We are creatures of habit, aren’t we?

Come the holidays, I can’t wait to put together my gluten-free version of Chex Mix. I’ll be doing that soon since the ingredients have finally been assembled: rice and Corn Chex, assorted roasted nuts, gluten-free pretzels, and the spice mix with Worcestershire sauce.

Dare we try something new? Inspired by a recipe online, my sweetheart and I had a blast putting these together.

It’s advantageous to have some helping hands, (and holiday music in the background), as the last step in this recipe requires partially dipping each individual pretzel into melted dark chocolate.

The downloadable recipe is below.

A note of caution, however; use only rimmed cookie sheets, not the open-sided kind.

After the lightly-baked and coated pretzels are removed from the oven, cooled, individually dipped, and placed on the parchment lined cookie sheet, they need to go into the freezer for approximately 10 minutes to harden.

When removing a cookie sheet filled with finished pretzels from the freezer, a slight tip of my hand caused the slippery parchment and pretzels to slide off onto the floor!

The five second rule did not apply.

Boohoo!

Another crunchy holiday favorite is Rolo Pretzel Delights. I think they work best on those square pretzels which are, unfortunately, full of gluten; but if you can handle the indulgence of just one or two of these, it’s so yummy and has become a seasonal favorite.

These are a cinch to make and another excellent opportunity to use those helping hands, as each Rolo candy needs to be unwrapped and placed on a pretzel. When the pretzels come out of their brief stay in a low temp oven, a pecan half needs to be gently pressed onto each softened Rolo.

We had some pecans leftover from the Rolo recipe and some unused melted chocolate from the other. Well, of course, we coated the nuts and added them to the Espresso Pretzels!

Happy snacking and sharing with family and friends. To share these ideas, use the options below, and leave a comment if you try these recipes.

In health –

Deidre

Note from Sheree:

This year has been challenging for so many – not only in our country, but all over the world. Some have been forced to leave their homes, families separated, friends left behind, or even worse. I’m sure you are aware, for many, this Christmas season will be very different than last.

So, I wanted to give some encouragement, a sprinkling of faith, and a hug from me to you – wherever you are, just don’t stop believing in the true meaning and power of Christmas. It’s such a special day in so many ways.

It’s not always the presents under the tree, the amount of money you spend, or the size of the “roast beast,” as the Grinch calls it – it’s how you put into action that generous supply of love you have in your heart that counts – and a little bit of faith, too – which can go a long way.

Please think of those who might need a kind word, a hot meal, or a pair of warm socks. Perhaps you can do a little bit more for others this holiday.

Pray for those who are weary, worn, and alone. Hug everyone you meet. Let us all believe, if we take one tiny step more to help those in need, it just may change the entire world this Christmas.

Many blessings and Merry Christmas to all,

Sheree’

——————————–

And in despair I bowed my head;

“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail,
The right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas Day – 1863