Quick and easy holiday treats

The holiday season brings me back to some fond childhood memories. The smell of delicious goodies baking in the kitchen and the feeling of joy while eating them.   For me the kitchen is the heart of a home. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend all your time there.

During the holidays you want some quick and easy recipes to satisfy you and your baby’s sweet tooth. What I like about the following 2 recipes is that they fit both these criteria.  An added bonus, if you are running to appointments use the leftover ingredients as a trail mix for a healthy snack.

Chocolate Bark

• 250g of 60% cacao bitter sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup of dried apricots
• 1 cup almonds
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips in the microwave for 2 minutes on medium power. Stir chips quickly with a spatula and return to microwave for 30 second increments until chocolate is almost melted.
3. Once the chocolate is almost melted, stir for a few minutes until it becomes glossy and starts to cool.
4. Pour chocolate evenly onto the baking sheet.
5. Top with dried apricots, almonds, dried cranberries, chia seeds and a pinch of salt.
6. Allow bark to cool completely before breaking into 20 even pieces.
7. Store in an airtight container.

(Recipe makes about 20 pcs)

Nutrition Information:
Per 30 g: 140 calories, 8 g fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 2 g fibre, 11 g sugar, 3 g protein, 10% Iron.

Trail Mix Squares

• 1 250g package of marshmallows
• ¼ cup of non-hydrogenated margarine
• 7 cups of bran flakes
• 1 cup of unsalted sunflower seeds
• ½ cup of almonds
• ½ cup of dried cranberries
• ½ cup of dried apricots
• 2 tbsp chia seeds

Directions:

1. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
2. Melt margarine and marshmallow in a large pot. Stir with a wooden spoon until marshmallows are melted.
3. Remove from heat. Add bran flakes, sunflower seeds, almonds, cranberries, dried apricots and chia seeds. Mix well.
4. Press into the pan and let cool for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.
5. Store in an airtight container.

(Recipe makes 15 squares)

Nutrition Information:
Per 45 g: 190 calories, 8 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 2 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 4 g protein, 10% Iron.

Pack these goodies in a reusable tin and share it with loved ones.

Please share some of your holiday recipes with us by commenting below.