The dorm friendly recipe book: Christmas edition

By Kassidy Weemhoff | Echo

The whirlwind of the Christmas season is upon us (literally). Amidst the hectic open house prepping, exam studying, post-Thanksgiving working out and Silent Night anticipating, you need to take a snack break. It's important to take time to warm up with an elevated version of pizza rolls or sit in front of your favorite Christmas film with a bowl of snack mix, trust us.

We've compiled a collection of easy recipes to create in your dorms for any occasion whether it be a late night study sesh or a Friendmas celebration. We want you to take advantage of these next few weeks and spread some cheer by snacking loud for all to hear.

In this edition of dorm-friendly recipes, we are bringing you a host of scrumptious treats almost as heavenly as the host in our favorite Christmas story. If you want cheap, easy ways to celebrate the holiday season with your closest pals or that special someone, you don't have to travel through the Peppermint Forest or over the Sea of Swirly, Twirly Gumdrops to find them. Just read here!

M&M Pretzel Bites

Ingredients:

• 70 Square Pretzel Bites
• 70 M&Ms
• 70 Hershey Hugs (You can buy the 12 oz package and have a little extra to snack on.)

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and place pretzels on the cookie sheet with an unwrapped Hug on top of each pretzel.
2. Bake for 4-5 minutes.
3. Take them out and place one M&M on each soft Hug. Press down and let set in the fridge for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 bags of white chocolate chips
• 1 box of Rice Chex
• 16 oz bag of mini pretzels
• 1 bag of Christmas M&Ms
• 2 cups peanuts

1. Melt chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl for 30 second increments, stirring between each. Stir until fully melted.
2. Add the cereal, pretzels, ¾ of the M&Ms and peanuts into a large trash bag. Close and shake for a few seconds to mix the ingredients.
3. Add the melted chocolate to the bag and shake until everything is coated.
4. Spread out on a pan to dry and sprinkle the rest of M&Ms over the top. Serve in a big bowl and enjoy in front of your favorite Christmas movie.

Pull-Apart Christmas Tree

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of refrigerated pizza dough
• 7 mozzarella sticks
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ cup finely grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp thinly sliced basil
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
• Marinara sauce for serving
• 1 Egg whisked with water

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut mozzarella sticks into 1 inch pieces and set aside.
2. Flour your surface and divide the dough into two pieces. Stretch each piece out into a rectangle and cut into 3 inch squares.
3. Wrap a dough square around each piece of mozzarella, forming a tightly sealed ball. Place balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a Christmas tree (they should be touching). Brush egg wash on dough balls and bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, whisk together melted butter, Parmesan and herbs. Brush on baked pizza balls. Serve warm with marinara for dipping.

Christmas Superfood Bark

Ingredients:

• 200 grams or about 1 ½ cups of dark chocolate
• ¼ tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp shelled pistachio nuts
• 2 tbsp goji berries
• 1 tsp shredded coconut

1. Line an 8x8 (or any available pan) with parchment paper.
2. Warm up the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each. Add in the vanilla and stir until smooth.
3. Pour the chocolate into the pan and put the pistachios, goji berries and coconut over the top, arranging it in an aesthetically pleasing way.
4. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes until it is set, and cut into pieces.