It’s not Christmas unless you bake! I’ve been on a bit of a baking kick lately that usually pops up this time of year. This past week alone I’ve made two types of fudge, two types of cookies and cupcakes and I’m not done yet. So if you’re off this week or just have some extra time and are in need of some baking inspiration, this post is for you. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite holiday recipes from my favorite blogs. All tested and get my stamp of approval.
GO!
Favorite holiday recipes
Chocolate chip cookies
This chocolate chunk cookie recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is the best I’ve tried. The cookies require mandatory dough refrigeration but are worth the wait. They come out thick and chewy and it’s impossible to eat just one. Trust me.
Fudge
Over here it was time to bust out a fudge recipe or two! I tweaked this Real Simple fudge recipe slightly and used skim condensed milk, pecans and milk chocolate for my fudge pictured above. I shared it with two neighbors and the employees at my gym and it was a hit — and also extremely easy to make!
Cupcakes
When it’s time to make cupcakes, I turn to Glorious Treats. The regular chocolate cupcake recipe from Glorious Treats is my fave and I use it to make cakes, cupcakes and even the cake balls below. Awesome blog that’s easy to follow, and awesome cupcakes. Try ’em! Glory has never steered me wrong.
Cake balls
Cake balls are a little easier to make than cake pops and I just adapted the basic cake ball recipe found here to make the beauties pictured above. My favorite frosting is a cream cheese base so I used Glory’s cupcake recipe above and went with a cream cheese frosting. They turned out great although my cake pops looked like a 5-year-old made them. They tasted great though! 😉
And lastly, though I don’t have a pic, these soft ginger cookies are excellent. Same goes for these sugar cookie squares.
Omg, so random – that last recipe for the sugar cookie squares is one I developed when I worked in the Land O’Lakes test kitchens during college!!
So funny!! It’s a damn good recipe, excellent work!
Enjoy, I do not want to break our scales 🙂 Happy New Year, T’other Diane.
Haha, happy New Year as well!
Would like to share something my wife invented (as far as I know) this year that I think is absolutely fantastic. Basically, the Nestles Toll House classic chocolate chip recipe but : Replace the chocolate chips with black walnut pieces. Note not just any walnuts, but black walnuts. Black Walnuts have a very strong taste so this cookie will either be loved (us!!!!) or hated (those who dislike black walnuts). Also, note that black walnuts begin to “go bad” so these cookies will only last a day or two unless you refrigerate. At this point, it is my favorite cookie. But I love black walnuts.
Oh wow, never seen the black walnuts here Todd but I will keep an eye out. They sound delicious. Thanks for sharing and hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Not so easy to find them in the U.S. either although I think they are native . And I live in NYC! Actually had to go online . May be a seasonal thing. Used to actually find them in Krogers!
Ok, will have to look around! Missing NYC this time of year. Have a Murray’s Bagel for me if you find yourself walking by a shop. Used to love those, 13th ST/6th Ave if I remember correctly. SO GOOD!