No-bake Christmas treats you can make with your children

Chocolate cereal wreaths

What you need

• Cornflakes (or Rice Krispies) 
• Melted chocolate (milk, dark or white) 
• Red sweets or small red candies 

How to make them 

1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth 
2. Mix in the cereal until fully coated in chocolate 
3. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a sheet of baking paper and shape each into a circle or wreath shape with your fingers 
4. While the chocolate is still soft, press a few red sweets into each wreath to mimic holly berries 
5. Leave them to set, and enjoy! 

These are crunchy and sweet, and look wonderfully festive on a plate or gift tray!

Chocolate-marshmallow puffed rice squares 

A classic nostalgic treat and perfect for little hands to help. 

What you need

• 300 g Marshmallows 
• 45 g Butter 
• 180 g Puffed rice 
• A few squares of chocolate for a festive drizzle 
• Sprinkles

How to make them

1. Gently melt butter and marshmallows in a saucepan over low heat 
2. Once smooth, stir in the puffed rice until they’re evenly coated 
3. Press the mixture into a lined tin or into shapes (snowballs, squares, small logs, etc. 
4. For a festive touch, drizzle with a little melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles before it sets 

These are quick, satisfying and the melting-and-mixing process is fun for children. 

Chocolate-covered pretzels

For a quick and easy treat that doesn’t require baking, dip pretzel sticks or mini pretzels in melted chocolate, then decorate with sprinkles, crushed peppermint or crushed nuts – whatever you have on hand. 

Why kids love it

Dipping is fun! And decorating them with colourful sprinkles or candy feels like making a mini craft project. 

Tip! These also make lovely little gifts. Wrap a couple in cellophane or small paper bags, tie with ribbon and you’ve got homemade festive treats. 

Festive fudge

If you want something rich and indulgent, fudge is a great choice! 

What you need

• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk 
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

How to make it

1. Line an 20 x 20 cm pan with baking paper 
2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips 
3. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is fully melted. Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the vanilla extract 
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out with an offset spatula or knife 
5. Cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate until the fudge is set (this will take 2–3 hours) 
6. Once set, remove the fudge, and cut it into uniform blocks 
7. Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks 

Why no-bake treats work well 

• They don’t need an oven, so you’re not waiting to bake with other cooking going on 
• They’re perfect for little hands (measuring, mixing, shaping, decorating) 
• They let you use pantry odds and ends like chocolate buttons, leftover cereal, old marshmallows, biscuits, etc., so you spend almost nothing extra 
• They make lovely gifts or contributions to holiday parties 
• Most importantly: they’re fun, messy (in the best way) and a lovely chance for family time