Monday, December 3, 2012

Peppermint reindeer chow - with FREE printable!



Growing up, one of the first thing my sister and I would do on Christmas morning is run down the stairs and see if Santa had ate the milk cookies we left out. Of course he always did, leaving behind a few crumbs and a note telling us how much he had enjoyed them. It was always fun seeing Santa's handwriting in red ink as dad read Santa's letter out loud, often a report of some recent things we had done...naughty or nice and reminding us the reason for the season.

 Now, I enjoy watching my kiddos set out cookies and milk for the big guy and eating them after the kids are asleep  eh making sure Santa gets his favorite kind. Really girls I think Santa would rather have a diet Pepsi...don't you? Heh. :) But this year we're setting out another treat, because Santa doesn't do all the work ya know. I can only imagine pulling the big guy around the entire world in a sleigh...in one night! So this year we'll be setting out some yummy peppermint  reindeer chow for the little guys. 


 This is a fun twist on a classic and so easy to make. Plus the kids can really help with this one! My daughter even added red sprinkles, which apparently help the glow of Rudolph's red nose, who knew?

To package it all up for the reindeer we poured it into little  paint cans from Target add I made fun little printable using, Maree Truelove's new Christmas clip art. These would make a fun treat for teachers, party favors, school parties, or just to set out on Christmas eve!

Click here to download some tags of your own!


Here's what your going to need:
5 cups Corn Chex
1 bag Andes peppermint crunch baking chips
2 cups powdered sugar
3 TBS crushed peppermint sticks (optional)
Red sprinkles (optional)


Step 1: Pour powdered sugar into a gallon ziplock bag. Then add in your crushed peppermint and sprinkles if you would like. The sprinkles aren't necessary at all...but here we were improving the brightness of Rudolf's nose :). Just a little fun touch if your making with the kids!



2. Now melt your baking chips. I used my chocolate melter of course, here's more info on melting chocolate if you need it.


Step 3: Once melted, pour of chef mix in a large mixing bowl.


Step 4: Then gently stir. Don't use to much pressure or you'll smash your reindeer food to pieces! 


Step 5: Pour about half of your chex mix into the bag, make sure it's sealed really well, then shake, shake, shake! The kids love doing this part! 


Step 6: Use a slotted spoon to scoop on the covered mix and place into a second mixing bowl. Then repeat the process with the other half of the chex mix.


My daughter added just a few more sprinkles for good measure.


And the best part is...you don't have to share this with the kids! It is after all for the reindeer :)!


With Sprinkles, 
Toni