Christmas Goodies

Last weekend, I spent all Saturday and Sunday at my grandmother's making some of my favorite Christmas goodies for the teachers and administrators at school {and of course, myself!}. Peanut Butter Balls have always been a holiday staple in my family, made for years by my great-grandmother Ma Jones before she passed. I made almost 200 PBBs, tons of Grinch Cookies, and pans of white chocolate covered pretzels--the ones that are Christmas shapes of course! Below, are the recipes for some of the best Christmas goodies around {I promise, you'll have people raving!}:

Ma Jones' Peanut Butter Balls

• 1 Jar Creamy Peanut Butter {I prefer Peter Pan}
• 2-3 cups of Confectioners Sugar 
• 1/4 cup of salted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla {or vanilla extract}
• 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 bar of candy wax

Melt peanut butter and salted butter in a microwave safe bowl. Once creamy and melted, stir well. Add vanilla, and confectioners sugar a cup at a time until the mixture becomes rollable. Roll small balls and place on a cookie sheet, lined with wax paper. Place balls on pan in freezer.

Melt bag of chocolate chips and 1/2 bar of candy wax. Stir well. Dip peanut butter balls in chocolate. Return to freezer until hardened. Dip peanut butter balls a second time in chocolate, add sprinkles, and return to freezer. Once they're hardened, they're done! 

I prefer to keep them in the fridge all the time, but they will be fine at room temperature as well! 

Grinch Cookies 

• 1 Box of Ritz Crackers
• Peanut Butter
• 1 package Almond Bark 
• 1 handful of Green Candy Melts
• Sprinkles

Make peanut butter cracker sandwiches using the Ritz Crackers. You can use as much or as little peanut butter as you'd like, which is the beauty of this. Melt almond bark and green candy melts together until you reach the desired green color. Dip peanut butter sandwiches in the green mixture, covering completely. Place on wax paper, and top with sprinkles. Once they're firm, you're done! 

I hope you enjoy my favorite Christmas goodies as much as I do!