Try These Nutcracker Sweets This Holiday Season

Watching The Nutcracker through the eyes of a child is a magical experience. For many young children, it’s their first experience at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. The first time to hold a program in their little hands and find their seats. And from the time the curtain goes up and they hear the familiar and enchanting sound of Tchaikovsky’s score, they’re immersed in the world of the Mouse King, the Nutcracker Price and the Sugarplum Fairy.

Hearing the little gasps from children when the snow falls to the stage over dancers in candy-colored tutus makes it worth the time it takes to plan an outing around naptime, tugging on tights and dress shoes and remembering to stuff your bag with snacks, just in case.

One way to increase the excitement and anticipation of going to the ballet is by immersing kids in The Nutcracker before the day of the show. Check out Nutcracker books from the library, find the ballet on a streaming service or show them a video clip from your phone.

You can also take it a step further with a Nutcracker-themed tea party. This can be as intimate or elaborate as you like. A pot of herbal tea or hot cocoa and cookies with “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” playing in the background is enough to make lasting memories.

Or if you want to have fun with it, you can go all out by inviting friends or family for a special tea with themed desserts, cookie decorating and games. If that sounds like a stressful nightmare, don’t do it. But if parties and fellowship bring you joy, hosting a special tea party for your children will make the holidays all the sweeter.

Here are some of our ideas for Nutcracker sweets (and a touch of savory) to help bring this wondrous ballet to life this holiday season.

Snow Queen’s Peppermint Snack Mix

• 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 4 cups mini pretzel twists
• 2 cups mint or plain M&Ms
• 1 cup chopped peppermint candy
• 20 ounces almond bark or vanilla candy melts
• Red and green sprinkles

1. Stir together cereal, pretzels, M&Ms and crushed peppermints in a large bowl.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt almond bark according to package instructions. Pour melted almond bark over cereal mixture, stirring until mixture is coated.
3. Spread mixture onto two parchment-lined baking sheets. Quickly top with sprinkles – before the melted candy coating has hardened. Once it has hardened, break mixture into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Mother Ginger’s Spiced Cider

Makes 12 servings

• 1 ½ quarts apple cider
• 1 quart cranberry-apple juice
• 2 cups pineapple juice
• ¾ cup red hot cinnamon candies
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks

1. Pour cider, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and cinnamon candies in a slow cooker.
2. Place cloves in a metal tea ball or infuser, and place in slow cooker. (If you don’t have a tea ball, place whole cloves in slow cooker, and strain before serving.)
3. Cook on low 2 hours, then keep on warm as long as needed. Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving.

Clara’s Raspberry Swirl Cookies

Makes 6 dozen cookies

• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1 (12-ounce) jar seedless raspberry jam
• 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing just until combined.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture a little at a time. Mix well after each addition. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
3. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball into a 13-by-9-inch rectangle.
4. In a small bowl, combine jam and coconut. Use a spatula, spread over the rectangles. Carefully roll into a jellyroll, starting with the long end. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each roll into 1/3-inch slices. Place on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie slightly with the palm of your hand or the back of a spatula. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Fritz’s Fruitcake Cookies

Makes 7 dozen cookies

• 6 cups chopped pecans
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 ½ cups raisins
• 1 ¼ cups chopped candied cherries
• 1 ¼ cups chopped candied pineapple
• ½ stick butter
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 ½ cups mini marshmallows
• 1 ½ cups sweetened coconut flakes

1. In a large bowl, combine the pecans, graham cracker crumbs, raisins, cherries and pineapple.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add evaporated milk and marshmallows. Cook over low heat, stirring until the marshmallows are melted. (This step can also be done in the microwave if you prefer.) Pour melted marshmallows over graham cracker mixture, mixing well.
3. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in coconut and set aside to cool. Store in airtight container.

Mouse King’s Favorite Meatballs

Makes 30 small meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup fine breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 can whole cranberry sauce
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons sweet Thai chile sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, cheese, salt, pepper and tomato paste.
2. Portion mixture into 30 meatballs, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (You may need two sheets because you don’t want to overcrowd the meatballs.) Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
3. Combine cranberry sauce, ketchup and chile sauce in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then add meatballs to sauce to coat. Keep warm or serve right away.

Note: Kids like these served on Hawaiian rolls as meatball sliders.

Natalie Mikles is a mom of three. She writes about food, sharing recipes for busy families and picky eaters. She has been recognized for her food columns as well as features on families and issues affecting local children. Natalie loves pizza and movie nights with her family.