WHAT’S COOKING? Christmas goodies from the pantry

The St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry provides food to those needing assistance in the area, including dairy, various protein, fresh vegetables, and fruit, along with canned and boxed goods. These items are necessities during the holidays for making teats for the family or homemade gifts for others.

How about sharing some Christmas Crack with friends this year?

It’s a simple recipe you can take out of your pantry and whip up in less than an hour.

All you need is butter, brown sugar, saltine crackers (even oyster crackers work with this recipe), and chocolate – that’s it!

Start by preheating the oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet (10x15 or 11x17) with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spread your choice of saltine crackers in the pan a single layer. Fold the edges of the foil to box in the crackers, and set aside.

Over medium heat on the stovetop., bring to a boil one cup each, butter and packed brown sugar. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it continue to boil for exactly 5 minutes, remember to set a timer for this part, Stir the mixture occasionally during this part to keep it from sticking.

When the timmer rings, quickly pour the mixture over the crackers, making sure to spread it on top of all the crackers.

Bake for 5-7 minutes, until bubbly.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crackers. After 1-2 minutes, spread the chocolate over the crackers.

At this point, you can top with whatever toppings you have on hand or like nuts, M&Ms, a sprinkle of sea salt, or candy decorations.

Leave it to sit for at least 2 hours before breaking into pieces and placing it in a storage container.

Christmas Crack can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week refrigerated. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Here are some other special treats you can try:

Peanut Butter Cup Pie

1 1/2 cups of cold milk

1 pkg instant chocolate pudding mix-3.9 oz.

1 cup plus 2 T chopped peanut butter cups, divided

1 carton frozen whipped topping thawed, 8 oz

1 chocolate crumb crust, 8 or 9 inches

In a bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in 1 cup of chopped peanut butter cups. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into crust. cover and freeze for 6 hours or overnight.

Remove from the freezer 15-20 minutes before serving. Garnish with the remaining peanut butter cups.

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg Oreos

1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese

1 pkg dipping chocolate or white chocolate

Place Oreos in a food processor until they reach powder form. Add Oreos to a bowl, add cream cheese and mix. You may roll into balls or freeze for an hour and then roll into balls. Place in freezer overnight or at least 4 hours till firm. Dip balls into melted chocolate. You can drizzle white chocolate over the coated balls. Store in refrigerator.

Gumdrop Fudge

1 1/2 pounds white candy coating, coarsely chopped

1 can condensed milk

1/8 teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups of chopped gumdrops

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine the candy coating, milk, and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until candy coating is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in the vanilla and gumdrops Spread into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm. Using foil, remove fudge from the pan, cut into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Cheese Cookie Snacks

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

Stir together cheese and butter until blended. Stir in flour and salt; blend well. Stir in cereal. The dough will be stiff. Shape dough into one-inch balls; place on an ungreased baking sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten cookies to 1/4 inch thickness with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 2 dozen.

“What’s cooking?” is a question many families face daily. Some families don’t even bring up the topic because the cupboards are bare.

Food pantries provide families in need with items. However, there are times the family doesn’t know what to do with the free groceries delivered.

Annunciation’s St. Vincent de-Paul Food Pantry provides food to those needing assistance in the area, including dairy, various protein, fresh vegetables, and fruit, along with canned and boxed goods.

If you don’t know what to cook with the groceries provided, what good is the assistance?

That is why volunteers at the St. Vincent de-Paul Food Pantry want to provide recipes to help people use the groceries they receive.