Christmas Recipes and Traditions

Oh, Deer, You Look Delicious 

There are dozens of iconic symbols that represent the holidays - Santa, pine trees, angels, Nativity scenes, and of course, REINDEER. Since the optional theme this month is all about the DEER, let's check out all the wonderful foods that can be transformed into Christmas goodies!

Cupcakes are easy to bake and just as easy to decorate. Some broken pretzels, M&Ms, jelly beans,  etc., will work their holiday magic, like the sweet reindeer below from  One Little Project :

as well as Bakerella (comes w/free antler template)

and lots more on Pinterest

At Like Mother, Like Daughter, you can find the recipe for these Oreo cookie balls 

while Hungry Happenings 

offers a variety of deer-ly delectable holiday treats:

Want to know how to decorate a reindeer cake? Check out the recipe and instructions at Hobby Craft 

At Thrifty Jinxy, see how to turn your peanut butter cookies into Santa's leading reindeer

and while you're there, make up a few of these sweet little gifts for your deer friends (comes with free printable tags)  

If you're watching your sweets over the holidays, discover other ways to magically transform breakfast and lunch foods into 

 I took inspiration from this photo from Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons and thought of several different kinds of sandwiches that would serve as reindeer food, like sloppy joes, mini hamburgers, pulled pork, etc.

If you don't mind your food watching while you eat, corn dogs make very cute reindeer, too. 

What breakfast would be complete without pancakes and bacon, a la Rudolph?

Finally, here's my recipe for Santa's Sleigh Mix, which you can pour into sugar cones like the ones pictured below and either wrap up for gifts, or serve at your next holiday party:

Santa's SleighMix
1 box Crispix cereal (or Chex-like cereals)
1 bag Pretzels, broken
1 bag M&Ms
1 bag mini marshmallows
1 jar/can dry roasted peanuts (optional)

Place all ingredients above in VERY large bowl.

Melt one package Vanilla Almond Bark (or white chocolate for melting) and pour over mix.

Use large spoon/spatula and stir until all pieces are coated with melted chocolate.

Place wax paper or aluminum foil on table and pour out your sticky mix, trying to get it all into a single layer.

Break up into pieces when dry and cool and pack into reindeer cones (or disposable containers)  for sharing (or just sit in front of the TV, watching your favorite Christmas movie and munch down...