Whether or not you consider yourself a baker, you can’t help but get into the holiday spirit by whipping up a delicious treat (or seven) in the kitchen. We’ve compiled a list of delectable desserts that even the most amateur baker can tackle! Bring in the Christmas cheer by mixing butter and sugar together in amazingly delicious ways that are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!
Cookies Galore
- Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies: Who can resist light, buttery sugar cookies in cute holiday cut-outs? This is the perfect recipe to get kids involved by mixing food dye in vanilla frosting and embracing the joyful mess that comes with decorating. The artist in you can create beautiful cookies to share with neighbors or enjoy a green snowman and a red and yellow Christmas tree. There are no rules (that is, after your cookies come out of the oven...we suggest following the rules, a.k.a recipe, listed up to that point!)
- Peanut Butter Blossoms: Why we only eat these cookies at Christmastime is beyond us! A chewy cookie with rich peanut butter flavor topped with a chocolate hat will always be a fan favorite. This is another great cookie recipe to get the whole family involved. Unwrap (and eat a few) Hersey’s kisses while the cookies are baking and then gently press a kiss into a warm cookie fresh out of the oven.
- Peppermint Brownie Cookies: Festive, surprising, and delicious! We dare you to eat just one. Add a bit of peppermint extract to rich batter that will taste like a brownie but look like a cookie. Top the warm cookie with crushed peppermint for a burst of holiday spirit. (Our cheater version: Add peppermint extract to your favorite boxed brownie batter. Bake an entire pan of brownies or pour the batter into a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats. Don’t forget the crushed peppermint...And don’t tell a soul that it wasn’t made from scratch.)
- Millionaire’s Shortbread: Turn a crowd-pleasing candy bar into a homemade cookie that will impress your kids, neighbors, and in-laws. Layer crispy shortbread, gooey caramel, and dark chocolate with a sprinkling of sea salt while you channel your inner Julie Andrews and sing, “These are a few of my favorite things!” There may be a few more steps to this recipe, but we believe in you!
Show-Stopping Dessert
- Red Velvet Cake: Is there another cake that looks as “Christmassy” as a red velvet cake? We don’t think so! This gorgeous layer cake will look stunning as a centerpiece. The subtle chocolate flavor and rich cream cheese frosting will entice all of your holiday guests. The best part is, you can rely on your favorite boxed cake mix in a time crunch. Just don’t scrimp on the homemade cream cheese frosting! Not only is it the best (yes, we believe that’s a fact) but it will convince everyone the entire cake was made from scratch.
- Caramel Apple Pie: Take your apple pie up a notch with a gooey caramel sauce that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Make your party guests forget how full they already are when you start passing out slabs of flakey, buttery crust topped with warm cinnamon apples, sweet caramel, and a dollop of vanilla ice cream. This dessert might be for the more adventurous baker, but it will quickly become your newest tradition.
- White Chocolate Gingerbread Yule Log:
Channel your inner baker by creating a scrumptious traditional cake roll. Yule Log just sounds fancier and more festive. This gingerbread cake is
like taking a bite of Christmas filled with a light homemade whipped cream and covered in a white chocolate buttercream frosting. One bite of this cake and your heart will swell with holiday cheer!
- Easy Apple Dumplings: For the less adventurous bakers who are still obsessed with apple pie, this easy no-fail dessert is just for you! Wrap apple slices in canned biscuit dough, cover with a cinnamon-sugar syrup, and bake! Let the scent of apple pie float through your kitchen, then serve the dumplings warm next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s as easy as pie! Actually, it’s much easier than pie.
Shareable Favorites
9. Peanut Brittle: Bring back this vintage favorite. It’s easy to make, easy to share, and even easier to take to a party. It’s the perfect snack when you want something sweet, but you’ve already had too much chocolate (if such a thing exists)!
10. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark: It just looks and tastes like Christmas. Crunchy peppermint chips smothered in rich white chocolate? Yes, please. Have a piece with your coffee in the morning, savor a bite right before bed, or pass on a batch to your neighbors. Whatever you choose, you can’t choose wrong.
11. Chocolate Peppermint Fudge: Rich, creamy fudge jumps to the next level with peppermint bursting in every bite. This recipe is perfect for bakers who are new to fudge. Only six ingredients are needed, plus a microwave and a refrigerator. You’ve totally got this! Then, take this delicious treat to new holiday heights by topping them off with red and green sprinkles.
12. Oreo Truffles: Cute and chocolatey, Oreo truffles are always the first to go when displayed on a dessert table. The best part is, they are super simple to make! Just three ingredients, no oven needed, and easy to make ahead of time. This is the perfect treat for you to make on a lazy Sunday afternoon, store (if you have excellent will-power), and then take to Friday night’s holiday party. Your friends and family will love you for showing up with Oreo truffles in hand!
During the holiday season, you may be reminded that the kitchen truly is the heart of the home. If all the time spent cooking, baking, and eating in your kitchen makes you realize it’s time for an upgrade, contact InhabitReal Estate Group. We’ll help you find a home (and a kitchen) that will bring you joy for many holidays to come!
