Christmas Treat Exchange

Six Sharable Sweets That Will Have People Asking You For The Recipe

Dear healthy eaters…AVERT YOUR EYES! If you’re trying to stay on the straight-and-narrow this holiday season, this post isn’t for you. Might I suggest checking out my Paleo Cookbook for some clean eating willpower instead.

For those of you still here, you better pull out your stretchy pants because the recipes you are about to read are DANGEROUS…for your waist line that is. The six recipes below are part of my family’s annual Christmas treat exchange line up.

Although these recipes are meant for anyone looking for shareable sweets this holiday season, there is one group in particular to whom this post is dedicated to….people who suffer from dairy and/or peanut allergies. One of those people just happens to be my son.

Accommodations and Substitutions

It wasn’t too long ago that one of our Christmas week evenings was spent in the hospital. In what can only be described as a “crime committed at the speed of light”, my son had snagged himself a bite of peanut cluster. Within 10 minutes, my son was EpiPen-ed and standing at the ER welcome desk.

Every year since, I’ve had to watch my son be left out when family and friends bless us with cookie and candy trays. The words “sorry buddy, these aren’t safe” or “I’m not sure if those are cross contaminated” cause the most heartbreaking look on his face. But NOT this year!

This year, I set out to tweak our holiday family favorites to accommodate HIM. Now when we receive unsafe treats, I’ll have an alternative option waiting for him in the wings.

Everything you see in this post is made dairy and peanut allergy safe. You honestly can’t tell the difference in these recipes. However, if you don’t have food allergies and would rather go the traditional route, feel free to substitute regular cream cheese, chocolate chips, nuts, butter, and milk where desired. Or, give the allergy free options a try! You might be surprised and feel a little less cruddy afterwards!

The BEST Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

Dough

• 8oz Kite Hill dairy free cream cheese
• 3/4 cup Country Crock Plant Butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Frosting

• 1/2 cup Country Crock Plant Butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
• 3-5 tbsp almond milk
• lemon juice
• food coloring and sprinkles, optional

Directions

For the dough, cream together cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Add the flour and baking soda and mix until well combined. Refrigerate for 30 mins-1 hr. On a floured surface, roll out dough to desired thickness and cut into shapes. Transfer to baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 mins (more time for thicker cookies, less time for thinner). Cool completely on baking racks before frosting.

For the frosting, whip butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Slowly add milk 1 tbsp at a time until you reach desired consistency. For less sweet frosting, add a couple drops of lemon juice. Color frosting, transfer to piping bags, and frost cookies. Top with sprinkles if desired.

Jelly Thumbprints

Ingredients

• 1 cup Country Crock Plant Butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• jelly of choice

Directions

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in flour and mix well. Roll 1 tbsp of dough into balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Using your thumb, make an indent into each cookie. Fill indent with a small bit of jam and bake at 375 degrees for 12-20mins, or until bottoms start to brown.

Almond Clusters

Ingredients

• 2 packages Enjoy Life semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 packages Enjoy Life white chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp shortening
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (not imitation)
• 1/2 tsp Country Crock Plant Butter
• 20oz salted almonds

Directions

Combine the semisweet chocolate, white chocolate, and shortening in a large microwavable bowl. Microwave until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in vanilla extract, butter, and almonds. Drop in small spoonfuls on to parchment lined baking sheet. Allow to cool at room temp, or pop in the refrigerator, until set.

Mint Oreo Balls

Ingredients

• 18 mint flavored Oreos
• 4oz Kite Hill dairy free cream cheese
• 1 bag of Enjoy Life white chocolate chips
• sprinkles, optional

Directions

In either a food processor or blender, pulse Oreos into crumbs. In a small bowl, combine Oreo crumbs and cream cheese until well blended. Using a dough scoop, tablespoon, or melon baller scoop out small amounts of Oreo mixture and roll into balls. Freeze for 1 hr. Meanwhile, melt chocolate in the microwave until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Drop Oreo balls into white chocolate and toss to coat. Tap off extra chocolate and place on parchment lined baking sheet. When chocolate sets, transfer to a container to store in the refrigerator to store until ready to serve.

Toffee & Brittle

Conclusion

One of the best things about these allergy friendly recipes, is that they are highly customizable. Try using a different nut, or even seed, variety in the clusters. Make a variety of thumbprints using blueberry, raspberry, lingonberry, or other fun jam flavors. Instead of mint, use another Oreo option or coat them with semi sweet instead of white chocolate. The list goes on and on.

Whether you have food allergies or not, these six treats are guaranteed to elevate any candy or cookie plate. They’re an excellent gift idea or a Christmas party charcuterie board addition. Chocolatey, fruity, or nutty…there’s a little something for everyone!

Do you have a favorite, annual Christmas treat? I’d love to hear about it! Head over to the Messy Masterpiece Contact page to share.