By: Jonathan Ramac and Vraj Parikh
2020 has been a year like no other, and it is sure that the holidays will look different this year. By now you have probably found many ways to cope with staying home all the time, but perhaps during this holiday season you can turn to the ultimate Christmas comfort and use your time at home to try your hand at some holiday baking! Below are the top 10 holiday desserts to get you started.
#1: Snickerdoodles
- Snickerdoodles are a classic cookie that is loved by everyone. Its blends of cinnamon, and nutmeg if you really want to spice up things to the cookies help create the timeless classic. It’s perfect on its own, with some eggnog, or even some milk. With this recipe, you only need a mere 20 minutes to make yourself some yummy snickerdoodles!
- Recipe: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/soft-thick-snickerdoodles-in-20-minutes/
#2: Christmas Cracks
- Christmas Cracks are another timeless classic. It allows you to have that sweet and savory bite. Despite its crunchy appearance, the snack has a soft sugary texture to it. The recipe is very cool as it is very simple as it includes 4 ingredients and does at most 30 minutes to create.
- Recipe: https://www.littlesweetbaker.com/christmas-crack-saltine-cracker-toffee/
#3: Eggnog
- Eggnog is a great drink to drink at Christmas parties, a drink that is only acceptable during the Christmas season. So use this quick and simple recipe to not miss your chance to make some homemade eggnog and share it with your friends and family. While it is common to add alcohol to egg nog, we (of course) do not recommend that you do so. It is perfectly good all on it’s own and, as this blog will tell you, it is #betterfromscratch.
- Recipe: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/homemade-eggnog/
#4: Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies are a simple dessert and known throughout the world. However, there is nothing better than a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie on a cold day. It is able to be shared with family and friends allowing for everyone to enjoy the delicious snack.
- Recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10813/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/
#5: S’mores
- S’mores are a combination of all the good things in life: graham crackers, marshmallows, and, of course, chocolate. Despite being known as more of a summer snack, it has the potential to be one of the top ten Christmas desserts. In the winter, it is especially nice to sit around the fire with family and friends and eat delicious food. To make it more Christmas-y, perhaps you can find a peppermint flavored chocolate/marshmallow or substitute gingerbread cookies instead of graham crackers. The possibilities are endless!
- Recipe: https://www.hersheys.com/kitchens/en_us/recipes/smores.html
#6: Yule Log
- Yule Log, aka BÛCHE DE NOËL, is a more complex dessert that may take a bit of time to make. However, the end product is definitely worth all of the preparation and time as not only are you treated to a chocolate, cream filled, sponge cake topped with ganache, but also a neat and winter time looking treat that will surely impress your friends on social media. This untraditional cake is sure to be a delectable treat and show stopper on the dessert table.
- Recipe: https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/yule-log-cake-buche-de-noel/
#7: Bread Pudding
- Bread Pudding is another classic dessert that is easy and convenient to make. Starting with day-old bread (stale bread that’s not moldy), all you need is eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, milk, and butter and you are good to go. Often described as a soft, custardy dessert, bread pudding is definitely a dessert option for everyone.
- Recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7177/bread-pudding-ii/
#8: Fruit Cake
- Fruit Cake is one of those debatable desserts that people often have mixed feelings about. Some people love it and look forward to it every year, while others would prefer something more modern. Either way, it still remains iconic and traditional during Christmas to this day. It may not be one of the crowd pleasers, but in terms of tradition and recognition, we all know of this famous Christmas Cake. Using preserved fruits and nuts as the main flavor profiles, this cake will surely make grandma happy.
- Recipe: https://www.abeautifulplate.com/worlds-best-fruitcake/
#9: Gingerbread Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies are most commonly known as the cookies that you bake for Santa Claus when he comes to deliver presents to your house. If you’re not baking them for Santa, then you’re most likely building a house out of it . All jokes aside, these iconic Christmas cookies taste great and unique, with their unmistakable spicy flavor. You may notice that once you bake these cookies, the whole house will smell like Christmas.
- Recipe: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-gingerbread-cookies/
#10: Panettone
- Panettone is a traditional Italian dessert enjoyed around Christmas time. Mainly using dried fruits such as raisins and currants, this dessert is more like a buttery, sweet bread that you may find yourself enjoying with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Although you may see the mix for this bread popping up in every grocery store around the holidays, try making it from scratch!
- Recipe: https://us.kiwilimon.com/recipe/desserts/panques/christmas-pancakes/panetone
Honorable mention: Cocoa Bombs
Thanks to social media, Cocoa Bombs are a fairly new addition to the culinary side of Christmas and all the rage for the younger generation. This chocolate ball turns any regular hot cup of milk into a warm, welcoming cup of hot-cocoa. Although not seen as a dessert, this Christmas treat has surely been well received by the public and is definitely something to add to that list of Christmas recipes for the holidays.
Recipe: https://hostthetoast.com/hot-cocoa-bombs/
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