Christmas Candy

For the past four years, this is the time of year that I would be knee deep in toys while escorting Santas and planning holiday parties for our kiddos at Children's. Don't get me wrong. I loved everything about making Christmas "happen" for our patients and the team that I was able to serve alongside, but this change has been really good for us and I am embracing my new free time with open arms. Before, I would just try to "get through" the holidays and make it the best possible for our patients and families, often not allowing myself to slow down and enjoy Christmas. Now, husband and I are able to go on fun Christmas dates, because I don't pass out from exhaustion when I get home. Now, I actually have the time to do other things I enjoy-- like Christmas shopping on a Monday or making delicious treats on a Thursday. Here are some super easy treats I made.

Turtledove Treats
*I take no credit for this recipe as it's written on the back of the Rolo's bag. My sweet mother-in-law has also been making these for years. All I really came up with is the name, because I thought it seemed Christmasy.
- 1 bag of Rolo's chocolate caramels
- 1 bag of pecans (chopped or halved)
- 1 bag of pretzels

Directions
1. Spread out the pretzels on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.

2. Place an unwrapped Rolo on each pretzel and bake in the oven for about 3-5 min. on 300. You'll want to watch them and make sure they don't melt completely-you just want them to soften up.

3. When you remove them from the oven, stick a pecan or pinch of chopped pecans on each Rolo. Transfer to fridge for about 30 min and allow to harden. For this step, I actually placed the parchment paper on a separate cookie sheet so I wasn't sticking a hot cookie sheet in the fridge.

Peppermint Pretzel Bites
- 1 bag of Hershey's candy cane kisses (which are seriously addicting btw)
- 1 bag of dark chocolate M&M's
- 1 bag of pretzels

Directions
1. Spread out the pretzels on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.

2. Place and unwrapped kiss on each pretzel and bake in the oven for about 3-5 min. on 300. You'll want to watch them and make sure they don't melt completely-you just want them to soften up.

3. When you remove them from the oven, stick two M&M's on each Hershey kiss. My type A self put one red and one green on each one. Transfer to fridge for about 30 min and allow to harden. For this step, I actually placed the parchment paper on a separate cookie sheet so I wasn't sticking a hot cookie sheet in the fridge.

Combine these recipes with peppermint bark and you have three easy peasy festive treats for gifts or entertaining. Enjoy! As I mentioned above, thanks to my new part-time schedule I did some serious candy making last week...