This weekend we made three gluten-free chocolate peppermint treats and had a wonderful time doing it. I love getting my kids involved in the kitchen, especially during the holidays. It’s fun for them and helps build a positive relationship with food. This time we focused on peppermint and chocolate, creating chocolate-covered sandwich creme cookies, chocolate-dipped mini candy canes, and chocolate-dipped pretzels. Each recipe is simple and kid-friendly, so children can help (or take the lead) with minimal supervision.
To get started, we melted a bag of Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips on the stove, stirring until smooth, then transferred the melted chocolate to a bowl for dipping. We also crushed some Spangler candy canes in a plastic bowl using a masher; a rolling pin works well too. Below are the easy step-by-step instructions for each treat.
Chocolate-Covered Sandwich Creme Cookies
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip gluten-free sandwich creme cookies (we used Kinnikinnick K-Toos) into the melted chocolate until fully coated.
- Set each coated cookie on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the tops with crushed candy cane pieces while the chocolate is still wet.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has fully set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Chocolate-Dipped Mini Candy Canes
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip the bottom half of each mini candy cane into the melted chocolate.
- Place the dipped candy canes on the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the chocolate-covered sections with crushed candy canes for extra peppermint crunch.
- Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, until the chocolate is firm.
- Enjoy your festive peppermint treats!
Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip gluten-free pretzels into the melted chocolate until they are fully coated.
- Arrange the coated pretzels on the parchment-lined sheet.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the chocolate before it sets.
- Chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.
- Enjoy!
All three treats are quick to prepare and make great holiday snacks or gifts. Use dairy-free or allergy-friendly chocolate and ingredients if needed to keep everything suitable for your family. Have fun experimenting with different toppings or drizzle patterns to make each batch unique.