This year was full of holiday baking firsts for me. First time making shortbread (so crumbly), first time dipping stuff in chocolate (why you gotta fall off the toothpicks, balls?!), and the first time refrigerating dough (it works! Who knew? Oh, that would be pretty much everyone else.). Fun times were had while creating a whole lot of kitchen mess…
Rainbow shortbread
These cookies look so cute. And they taste pretty good too. They are basically shortbread with a few teaspoons of nonpareil sprinkles tossed in. If I ever make these again, I think I will try a different shortbread recipe. The one I used had the driest dough. It was impossible to keep together — too crumbly. But maybe shortbread dough is supposed to be like that? I swore a lot making these. Stupid dough.
Recipe via Pink Piccadilly Pastries.
Dark chocolate coconut sea salt truffles
These little globs of chocolatey goodness are not sticking around. Chuck is a huge cocoNUT you see, and these are loaded with the stuff. Add a little sea salt to the top and you got one helluva tasty ball. I’ve found him digging in the freezer a few times and I’ve told him to “stop that, those are for gifts and parties” where he always responds “These are mine, let the others eat the Oreo ones.” Nice.
The recipe is quite simple and comes from the fabulous Shel Zolkewich.
Christmas critters
I made these suckers last Christmas and they were a hit. They take a ridiculous amount of time, but are super cute once finished. The cookie cutters came in a complete “critter” set featuring North American animals… except the penguin. I wonder if the manufacturer knows penguins don’t inhabit the north. Or maybe they’re trolling.
Sugar cookie recipe via Allrecipes.
Oreo cookie balls
These are literally AmazeBalls. Take some crushed Oreos, whip them up with cream cheese, roll them in balls, then cover them in Cadbury Premium Dark Chocolate. drool They are so good they have their own hip hop song.
Almond toffee crunch
This I’ve made before. A few times. Because it’s so easy! It’s boiled butter and brown sugar poured over graham wafers with a crap load of almonds tossed on top. See, easy peasy.
Recipe by May Humphreys:
1 sleeve of graham crackers
1 cup of butter
1 cup of brown sugar
1 ½ cups of sliced almonds
Lay the graham crackers flat out on the pan. In a saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar and bring to a boil. Boil for one minute. Pour mixture evenly over graham crackers and sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Let cool before slicing into pieces.
Happy holidays everyone! Hope it’s full of wonderful greets and tasty treats!
OMG. I already had those rainbow shortbreads on my list of things to make but i think i’m going to have to do the coconut ones too and DEFINITELY the oreos. amazing!
You better do those coconut ones. There will be none left at the party after Chuck gets through with them.