Frugal, Fast, and Festive! - Candy Cane Kisses

Looking for a last minute semi-homemade holiday gift or potluck treat?  Give these cuties a try and you will not be disappointed!  The best part is how quickly you can whip up a batch.  :)

When I saw the "peppermint pretzel melts" on My Computer is My Canvas, I bookmarked it immediately and knew that I just had to make my own so I could try them.  Jake and I made homemade peppermint chocolates (using his mom's recipe - post coming soon) to send home with our holiday party guests and these treats added a little extra oomph to our gift bags.

Supplies for one cookie sheet of Candy Cane Kisses treats:
115 square pretzels
about 1/2 cup holiday plain M&Ms
2 bags Candy Cane Hershey Kisses
wax paper
cookie sheet

1) Preheat your oven to 175 degrees.

2) Prep work: Gather everything, unwrap all the Kisses, and sort your M&Ms (if desired - I wanted red only).

3) Cover your cookie sheet in wax paper.  Please don't skip this step.

4) Line up your pretzel squares on the wax paper then top each one with a Kiss.

Note the dull, flat look of these Kisses.

5) Carefully transfer the cookie sheet to the oven.  Set your oven timer for 5 minutes and do not walk away.   Watched Kisses do melt soften, I promise.  After 4-6 minutes, they'll be ready to remove from the oven.  I repeat do not walk away.  Take them out of the oven when the surface of the Kisses looks glossy, their Kiss shape is still sort of be intact, and they're softened (not melted).

6) Right after removing the cookie sheet from the oven, carefully plop one M&M onto each Kiss.  They'll get the smooshed look instantly.

7)  Chill them in the fridge for a few minutes or just let them sit on the counter for a while until they set.  Then, package them up in cello bags or toss them onto a platter.  You're done!

You could also try making these with other combinations of Kisses flavors and candy toppers.  I think milk chocolate Kisses topped with Reese's Pieces would be excellent.  Hey, does anyone else think of E.T. immediately when they see Reese's Pieces or is that just me?


Click here to find the printable sheet of the M&M nativity legend that Colette created.

Don't forget to check back for my tutorial of Jake's mom's homemade dipped chocolates recipe.  It's so easy (aka no candy thermometer or math required) that your kids or significant other can help.   ; )

Click here to see some of the parties we'll be mingling at this week.