It was a busy weekend of Christmas parties and baking....

Friday afternoon I spent most of the day in the kitchen making reindeer food, Christmas crack, and my grandmother's chocolate chip cookies.

Saturday we had a Christmas cookie party exchange, a Christmas party with my Sleek Physique crew, and a Team LibFit Shakeology group Christmas party!

For the cookie exchange I made my grandmother's chocolate chip cookies. We follow the recipe on the back of the Nestle Tollhouse bag of chocolate chips but exchange butter for something else (family secret). I personally enjoy my cookies to be put in the freezer and freeze for a bit before enjoying them. I much prefer cookie dough or a frozen cookie to a freshly baked one. Everyone brought 3 dozen cookies and we enjoyed sampling them and just enjoying a low key afternoon.

I also made Christmas crack and reindeer food for my co-workers and neighbors.

Christmas Crack Candy recipe 

INGREDIENTS

• 35 saltine crackers
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 3/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 c. mini marshmallows
• 1 bag red and green holiday M&Ms
• 1 jar holiday sprinkles, your choice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet or jelly-roll pan with tin foil and coat with cooking spray. Line the baking sheet with Saltine crackers. Set aside.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously, for about 2 minutes. Pour mixture over crackers in an even layer and bake 5-6 minutes. Top with chocolate chips, baking for 3 minutes, or until melted. Top with mini marshmallows, red and green M&Ms and holiday sprinkles. Cut into squares, then cool until the chocolate has hardened.

Reindeer Food...I used Mix and Match Mama (Shay Shull's) recipe for this one. :-) 

Shopping List

1 bag of popped popcorn (about 4 cups total)

4 cups Rice Chex cereal

8 oz white candy coating or almond bark

1 (9 oz) bag Peppermint M&Ms

1 (9 oz) bag milk chocolate red and green M&Ms

2 cups Peppermint Crunch

Red sprinkles

Lay wax paper down over your kitchen counters to pour your Reindeer Food on.

In a large mixing bowl, combine your popcorn and Chex mix together.

In a microwavable bowl, melt your candy coating, stirring every 45 seconds.  Once it’s melted, quickly pour it over your popcorn mixture and toss.  Working quickly, add in your M&Ms, Peppermint Crunch and sprinkles and then pour the mixture down over the wax paper to dry (about 10 minutes).  Once it’s dried, store in an airtight container.

I personally suggest using more than 8 oz white candy coating..but that was just me.

What is your favorite holiday recipe?!