Autumn themed treats for any occasion - not just Thanksgiving

[TeenHelp]

Autumn themed treats for any occasion - not just Thanksgiving
By Cassie (cynefin)

Thanksgiving, though not worldwide, is a holiday that is known for gathering with those important people in your life, sharing a meal, talking about what you're thankful for, and reflecting on history. The Canadian Thanksgiving has already been celebrated, but the American Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away. Below are some crafty snack ideas that could also serve as little center pieces on the table. Make these during your downtime, or in a group with the people you care about! These treats are fun to make regardless of whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, so don't let anything discourage you.

Add to an existing snack mix. Purchase an already made sweet or savory snack mix, such as Chex, and add your own foods to it. Add Reese's Pieces or Brach's candy pumpkins to make it look festive. Alternatively or additionally, purchase some waffle ice cream cones; you'll need the point at the end. Fill with M&M's or that snack mix you just completed to make a mini cornucopia.

Use popcorn to your advantage! Pop some popcorn, or buy pre-popped popcorn. Put it in a thin, snack sized bag (twist tie ones might work well) and twist the end after closing the bag to give it an oval shape. Tie this off with ribbon or twine. Next, wrap the bottom of the bag with some green tissue paper to create a little ear of corn.

[source]

Bring the outdoors inside with little acorns. You'll need Hershey Kisses, chocolate chips, and bitesize Nutter Butter cookies. Begin by melting half the bag of chips in the microwave for fifteen to twenty seconds at a time, stirring in between. Next, dip a Hershey Kiss into the melted chocolate and press it to the one side of the cookie. Then, dip a chocolate chip into the chocolate and put it on the other side of the cookie.

[source]

Make mini pilgrim's hats. Use cookies (Oreo or Keebler's fudge stripe), frosting, melted chocolate and a small Reese's cup or a large marshmallow. Gather your cookies and lay them out. If using fudge striped cookies, lay them with the chocolate side up. Melt chocolate chips as detailed above. Dip the top of a Reese's cup into the chocolate and press it onto the cookie. Alternatively, dunk a large marshmallow into the chocolate and put it on the cookie. After these cool a little, use some frosting to add the details of the hat.

[source]

Use crackers, cheese, and lunchmeat to make a turkey. Using a large plate, use the different shapes you have to create a turkey. Use crackers for the body, cheese and pepperoni for the feathers, and so forth. Alternatively, you can gather carrots sliced cucumber, and celery to make a pumpkin on your vegetable tray.

[source]

The Hallmark Channel shows viewers how to make pumpkin rolls as a side for dinner using frozen yeast rolls. Spread rolls on a sheet and set with cooking spray. Then allow them to defrost for an hour or so. Next, use a knife to make little indentations around the roll but don't cut all the way through. Use the end of a utensil to make a small indentation for the stem. Combine an egg with a tablespoon of water and brush the top of the rolls, then add cinnamon sugar to the top. Bake as directed. After the rolls have cooled, put pecans in your indentations for the stems.

[source]