Are you ready?

Except for the cooking that is?

I am!!

Mainly because Hubby handles cooking the main meals, and I handle the baking, grocery shopping, cleaning etc.  (aka: he gets all the glory).

Fortunately for me, my baking has been pared down to a few seasonal favourites that we bring out every year – quick and easy Christmas treats that everyone enjoys and aren’t a lot of work.

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First up is my Great-Aunt-Mary’s Divinity fudge – you’ll want to have an electric mixer to make this one because it does take a LOT of stirring – but it’s so worth it with its marshmallowy softness and hint of vanilla!

Quick and easy Christmas treats, divinity fudge

My Aunt Nancy makes the perfect gingersnaps; crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside with just the right amount of spiciness.  I add a light layer of white chocolate to half for the sweet teeth in my family.

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While my mixer was putting the creaminess into the divinity fudge the other day, I whipped out a second batch of fudge – this easy, 5-minute turtle fudge.  Very little mixing, VERY rich, and with a soft caramel layer in the middle.

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I showcased “Andy’s Candied Nuts” as a Valentine’s treat, but they are perfect for setting out in a bowl to snack on between meals.  Simple, sweet and with that crunch that I crave.

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No Christmas treats list would be complete without a recipe for shortbread.  Soft, melt-in-your-mouth, buttery shortbread and my Uncle Doug made the best that was ever made.

(forgive the photo quality – the cookies are spectacular, the photographer isn’t)

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This no-bake chocolate cream pie requires four ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to make – but you don’t have to tell anyone that.

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If you’re looking for a recipe for group functions or classroom treats, you’ll definitely want to try my Mom’s meringue poppers as your Christmas treat.  You can make a ginormous batch of them with a tiny little recipe.

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No-bake cake batter truffles are devoured the minute they are set out on a plate.  A favourite of our girls’, I only make one batch to help stave off the diabetic coma that all of these Christmas treats promote.

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If you’re looking for a “snuggle in and watch a movie with the family” kind of Christmas treat, this super simple (and delicious) caramel popcorn is perfect.  Made in 5 minutes in the microwave you can get a batch ready without heating up the oven or stove and it will be ready before the beginning credits have even finished rolling.

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These are a few of our favourite Holiday treats (to be spaced out over the entire Christmas Holiday) when ‘quick’ and ‘easy’ are the key components to any recipe.

Gosh I love the Holidays!

My pants don’t, and I’m sure my blood-sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides skyrocket, but what can I say?

Happy Holidays!