More Easy & Inexpensive Treats From The Kitchen…Makes Great “Last Minute” Gifts

Whether you want to make goodies to give or have on hand, these recipes are fairly quick, inexpensive and they all taste delicious (I personally sampled each and every recipe, all in the name of research).

I began making these cookies when my son was in elementary school (he’s now 23 so I’ve been making them a long time). You only need 3 ingredients and you can custom-design them by adding any ingredients and flavors you like. I do make homemade cookies from scratch but when I need something quick, this is my “go-to” recipe….and if you pick up cake mixes when they go on sale, they are very inexpensive to make. I used Duncan Hines (and this recipe comes from Duncan Hines) cake mix which was on sale for 99 cents.

CAKE MIX COOKIES –

This recipe makes 36 cookies, and cost me less than 5 cents per cookie.

Ingredients:

• 1 box any flavor cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• optional ingredient ideas – any flavor chocolate chips, nuts, candy pieces, etc.

Directions:

Add 1/2 cup oil and 2 eggs to one box of cake mix. Add chips, nuts or flavorings if desired (crushed peppermint is great at this time of year).  Drop by teaspoonfuls on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

I added chocolate chips, nuts and confection sugar for a variety to choose from.

You can pick up decorative tins at any dollar store or thrift store for an inexpensive way to gift your cookies. A dozen cookies in a tin cost me $1.55.

My mom and I used to make these Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz treats during the holidays. Now you can buy them already made but they are more expensive. And when you make them yourself, you can be creative with how you decorate them (if you want).

CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT BUTTER RITZ TREATS –

Ingredients:

• Ritz crackers
• peanut butter
• any flavor chocolate chips or chocolate melts

Directions:

Spread a generous amount of peanut butter between 2 Ritz crackers. Melt chocolate according to package directions. Dip sandwich cookie in chocolate with a fork or tongs, covering both sides. Shake off excess chocolate and put on wax paper until chocolate sets. *You can sprinkle colored sugar crystals on these while the chocolate is wet or dip half in white chocolate, let dry, and then dip the other half in dark chocolate if you want.

This recipe for Chunky Salsa was in Family Circle (December 2012) so I made it so see if it tasted good. It not only tastes great, but you can make 10 cups in about 30 minutes. Family Circle priced each cup at $1.53 but I got a lot of my ingredients on sale and was able to get the price in at about $1.25 per cup.

CHUNKY SALSA –

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs plum tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced
• 1 package (20 oz) frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 jalapeno chiles, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 can (5.5 oz, about 2/3 cup) tomato juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

Directions:

Combine tomatoes, corn, onions, garlic, jalapenos, cilantro, tomato juice, salt and pepper in an 8-quart pot. Bring to a simmer over high heat.

Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in beans and cook 5 minutes. Cool and spoon into jars. Refrigerate.

To give this as a gift, pair with tortilla chips and/or include a dip bowl if desired…or just put in a jar. Include a note that says “Use within 2 weeks”.

I made a Black Bean & Corn Salsa that we previously featured that I personally prefer…..

Beer Cheese

Another recipe we’ve featured that’s oh so good and easy to make is Beer Cheese. I have never made this where someone didn’t ask for the recipe. If you pack this in a crock (you can find them at dollar stores for an inexpensive container), it makes a great gift. You could add a decorative cheese spreader if you want.

These chocolate balls can be made with bourbon, rum or brandy…I’ve tried all three and they are all equally delicious! The flavors will improve after 24 hours. I did get my chocolate chips. vanilla wafers and sweetened condensed milk on sale….which brought the cost in at about $1.25 per dozen.

MILK CHOCOLATE BOURBON, RUM or BRANDY BALLS –

Ingredients:

• 1 (12 oz) package vanilla wafer cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups crumbs)
• 5 tablespoons bourbon, brandy or rum
• 1 (11 1/2 ounce) package milk chocolate chips (I have used dark chocolate too)
• 1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Directions:

In medium mixing bowl, combine crumbs and liquor. In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips. Remove pan from heat; add sweetened condensed milk. Gradually add crumb mixture; mix well. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes or chill. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in nuts. Store tightly covered. Makes about 6 dozen.