‘Tis that time of the year again where we bundle up in scarves and hats and slip on our Wellies as we make our trek through the snow. Oh wait it’s Malibu. Even though we aren’t greeted by the flurries dancing outside our window we can all still enjoy the goodies that come during the winter season. Although finals week is just peeking around the corner it is still possible to enjoy the smells and tastes that come with Christmas. Here are a few holiday treats we can all enjoy:
1. Peppermint Bark
An instant classic. The refreshing combination of invigorating mint with white and dark chocolate has had us breaking off chunks of this tasty treat for years. Although it’s not very popular with dentists the small pieces of peppermint on the rich chocolate make for a soothing escape. Nibble on a tidbit while you sip on a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha for a double dose of peppermint or break off a few bits to complement your hot cocoa. Peppermint bark is sure to please any sweet tooth!
2. Gingerbread
Catch this snappy treat before it runs out of the oven! Whether baked in a loaf or rolled out and cut into shapes this goody is sure to warm anyone. Take a break from finals and travel down memory lane to when you were younger and decorate your own gingerbread house! (You can even use graham crackers instead) December is the perfect time for gingerbread lovers to rejoice. Want to make that gingerbread man extra spicy? Replace those gumdrop buttons with some red hots!
3. Eggnog
Whether you love it or not eggnog has been a classic holiday indulgence for years. This sweetened beverage is guaranteed to warm any elf. A mixture of sweetened milk cream cinnamon and of course eggs make this frothy drink a favorite of the season. If you can’t handle the custardy texture try it in fro-yo form! No seriously! Malibu Yo has an eggnog flavor! Top it off with dark chocolate shavings and if you’re bold enough a little extra cinnamon and whipped cream and you’ve got yourself the perfect sweet drink.
4. Dried Cranberries
Pair it with a handful of almonds and you have a savory snack! The combination of the tart cranberries (or Craisins if your prefer) with dry roasted almonds is the perfect snack to leave in a bowl for holiday guests. They add the perfect amount of tartness to any dish and can even sweeten up a baked good. Make your cookies go from ordinary to extraordinary when you add a cup or two of dried cranberries to your oatmeal or sugar cookie mix for a delectable sweet treat. Blow away the others at the cookie exchange this year and toss in a few dried cranberries! Here’s my very own recipe for oatmeal butterscotch Craisin cookies:
Christine’s Oatmeal Butterscotch Craisin Cookies
1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ cup or 1 stick of softened butter
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup skim milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 cups of old-fashioned oats
1 11-ounce package of Nestlé Toll House Butterscotch Morsels
2 cups of Ocean Spray Craisins
Preheat oven to 375 F
In a large bowl combine flour baking soda salt and cinnamon. In another bowl combine butter granulated sugar brown sugar milk eggs and pure vanilla extract. Gradually add in the flour mixture to the wet ingredients bowl. Add in the oats butterscotch morsels and Craisins.
Drop dough in tablespoons onto a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place 1 in. apart.
Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing.
Makes 3-dozen cookies. To store place cooled cookies in a container.
5. Simple Sugar Cookies
There’s nothing better than a soft and warm sugar cookie. Pillsbury has graced the freezer shelves of Ralph’s with the fun reindeer snowman and Christmas tree shaped break-and-bake cookies. Making them from scratch is just as fun too! Snatch a few holiday cookie cutters from the store (I got three holiday shapes at Target for under $3) and invite a few friends over and make your very own Christmas cookies! Decorate them with icing and candy (Target has M&M’s on sale two 12-oz. packages for $5!) and you’ll feel more in the Christmas spirit. Undercooked and gooey in the center or baked all the way through with crispy brown edges sugar cookies will always be a holiday classic.
6. Caramel Apple Cider
Nothing warms you up more than a cup of warm and spicy apple cider. The dainty addition of rich caramel and a dollop of whipped cream on top make this holiday drink a true pleasure. When Santa can’t get his fix of hot cocoa apple cider is next in line. Buy some of the instant packages at the grocery store or treat yourself to a Caramel Apple Spice at Starbucks to reward your palate. An extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top for those on the nice list this year.
7. Cinnamon Rolls
Just reading the name makes my mouth water. This dainty and sweet roll is sure to put a smile on anybody’s face. Who doesn’t love a soft and doughy roll with brown sugar cinnamon and melted icing on top? For all the nuts out there try a cinnamon roll with chopped pecans on top. Just don’t put them all out for Santa—You won’t have any by Christmas morning! And you can always burn off that cinnamon roll from all the snow shoveling or at least all those hikes up to the CCB.
8. Peanut Brittle
This hard caramelized confection has been a tasty indulgence for years. The pecan and almond blend make this holiday treat a savory one. A perfect stocking stuffer and tasty treat for guests peanut brittle is great all-around snack. The buttery goodness of the hard caramel and the combination of the salty peanuts is one that will make anyone sing out in carols! Just make sure to watch your teeth! Too much peanut brittle could bring some unwanted cavities this holiday season.
9. Mixed Nuts
One of my personal favorites there is no better holiday snack than a handful of mixed nuts. The salty and savory collection of peanuts almonds cashews Brazil nuts hazelnuts and pecans make this snack a classic. Fill up bowls around your apartment or dorm room for a quick and easy snack for guests. And talk about snacking smart! Get your protein fix from a handful of nuts for those on the go.
10. Hot Cocoa
Probably one of the most popular drinks of the winter season nothing warms the soul more than a piping hot mug of hot cocoa. Sprinkle a few marshmallows on top for an instant trip to the North Pole. For all those chocoholics out there drizzle some hot fudge syrup on top accompanied by some chocolate shavings. For a different twist on this holiday classic try white hot chocolate!
11. Panettone
This Italian sweet bread has been a favorite in my house for years. Ask your overseas friends to bring you back a loaf of this exquisite sweet if they can fit it in their carry-on! Panettone beats fruitcake (sorry fruitcake) with its charming combination of raisins dried apricots dried cherries and zesty orange flavored liqueur. Slice up a loaf of Panettone and serve with a cup of apple cider or tea.
12. Classic Fudge
Nothing is more dangerous or delicious than a plate of hot fudge. There’s no better way to bring in the holiday season than with a plate of those small cubes of fudgy goodness. Just a few cups of chocolate chips a can of sweetened condensed milk butter and nuts is all you need to make this classic treat.
For those daring eno
ugh add a cup of peanut butter in and relish in the goody that is peanut butter fudge.