It’s that time of year again, when my sweet tooth goes into overdrive. As soon as the pies are consumed from Thanksgiving, I begin to think about all the yummy Christmas cookies and treats that are in store for me next. These visions of sugarplums are probably brought on because I try to avoid sweets during the rest of the year. But there is just something about the tradition of it all that makes it okay, at least in my mind.
I asked the wonderful contributors here at the Des Moines Moms Blog to share with all of you their favorite Christmas cookie or treat recipes so perhaps you can get some new ideas to add to your holiday traditions this year. They did not disappoint! Be sure to check them all out.
Jennifer’s Peanut Butter Crisps:
These are such a fun and easy treat to make with your kids. Heck, to be honest, I started this tradition when I was a kid and continued making them into my pre-kid adulthood just because I love them so much.
(makes 4-5 dozen)
What You Need:
2 packages of vanilla flavored almond bark
1 large box of Ritz crackers
1 jar of creamy peanut butter (you won’t use the whole thing, maybe about 1 1/2 cups)
colorful nonpareils and/or Christmas sprinkles
Directions:
Assemble the peanut butter “sandwiches” by spreading a bit of peanut butter in the center of a Ritz cracker. You don’t want to over do it, because when you put the top of the sandwich on, you don’t want the peanut butter to ooze out or it will melt and contaminate your almond bark when you dip it in.
Melt the almond bark (as directed) in a medium microwave-safe bowl.
Dip the the cracker sandwich in with a fork and make sure it is covered with almond bark. Bring the crisp out with the fork and tap/scrape off extra almond bark from the bottom before setting it on waxed paper to dry. Make a few crisps, then pause to decorate the top with sprinkles of your choice before the almond bark dries.
Leslie’s Oreo Truffles:
Leslie shares her favorite holiday treat and says she modifies the recipe by using almond bark and drizzling with white chocolate and red or green sprinkles on the top!
Kristin’s Molasses Cookies:
(makes 2-3 dozen)
What You Need:
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg well beaten
1/4 cup molasses (Brer Rabbit)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
2 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
Directions:
Cream shortening and sugar well. Add beaten egg and molasses and mix well. Sift flour with spices and baking soda and then add to rest of ingredients. Mix and chill overnight. Make balls the size you want, dip in sugar, and bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until tops are cracked and they feel soft.
Katie C.’s Reese’s Cookies:
Here is Katie’s favorite recipe and a few pictures of how it’s done at her house!
Sarah’s Almond Biscotti:
Here is something Sarah’s family makes every year!
Rachel’s Recipe for Santa’s Favorite Cookie:
Rachel is looking forward to making these delicious treats for Santa this year!
Kara’s Fantasy Fudge:
Kara says this recipe is the fudge of her childhood. However, quoting from her directly, “Minus the nuts. Because that’s disgusting.” You be the judge.
Autumn’s Happy Birthday Jesus Cupcakes:
Autumn’s family made Happy Birthday Jesus Cupcakes one year. All you need is one boxed vanilla cake mix (divide this cake mix into two parts and add green food coloring to one half and red to the other) and a chocolate cake mix. Mix the cakes according to directions, separately, then pour each cupcake liner with 1/3 of each of red, green and brown cake batters. The colors of the cupcake represent the Christmas story: chocolate (brown) is for Jesus coming to earth, red for the blood that would be shed, and green for new life.
Several of our writers love the tradition of making and decorating sugar cookies! Here are a few recipes for you to choose from!
Bekah’s Classic Sugar Cookies:
Bekah says this recipe for classic sugar cookies and this frosting recipe makes a ton, freezes well, and is so delicious!
Tammy’s Gluten-Free Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies:
The flour makes all the difference, so Tammy uses the brand this recipe recommends and claims that even though they are gluten-free, they are still amazing!
Ashley’s Favorite Sugar Cookies:
(makes 8-9 dozen)
What You Need:
2 cups sugar
1 cup margarine
4 egg yolks
2 tsp vanilla
Dash salt
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour
Directions:
Mix sugar and margarine, beat in egg yolks, add vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in sour cream and stir well. Add part of sour cream mixture and then beat in flour. Repeat until all is mixed together. Cool for a few hours or overnight. Roll on floured board and cut out.
The dough will be sticky at first when you roll it out, but continue to add flour and it will roll out fine.
Bake at 350º for 7 minutes.
Erica’s Super Easy Pre-made Dough:
Erica’s tradition is to decorate sugar cookies, but let’s be honest, with four kids, she wisely goes the pre-made dough route. Her brand recommendations are Do-Biz and Pillsbury. All you need to do is simply follow the directions on the package, have some fun cookie cutters, sprinkles, and a variety of frosting, (also available already made!) and decorate to your heart’s desire.
LOL 🙂 These sound yummy!!
I will be trying some of these. I like to dip Oreos in almond bark or different colors of chocolate depending on the occasion and then we top the cookies with sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.