Peanut Butter Reindeer Treats Food

REINDEER CHOW (CHRISTMAS SNACK MIX)

Steps:

• In a microwavable bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, caramel sauce, and butter. Microwave and stir chocolate mixture in 20-30 second intervals (checking in-between intervals to make sure it's not burnt) until completely melted when stirred together. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Pour the cereal into a large bowl and add in the chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel mixture. Stir the cereal in the mixture until it is all evenly coated being careful not to break the cereal pieces.
• Grab a gallon-sized plastic bag (like a Ziplock bag) and add all the powdered sugar to the bag. Toss in the coated cereal and shake until all the powdered sugar adheres to the cereal. (You might need two bags to fit it all)
• Place cereal mixture into a clean large bowl and then stir in the mini pretzels, mini peanut butter cups, Christmas M&M's, salted peanuts, and white chocolate chips.

SWEET AND SALTY REINDEER POPS

Steps:

• Place the peanut butter in a medium bowl. Sift the powdered sugar through a fine mesh strainer over top of the peanut butter. Using a rubber spatula, stir the peanut butter and sugar together to make a smooth, somewhat stiff mixture.
• Spread about 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture on half of the crackers. Press the wooden sticks into the peanut butter mixture, then top each with one more cracker. Press the crackers to stick them together. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the chocolate bars into small, similar-sized pieces. Place in a bowl set over a pot filled with about 1" of water. (Make sure that the bowl does not touch the water). Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a simmer over medium-low heat. Stir the chocolate occasionally, until it is melted and fluid. Transfer to a tall measuring cup, for easier dipping.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Remove the pops from the freezer. Dip one pop into the melted chocolate to coat completely. Remove and let the excess chocolate drip off into the measuring cup. Place the pop on the sheet tray and immediately place four little pretzel pieces up top (the antlers), two candy eyes just below, then one red candy nose. Repeat with all of the other pops. When the chocolate is shiny and still somewhat soft, sprinkle the tops of the reindeer faces with a pinch of flaky sea salt, if you like.
• Let firm up at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Store in an air-tight container in a single layer, between layers of parchment paper, in a cool spot in your kitchen or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

EASY PEANUT BUTTER REINDEER COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheet). In medium bowl, mix cookies as directed on package, using oil, water and egg.
• Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls 2 inches apart. Dip bottom of drinking glass in sugar; press each ball until about 1/2 inch thick.
• Pinch bottom edge of each cookie to form a longer point. At point of each cookie, place 1 chocolate chip for nose; press down slightly. Place 2 chocolate chips on each cookie for eyes; press down slightly. With small sharp knife, cut star points from Christmas pretzels to form 48 small V-shaped pretzels (if using pretzel sticks, cut into quarters). Press 2 pretzel pieces into top of each cookie for antlers.
• Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.