Easy Snack Recipes to Include In Your Homemade Gift Baskets!

Snack Recipes and Decorative Packaging Ideas

Include in Your Homemade Gift Baskets

Make some homemade goodies with these easy snack recipes to include in your homemade gift baskets.

Go to the end of these snack recipes for decorative packaging suggestions to make the snacks look nice and stay dust-free.

Chocolate Dipped Snacks

Pretzels, cookies, graham crackers, potato chips, or dried fruit (apricots, peaches, pineapple).

Ingredients:
- 1 cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet or milk chocolate
- 1 tablespoons shortening (subsitutions won't work)

Place chocolate chips and shortening in microwaveable dish and microwave on high for 1 minute.

Remove from microwave and stir. If necessary, microwave on high for 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted.

Cool slightly. Dip one-half of each snack into chocolate mixture. Shake gently to remove excess chocolate.

OPTION: While chocolate is still wet, roll in chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, candy sprinkles, or crushed candy.

Place on tray lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate, uncovered until chocolate is set (30-40 minutes). Store in airtight container in cool, dry place.

An easy option for making your own dipping chocolate is to purchase a can of Baker's Dipping Chocolate! This is a wonderful product and the can be placed directly in your homemade gift baskets as well as using it for dipping cookies, pretzels, fresh fruit, etc.

Chocolate Popcorn With Peanuts

Ingredients:
- 10 cups popped popcorn
- 1 can salted peanuts (12-16 ounces)
- 2 cups chocolate chips, semi-sweet or milk chocolate
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Combine popcorn and peanuts and place in buttered large roasting pan.

Mix chocolate chips, corn syrup, and butter in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Pour hot mixture over popcorn and peanuts. Toss to coat well. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring several times.

Remove from oven and stir occasionally until cooled.

When your snack recipes cool completely, store in airtight containers.

Praline Popcorn

Ingredients:
- 10 cups popped corn
- 2 cups pecans
- 1-1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In large saucepan or dutch oven, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda. Add popcorn and pecans and stirl carefully to combine.

Place in a large buttered pan or cookie sheet. When completely cook, break apart and store snack recipes in airtight containers.

Easy Snack Mix

Ingredients:
- 2 cups small pretzels
- 2 cups corn snacks
- 2 cups small cheese crackers
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup peanuts
- 1 cup M&M's

Carefully mix all ingredients. Store your snack recipes in airtight containers.

Chocolate Covered Coconut

Mix in with other snack foods.

Ingredients:
- 2 squares semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 cup flake coconut

Microwave chocolate until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

Add coconut to chocolate and stir to mix.

Spread on cookie sheet, separating flakes with a fork. Refrigerate until chocolate is set.

Decorative Packaging Ideas

Fill jars, cellophane bags, tin cans, glass canisters, dishes, etc.

Decorate jars with 8 inch square pieces of wrapping paper or fabric, hold in place with a rubber band, and finish with a tie or bow.

Fill cellophane bag and tie with bow or raffia.

Chocolate Coffee Spoons

For an extra special decorative touch, follow this recipe for Chocolate Coffee Spoons.

Tie one or more of the chocolate spoons into the ribbon or bows of other gifts for your homemade gift baskets.

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