Holiday Baking Guide: Three Treats You NEED to Make This Winter

As I reflect on the holiday seasons of my childhood, the memories of baking and decorating cookies with my siblings and cousins always seem to come to mind. There is just something magical about putting on Christmas music, and making every kind of delicious treat you can think of. 

So, after pursuing a collection of my favorite baking blogs, I have compiled a list of three recipes I think everyone should try this holiday season … I know I certainly will be! 

Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars

Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5 cups all purpose flour
• 1teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup crushed or chopped after-dinner butter mint

Frosting:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 to 4 tablespoons milk
• Food coloring, if desired
• ½ cup crushed peppermints or candy canes

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 375F. Grease a large 11X17-inch rimmed baking sheet. Line with parchment paper and grease paper as well; set aside.
2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.
3.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add in vanilla. Add in flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in butter mints.
4. Spread batter evenly onto prepared baking sheet, smoothing top. Bake until light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
5. While cookie is cooling, make frosting; in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add peppermint extract and salt. Add confectioners’ sugar, a little at a time, beating until well combined. Add milk, a tablespoon at a time, until frosting is smooth and fluffy. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. 
6. Spread frosting over cooled cookie, sprinkle with crushed peppermints, then cut into bars.

Gingerbread Cake Balls

There is just something so undeniably holiday-esque about gingerbread, so seeing it incorporated into cake 

balls blew my mind! Plus, they are super easy to make, and would make great gifts. 

You will need: 

• Gingerbread cake mix (or you can make a cake from scratch if you would prefer!)
• 1 tub vanilla icing (again, you can make your own)
• 35 oz melted white chocolate Melted red and green candy melts 

Directions 

1. Bake gingerbread cake according to directions. Let cool
2. Mash up the cake and combine with the vanilla icing. Form into balls of desired size. Chill for one hour
3. Dip the cake balls into melted white chocolate. Place on parchment paper and let cool. 
4. Drizzle on red and green melted candy for decoration 

Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

These easy, graham cracker-infused-with chocolate treats are perfect for holiday parties! Plus, they are a cinch to make. Enjoy!

You will need:

• 11oz milk chocolate, melted
• 11oz white chocolate, melted
• 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed 
• 24 graham squares

Directions

1. Dip one end of a graham into milk chocolate, and then lay on parchment paper. Repeat with all 24 grahams. 
2. Allow time to set. Then, dip the other ends in white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes.