Few things evoke warm holiday memories like the tastes and smells of childhood Christmas treats. Recreating these classics can bring the magic of the past into your present celebrations. Here are a few recipes to get you started.
These nostalgic recipes are perfect for creating new holiday memories while honoring cherished traditions. Whether baking gingerbread with family or crafting popcorn garlands, these treats will bring warmth and joy to your celebrations.
1. Gingerbread cookies
- Recipe: Mix flour, spices (ginger, cinnamon), baking soda, and salt. Cream butter, brown sugar and molasses. Combine everything, chill the dough, roll it out and cut into shapes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Decorate with icing for a festive touch.
2. Peppermint bark
- Recipe: Melt dark chocolate, spread it on a baking sheet and chill. Melt white chocolate and pour over the dark layer. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Let it harden, then break into pieces.
3. Classic sugar cookies
- Recipe: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Chill, roll, and cut into holiday shapes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes and decorate with icing or sprinkles.
4. Homemade hot cocoa with marshmallows
- Recipe: Warm milk, cocoa powder and sugar over low heat. Stir in chopped chocolate until melted. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
5. Fruitcake
- Recipe: Soak dried fruits in brandy or orange juice overnight. Mix butter, sugar, flour, eggs and spices, then fold in the fruits. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 2-3 hours in a loaf pan.
6. Peanut butter blossoms
- Recipe: Combine peanut butter, sugar, egg and baking soda. Roll into balls and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes. Press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie while still warm.
7. Candy canes
- Recipe: Create a sugar syrup using sugar, water and corn syrup. Add peppermint extract and split into two batches—color one red. Twist the red and white batches together and shape them into candy canes.
8. Rice Krispies snowballs
- Recipe: Melt butter and marshmallows, stir in Rice Krispies and shape into balls with greased hands. Roll them in coconut or powdered sugar to give them a snowy finish.
9. Yule log cake (Bûche de Noël)
- Recipe: Bake a thin chocolate sponge cake, spread whipped cream on top and roll it into a log shape. Cover with chocolate ganache and dust with powdered sugar to resemble snow.
10. Popcorn garlands
- Recipe: Pop popcorn and thread it onto string, alternating with cranberries for a festive touch. Use as garlands for decorating your tree—or snack on the extras!
It's Christmas 365 