hot chocolate or ground coffee for a delicious, simple gift.
Need more delicious holiday beverages? Try out these festive family mocktails!
