Christmas treats

I did these treats for a Christmas party with some friends. I had a fun time trying to get this tower to look alright. I used my 2 cake platters with a silver vase I had stored, which I filled with candy canes.

The caramel pretzels I did in two steps. A couple nights before I made the caramel. I use my mom's caramel recipe: 1 cup sugar, 3/4 cup karo syrup, 1 cup whipping cream, 1/4 cup of butter, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla.

Add sugar, 1/2 cup of the cream and karo to heavy pan over low heat. Wash sides with hot water and don't let boil until sugar dissolves. Once sugar is dissolved turn heat up to medium. Add other half of cream slowly then add butter. Cook to 242 degrees. Add vanilla. Pour into greased 9x13 pan.

I take the caramel out of pan and place it on a cutting board and cut small strips. I then wrap it around the pretzel (I got this idea from my sister-in-law, Amber.) I then cover it with chocolate right away and set it on wax paper and either cover with sprinkles, crushed peppermint (looks prettier than it tastes,) or let dry and drizzle red and green chocolate over them. These are fun for all holidays or occasions. You could even use a nicer store bought caramel since the taste of the caramel is overpowered by the pretzel and chocolate. I just like working with my mom's caramel and it's fun to cut and wrap any extra caramels in small wax paper squares to give as gifts.

The chocolate covered strawberries are self explanatory. I do like the taste of the Wilton chocolate melts over any other milk chocolate you can buy in the store, unless you want to pay for good chocolate then Peter's is by far the best.

I love the chocolate covered cinnamon bears. They are also very easy especially if you don't dip the heads. Once dipped I place on wax paper to dry and then drizzle the other chocolate colors using my Wilton chocolate drizzle bottles. I found the fun star glass bowl at the Dollar Tree.