Menu
MattressFirm Logo
Lifestyle & Life Moments
Lifestyle & Life Moments

Binge-Worthy Holiday Snack Recipes

binge-worthy holiday snacks
MARGARET JOHNSON

When November comes around, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Gift-buying and holiday dinner planning can easily take over your immediate priority list, leaving you stressed and burnt out. With the pressure to maximize productivity, it's easy to miss out on the real reason we celebrate the holiday season.

This year, Mattress Firm is encouraging you to indulge. So, take a break and spoil yourself with something sweet: sleep in an extra hour, get seconds of your favorite holiday dish and treat yourself to something special.

Of course, one of our favorite ways to indulge in rest is spending the day in bed, binge watching our favorite shows and munching on delicious snacks. Here are five of our favorite holiday snack recipes that are easy to make and the perfect pairing for a day of R&R.

Chai Tea Latte

chai-tea-latte2.jpg

Chai tea is the perfect way to warm you up and keep you cozy. The rich, warm spices of chai tea blended with creamy and thick milk and a dash of sweetness is a decadent treat that works well as a dessert drink or a mid-afternoon snack. Go ahead a splurge on the best quality chai tea you can find — it will be well worth it once you taste it.

Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients

2 Chai Spice black tea bags

1/4 cup boiling water

3/4 cup whole milk (or preferred milk substitute)

2-3 Tablespoons honey or real maple syrup

Cinnamon or nutmeg to sprinkle on top (optional)

Whipped Cream (optional)

Instructions

Steep the Chai tea bags in the hot water for 3 to 5 minutes.

Warm milk in a pan and whisk to prevent milk from scorching.

Slowly pour in maple syrup or honey, whisking fairly constantly, until the maple syrup has fully combined.

Add Chai Tea to the milk mixture. Whisk to form a froth.

Pour into a mug and garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon or nutmeg on sprinkled top.

Enjoy immediately.

Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn

rosemary-parmesan-popcorn2.jpg

The fresh rosemary and real Parmesan cheese will make this popcorn a homemade favorite. Garlic, rosemary, and olive oil combined is what gives this dish a true gourmet flavor. With a little help from microwave popcorn, this gourmet popcorn is a cinch to whip up in no time.

Makes: 12 cups

Ingredients

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 large garlic clove, peeled and smashed

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper

12 cups freshly popped popcorn, lightly buttered or unflavored

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Place 1 sprig rosemary and smashed garlic clove in the bottom of a small saucepan. Pour olive oil on top and set on the stove over low heat. Heat until very warm but not simmering. Turn off heat and allow to sit until room temperature.

Strip the leaves from the second sprig of rosemary and finely mince. Set aside.

Remove rosemary sprig and garlic clove from the warmed olive oil. Stir in salt and black pepper, to taste.

Drizzle olive oil over popped popcorn and toss to coat.

Sprinkle popcorn with grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon fresh minced rosemary, and salt and black pepper, to taste. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow

pumpkin-spice-puppy-chow3.jpg

Muddy buddies, puppy chow, or whatever you know this popular kid's favorite treat as gets a seasonal makeover that adults will love. With the addition of pepitas and a bit of pumpkin spice, this yummy snack is the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

Makes: 8 cups

Ingredients

13.5 oz box Cinnamon Chex cereal, or Rice Chex

12 ounces pure white chocolate chips

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided

1 cup confectioners' sugar

¼ cup toasted, salted pepitas

¼ cup Reese's Pieces (optional)

Instructions

Pour the cereal into a large bowl. Set aside.

In 20 second increments, melt the white chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Stir after each increment until melted and completely smooth.

Stir in 1 teaspoon the pumpkin spice until combined.

Pour mixture over cereal and toss gently to coat each square.

Pour the confectioners' sugar and the remainder of the 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice into a large zipped-top bag.

Add the coated cereal and shake until each piece is coated. Pour back into a large bowl and discard excess confectioners' sugar.

Cover and store puppy chow for up to 2 weeks.

Salted Caramel Dip

salted-caramel-dip.jpg

Once you've tried freshly made caramel sauce, you'll never touch the store-bought stuff again. Nothing compares to the buttery richness of homemade caramel. The best part is, that it's not really all that hard to make. With the addition of sea salt at the last minute, this caramel sauce takes on a new level that will send your taste buds into flavor nirvana.

Makes: 2 cups

Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into pieces

1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

1 tablespoon sea salt

Instructions

Add the sugar in an even layer over the bottom of a medium saucepan.

Heat the sugar over medium-high heat, whisking it as it begins to melt. The sugar will begin to form clumps, but that's normal. Continue to whisk and as it continues to cook the sugar will melt back down again.

Discontinue whisking once all of the sugar has melted. Swirl the pan occasionally while the sugar cooks.

Continue cooking until the sugar has reached a deep amber color. It will have a slightly toasted aroma.

As soon as the caramel reaches the amber color, add the butter all at once. The caramel will bubble up when the butter is added.

Whisk the butter into the caramel until it is completely melted. Remove the pan from heat.

Slowly pour the heavy cream into the caramel. The mixture will once again bubble up ferociously.

Whisk until all of the cream has been incorporated and you have a smooth sauce. Add the salt and whisk to incorporate.

Let the sauce cool for 10 to 15 minutes and then pour into a glass jar. Let cool to room temperature. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

hot-spiced-apple-cider2.jpg

Unlike apple juice, apple cider is unfiltered and unsweetened. Nonetheless, it possesses a strong apple flavor that pairs well with many flavors. Warming and comforting, hot spiced apple cider is perfect for a cool day and sipping in bed on a lazy weekend morning.

Makes: 16 cups

Ingredients

1-gallon apple cider

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 teaspoon allspice

Pinch grated nutmeg

½ teaspoon whole cloves

1 orange, sliced in half

Cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Bourbon, optional

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, add the apple cider. Stir in the brown sugar, allspice, and nutmeg until the sugar is dissolved and bring to a low boil.

Add the orange, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to the cider and reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and continue cooking for 20 minutes.

Serve in warm mugs with an extra cinnamon stick garnish. Add a shot of bourbon to individual mugs, if using.

You Might Also Like

144084p-xlarge-tan-prime-000-001
Lifestyle & Life Moments
How To Find the Perfect Dog Bed, as Recommended by a Veterinarian While it may seem like our four-legged friends can snooze the day away practically anywhere at any time, a dog bed can provide much-needed relief to their joints and muscles. It also sets aside a designated dog sleeping area in your home, should you prefer that Fido stay on the floor rather than make a surprise appearance in bed every night.
Beautiful girl sitting in a cozy atmosphere near the Christmas tree
Lifestyle & Life Moments
How to Design a Holiday Guest Room in 2024 The advent of the holidays means that the season of celebrating traditions and gathering with friends and family is upon us. Often, that means hosting guests at your home, and upgrading your guest bedroom with thoughtful touches and festive décor can go a long way in creating a comfortable and cozy holiday feel that spreads holiday cheer.
July10_Blog_640x400
Lifestyle & Life Moments
Buying Guide: Senior SleepersAs a son or daughter you may now have taken on a new role in the family to support your parents in daily tasks from picking up prescriptions or helping them with larger decisions such as managing for overall health.
Woman meditating in the lotus position closeup at outdoor swimmi
Lifestyle & Life Moments
4 Things to do With Your Extra Hour of SleepIt's that time again! When daylight saving rolls around, sleepers everywhere are faced with the biannual ritual of changing clocks. Around the autumn season, it's customary to fall back and add an extra hour of time to our days. With this change, we're faced with a challenge: What's the best way to spend the extra free time?
June21_Blog_640x400
Lifestyle & Life Moments
Buying Guide: NewlywedsCongratulations, you're married! The papers are signed, the wedding is over and you're ready to settle in to life as newlyweds. One of the most daunting parts of moving into a new home with your spouse is the list of things you need to purchase as a new family: costs add up quickly.
Father playing with children at home.
Lifestyle & Life Moments
Your Sleep-Centric Father’s Day Gift Guide for 2024This Father’s Day, give your dad something he’s probably not getting enough of: Sleep! For the dedicated, hard-working Dad, getting the recommended seven to nine hours of zzz’s can be elusive. In fact, 61% of parents agreed that their sleep was better before kids and 64% reported feeling more exhausted now than before having kids.
gifts mom will love for mothers day
Lifestyle & Life Moments
Gifts for Mom This Mother's DayBeing a mom can be a lot of work. It is even more challenging right now—you are the mom, the teacher, the personal chef and so much more. We want to celebrate all moms this Mother's Day and help you give mom the quality rest and relaxation she deserves—and really wants.
Woman looking up, illuminated
Lifestyle & Life Moments
How Daylight Saving Time Can Mess With Your SleepDaylight saving time was supposed to be a beneficial thing when it was established across most of the U.S. in 1966. It was designed to give people more usable hours of daylight, which could help conserve energy, boost health and stimulate the economy. Sounds pretty good, right?
iStock-485317466_640x400
Lifestyle & Life Moments
Nursery on a BudgetCongratulations! Your family is growing. If you’re an expecting mother, you’ve probably already made some changes to your own bedroom to get more comfortable. Well, now it’s time to make room for the new addition.