'Tis the season for holiday spirit, spending time with family and friends, giving, and indulging in deliciously sinful treats! That's one of the best things about the holidays - all the delightful snacks and meals you don't typically get throughout the year. In the spirit of Christmas, we at
A B Pest Control & Insulation want to share with you 7 irresistible Christmas treats that'll get you on the nice list!
1. Gingerbread Man Cookies
You simply can't go wrong with this classic! They're the perfect make-ahead cookies that'll be a hit at any holiday event.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tablespoons water
2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Frosting of choice
Directions:
Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg and water. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients minus frosting; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover. Refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake until edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost as desired.
2. Snowman Oreo Balls
This one's fun for the whole family, plus the kids can help out! A small box of these cuties makes a delicious food gift during the holidays.
Ingredients:
1 package (14.3 ounces) Oreo cookies
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 package (10 to 12 ounces) white baking chips, melted
15 mini Oreo cookies (1.5 ounces)
30 Rolo candies, unwrapped (6.5 ounces)
Assorted sprinkles for eyes, nose and mouth
Directions:
Pulse cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add cream cheese; pulse just until blended. Refrigerate, covered, until firm enough to shape.
Shape mixture into 1-in. balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Freeze, covered, several hours or overnight.
Dip balls in melted chips; allow excess to drip off. Return to pans. Disassemble Oreo cookie sandwiches. Remove and discard filling or save for another use. Top dipped ball with a cookie and attach one Rolo candy to the top of each miniature Oreo with melted white baking chips to make a hat. Let stand until set. Make snowman face with sprinkles. Store in covered containers in the refrigerator.
3. Pistachio Quick Bread
This is a simple, yet divine treat that makes for a great homemade gift, or can be frozen and pulled out for unexpected guests! It's a great staple to have on hand throughout the holidays.
Ingredients:
1 package white cake mix (regular size)
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine cake and dry pudding mixes. Add the eggs, sour cream, water and oil; beat until blended (batter will be thick).
Combine sugar and cinnamon. Spoon half of the batter into 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans; sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar. Spread with remaining batter; sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
4. Slow-Cooked Applesauce
This chunky, sweet applesauce is perfect alongside main entrees. Because it's prepared in a slow cooker, you can fix it and forget it before you and the family head out for some winter fun.
Ingredients:
6 pounds apples (about 18 medium), peeled and sliced
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the apples, sugar, water, salt and cinnamon. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until tender.
Turn off heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Mash if desired. Serve warm or cold.
5. Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad
Salty pretzels pair nicely with the sweet fruit in this refreshing layered salad. It’s a family favorite that is a slam-dunk at potlucks.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon plus 3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 cups finely crushed pretzels
2 cups boiling water
2 packages (3 ounces each) orange gelatin
2 cans (8 ounces each) crushed pineapple, drained
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups whipped topping
Optional: Additional whipped topping and mandarin oranges
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix melted butter and 1 tablespoon sugar; stir in pretzels. Press onto bottom of an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, add boiling water to gelatin; stir 2 minutes to completely dissolve. Stir in fruit. Refrigerate until partially set, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over crust.
Gently spoon gelatin mixture over top. Refrigerate, covered, until firm, 2-4 hours. To serve, cut into squares. If desired, top with additional whipped topping and oranges.
6. Cherry Chiffon Gelatin
This is a beautiful salad or dessert, but beware. Once you've made this, they'll ask for it again and again!
Ingredients:
2 packages (3 ounces each) cherry gelatin, divided
1-1/2 cups boiling water, divided
2 cups cold water, divided
1 can (15 ounces) pitted dark sweet cherries, drained
2 cups whipped topping
Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve 1 package of gelatin in 3/4 cup boiling water. Add 1 cup cold water; stir. Refrigerate until partially set, about 1 hour. Stir in cherries. Pour into a 7-cup mold coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
In a small bowl, dissolve remaining gelatin in remaining boiling water. Stir in remaining cold water. Refrigerate until partially set, about 1 hour. Fold in whipped topping. Carefully spread over top. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. Unmold onto a serving platter.
7. Fireball Pumpkin Pie
There's pumpkin pie, and then there's this! This fireball pumpkin pie recipe takes the traditional fall dessert to a whole new level. Prepare your taste buds for this deliciousness with a kick!
Ingredients:
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
1 cup half-and-half cream
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons Fireball cinnamon whiskey
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)
Sweetened whipped cream and cinnamon, optional
Directions:
Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches): Combine 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp. salt; cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 3-5 Tbsp. ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 425° In a large bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients; beat until smooth. Line a 9-in. pie plate with pastry; trim and flute edges. Pour filling into crust.
Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°. Bake 45-50 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and top of pie is set (cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary). Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate overnight or until set. If desired, serve with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Happy Holidays from A B Pest Control & Insulation!
We're certain that these 7 irresistible treats will make you the host with the most and the favorite at any gathering! Be sure if you make any of these, to bring us by some to sample! 😉
If you are needing to protect your home from pests this holiday season, call
A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100. From keeping your home warm all season long to protecting your home from pests,
A B Pest Control & Insulation can take care of it all.
Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company
