Christmas Crackers Food

CHRISTMAS CRACK

Steps:

• Line 1 large or 2 small jelly-roll pans with aluminum foil, spray with nonstick spray and arrange the saltines salt-side down in a single layer.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together and boil until it turns a caramel color, about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add one teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
• Pour over the crackers, covering them evenly.
• Put the pan into the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until just bubbly, watching carefully.
• Remove from the oven and pour the chocolate chips over the crackers.
• When the chips melt a bit, spread them over the crackers with a knife.
• Cool completely. You can put the pan into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes to get completely cold.
• Break up into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

Steps:

• Put crackers in a large mixing bowl.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a large measuring glass or small bowl and whisk together.
• Pour over crackers and start turning with a plastic spatula or wooden spoon; try not to break the crackers.
• Stir for a few minutes so that there is no pool of oil at bottom of bowl and the crackers have absorbed the majority of it. You can let them sit to dry out a bit, but I usually can't wait that long! Enjoy! Betcha can't eat just one handful!
• *** Make sure to use Ranch DRESSING mix, NOT the dip mix!***.

CHEESE AND CRACKERS CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, shredded Cheddar and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Mound about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture on a serving plate and insert the pretzel rod vertically (the pretzel will help to hold up the structure). Add more of the cheese mixture, forming it around the pretzel rod and into a cone shape about 6 inches wide and 10 inches tall.
• Press the chopped parsley into the surface of the cheese tree to make it green, making sure to cover all the white areas. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Insert the pretzel sticks, mini butter crackers and almonds all over the tree, angled downward to create "branches". Take care to alternate the ingredients to add variety and depth. As you decorate the top, break the pretzel sticks in half so they are proportional to the size of the tree. Top the tree with one sliced almond for the "star". Tuck the pomegranate seeds in between the branches for festive "lights". Dust the edges with more finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan "snow". Serve with crackers on the side.

CHRISTMAS CRACKER CANDY

Steps:

• Chill the crackers overnight: Let the crackers cool to room temperature then move to the refrigerator and cool over night.