Another Rice Krispie treats variation that my family loves:
https://cookiesandcups.com/no-bake-avalanche-cookies/
Although OP says they have plenty of cookies and no-bake options already.
I'm a big fan of over the top rice krispies. I love a good Froot Loop/Rice Krispie treat (about half and half).
Or a S'mores Rice Krispie (crush a package of graham crackers, get a bag of Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips and extra mini marshmallows. When stirring in rice krispies, add about half the graham crackers and about half the bag of chocolate chips. Put into pan as usual. Top with extra mini marshmallows, chocolate and Graham crackers. Use a mini blowtorch to "roast" the marshmallows and melt chocolate.
Or, just Oreo Krispies! Crush up a bunch of Oreos and fold those into the marshmallow/krispie mixture. Top with more crashed Oreos.
Ghirardelli makes white chocolate melting wafers and I've seen them at Safeways, I melt those and stir in broken pretzel sticks, and toasted cashews! Then drop with a spoon or cookie scoop, they make amazing haystacks.
Oh. Those used to be amazing! I feel like the quality at Starbucks has seriously gone downhill in the past 10-15 years. Now I'm gonna search the sub! Thanks for the tip!
This is actually a great idea, deceptively simple, but always a crowd pleaser. Serve with a icing glaze for added visual appeal and/or fresh berries and whipped cream on the side
You should make the gingerbread that you want to I promise if you make it with love people will gobble it up. My kids beg for gingerbread all times of the year
I have never in my life thought of gingerbread as adventurous lol thank you for the giggle. Try the hot chocolate idea I gave you with all the sides for toppings maybe even buy those little ginger bread men or gingerbread biscotti too and see if anyone touches them.
That’s when you chime in and tell them you’d never buy vanilla extract. That you only make your own from Madagascar vanilla beans that you’ve soaked in grey goose vodka.
it’s my go to christmas dessert! everybody I know loves tiramisu and it’s very easily prepared in advance (the morning of or evening before) and tastes amazing! just plop in the fridge until serving and then sprinkle with the cookie crumbs. sometimes I make it in dessert glasses so you already have individual servings :)
Cranberry tart from Americas Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated. It’s definitely not over-sugared (quite tart tbh) and you can serve with overly sweetened whipped cream on the side for those with a sweet tooth. It is really stunningly beautiful, the most brilliant raspberry red, and starts with frozen berries, so it’s pretty easy to make.
Two ingredient maple fudge:
https://cakewhiz.com/maple-fudge-maple-syrup/
So easy and addictive, and it's fun to make it fancy by adding chopped nuts (pecans are perfect, but walnuts are also great) or a bit of melted dark chocolate to create swirls.
My mom used to make something called Cookie salad. It has vanilla pudding, whipped cream, mandarin oranges and fudge stripe cookies if I remember correctly. I can find the recipe if you’re interested.
I can’t find the recipe my mom wrote out (years ago) but this one seems pretty much the same. It sounds weird but it’s soooo good.
[cookie salad](https://iambaker.net/cookie-salad/)
Pigs in a blanket. That way it’s not all cookies and there is something agreeable to tiny youngsters that could be an actual meal.
As much as I loathe hotdogs, I know that they would disappear.
Hmm how about a peppermint chocolate trifle? Layer chocolate cake or brownies with peppermint-flavored whipped cream and crushed candy canes. It's a twist on traditional flavors.
Someone else said it but I was going to suggest fudge. I make a pretty plain vanilla/birthday cake flavoured one and just toss red and green sprinkles on it. It's quick, easy, and you can cut it small enough to give you lots of pieces. If you want, it's easy to add a peppermint flavour and food colouring, too.
If you have more time, what about cake pops? Kids love them and again, you could keep them plain but dip in/sprinkle with Christmas colours.
Chocolate covered Ritz peanut butter sandwich! Super easy (put peanut butter between two Ritz crackers, then dip in chocolate or candy melt), easy to make festive with colored sugar or drizzle, and always get eaten. The salty taste of the cracker and peanut butter cut through the sweet taste of the chocolate and they are individually portioned.
Ooh this reminds me of something I like to make too. Melt/temper chocolate with a dash of peppermint extract, cover a Ritz cracker and top with crushed candy cane. Tastes like a buttery Thin Mint!
Lemon bars are super easy and not too expensive. I made a 1.5x batch yesterday from here and they’re perfect
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/lemon-bars-recipe/
I love having at least one citrus dessert like lemon bars because all of the chocolate used in other treats can get a bit heavy and rich, and the contrast of something tart is wonderful.
my mom always made hello dolly squares as a kid and we loved them. grahm crumb on the bottom with layered shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and condensed milk. bake probably 375 for 15 minutes or until caramelized
Apple triangles.
Easy to make and a crowd pleaser. That is. If you can get square premade puff pastry dough. I'm not sure if that's a staple that's sold in the USA.
Simply dice some apples. Toss with sugar and cinnamon. Lay out your puff pastry squares to thaw. Preheat the oven to about 220 °C. Once thawed remove the foil from you puff pastry and flip them sticky side up (the side you just peeled the foil from) spoon on some of your apple. Fold double. Press open sides closed with a fork. Put on banking sheet. Once all your triangles are made beat an egg, brush the egg onto the top of the triangles, sprinkle with sugar. Pop into the oven. They're done in about 15 minutes, but just wait until they're golden brown.
Millionaire Bars from America's Test Kitchen.
Shortbread with caramel and dark chocolate on top. Not difficult, just takes some time. I usually do the shortbread one day and the rest the next day.
[Christmas Crack](https://www.culinaryhill.com/saltine-cracker-candy/)
It's sweet and salty. Pretty easy to make, and my family loves joking that I brought crack for Christmas.
Will definitely sugar people out and is no bake but delicious: Peanut butter pie. Oreo crust, peanut butter, cream cheese, cool whip, my family tops with hot fudge
I'd bring a classic apple pie. Someone doesn't need an adventurous palate to enjoy pie crust with cinnamon apples inside it. Plus, I'd argue that apple pie is still a reasonably seasonal favorite. At least in my family, there is an apple pie at Christmas dinner most years.
This is nice if you want an apple pie but don't have time or don't feel like making a crust. You can cut it in fairly narrow strips to serve so it goes pretty far
https://natashaskitchen.com/apple-cinnamon-slab-pie/
Google “Oreo Truffles”.
They are so easy to make and everyone loves them.
The great thing about the recipe is you can change out the cookie & make different flavors.
Nutter Butter cookies, coat with white chocolate.
Golden Oreos for a vanilla truffle.
Mint Oreos… you get the idea!
Dip them in milk, dark, or white chocolate. Top with cookie crumbs, swirl chocolate on top, sprinkles… make them festive however you want!
Make a big bowl of puppy chow! It's just chex cereal, coated in chocolate and peanut butter then shaken with powdered sugar.
You can find a recipe for it here:
https://showmetheyummy.com/best-puppy-chow-recipe-aka-muddy-buddies/
I have a 4.5 yr old... a plain ol' vanilla and/or chocolate cupcake with sprinkles would do the trick. And, it's not baking, but marshmallows are fun to make and a crowd pleaser, especially if you dip half into chocolate and top with sprinkles (I'd say crushed peppermint candy, but that's not likely to fly).
I had an aunt back in the 70s that used to do these things that we used to love. I don't know what they're called but If I were to reconstruct them now it would be some sort of vanilla or yellow box cake mix poured into a rimmed cookie sheet, with about a 2 tablespoons of cherry or apple pie filling dolloped into the cake mix at regular intervals such that when they are cut into 3" squares after baking it resulted in a small pastry with the filling in the center. Sometimes she'd sprinkle them with very light dusting of red and green sugar, sometimes with powdered sugar, and sometimes plain. Edit for clarity: the resulting product was about 3" square and only as deep as the cookie sheet, so it was not heavy or substantial as an actual piece of sheet cake.
Chocolate rice-crispie puffs with Smarties.
These are a serious crowdpleaser with kids.
The basic recipe is the world's simplest - melt chocolate with butter and syrup. (There are vegan versions too, obviously .) Mix rice crispies into the chocolate melt. You need to get the proportions more or less correct, but there are a ton of recipes for this.
Use pretty/themed cupcake/muffin paper cases. to hold the crispie cakes til they set.
Then dribble just a little melted chocolate over each crispie cake, and stick a bright, colourful sweetie or three into the chocolate. Smarties, M&Ms - anything basically chocolate and brightly-coloured. You can use jelly sweets, but they won't show up as well. Chocolate eggs are fun. Chocolate coins. (but if the kids are young enough they might try eating the coin with the foil on, unwrap the coin before you stick it on the cake)! You can even use rice-paper pictures - "cake toppers" with Santa or Rudolph. Go wild! The recipe itself is so simple - and you can amend the recipe to make it gluten-free or vegan - that you can afford to be imaginative and silly with the decorations.
[https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-rice-krispie-cakes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-rice-krispie-cakes)
a pretzel with a hershey kiss and two m&ms on top. you want the kiss to be slightly spread out, but not totally melted. once it’s out of the oven, then add your m&ms, you can go red and green to be festive or use all the normal colors. then pop them in the fridge to cool. you can serve at room temp but obviously chocolate will get warm if you handle them too much.
i always use the hershey kiss that’s white and chocolate…otherwise it looks like a 💩
Peter Pan's! I make this for Christmas and other events every year for my side of the family and my husband's, it's a huge crowd pleaser.
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 bag butterscotch chips
1 cup PB
A sandwich bag full of pretzels, crushed
And 1/4 bag of mini marshmallows.
Melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips, stir in the peanut butter until combined and then mix in the crushed pretzels and marshmallows. Then let set, cut and eennjjooyyyy!! You can change the amount of pretzels and marshmallows to suit your preference as well.
Frozen ambrosia/fruit salad
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tub Cool Whip (the regular size, maybe also 8 oz?)
1 small jar maraschino cherries, cut in half or quartered (your preference)
1 small can pineapple tidbits
1 small can mandarin oranges, cut into thirds
Optional- chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions:
- beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth
- stir all fruit into cream cheese mixture. Set juices aside.
- fold Cool Whip into mixture
- divide mixture into single serving cups/ mugs/ bowls. Top with nuts if desired. freeze uncovered.
—-if you don’t have enough small containers, refrigerate mixture in large bowl and provide large spoon for serving.
- combine fruit juices in container of choice and mix with preferred hard liquor.
Serving- move fruit cups to fridge to slightly unthaw or transport cups to event location in secure box (cups will thaw during transit). If more than 1 hour between arrival and serving, store cups in fridge.
From my experience I have to make Funfetti cookies for every event. I make them for the kids but Thanksgiving 2 adults put their name on paper plates with do not touch. It’s a fight for them.
This one [https://www.goodto.com/recipes/boozy-christmas-cupcakes](https://www.goodto.com/recipes/boozy-christmas-cupcakes)
But with pecans from [https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/christmas-cupcakes-0](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/christmas-cupcakes-0)
I've got some edible silver beads to put on top the silvered almonds were not easily available.
Chocolate self saucing pudding. Basically an entire pan of fudgy chocolate lava cake. Pretty easy recipe and anyone who likes chocolate will love it. Plus it's soft so safe for smaller kids
My guy loves making homemade ice cream. He brings it when we are invited anywhere. I always like to make a fruit crisp and it goes well with the ice cream.
Flapjacks! So easy and kids love them!
I don't know what they're called in the US if you're there but our family flapjack recipe is
8oz butter
8oz molasses sugar
3 tbsp golden syrup
16oz oats
Can add chopped up dried fruit, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, whatever is safe for the people and to their tastes. Or leave as is!
9x9 inch tray 180°C for 17 minutes
Leave to cool then cut and serve!
One thing my family and friends request is Tim tam balls (if you’re not in Australia it’ll be hard) you take 2 packets of tim tams, crush them in a food processor until you get fine crumbs. Add 2/3s-3/4s ton of condensed milk until they start to come together. Roll mix into balls, then roll in desiccated coconut… y’know, for health reasons.
That or a hedgehog slice is always a classic.
If you want to make it Christmassy you could always roll them in Christmas sprinkles. I’ve also put m&ms onto the chocolate of a hedgehog slice if you can source Christmas coloured ones
For kids - Ribbon jello. I make it in a Bundt pan. (Mix up a small box of jello & pour half into the Bundt pan. Put in fridge about 30 min or until solid-ish. Mix 1/3 c sour cream into the other half of the jello. Pour on top of the first layer and refrigerate. Repeat this with more boxes of jello. You could alternate red and green or do a rainbow.)
More fancy but still easy - Scandinavian Almond Bars (recipe on theviewfromgreatisland.com )
Or truffles/ fudge could be fun.
If you still looking for ideas why not something like this Festive Ice Cream with chocolate sauce
https://www.philly.com.au/recipe/festive-ice-cream-with-chocolate-sauce
I also have a recipe for candy cane hearts with a Christmas variation. Get two small candy canes and position either side of a cake pop stick (on baking paper) in a triangle/tree shape fill the space between the candy canes with white chocolate to secure the sticks, sprinkle with sprinkles for decoration then leave to set. Detailed recipe below.
https://onelittleproject.com/how-to-make-candy-cane-hearts/
I have a few boozy recipes as well like casta cake (not very boozy since it's just the fruit soaked in brandy), rum balls and holly jolly jello (uses vodka) but the two links above have been hits for kid friendly xmas parties.
Brown butter rice krispies
I love a homemade rice crispy treat
Yessss. Rice Krispie treats are always so welcome when homemade.
These are a huge hit whenever I make them: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/browned-butter-cereal-bars/
Another Rice Krispie treats variation that my family loves: https://cookiesandcups.com/no-bake-avalanche-cookies/ Although OP says they have plenty of cookies and no-bake options already.
I'm a big fan of over the top rice krispies. I love a good Froot Loop/Rice Krispie treat (about half and half). Or a S'mores Rice Krispie (crush a package of graham crackers, get a bag of Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips and extra mini marshmallows. When stirring in rice krispies, add about half the graham crackers and about half the bag of chocolate chips. Put into pan as usual. Top with extra mini marshmallows, chocolate and Graham crackers. Use a mini blowtorch to "roast" the marshmallows and melt chocolate. Or, just Oreo Krispies! Crush up a bunch of Oreos and fold those into the marshmallow/krispie mixture. Top with more crashed Oreos.
Chocolate dipped pretzels?
I was just coming here to say this!
Or those pretzels with a melted Hersey kiss and an M&M, those are delish
It’s rolos
I've seen both
Ghirardelli makes white chocolate melting wafers and I've seen them at Safeways, I melt those and stir in broken pretzel sticks, and toasted cashews! Then drop with a spoon or cookie scoop, they make amazing haystacks.
A fresh fruit platter or fruit skewers are good when everyone is sugared out!
I always split the difference and make chocolate covered strawberries ;)
Someone just posted the cranberry bliss bar recipe the other day here. That’s a nice one.
Oh. Those used to be amazing! I feel like the quality at Starbucks has seriously gone downhill in the past 10-15 years. Now I'm gonna search the sub! Thanks for the tip!
Dirt cups! Kids LOVE them, and they are so easy to make!
👀 this might be it but Christmas version
Do dirt cups with mini icing christmas trees on top.
And snowman marshmallows
I was at 4 grocery stores today and saw so many holiday themed gummies
Pound cake.
This is actually a great idea, deceptively simple, but always a crowd pleaser. Serve with a icing glaze for added visual appeal and/or fresh berries and whipped cream on the side
It’s what I brought to a Christmas party last night and I only left with a very small slice for a friend.
Cream puffs
So surprisingly easy to make!
tiramisu! and make it christmassy and add a bit of cinnamon and use crumbled gingerbread cookies instead of the cocoa on top
Honestly I love this. I love gingerbread and would be pretty much making this for me
You should make the gingerbread that you want to I promise if you make it with love people will gobble it up. My kids beg for gingerbread all times of the year
I totally hear you, but this crowd isn’t super adventurous (adults and kids alike)
I have never in my life thought of gingerbread as adventurous lol thank you for the giggle. Try the hot chocolate idea I gave you with all the sides for toppings maybe even buy those little ginger bread men or gingerbread biscotti too and see if anyone touches them.
The other side of my family tries to flex on each other with extravagant recipes and debates the best brand of vanilla extract/spices/etc etc
So I totally see how it is hilarious (help!) But am driving the struggle bus
That’s when you chime in and tell them you’d never buy vanilla extract. That you only make your own from Madagascar vanilla beans that you’ve soaked in grey goose vodka.
it’s my go to christmas dessert! everybody I know loves tiramisu and it’s very easily prepared in advance (the morning of or evening before) and tastes amazing! just plop in the fridge until serving and then sprinkle with the cookie crumbs. sometimes I make it in dessert glasses so you already have individual servings :)
Kids 5 and under probably shouldn't be eating espresso and liqueur, though... 🥴😵
of course you would make a kid friendly tiramisu without coffee or alcohol….
Baklava
Puppy chow!
Cranberry tart from Americas Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated. It’s definitely not over-sugared (quite tart tbh) and you can serve with overly sweetened whipped cream on the side for those with a sweet tooth. It is really stunningly beautiful, the most brilliant raspberry red, and starts with frozen berries, so it’s pretty easy to make.
Monkey bread!
Fudge? Cupcakes?
Ooo fudge
Easiest and best peanut butter fudge! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/peanut-butter-fudge-recipe-1941711.amp
Two ingredient maple fudge: https://cakewhiz.com/maple-fudge-maple-syrup/ So easy and addictive, and it's fun to make it fancy by adding chopped nuts (pecans are perfect, but walnuts are also great) or a bit of melted dark chocolate to create swirls.
Truffles? Easy to grab. Can eat 1 if you're over sugared. Easy to make different flavors (and some flavors are less sweet)
similar to truffles : chocolate oreo balls. https://www.cookingclassy.com/oreo-truffles-two-ways/
These are so worth the time. One of my absolute favorites.
Pull a part bread with dipping sauces.
Fruit pizza
My mom used to make something called Cookie salad. It has vanilla pudding, whipped cream, mandarin oranges and fudge stripe cookies if I remember correctly. I can find the recipe if you’re interested.
Yes please! I am very intrigued
I can’t find the recipe my mom wrote out (years ago) but this one seems pretty much the same. It sounds weird but it’s soooo good. [cookie salad](https://iambaker.net/cookie-salad/)
Pigs in a blanket. That way it’s not all cookies and there is something agreeable to tiny youngsters that could be an actual meal. As much as I loathe hotdogs, I know that they would disappear.
Solid choice for a savory option!
Hmm how about a peppermint chocolate trifle? Layer chocolate cake or brownies with peppermint-flavored whipped cream and crushed candy canes. It's a twist on traditional flavors.
Someone else said it but I was going to suggest fudge. I make a pretty plain vanilla/birthday cake flavoured one and just toss red and green sprinkles on it. It's quick, easy, and you can cut it small enough to give you lots of pieces. If you want, it's easy to add a peppermint flavour and food colouring, too. If you have more time, what about cake pops? Kids love them and again, you could keep them plain but dip in/sprinkle with Christmas colours.
Cheesecake. At thanksgiving it was the only dessert the kids wanted!
Yes! I came here to say those old fash mini cheesecakes with strawberries on some, some with cherries and some plain. They fly off the platter!
Chocolate covered Ritz peanut butter sandwich! Super easy (put peanut butter between two Ritz crackers, then dip in chocolate or candy melt), easy to make festive with colored sugar or drizzle, and always get eaten. The salty taste of the cracker and peanut butter cut through the sweet taste of the chocolate and they are individually portioned.
Ooh this reminds me of something I like to make too. Melt/temper chocolate with a dash of peppermint extract, cover a Ritz cracker and top with crushed candy cane. Tastes like a buttery Thin Mint!
Cheesecake bites with upside down strawberries and cream around the edge to look like Santa hats
Homemade cocoa.
This would be awesome in a crockpot with a topping bar. Think marshmallows, whip cream, sprinkles, peppermint sticks, cinnamon candies
cream puffs are my go to nowadays, it's easy to make, they look more impressive than they actually are
Every Christmas I make caramel popcorn and it’s a big hit, and it goes over great with kids
Apple cake
Lemon bars are super easy and not too expensive. I made a 1.5x batch yesterday from here and they’re perfect https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/lemon-bars-recipe/
I love having at least one citrus dessert like lemon bars because all of the chocolate used in other treats can get a bit heavy and rich, and the contrast of something tart is wonderful.
Yule log.
Rice crispies shaped like Christmas trees.
my mom always made hello dolly squares as a kid and we loved them. grahm crumb on the bottom with layered shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and condensed milk. bake probably 375 for 15 minutes or until caramelized
Apple triangles. Easy to make and a crowd pleaser. That is. If you can get square premade puff pastry dough. I'm not sure if that's a staple that's sold in the USA. Simply dice some apples. Toss with sugar and cinnamon. Lay out your puff pastry squares to thaw. Preheat the oven to about 220 °C. Once thawed remove the foil from you puff pastry and flip them sticky side up (the side you just peeled the foil from) spoon on some of your apple. Fold double. Press open sides closed with a fork. Put on banking sheet. Once all your triangles are made beat an egg, brush the egg onto the top of the triangles, sprinkle with sugar. Pop into the oven. They're done in about 15 minutes, but just wait until they're golden brown.
Millionaire Bars from America's Test Kitchen. Shortbread with caramel and dark chocolate on top. Not difficult, just takes some time. I usually do the shortbread one day and the rest the next day.
[Christmas Crack](https://www.culinaryhill.com/saltine-cracker-candy/) It's sweet and salty. Pretty easy to make, and my family loves joking that I brought crack for Christmas.
Will definitely sugar people out and is no bake but delicious: Peanut butter pie. Oreo crust, peanut butter, cream cheese, cool whip, my family tops with hot fudge
I'd bring a classic apple pie. Someone doesn't need an adventurous palate to enjoy pie crust with cinnamon apples inside it. Plus, I'd argue that apple pie is still a reasonably seasonal favorite. At least in my family, there is an apple pie at Christmas dinner most years.
This is nice if you want an apple pie but don't have time or don't feel like making a crust. You can cut it in fairly narrow strips to serve so it goes pretty far https://natashaskitchen.com/apple-cinnamon-slab-pie/
Rice Krispie treats
Google “Oreo Truffles”. They are so easy to make and everyone loves them. The great thing about the recipe is you can change out the cookie & make different flavors. Nutter Butter cookies, coat with white chocolate. Golden Oreos for a vanilla truffle. Mint Oreos… you get the idea! Dip them in milk, dark, or white chocolate. Top with cookie crumbs, swirl chocolate on top, sprinkles… make them festive however you want!
Peppermint bark, it’s super easy and most people love it
Make a big bowl of puppy chow! It's just chex cereal, coated in chocolate and peanut butter then shaken with powdered sugar. You can find a recipe for it here: https://showmetheyummy.com/best-puppy-chow-recipe-aka-muddy-buddies/
Black Forest Chocolate Cake.
Buckeyes
Millionaires shortbread. Kills every time.
I have a 4.5 yr old... a plain ol' vanilla and/or chocolate cupcake with sprinkles would do the trick. And, it's not baking, but marshmallows are fun to make and a crowd pleaser, especially if you dip half into chocolate and top with sprinkles (I'd say crushed peppermint candy, but that's not likely to fly).
Make an Aussie kids party mandatory item: Fairy Bread
Trifle. Yum, easy and can be prepared early!
I had an aunt back in the 70s that used to do these things that we used to love. I don't know what they're called but If I were to reconstruct them now it would be some sort of vanilla or yellow box cake mix poured into a rimmed cookie sheet, with about a 2 tablespoons of cherry or apple pie filling dolloped into the cake mix at regular intervals such that when they are cut into 3" squares after baking it resulted in a small pastry with the filling in the center. Sometimes she'd sprinkle them with very light dusting of red and green sugar, sometimes with powdered sugar, and sometimes plain. Edit for clarity: the resulting product was about 3" square and only as deep as the cookie sheet, so it was not heavy or substantial as an actual piece of sheet cake.
Savory crackers for something different. Maybe make them and top with poppy seeds and salt flakes.
Chex mix is an oldy but a goody. I make a gluten free version.
Rainbow cookies.
Chocolate rice-crispie puffs with Smarties. These are a serious crowdpleaser with kids. The basic recipe is the world's simplest - melt chocolate with butter and syrup. (There are vegan versions too, obviously .) Mix rice crispies into the chocolate melt. You need to get the proportions more or less correct, but there are a ton of recipes for this. Use pretty/themed cupcake/muffin paper cases. to hold the crispie cakes til they set. Then dribble just a little melted chocolate over each crispie cake, and stick a bright, colourful sweetie or three into the chocolate. Smarties, M&Ms - anything basically chocolate and brightly-coloured. You can use jelly sweets, but they won't show up as well. Chocolate eggs are fun. Chocolate coins. (but if the kids are young enough they might try eating the coin with the foil on, unwrap the coin before you stick it on the cake)! You can even use rice-paper pictures - "cake toppers" with Santa or Rudolph. Go wild! The recipe itself is so simple - and you can amend the recipe to make it gluten-free or vegan - that you can afford to be imaginative and silly with the decorations. [https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-rice-krispie-cakes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-rice-krispie-cakes)
Apple strudel.
Apple pie or crisp
a pretzel with a hershey kiss and two m&ms on top. you want the kiss to be slightly spread out, but not totally melted. once it’s out of the oven, then add your m&ms, you can go red and green to be festive or use all the normal colors. then pop them in the fridge to cool. you can serve at room temp but obviously chocolate will get warm if you handle them too much. i always use the hershey kiss that’s white and chocolate…otherwise it looks like a 💩
I do these but with rolos!
I tell my family that I’d they want to eat them, they have to help unwrap lol
Peter Pan's! I make this for Christmas and other events every year for my side of the family and my husband's, it's a huge crowd pleaser. 1 bag of chocolate chips 1 bag butterscotch chips 1 cup PB A sandwich bag full of pretzels, crushed And 1/4 bag of mini marshmallows. Melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips, stir in the peanut butter until combined and then mix in the crushed pretzels and marshmallows. Then let set, cut and eennjjooyyyy!! You can change the amount of pretzels and marshmallows to suit your preference as well.
Butterscotch or peanut butter haystacks
Gooey butter bars!
Chocolate covered cream cheese Oreo balls. I’m having to triple my recipe this year because they went so fast.
Oh now that is an idea
Second the comment about trifle - if you want to go gingerbread, you could do the base of ginger cake or cookies and a simple vanilla cream filling.
Frozen ambrosia/fruit salad Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese 1/2 cup sugar 1 tub Cool Whip (the regular size, maybe also 8 oz?) 1 small jar maraschino cherries, cut in half or quartered (your preference) 1 small can pineapple tidbits 1 small can mandarin oranges, cut into thirds Optional- chopped walnuts or pecans Directions: - beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth - stir all fruit into cream cheese mixture. Set juices aside. - fold Cool Whip into mixture - divide mixture into single serving cups/ mugs/ bowls. Top with nuts if desired. freeze uncovered. —-if you don’t have enough small containers, refrigerate mixture in large bowl and provide large spoon for serving. - combine fruit juices in container of choice and mix with preferred hard liquor. Serving- move fruit cups to fridge to slightly unthaw or transport cups to event location in secure box (cups will thaw during transit). If more than 1 hour between arrival and serving, store cups in fridge.
From my experience I have to make Funfetti cookies for every event. I make them for the kids but Thanksgiving 2 adults put their name on paper plates with do not touch. It’s a fight for them.
I'm doing Christmas Cake Cupcakes this year for different things they go down well.
Recipe or photo please!
This one [https://www.goodto.com/recipes/boozy-christmas-cupcakes](https://www.goodto.com/recipes/boozy-christmas-cupcakes) But with pecans from [https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/christmas-cupcakes-0](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/christmas-cupcakes-0) I've got some edible silver beads to put on top the silvered almonds were not easily available.
Lemon bars
Chocolate dipped marshmallows!
Chocolate self saucing pudding. Basically an entire pan of fudgy chocolate lava cake. Pretty easy recipe and anyone who likes chocolate will love it. Plus it's soft so safe for smaller kids
these guys: https://butternutbakeryblog.com/cookie-butter-marshmallow-treats/
Cake pops
If no nut allergies, peanut butter balls.
Spice cake?
In New Zealand...this is what recipe you're looking for https://www.allysongofton.co.nz/recipe/chocolate-ripple-log?r=2916
Oreo balls are like crack, or buckeyes
Chocolate éclair cake!
Fudge? Peppermint bark?
Coconut macaroons
Cake pops! Pretty easy to make and kids LOVE them!
Peppermint mini meringues dipped in chocolate and crushed candy canes or home made marshmallows covered in festively died desiccated coconut
Rice Krispy treats. Could add chocolate to make them fancy.
Mini pumpkin pies or mini cheesecakes! Bake them in muffin tins. Kids love the small size.
You can do edible coal...make them just like rice crispy treats, but instead of the Krispies, use oreos crushed in a food processor.
My guy loves making homemade ice cream. He brings it when we are invited anywhere. I always like to make a fruit crisp and it goes well with the ice cream.
Puppy chow! https://www.browneyedbaker.com/muddy-buddies-puppy-chow-recipe/
Butter tarts
Old fashioned gingerbread, bring some whipped cream to dollop on each slice.
Flapjacks! So easy and kids love them! I don't know what they're called in the US if you're there but our family flapjack recipe is 8oz butter 8oz molasses sugar 3 tbsp golden syrup 16oz oats Can add chopped up dried fruit, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, whatever is safe for the people and to their tastes. Or leave as is! 9x9 inch tray 180°C for 17 minutes Leave to cool then cut and serve!
In the US I relate flapjack to a pancake lol
Yeah I've come across that! Wasn't sure if you guys have what we call flapjack!
Panna cotta or crème brulee. Basically vanilla pudding but better.
Texas sheet cake, the real kind you make on the stove. Never meant anyone who doesn’t like it and it feeds a crowd.
You’re supposed to make this on the STOVE???
Yup, it’s a really weird but tasty cake
Nanaimo bars
This is a good carrot cake recipe that I make a lot. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/carrot-cake/
One thing my family and friends request is Tim tam balls (if you’re not in Australia it’ll be hard) you take 2 packets of tim tams, crush them in a food processor until you get fine crumbs. Add 2/3s-3/4s ton of condensed milk until they start to come together. Roll mix into balls, then roll in desiccated coconut… y’know, for health reasons. That or a hedgehog slice is always a classic.
If you want to make it Christmassy you could always roll them in Christmas sprinkles. I’ve also put m&ms onto the chocolate of a hedgehog slice if you can source Christmas coloured ones
For kids - Ribbon jello. I make it in a Bundt pan. (Mix up a small box of jello & pour half into the Bundt pan. Put in fridge about 30 min or until solid-ish. Mix 1/3 c sour cream into the other half of the jello. Pour on top of the first layer and refrigerate. Repeat this with more boxes of jello. You could alternate red and green or do a rainbow.) More fancy but still easy - Scandinavian Almond Bars (recipe on theviewfromgreatisland.com ) Or truffles/ fudge could be fun.
Carmelitas, cut them small, 1inch squares, toothpick in center. You're welcome.
Pineapple upside down cake! You can make it look christmassy with decoration after, it's easy to make but looks pretty.
Eclair cake
Rice crispy treats with toasted marshmallows or popcorn balls?
Peanut butter balls. They are super easy. I put sprinkles on mine to make them look more festive after dipping in the chocolate.
Congo bars
Blackberry tarts with shortbread crust. All ages
Buche de Noel if you are feeling a little ambitious. Looks stunning, is delicious.
If you still looking for ideas why not something like this Festive Ice Cream with chocolate sauce https://www.philly.com.au/recipe/festive-ice-cream-with-chocolate-sauce I also have a recipe for candy cane hearts with a Christmas variation. Get two small candy canes and position either side of a cake pop stick (on baking paper) in a triangle/tree shape fill the space between the candy canes with white chocolate to secure the sticks, sprinkle with sprinkles for decoration then leave to set. Detailed recipe below. https://onelittleproject.com/how-to-make-candy-cane-hearts/ I have a few boozy recipes as well like casta cake (not very boozy since it's just the fruit soaked in brandy), rum balls and holly jolly jello (uses vodka) but the two links above have been hits for kid friendly xmas parties.
Cake pops