Darcy’s Dishes: Create kid-friendly recipes for some sweet holiday fun from Thanksgiving to New Year’s

SAN ANTONIO — Get ready to deck your kitchen with sweetness this holiday season!

Darcy’s Dishes is serving up a lineup of festive treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat. From crunchy Caramel Apple Bark that delivers all the cozy fall vibes, to Pumpkin-shaped Rice Krispie Treats that look like they popped right out of a holiday craft table, there’s something here for every baker, big or small.

And if you’re looking to sprinkle in some Christmas charm, the Christmas Pretzel Wreaths are an instant crowd-pleaser. They’re salty, sweet and almost too cute to eat… almost. And for the grand finale? A Peppermint Cranberry Ice Cream Float that layers fizzy cheer with a scoop of holiday magic – perfect for kids, or anyone who’s a kid at heart.

So whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking to sweeten up a cozy night in, these easy recipes bring maximum flavor with minimal fuss. You can watch this festive episode of Darcy’s Dishes streaming now on KENS 5+, available to download for free on your TV.

• Rice Krispies cereal
• Mini marshmallows
• Unsalted butter
• Orange food coloring
• Tootsie rolls: the stems of the pumpkins are a tootsie roll. It presses into these crunchy treats easily.
• Green M&M’s: used to mimic the leaves for the top of the pumpkins. Simply place them next to the tootsie roll stems.

• In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
• Once butter is melted, add marshmallows and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until melted.
• Remove from the heat and stir in ½ teaspoon of orange gel food coloring.
• Add Rice Krispie’s cereal, stirring until well coated and color is evenly distributed. Add additional orange gel coloring if needed for your perfect pumpkin shade.
• Spray your hands with non-stick spray and form the Rice Krispie treat mixture into 10 large balls.
• Add a tootsie roll “stump” in the middle of each pumpkin ball and add a green M&M to make the “leaf.”
• Allow the pumpkin Rice Krispie treats to set for an hour.

The Pumpkin-shaped Rice Krispie Treats recipe was originally found here. 

• Granny Smith Apples
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
• Caramel Squares
• Pretzels
• Lemon Juice
• Water

• Line a large (13×18) baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.
• Fill a bowl with a cup of water and the lemon juice, stir to combine. 
• Core and chop the apples. As you are chopping the apples transfer them into the bowl of lemon water to prevent the apples from browning. 
• In a medium, microwave safe bowl melt 2 cups of the chocolate chips. (Save the remaining 1/2 cup for drizzling on top of the bark.)  Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave heat for 30 seconds then stir well. Continue heating in 15 second increments until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. 
• Pour melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread evenly over the whole pan.
• Top chocolate with pretzels, pressing slightly into chocolate.
• Drain apples, then place on paper towels and pat dry with paper towels.  Remove as much moisture as possible to prevent the chocolate from becoming runny and the pretzels soggy. Once dry set them aside.
• In another small microwave safe bowl, combine caramels and 1 teaspoon of water.  Heat for 30 seconds, then stir. Heat additional 15 seconds and stir again. Continue heating for 15 seconds until caramels are melted and smooth.  Slowly pour caramel over pretzel layer. 
• Sprinkle apples over caramel and press gently into pan. 
• Heat remaining chocolate chips in bowl as you did in step two.  Drizzle chocolate over top of the apple layer. 
• Refrigerate until bark is completely set. This could take several hours. Keep refrigerated until ready to eat. 
• Cut with sharp knife and serve. 

Caramel Apple Bark recipe was originally found here. 

• Jet-Puffed marshmallow cream 
• Sprinkles
• Peppermint candy
• Cranberry Ginger Ale (This is an interchangeable drink) 
• Strawberry Ice Cream

• Whipped topping

• Spread marshmallow cream around the rim of your cup. 
• Add red sprinkles to the top of the marshmallow spread. 
• Add ice cream to the cup. 
• Pour your drink into the cup, making an ice cream float.
• Add whipped topping to the top of the cup. 
• Decorate with more sprinkles.
• Garnish with peppermint candy. 
• Drink your sweat treat!

The Peppermint Cranberry Ice Cream Float recipe was originally found here.

• White chocolate chips or icing 
• Green food coloring 
• Holiday-colored M&M’s
• Sprinkles
• Pretzels 

• Melt your white chocolate chips, as you stir to melt the chocolate add green food coloring. 
• Dip pretzels in the melted chocolate and create a wreath using the pretzels. 
• Decorate with M&M’s and sprinkles
• Put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes-1 hour. 
• Let the chocolate set and harden so the pretzels stick together. 
• Enjoy!

The Christmas Pretzel Wreaths recipe was originally found here.