Holiday No-Bake Dessert Ideas for Novice Chefs

These easy and delicious treats are a perfect way for everyone to make something awesome!

Kids can get in the spirit of giving by making these for family and teachers without the dangers of using a hot oven. The pride and praise that a homemade treat gift can bring is truly uplifting.

Four recipes that are quick, simple and get an amazing response from all who try them are:

1. No-Bake Chocolate Fudge
2. Chocolate Cherry Crisp Drops
3. Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes
4. Chocolate Peanut Squares

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 4 squares of unsweetened bakers chocolate, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup walnut pieces (optional)

Directions:

1. Line a 8x8 pan with waxed paper or aluminum foil
2. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and vanilla extract until smooth
3. Using a hand mixer on the lowest setting, add the powdered sugar a little at a time until thoroughly blended and creamy
4. Add melted chocolate and stir a little for marbled fudge or stir a lot for delicious chocolate fudge
5. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan
6. Chill in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour or until completely firm
7. Cut and serve

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup vanilla chips
• 1 ½ cup rice cereal
• ½ cup dried cherries or cranberries, chopped
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips with vanilla chips and vanilla extract
2. Add cereal and chopped dried cherries or cranberries, mix until thoroughly coated
3. Drop spoonful’s of the mixture onto a lined baking sheet
4. Chill drops in the refrigerator for approximately and hour or until set
5. If you happen to have left overs, store them in an airtight container

Ingredients:

• 7 mini graham cracker crusts
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy
2. Add the frozen whipped topping, gently folding in into the cream cheese mixture until thoroughly combined.
3. Spoon the cheesecake into the mini graham cracker crusts
4. Chill in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours or until set
5. Store left overs in the refrigerator

Want to make these wonderful mini cheesecakes even better? Add candy pieces!

A few additions that will compliment these cheesecakes really well are:

• Mini chocolate chips
• Frozen Butterfinger or Toffee chocolate bars
• Carmel ice cream topping

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• .5 ounces evaporated milk
• 1 stick melted butter
• 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Lightly grease a 8x8 baking pan
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the white sugar, unsweetened cocoa, milk and butter
3. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat,
4. Let it continue boiling for a few minutes
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and add the vanilla, old fashioned oats and peanut butter
6. Mix until thoroughly coated
7. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan
8. Refrigerate for approximately 2 hours or until set

These scrumptious squares are extremely rich and gooey which is great to eat but occasionally hard to slice. If you run a knife under warm water right before slicing, there will be less pulling and ripping.

Cut into squares and store any extra's in the refrigerator.

Once you’ve mastered these delicious treats, get creative and add your own flavors and flair.

The best thing about dessert recipes are that you can add or replace certain items to make it perfect for you.