Holiday parties give everyone an excuse to dress up, exchange gifts and most importantly, eat and drink ’til their stomachs are nearly doubled in size. Those brave enough to host a party at the busiest time of year take a lot into their hands, and will appreciate any extra food the guests bring — especially homemade desserts.
But we know all too well that those “easy” recipes on Pinterest are rarely easy, nor do they ever come out looking like they did in the picture. Have no fear. My buddies at the Food Network have a million holiday baking recipes that are actually easy. (Even I can do it!) Here are ten:
1. Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies: Nobody can pass up a sugar cookie, especially when they’re covered in sweet crystals and icing. These take a little time to prep, as the dough needs to be chilled, but are pretty effortless and look delicious.
2. Peanut Brittle: Nutty and buttery, it has all of my main food groups covered. For bonus points, try putting it in a decorative Christmas tin for a nice presentation.
3. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Fudge: The perfect substitution for the craving of an ordinary peanut butter cup and easy to cut up into small bite size snacks. Definitely something that would be a hit with the kids.
4. White Chocolate Bark with Peppermint Stick: Put your own spin on the classic peppermint bark by ditching the dark chocolate bottom and going double on the white. The blend of red and white will be sure to catch anyone’s eye, and their sweet tooth.
5. White Chocolate-Peppermint Drops: On the subject of peppermint, these drop cookies will bring something with a little more zing than your standard chocolate chip cookie. Even better, they can be mastered in just a few easy steps.
6. Chocolate Chip Cookie Shortbread: Six simple ingredients will have you on your way to baker of the year with these small shortbread bars, perfectly paired with that after-dinner coffee.
7. Petite Nutella Pochettes: Nutella wrapped in biscuit dough? Sounds deadly, but if you don’t want to go to the trouble of making your own dough, try store bought to speed up the process.
8. Cinnamon Pumpkin Roll with Chocolate Filling: Still refusing to let go of that sweet pumpkin spice flavor from fall? Try this roll instead of making another standard cake that is sure to be a showstopper on the dessert table.
9. Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing: You know if the word “royal” is in this recipe, it must set itself apart from all of the other gingerbread cookies at any party. Looks like these simple yet classic cookies would be prefect for any last minute idea.
10. Holiday Biscotti: Wind down the night with these decorative biscotti that would be paired perfectly with any evening coffee or tea, for that extra kick of sweetness.