Ho Ho Holiday Baking: 7 Treats to Make this Season

How’s your holiday baking going? If your annual shortbread and fruit cake seem a little stale, don’t fret! We’ve found some fresh and festive treat recipes that are sure to sleigh this season. Leave these sweets out for Santa and you might even get an extra gift – or two!

Marvelous Macarons – These peppermint macarons look almost too good to eat. We say almost, though, because they are absolutely worth eating. Light and sweet, they make the perfect holiday treat.

Image via Studio DIY

Beautiful Brownies – We are loving these festive little brownies. A simple squiggle of green icing, some sprinkles, and a candy cane combine with the always delicious brownie to make a fabulous Christmas tree. These are sure to be a hit at any holiday get together!

Image via One Little Project

Creative Cookie Cups – Most of you have had a cookie with your hot chocolates, but have you ever had a hot chocolate that is a cookie? These desserts are absolutely adorable (we’re big fans of the pretzel handle) and are sure to delight any child (or child at heart) you’re entertaining!

Image via The Gunny Sack

Sweet, Sweating Snowman – These snowman cookies are so cute, and a breeze to make! A Dollop of white icing, a peanut butter cup, and some sprinkles make one very convincing Frosty. Strapped for time, but want to wow your guests? These guys will do!

Image via Kitchen Meets Girl

Cool Christmas Trees – These Rice Krispie Christmas trees are fantastic (and could make the perfect prop for your Elf on the Shelf). Surprise friends, family, and neighbors with this sweet treat all December long.

Image via Simplee Thrifty

Perfect Peppermint Bark – Not sure what to serve your gluten-intolerant guests this season? We’ve got you covered. This peppermint bark is delicious and gluten free. Just because you can’t have gluten, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!

Image via Gluten Free Canteen

Egg-cellent Eggnog Cookies – Finding festive vegan desserts can be a little tricky. Everywhere you look recipes seem to be calling for eggs and milk. Especially when it comes to eggnog inspired treats. So when we found these vegan eggnog cookies we had to share them!

Image via Half Full

We hope these treats add a little extra sweetness to the rest of your holiday season. Don’t forget to share your best baking shots with us on Instagram and Twitter – we love seeing what you create!

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Sweets & Treats: Creme De Cassis De Dijon Liquor Shortbread

Give your classic shortbread a little English-inspired spruce with our Digital Marketing Director's Creme De Cassis De Dijon Liquor Shortbread recipe. We know that change is hard, but trust us, you're going to want to try this.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Pound (1 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/2 Cup sugar
• 1/2 Cup cornstarch
• 1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1/2 Tsp salt
• 1/4 Cup dried currants
• 1/4 Cup Lejay-Cassis: Creme de Cassis de Dijon Liquor
• 1/4 Cup icing sugar (optional)

Directions:

Chop up dried currants. Add the liquor to the currants and let it sit to absorb.

Cream butter and sugar together - this works best if the butter is room temperature. Beat in an egg yolk.

In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, salt). Slowly add dry ingredients to wet. Do not over beat; it should be a bit crumbly. Fold the liquor soaked currants into the crumbly dough. It will turn a nice pink color.

Divide it into two equal parts. Lay two 12 inch sheets of cling wrap and place half of the mixture onto each sheet. Bring both ends of the cling wrap together and form two six inch rolls about two inches in diameter.

Put it in the fridge and set to chill for at least two hours. Set oven to 250 degrees. Score chilled rolls before cutting. Each roll makes 24 cookies. Take the cling wrap off to cut. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes. The cookies should not be brown; they should be golden underneath. Once baked, carefully place on a cooling rack and let fully cool. They'll crumble when warm.

To help celebrate the holiday season and get everyone feeling a little bit more festive we asked our Marketplace Events team members to send us their best seasonal desserts. See the whole list on our Facebook page and share your favorites with friends and family.

Did you know that connecting with us on Facebook has great benefits beyond our Treat Guide? Like us to be in the know about home show ticket deals, celebrity tips and trends, exclusive contests, and more!

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