What better way to forget about the cold and dark than by gathering together with your loved ones and baking some delicious, sweet, holiday-themed treats. Ranging from traditional favourites to lesser-known gems, these recipes not only taste great but also bring the look and feel of Christmas to any festive gathering!

1. Snowball Cookies: Buttery and nutty cookies covered in powdered sugar.

These buttery and nutty Snowball Cookies are a delightful holiday treat. They’re perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or as part of your Christmas cookie platter.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth.
3. Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the butter. Continue to beat the mixture until it’s well combined and slightly fluffy.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. It may seem crumbly at first, but keep mixing until it forms a cohesive dough.
6. Stir in the chopped nuts. You can use either pecans or walnuts, depending on your preference.
7. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and just starting to turn golden around the edges.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.
10. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in powdered sugar to coat generously. This will give them the signature “snowball” appearance.
11. Once the cookies have cooled completely, roll them in powdered sugar again for a second coating. This second coating adds to the snowy appearance and sweetness.

Your Snowball Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll stay fresh for several days.

2. Peppermint Bark: A delightful treat made with layers of white and dark chocolate, topped with crushed candy canes.

Peppermint Bark is a perfect treat to enjoy during the holiday season or give as a homemade gift. The combination of dark and white chocolate, along with the refreshing peppermint flavour, makes it a festive and delicious treat.

Instructions:

1. Line a baking sheet or a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring it hangs over the edges for easy removal.
2. Melt the dark chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate until smooth. If using a microwave, heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval until fully melted. If using a double boiler, stir the chocolate over simmering water until smooth.
3. If desired, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract into the dark chocolate for a hint of minty flavour.
4. Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet or pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly into a thin layer, about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Place the pan in the refrigerator or freezer for about 15-20 minutes or until the dark chocolate has set.
6. While the dark chocolate is setting, melt the white chocolate using the same method as you did for the dark chocolate.
7. If desired, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract into the white chocolate for a minty flavour.
8. Pour the melted white chocolate over the set dark chocolate layer. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.
9. Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the white chocolate while it’s still wet. Gently press the candy cane pieces into the white chocolate.
10. Place the pan back in the refrigerator or freezer and let the peppermint bark set for about 30-45 minutes, or until it’s completely firm.
11. Once set, lift the peppermint bark out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place it on a cutting board.
12. Use a sharp knife to cut the bark into pieces or break it into irregular shards.

Your Peppermint Bark is ready to be enjoyed! Store it in an airtight container in a cool place or in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

3. Meringue Snowflakes: Light and crisp meringue cookies shaped like snowflakes.

These delicate and beautiful Meringue Snowflakes make a delightful and festive treat during the holiday season. They are perfect for decorating dessert tables or for gifting to loved ones.

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until they become foamy.
3. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Soft peaks are achieved when you lift the beaters, and the peaks curl over gently.
4. Gradually add the granulated sugar while continuing to beat the egg whites. Beat until the sugar is fully incorporated, and the meringue forms stiff and glossy peaks. This may take several minutes. (Pro tip: Add the pure vanilla extract and a few drops of blue food colouring to achieve the desired shade of blue for the snowflakes. Mix until the colour is evenly distributed.)
5. Transfer the meringue mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped piping tip. You can also use a plain round tip or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
6. Pipe snowflake shapes onto the prepared baking sheet. Start with a small circle in the centre and then pipe six or eight lines radiating outward to create the snowflake pattern. You can make them as large or small as you like. (Pro Tip: If desired, gently press edible silver or white decorating pearls into the meringue snowflakes to add a decorative touch.)
7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meringue snowflakes are completely dry and easily lift off the parchment paper.
8. Turn off the oven, crack the oven door open slightly, and leave the meringues to cool in the oven for about 1 hour. This helps prevent them from cracking.
9. Once the meringue snowflakes are completely cooled and firm, carefully peel them off the parchment paper.

Your Meringue Snowflakes are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container to maintain their crispness.

4. Gingerbread Cookies: Make gingerbread people, houses, or other holiday-themed shapes.

These cookies are a classic holiday favourite and are perfect for decorating with royal icing to create festive and delicious treats.

Instructions:

For the Gingerbread Cookies:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done with an electric mixer.
3. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms. The dough may be a bit sticky, so you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to make it easier to work with.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. Roll out the gingerbread cookie dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness, typically about 1/4 inch thick. You can use cookie cutters to create gingerbread people, houses, or other holiday-themed shapes.
7. Place the cutout cookies on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just starting to brown. The exact baking time may vary depending on the thickness of your cookies and your oven, so keep an eye on them.
9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Royal Icing:

1. In a clean, dry mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar. Whisk until frothy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue to whisk until the icing forms stiff, glossy peaks. If you want to add food colouring, do so at this stage.
3. Transfer the royal icing to a piping bag or small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Use it to decorate your cooled gingerbread cookies as desired.
4. Allow the icing to set and harden before serving or storing the decorated cookies.

Once the icing has set, your gingerbread cookies are ready to be enjoyed.

5. Candy Cane Brownies: Fudgy brownies with a peppermint twist, topped with crushed candy canes.

These brownies combine the rich and fudgy goodness of brownies with a refreshing peppermint twist, making them a perfect holiday treat.

Instructions:

For the Brownies:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.
3. Stir in the granulated sugar until well combined.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture, and mix until smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, sift the cocoa powder to remove any lumps.
6. Gradually add the sifted cocoa powder, flour, and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing until you have a smooth brownie batter.
7. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake.

For the Peppermint Topping:

1. While the brownies are baking, prepare the peppermint topping. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
2. Once the brownies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes.
3. While the brownies are still warm, spread the peppermint topping over the surface, creating an even layer.
4. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the peppermint layer while it’s still soft, pressing them gently into the topping.
5. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan, and then place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up the peppermint topping.
6. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
7. Cut the brownies into squares or rectangles. 

Your Candy Cane Brownies are ready to be enjoyed!

With such a large uptake in the health and fitness trend that we’re currently experiencing, many people are forgoing these kinds of activities, however, it has been shown time and again that one of the most important aspects of health and wellbeing is your mood. Being happy and treating yourself well doesn’t just mean cutting out sugar and carbs, it also mean enjoying yourself and doing things that make you happy. And with that, Merry Christmas!