Baking is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It has been many years since I have been able to make a multitude of treats for the holidays. This years’ baking went so quickly, with so many helpers it gets done quite fast. I used to go all out and make so many treats, it just wasn’t healthy. I know that when my children eat the sugar cutout cookies covered in artificial food dye frosting that there are going to be repercussions, sometimes out of control loudness, sometimes just a meltdown from having too much. Whatever the reason, this year, I tried not to do so many things, kept it scaled back for my own sanity.
I laughed because I would mix up my batch of cookies and by the time I baked them, I realized that what I was making was enough for everyone to have a sampling and put out a small plate. There wasn’t enough to put away for treats to have for Christmas, let alone give any away. I had to do double for most of these recipes to have adequate amounts.
Saltine cracker candy
This is super easy to make and tastes wonderful with its sweet and salty flavor it makes a great addition to our cookie plates. Click here for recipe.
Peanut butter balls
This recipe takes me back to my childhood days. I remember having one of these at a church get together that I had went to with a friend when I was little. I never had them again until I was married. Now they are on the annual cookie making list for the holidays. Very simple to make and tastes so creamy and smooth. Click here for recipe.
Taste like Gramma’s sugar cookies
These cookies remind me of the simplicity of the holidays. They taste like something that I had as a child everytime I would go to grandma’s house. These are nice and fluffy, not flat like a cut out cookie. Click here for the recipe.
Candy coated popcorn
This recipe we make quite often in our home. We like to do this annually while we are decorating the tree. Serve with some homemade hot chocolate. Click her for recipe.
Cut out cookies and Gingerbread men cut out cookies
This is always a messy task to take on, especially with lots of little ones. I know that my little ones will not remember the mess it made, only the fun that they had. These are a definite on our cookie list for the holidays. Click here for recipe.
Chocolate dipped pretzels
This is something we usually do a few times per year. It is quick and easy and tastes great.
We usually individually dip the pretzels into the chocolate, but to save time, we just set our pretzels out onto parchment paper and drizzle melted caramel and melted chocolate over the pretzels. We added some sprinkles and mini candies.
This is our large family cookies for the Christmas season. As a busy mother, I focused on making one type per day. That way it didn’t get overwhelming when I couldn’t do a whole lot on certain days. It is important and helpful to mix up your cookie batches the night before. Then cut out on another day. You can even freeze those cookies until you are ready to frost them. It is no fun to clean up three times in a day. Just do it one step at a time, make life easier.
