Holiday Baking List

Baking inspiration and ideas for the holiday season! 

The holidays have arrived in full force, and I’m only just sharing my holiday baking list with you! This month completely (and undeniably) ran away from me. All of my lofty cookie ideas took a backseat (is it appropriate to share cookie recipes in January?) – and instead, we made things like slow cooker vegetable soup, all things chocolate-and-orange, and comforting pasta dishes.

Tonight, I’m headed home to Washington, DC to spend a week with my parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, and extended family – and I cannot wait for the short break. I’m looking forward to celebrating my nephew Arthur’s first Christmas, taking some much needed time away from the computer screen, and gearing up for a busy and exciting 2016 (and *hopefully* mild first Chicago winter).

Stay tuned for some big announcements over the next couple weeks (I know, could I be more vague?) – in the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful holiday week with friends and family. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to be here! I’m so grateful for your support!

If you’re looking for last-minute cookie or dessert recipes, here are a few of my favorites from over the years!

BREAKFAST + BRUNCH:

• no-yeast cinnamon rolls – these are from way back in the day, but are a great option for fast and easy cinnamon rolls that don’t require any rising time.
• everything bagel cheese twists – inspired by the best bagel in all the land.
• roasted red pepper and goat cheese tart – savory egg-based quiche filled with creamy goat cheese and roasted red peppers.
• baked pumpkin streusel doughnuts – these come together incredibly quickly!
• panettone french toast – topped with cranberry compote! my family always has panettone on hand over the holidays and i love finding new and fun ways to use the leftovers.
• pecan spiced buttermilk pancakes
• pumpkin souffle pancakes – one of my all-time favorite pancake recipes made extra fluffy with the addition of folded whipped egg whites.

COOKIES, BARS, + CANDIES:

• milk and dark chocolate rochers – a fancy word for chocolate coated almond slivers, these rochers are one of my favorite homemade candies, because they are no-bake and require 2-3 ingredients only.
• m&m holiday mint chocolate cookies – i’m a sucker for m&m holiday mints at this time of year – and these chewy chocolate cookies are full of them.
• chocolate dipped peppermint marshmallows – fat and fluffy homemade marshmallows, perfect for plopping into a warm mug of hot chocolate.
• four citrus coconut shortbread bars – a winter citrus twist on classic lemon bars.
• blood orange almond dark chocolate bark – nothing better! if you’re into more traditional flavors, try this classic do-it-yourself black and white peppermint bark from way back when.
• pistachio thumbprints with blackcurrant jam – if you can’t find blackcurrant jam, substitute with raspberry or strawberry for a beautifully festive and classic cookie.
• espresso hazelnut cookies – buttery and crisp, these sable cookies are piped into cute shapes, infused with espresso powder, and drizzled with dark chocolate. perfect for the coffee lover in your family.
• orange salted pistachio chocolate chunk cookies – this is my new favorite (go-to) cookie recipe. chewy, loaded with pistachio and dark chocolate, and finished with maldon sea salt. don’t forget the orange zest!
• oatmeal currant cookies – an oldie, but a goodie. chewy oatmeal cookies with zante currants. the trick to super chewy oatmeal cookies? lots of dark brown sugar.
• tropical chocolate chunk cookies – these cookies require a bit more time and effort, but couldn’t be more unique! one side is classic chocolate chunk, the other side is infused with tropical add-in’s, like dried pineapple, coconut flakes, and apricots.

MUFFINS, BREADS + PASTRIES:

• pumpkin chocolate-chunk espresso muffins – my brother-in-law’s favorite muffin recipe.
• apple oatmeal breakfast bread –  a favorite from Dorie Greenspan.
• double dark chocolate tart – silky chocolate filling and buttery chocolate crust. this is for serious chocolate lovers (you can totally skip the spun sugar part too).
• rustic french apple tart – for the classic pastry lover.
• brown butter chocolate chip scones – brown butter always wins.
• raspberry pistachio scones – green and pink-ish red for the holidays.
• orange chocolate chunk scones – these need no explanation.

CAKES + CUPCAKES

• chocolate clementine cupcakes – inspired by classic Terry’s chocolate oranges (except, a lot tastier).
• grand marnier orange bundt cake – this cake is great for brunch, tea, or overall snacking.
• gingerbread cupcakes – topped with homemade marshmallow (think meringue-like) frosting and pomegranate caramel. one of my favorites.
• lemon yogurt pound cake – in bundt pan form. this holds up extremely well if you need to make it a few days in advance.

FROZEN DESSERTS:

i’m never one to shy away from ice cream and frozen treats, even during the colder winter months. technically, these are not baked goods (although one of them does involve gingerbread cookies!), but all of them are great for this time of year.

• pomegranate ginger sorbet – a great lighter dessert option for the holidays – or go in a completely different direction and make sorbet prosecco floats!
• gingerbread and eggnog ice cream cookie sandwiches – technically, these cookies (and this ice cream) could be enjoyed on their own, but I highly recommend combining the two. to reduce prep time, you can also use store-bought eggnog ice cream!