it's only tuesday and this week is already proving to be a hectic one. what with all the holiday baking, online christmas shopping, mitch's final taking, and packing and moving our apartment, this house has spun into one seriously chaotic web. however, there is one holiday tradition that can't be overlooked despite all of our current chaos. a tradition that my grandma did and mom did and I have sort of done the past few years. and that's the tradition of holiday neighbor gifts. this year, I picked things that were somewhat traditional, sweet and tasty, and that needed ingredients that I could get my hands on here on our little island. and the best part is? they can all be baked at 350 degrees fahrenheit, which if you're needing to multitask your oven, is super convenient.
here's what I included in mine ::
sugar cookies via vintage revival
some chocolate covered pretzel rods (fairly self explanatory)
and these magic bars ::
the recipe
1/2 cup of butter or margarine
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 bag chocolate chips
(I used semi-sweet)
1 bag butterscotch chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup nuts
(left out because of allergies)
the method
step one :: preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. melt butter or margarine in the bottom of the pan. I usually just stick it in the preheating oven for a few minutes.
step two :: if you put pan in the oven, remove it and spread graham cracker crumbs evenly throughout the bottom of the pan.
step three :: spread a layer of chocolate chips, a layer of butterscotch chips, and a layer of coconut on top of the graham cracker crust. drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly on top.
step four :: stick in the oven for 30 minutes or until sweetened condensed milk is no longer visible and coconut is toasted.
step five :: remove from oven and cool. cut into 1'' squares. then, share the love!
and that's just about as simple as neighbor gifts get! perfect if your holiday season is as crazy as mine. those magic squares were my absolute childhood favorite and I used to get so frustrated that my mom would, basically, give them all away! sad to say, I pretty much did the same thing to mitch this year. with the promise I would make him another pan when we get to the states in two days! I hope you are all having a wonderful tuesday and thanks for reading!
love, arielle
It looks delicious!
ReplyDeletethanks, rakel! they really are! if you try them on y our own, let me know how they turn out for you!
Deletelove, arielle
These look so good! Definitely having a go at making these for a christmas snack xx
ReplyDeletewww.roseandmuse.com
www.roseandmuse.com
you definitely should. they are so stinkin easy!
Deletelove, arielle
Yes, we'll make them when you get here! They're a tradition!
ReplyDeletethey certainly are! thanks for reading!
Deletelove, arielle
Magic bars?! Oh my lanta! Bookmarking. ;) Xo, Alison
ReplyDeletehttp://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com
definitely know how they turn out for you if you give them a go on your own, alison! thanks for reading!
Deletelove, arielle
The magic bars sound delicious! But chocolate-covered pretzels?! Never had those, can't image what that's like! Sweet? Salty? How do you make them? Is it really as simple as it sounds?? Must try...
ReplyDeleteokay, so chocolate covered pretzels were pretty much a staple in my house 'round christmastime growing up, which could be why I think everyone already knows what to do. it is sweet. and salty! exactly the treat for you if you're a salted caramel fan! and it really is simple...melt some chocolate and dip your pretzels in it. stick whatever treats you want in the melted chocolate and wait for them to dry. they are pretty darn amazing!
DeleteThese looks amazing - I'll have to try them asap.
ReplyDeleteLizzie's Daily Blog
if you did try them, I hope they turned out wonderful, elizabeth! they are really super easy. thanks for reading along! it means the world!
Deletelove, arielle
Teehee, Christmas is the holiday I take the most seriously! Always make time for Christmas! This is such a lovely tradition you have going on :') I'm currently a college freshman in the States, but for the last eight years I was living/studying abroad in China. I lived in the international community, so people were always coming and going and we never got to properly know our neighbors. Now I live just feet away from my classmates and it's awesome--dorms are cool that way haha. Happy holidays! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
ReplyDeletechina?! oh my goodness, that sounds amazing, audrey! that would definitely make for a cool experience, but being home and having more consistency might make holiday neighbor gifts a little easier ;) thanks for dropping by!
Deletelove, arielle
Yum it all looks so good! I always grew up giving baked goods to the older people in my neighborhood and I loved it! Some of the best memories:)
ReplyDeletewww.charltonlee.com
awww, those would be some really good memories. my mom always made the treats growing up (I was usually eating them!) and I loved visiting all of our family, friends, and neighbors, too! hope you had an amazing christmas and thanks for reading!
Deletelove, arielle
These look delicious. I love the sound of pretzel rods- only really beginning to understand the potential of the pretzel :)
ReplyDeleteoh, I think it's pretty certain the pretzel is the next big thing. they are pretty much amazing any way you eat them, amiright? thanks for reading, nicole! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Deletelove, arielle