The Elf on the Shelf®: Sweet Holiday Treats to Make at Home + Free Printables

This enchanting winter season, we've teamed up with none other than Santa Claus himself to help us craft special holiday treats for kids and adults of all ages. During this time of wonder, the Scout Elf^® pals have left the shelf to help us embark on a festive adventure in the kitchen. As the joyous holiday approaches, we warmly invite you to join us in the kitchen to witness the magic firsthand. Afterward, why not extend the cheer to your own home by welcoming a Scout Elf^® to help you and your family create your own holiday joy and heartwarming memories? Download a free The Elf on the Shelf^® printable for each idea to help you and your Scout Elf^® along the way – it’s a recipe for pure happiness!

Here’s one way to get everyone to come out and play. As a Scout Elf^® merrily rolls the powdered donut holes across the table, everyone else can gather around for a delightful activity that’s fun for kids and adults alike—building mini snowmen! These sugar-coated snow people can endure even the warmest fireplace temperatures, and crafting them is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

What You’ll Need:

• Kroger Brand Powdered Donut Holes
• Assorted sprinkles or decorator candies
• Black gumdrops
• Toothpicks

Directions:

1. Stack three donuts on top of each other. Place a black gumdrop on top for a hat and secure all pieces with a toothpick.
2. Use the decorator candies to create eyes, a smile, the nose and buttons.
3. Insert one toothpick into each side of the snowman to create adorable arms.

For the perfect festive backdrop to your snowy scene, be sure to grab The Elf on the Shelf Gingerbread House Kit during your next trip to the store. This ready-to-build set includes pre-baked gingerbread, decorative icing, candy décor and much more to make your holiday decorating a delight!

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One of the Scout Elf^® pals has found our favorite classic sugar cookie recipe and we’re bouncing with excitement to whip up a batch! These timeless holiday staples make an excellent base for building fully loaded ice cream sandwiches. We’re taking our inspiration from the new Frozen Farmer The Elf on the Shelf Santa's Cookies Ice Cream Sandwiches, found exclusively at Kroger’s Family of Stores, and filling our handheld treats with iconic holiday ice cream flavors.

What You’ll Need:

• ¾ cup Kroger Brand Unsalted Butter, softened
• 1 cup Kroger Brand Pure Cane Granulated Sugar
• 1 Kroger Brand Grade A Large White Egg
• 1 tsp. Kroger Brand Imitation Vanilla Flavor
• 2 cups Kroger Brand Bleached All Purpose Enriched Flour, plus more for rolling
• ½ tsp. Kroger Brand Baking Powder
• ½ tsp. Kroger Brand Iodized Salt
• Ice cream of choice
• Round cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Using an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
2. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half.
3. Roll each dough half between parchment paper to about ¼” thickness. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
5. Remove top piece of parchment. Use cookie cutter to cut out shapes and arrange on prepared cookie sheet. If dough gets soft, chill about 10 minutes until cold.
6. Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden, 10-18 minutes. Let cool completely.
7. To assemble ice cream sandwiches, place a scoop of ice cream on one sugar cookie. Place a second cookie on top.

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Indulge in the cozy warmth of a gently steaming cup of hot chocolate—ideal for enjoying on the go or slowly sipping in front of the fireplace. Although delicious on its own, this beverage can easily be taken to a magical level with the addition of a delightful snowflake-shaped marshmallow treat. This clever decoration takes just seconds to put together and adds a sprinkle of enchantment and an additional touch of sweetness to the dessert festivities.

What You’ll Need:

• 3½ cups milk
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
• ½ cup Kroger Brand Heavy Whipping Cream
• 3 Tbsp. Kroger Brand Sugar Free Baking Cocoa
• 1½ cups Kroger Brand Milk Chocolate Morsels
• 1 tsp. Kroger Brand Imitation Vanilla Flavor
• 4 large Kroger Brand Marshmallows
• 64 Kroger Brand Mini Marshmallows
• 32 Kroger Brand Round Wooden Toothpicks

Directions:

1. In saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together milk and cornstarch.
2. Stir in cream and cocoa powder. Once steam starts rising, remove from heat.
3. Stir in chocolate chips. Continue stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Evenly skewer eight toothpicks around the long side of one large marshmallow.
5. Place two mini marshmallows on each toothpick to create a snowflake pattern.
6. Serve hot chocolate garnished with marshmallow snowflakes.

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Turn your regular pizza night into a meal filled with merriment by using a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut each slice into a holiday-inspired treat. By using premade ingredients, the process is quick, easy and effortlessly adds an extra dash of joy to the dinner table. You can serve the pizza trees as a surprise or let everyone build and decorate their own slice.

What You’ll Need:

• Kroger Brand Homestyle Ready to Bake Pizza Crust
• Kroger Brand Parlor Style Pizza Sauce
• Kroger Brand Shredded Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese
• Kroger Brand Grape Tomatoes, cut into slices
• Tree-shaped cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to the temperature recommended on the pizza dough packaging.
2. On a flat, floured surface, roll pizza dough to ½” thickness. Use the cookie cutter to cut out mini pizzas.
3. Top each mini pizza with 1 teaspoon pizza sauce, cherry tomatoes and cheese. Arrange on baking sheet.
4. Bake until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown, about 10 minutes.

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Embrace the holiday spirit by grabbing a pint of Santa's Cookies Ice Cream and throwing a sundae soiree that’s sure to create lots of sweet memories. Encourage everyone to build their own personalized ice cream masterpiece and savor the joy of crafting delicious moments together.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 pint The Frozen Farmer Elf On The Shelf Santa's Cookies Vanilla Ice Cream
• Kroger Brand Chocolate Syrup
• Kroger Brand Mini Marshmallows Broken peppermint candies
• Kroger Brand Semi-Sweet Mini Chocolate Morsels
• Kroger Brand Peanut and Pecan Chopped Nut Topping, if desired

Directions:

1. Arrange toppings on a small serving board or table.
2. Scoop ice cream into small serving dishes.
3. Let everyone add their desired toppings to their ice cream.

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Let your Scout Elf^® add a touch of magic to your table by helping recreate Santa's iconic stocking cap using fresh bananas, strawberries and mini marshmallows. Crafting these hats is as simple as stacking the ingredients. Ready in seconds, these delightful treats bring an extra dose of holiday magic to your festive table.

What You’ll Need:

• Strawberries
• Bananas
• Kroger Brand Mini Marshmallows
• Kroger Brand Round Wooden Toothpicks

Directions:

1. Cut banana into ½” slices. Cut tops off of strawberries.
2. Place one slice of banana flat. Next, add a strawberry, flat side down. Top with a mini marshmallow
3. Arrange skewers nearby for easy eating.

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More Holiday Cooking

Ready to find more special culinary delights to make your holiday celebrations extra special? Visit our Holiday Shop to unlock more recipes, shop ingredients, find festive inspiration and much more.

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