Christmas Archives - A Beautiful Mess

40+ Christmas Nail Designs

Laura Gummerman — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 14:02:00 +0000

We love the holiday season and we especially love getting our nails into the Christmas spirit too. There are so many fun and festive holiday designs that you can copy this winter season to keep your nails on point, whether you do your own nail art at home or head to the salon, and here are our favorites for the season!

Looking for more nail design ideas? Check out:

Nail design is so unique to the person who’s wearing them. Some like louder patterns with festive colors and designs and others would rather do a more subtle and sophisticated looking nail, but still want something pretty for the season (and some are kind of in the middle who want a little fun but not too much).

Lucky for you, we’ve got ideas to satisfy all manicure tastes!

LET IT SNOW

Adding snowflakes (large and small) with some snow banks is a cute way to bring on the winter weather.

GREENSLEEVES

These forest green nails with greenery decorations are delicate and festive without being too busy.

SANTA BABY

These fun little Santa faces will leave you feeling jolly!

PINK AND RED TIPS

These fun tips with the gold stars and gems add color and pattern to your holiday mani.

GREEN WAVES

This wavy green pattern is modern but keeps you in the Christmas color palette.

MODERN COLOR BLOCK

This pattern has a modern nutcracker vibe and is the perfect blend of red and gold.

ROSE GOLD SHIMMER

This design with double outlined glitter French tips is perfect for Christmas into New Year’s Eve.

GOLD DOT MANI

These gold dots along a reverse French tip line are easy and simple but still chic for a bit of festive gold.

EVERGREEN FRENCH TIPS

Pick your favorite shade of green and do a French tip for a colorful take on a classic.

CANDY CANE LANE

An all over candy cane design is sure to keep your nails looking sweet this holiday.

GOLDEN TIPS

Go high style with this wavy gold tip design.

CRANBERRY PUNCH

For a monochromatic Christmas look, a classic high shine red manicure is a classic for a reason.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

Make your nails a winter wonderland with a cute snowman and snow covered trees.

SILVER BELLS

These silver glitter French tip outlines are just the right touch of sparkle.

SANTA HAUTE

This adorable Santa hat idea is one of our favorites and looks really pretty with an almond shaped nail.

GLITTER GOLD

Layer smaller gold glitter under larger chunks of glitter for a super sparkly textured holiday look.

CANDY CANE WAVES

If literally candy canes are too cutesy for you, try this modern take with candy cane colored waves!

COLOR BLOCK

These forest green and nude color block nails are a statement in a sleek modern way.

GREEN VELVET

This minty green cat eye mani gives the look of soft velvet and it’s so pretty!

GOLD SWIRLS

Modern but keeping in the holiday metallic theme are these fun swirl nails.

WRAPPED WITH A BOW

These bow nails are cute and festive without being too busy or overboard.

BERRY-KISSSED TIPS

For a pop of holiday color, these berry tipped nails are perfect to keep things classy but festive.

ICY WHITE

These hologram nails remind us of pretty icicles and will still look on trend for New Year’s Eve.

HOLLY JOLLY

These candy cane and holly nails will make your spirits bright!

GLITTER LINED

For a holiday twist on the classic French manicure, try this doubled lined glitter option to add a little ooh la la.

MATTE EVERGREEN

For a classy minimalist look, try a green mani but make it matte for a modern twist.

FROSTED TIPS

Silver frosted French tips bring the holiday sparkle in all the best ways.

CANDY CANE STRIPER

Glitter outlined candy cane stripes is the ultimate look for the Christmas nail maximalist.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

Add a fun swirl of a Christmas tree to your hand for an evergreen touch.

SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME

These large snowflakes make a statement on each nail and on a nude background they are subtle yet sweet.

MAD FOR PLAID

Nothing says holiday spirit like a red and green plaid—so fun!

SNOW DRIFTS

These white waves remind us of curving snow drifts in winter (and they would be really pretty in white glitter too!).

HOLIDAY ICONS

Why pick just one holiday icon when you can have all of them in one place for a truly festive vibe.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

These soft golden glitter tips are all you want for Christmas if Santa and candy cane nails aren’t your thing.

HOLOGRAM HOLIDAYS

Since the holidays are officially sponsored by all things glittery, these icy hologram nails will look great by the fire as well as by the disco ball for New Year’s Eve.

ICE ICE BABY

These shimmery nails feature an ice shard design in a holographic silver and will go with any holiday look.

SNOW AND ICE

These icy glitter tips combined with full glitter nails and a cute snowflake design are just what winter ordered.

PEPPERMINT PLEASE

A bold candy cane nail design is the perfect amount of holiday kitsch for the festive-loving nail crowd.

HOLIDAY CLASSIC

While it may not be sparkly or colorful, the classic French tip design is always a good choice if you want to do something elegant for the season.

GLITTER SQUARED

These sparkly squared-off nails are ideal for those who want to dip their toes into glitter without going overboard.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS

This fun design features holiday symbols as ornaments and spreads cheer all around.

CHRISTMAS STAR

You can ask for this cute design at the salon or get some gold star nail stickers and do it easily at home.

50+ Christmas Dinner Ideas

Emma Chapman — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:02:00 +0000

No matter if you are hosting a big, epic holiday meal with friends and extended family or if you are planning to have a cozy dinner with just you and your partner, we’ve got you covered. Here are 50+ Christmas dinner ideas!

This list includes ideas for appetizers, main courses, side dishes, drinks and desserts. And I’ve tried to organize them in this order. You can find even more decorating and hosting ideas in our full Christmas archive and you could serve these with our fun Grinch Punch!

Antipasto Wreath

A Christmas wreath appetizer of antipasto snacks.

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Deviled Eggs Recipe

How to make classic deviled eggs plus a few variations.

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Caprese Candy Cane

Tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad styled like a candy cane.

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Snowman Cheese Ball

An easy holiday appetizer—perfect for a party!

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Stuffed Mushrooms

An easy appetizer or side dish for any holiday meal.

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5 Easy Crostini Appetizers

French bread crostinis topped with five different topping ideas.

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Rotel Cheese Dip

A quick and easy cheese dip recipe made from Velveeta cheese. Growing up, this was always served at holiday meals at our grandmother’s house.

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Pinwheel Sandwiches

An easy finger food recipe perfect for any holiday party.

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Easy Holiday Cheeseball Wreath

How to make different kinds of cheeseballs you can style into a holiday wreath.

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Pigs in a Blanket – Easy Appetizer

How to make these easy and crowd-pleasing appetizers.

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Overnight No-Boil Lasagna

A delicious lasagna recipe that you can make ahead and bake when you need it.

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Air Fryer Salmon

How to easily air fry salmon.

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Air Fryer Steak

How to make a perfectly cooked steak in an air fryer.

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Detroit-Style Pizza

My favorite homemade pizza recipe! This is a reader favorite as well.

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Stuffed Peppers

Cheesy, beef and Spanish rice filled peppers. A filling and delicious recipe.

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How to Broil Steak (Bacon Wrapped Filet)

How to oven broil a bacon wrapped filet mignon.

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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

A made from scratch chicken tenders recipe you can make in your air fryer.

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Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Delicious and easy chicken pot pie with premade crust and rotisserie chicken.

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Air Fryer Fried Chicken

How to make crispy, juicy fried chicken in your air fryer.

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Marry Me Chicken

Pan fried chicken in a creamy sauce; this recipe is flavorful and decadent.

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Air Fryer Chicken

How to make perfectly cooked, juicy chicken in the air fryer.

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Baked Chicken

How to bake chicken breasts without brining—juicy and delicious!

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Stuffing Meatballs

Juicy, delicious meatballs with all the flavors of the holidays!

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Turkey Chili

A simple, delicious turkey chili recipe you can dress up with cheese, sour cream, chips or any other fixings you prefer.

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Turkey Meatball Quiche

I think this turkey meatball quiche would make an amazing Christmas dinner or breakfast. I love quiche any time of day!

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Ambrosia Salad

A creamy, sweet fruit salad. This always feels like part of a holiday meal to me!

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Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Classic baked macaroni and cheese with no eggs or evaporated milk.

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Cauliflower Au Gratin

Creamy and cheese cauliflower in this crowd-pleasing casserole.

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Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Learn to make delicious mashed potatoes ahead of time with this easy recipe.

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Whipped Feta

Sweet and savory roasted sweet potatoes served with creamy, whipped feta. Yum!

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Stuffing Risotto

Risotto always feels fancy to me and this stuffing risotto recipe makes the perfect side dish for any holiday main course.

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Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

An easy green bean casserole with pepper jack cheese.

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Honey Butter

How to make honey butter for holiday dinners.

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Jello Salad

A sweet dessert salad made in three layers. This is a staple at holiday meals for my family.

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Easy Corn Casserole

A savory bread pudding-like side dish you can make ahead.

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Lobster Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Do you have a celebration restaurant? My family does and I pretty much always order lobster mac and cheese. So it feels right for any holiday or celebration meal to me.

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Broccoli Casserole

A creamy, cheesy broccoli casserole with a Ritz cracker topping.

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Best Stuffing Recipe

This is the very best stuffing recipe perfect for any holiday meal.

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Sweet Potato Casserole

A sweet and savory side dish with brown sugar pecan topping OR marshmallows.

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Funeral Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy comforting potato casserole with cornflake topping.

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Espresso Martini

Create this iconic espresso martini with just three ingredients.

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Butterbeer Recipe

Learn to make Harry Potter Butterbeer at home! We marathon the HP movies during the holidays, so this only feels right.

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How to Make Mulled Wine

How to make and customize the best homemade mulled wine.

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Best Christmas Cocktails

This roundup of the best Christmas cocktail recipes is guaranteed to bring some extra cheer to your holiday season!

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Hot Chocolate Bar Ideas

This season, I decided to create an epic hot cocoa bar. It’s a bit messy and sticky, but the memories are absolutely priceless.

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Retro Wreath Cake

If you need a show-stopping dessert, learn to make this retro wreath cake.

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Puppy Chow

This classic dessert mix is perfect to have on hand for a holiday party OR to give as a homemade gift.

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Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

A flavorful holiday cutout cookie recipe.

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Christmas Cupcakes

If you are doing some holiday hosting this season and need a few easy Christmas cupcake decorating ideas, we’ve got ’em!

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Figgy Pudding – Christmas Pudding

A nontraditional take on this classic Christmas dessert.

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50+ Christmas Cookies

Emma Chapman — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 14:01:00 +0000

The holidays always put me in the mood to bake! No matter if you are having a little baking day to yourself, sharing the kitchen with your kids or hosting a cookie decorating party, here are 50+ of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes!

Many of these are holiday specific, but I think Christmas cookies can also be classics or favorites throughout the year, so we are sharing a big variety in this post.So grab your baking trays, butter, flour and sugar. We’ll help you make the ultimate cookie platters.

Find other holiday sweets in our full Desserts archive.

Christmas Wreath Cookies

Easy Christmas wreath cookies made from cornflake cereal with a marshmallow coating.

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Easy Chocolate (Oreo) Truffles

An Oreo truffle recipe that’s perfect for the holidays. No baking required.

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Melted Snowman Cookies

Create delicious sugar cookies decorated to look like a melting snowman.

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Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

Flavorful holiday cutout cookies. Some gingerbread cookies are firm and crispy but this recipe is soft and chewy.

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Butter Cookies

Soft and delicious butter cookies—use a holiday cookie press on top for a festive look!

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Grinch Cookies (With Cake Mix!)

Make a holiday favorite with these easy green Grinch cookies.

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Snowball Cookies

Nutty and buttery cookies rolled in powdered sugar so they look like snowballs!

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Meringue Cookies

Melt in your mouth egg white cookies. These are delicate with a little crunch.

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M&M Cookies

A soft and chewy M&M cookie recipe—you can use holiday colored M&Ms or all one color for any look you prefer.

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Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies are easy to make and so good!

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Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

This recipe is like soft chocolate chip cookies but with peanut butter and peanut butter chips. A favorite at our house!

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White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft and delicious white chocolate chip cookies—these are so good and perfect with hot chocolate.

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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

An old-fashioned soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.

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Pinwheel Cookies

Vanilla and chocolate flavored cookies with a festive swirl design.

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Edible Cookie Dough

A cookie dough recipe that is safe to eat without baking. A great snack for watching holiday movies, or a fun homemade gift idea!

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Potato Chip Cookies

This is a one of those recipes that feel like my great-grandmother. Just a classic, salty and sweet cookie.

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No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

How to make no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies that set every time! This is probably my favorite chocolate cookie recipe.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

A simple peanut butter blossom recipe with no chilling required. Fill the centers with mini peanut butter cups or chocolate kiss candies.

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White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

This cookies for this recipe are soft, chewy and buttery. The flaky salt and macadamia nuts contrast with the white chocolate for the perfect sweet/salty combination.

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Soft & Chewy Molasses Cookies

A simple, easy to follow recipe for flavorful molasses cookies. These smell amazing while they bake!

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Espresso Cookies

Chewy chocolate espresso cookies—these are rich and feel perfect for the holiday season.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

A classic chocolate chip cookie bar recipe. These are a classic and a reader favorite.

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Candy Cane Cookies

An easy recipe for candy cane cookies made with peppermint extract. It’s fun to shape these and mix different colors together!

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Simple Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

An all basic ingredients recipe for chocolate chip pumpkin cookies.

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Snickerdoodles

The best snickerdoodle cookies (without cream of tartar—I always seem to be out). These always smell like the holidays to me!

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How to Freeze Cookie Dough Balls

If you prefer to plan and work ahead, then read all our best tips for how to freeze cookie dough balls so your freezer is always stocked and ready for guests anytime you need some fresh baked cookies.

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Rocky Road Cookies

A favorite ice cream flavor transformed into cookies. These remind me a lot of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

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Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies

Big chocolate chip cookies with crispy edge and soft centers—these are BIG and so fun for the season.

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Tips for Mailing Royal Icing Sugar Cookies

This coming season is full of holiday gifting—get our best tips for mailing treats from a professional baker.

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How to Make Slice and Bake Cookie Designs

An easy slice and bake cookie recipe with cute designs. You could make autumn leaves, Santa hats, holiday presents, or any cookie cutout design!

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Classic Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are some of my very favorite cookies. They are wonderful all on their own, but they also go great with hot chocolate or coffee.

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Lemon Crinkle Cookies

I love citrus in the winter months and if you do too please make these lemon crinkle cookies!

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Brownie Cookies

If you are in need of an easy-to-bake cookie recipe and are in the mood for chocolate, then do yourself a favor and bake these brownie cookies.

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Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

These are the number ONE cookies I make for almost every holiday! I decorate for whatever season or event we are celebrating.

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The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies!

If you need a vegan (non-dairy) version of royal icing sugar cookies.

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Easy Gooey Butter Cookies

Gooey butter cake is one of my favorite desserts to bring to a holiday potluck. These are the cookie version.

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Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (also Gluten-Free!)

For when you need a seasonal alternative. These may be vegan and gluten-free, but we guarantee they are also DELICIOUS!

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Red Velvet Cookies

Rich, red velvet cookies with white chocolate chips. These are thin and crispy and absolutely packed with flavor!

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Banana Cookies

This recipe is the cookie version of banana bread or almost like a banana bread muffin with a crumb topping.

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Chocolate Chip Slice and Bake Cookies

A great chocolate chip recipe you can easily make ahead and save in your freezer. When needed, just slice and bake!

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

I’m filing this one under inspired by childhood favorites. Who doesn’t love peanut butter and jelly? This is the dessert version.

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Vanilla and Thyme Slice and Bake Cookies

Rich and buttery cookies with the flavors of vanilla bean and thyme. These are perfect with coffee or tea and smell like the holidays while you bake them.

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Chocolate Snowcap Mountain Cookies

Giant, oversized cookies featuring chocolate and those classic movie-theater candy: snowcaps!

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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies are slightly chewy with a little pool of sweet and spicy jam at the center of each. If you love classic thumbprint cookies, you’ll probably enjoy this variation.

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Blueberry Muffin Cookies

These embody all of my favorite parts of a muffin—namely sweet, delicious flavors and the crown: crumble tops!

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Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrots don’t get enough credit. And probably my favorite carrot recipe has got to be carrot cake. This recipe is the cookie version.

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Spicy Gingerbread Cookies Turned Cityscapes

If you love thin, crispy gingerbread cookies, this recipe is for you! Plus, how to turn them into snowy cityscapes.

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Make Homemade Cookie Butter (With Any Cookie!)

An easy homemade cookie butter recipe (using any cookie!). This recipe is perfect to add to a dessert board OR as a homemade gift.

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Pie Crust Cutout Cookies

It wasn’t until adulthood that I truly came to appreciate the buttery, flaky deliciousness that is pie crust! This cookie recipe captures the magic.

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Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is WAY easy to make (only six ingredients), and I love the soft, but not overly gooey texture it creates.

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Skillet Cookies

A great recipe for when you want cookies for a crowd! These are best served with ice cream on top.

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How to Make Macaron Cookies

These classic French cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful. While they are fairly labor-intensive to make, this post makes it easy.

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Eggnog Latte

Emma Chapman — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:02:00 +0000

An eggnog latte is my favorite way to enjoy eggnog during the holiday season. I just think the rich, creamy and lightly sweet and spicy taste of eggnog pairs so well with fresh brewed espresso. Whoever invited the eggnog latte has my deepest gratitude. It’s one of my all-time favorite espresso drinks.

This is also a very easy drink to make at home and since the Starbucks eggnog latte is no longer available on their holiday menu, you will love this recipe. With simple ingredients compared to the complex flavor, an eggnog latte is the perfect seasonal treat when you need a little caffeine pick-me-up.

Related: Love classic espresso-based drinks? Next up, learn to make a proper cortado, macchiato, affogato, espresso martini and cappuccino, 35+ coffee recipes.

Ingredients

Espresso
Eggnog – homemade or store-bought
Simple syrup – homemade or store-bought

Directions

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to extract a rich, concentrated shot of espresso.

The secret to a luscious latte lies in perfectly frothed milk, or in this case eggnog. If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, place the wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.

Tilt the pitcher slightly to create a swirling motion. Continue steaming until the eggnog has doubled in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture.

If you don’t have a steam wand, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and whisk by hand or use a milk frother vigorously until it becomes frothy.

Pour the espresso into a mug along with the simple syrup, then pour the hot and frothy eggnog on top. A sprinkle of nutmeg is optional.

Tips For Making

Add whipped cream as am optional topping.
Choose a dairy-free eggnog to create a vegan version of this homemade eggnog latte.
If you don’t have a milk frother you can also blend your drink or shake it in a cocktail shaker (or mason jar) to froth the eggnog.
If you don’t have an espresso maker, espresso powder (or even strong coffee) can be substituted to create this recipe.

Best Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since I got it for Christmas last year, love it! It comes in three colors.
Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But this is a classic method that works great when done well.
Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

More Seasonal Drink Recipes

Eggnog Latte

a rich and creamy latte made with eggnog

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword eggnog, espresso

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 280kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Equipment

espresso maker

Ingredients

1 shot espresso
1 cup eggnog
1 tablespoon simple syrup

Instructions

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to extract a rich, concentrated shot of espresso.
The secret to a luscious latte lies in perfectly frothed milk, or in this case eggnog. If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand, place the wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.
Tilt the pitcher slightly to create a swirling motion. Continue steaming until the eggnog has doubled in volume and has a smooth, velvety texture.
If you don’t have a steam wand, you can heat the milk on the stovetop and whisk by hand or use a milk frother vigorously until it becomes frothy.
Pour the espresso into a mug along with the simple syrup, then pour the hot and frothy eggnog on top.
Sprinkle on a little nutmeg, optional.

Notes

The simple syrup is optional in this recipe. While I think most eggnog lattes do get sweetened, it’s such a rich and creamy drink that if you want to leave it unsweetened, that’s fine too. Many eggnog recipes already contain some sugar anyway.

Nutrition

Grinch Punch

Laura Gummerman — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:07:00 +0000

The holidays are all about special memories, food, and drinks, and this Grinch Punch is a fast and easy way to make a delicious punch that is sure to delight both kids and adults at your next Christmas party.

The creamy sherbet mixed with the fruity punch and fizzy soda only has three ingredients, takes just minutes to make, and creates a sweet treat that will be remembered all year round.

Looking for other punch recipes? Try:

What is Grinch Punch?

This Christmas punch gets its “Grinch” name from the green color of the character in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and while there are several variations on the flavor, it is usually a fruity green punch base often with sherbet added to the top. Sometimes alcohol is added but is usually non-alcoholic.

Ingredients for Grinch Punch

Green Berry Rush Hawaiian Punch: This green version of the classic red Hawaiian punch is the perfect fruity base for the punch. Look for it in the juice aisle at the grocery store.
Lemon-Lime Soda: Sprite or 7Up-type sodas are the best choices for this punch. You could use ginger ale in a pinch but the more neutral Sprite and 7Up flavors work best.
Lime sherbet: Lime sherbet adds a creamy element to the punch and it’s extra delicious when you get a scoop of it in your glass.
Red sanding sugar (optional): Add a red sugar rim for an extra festive look!

Looking for a punch bowl? Check out these options!

How to Make a Sugar Rim

To make a sugar rim, simply wet the rim of your glass (either with a wet clean finger or dip it in a bowl with a shallow amount of water) and press it into red sanding sugar that you’ve poured onto a plate. Easy and pretty!

How to make Grinch Punch

Pour: Pour half your Hawaiian punch and half of your soda into your punch bowl and gently stir to combine.
Scoop: Scoop your sherbet into your punch bowl on top of your punch.
Serve: Ladle your punch into your cups and serve!

Tips for Making Grinch Punch:

Leave your sherbet out on the counter for 5-10 minutes before scooping if you want it to be soft enough to scoop more easily.
As the sherbet melts, the punch will get sweeter, so keep some extra punch ingredients on hand if you want to pour in a little more soda and juice later on to keep the balance just right.
Look for seasonal flavors of Sprite and 7Up (like cranberry around the holidays) to add another flavor twist on the classic.
Make sure your soda and juices are chilled before mixing so the punch will be nice and cold.
You can also add fresh fruit like orange or lime slices for additional color to the top of your punch bowl.
Try adding rum or vodka to make an adult Grinch punch!

Try serving your punch with these appetizers:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead can I make Grinch punch?

Peppermint Mocha

Emma Chapman — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 14:02:00 +0000

A peppermint mocha is probably the holiday drink I have the most nostalgia for. To me, this is the beverage I sip as I drive around town and finish up my holiday shopping. This annual ritual feels like living in a cozy Nancy Meyers’ movie to me. And while, sure, you could absolutely make this drink daily, I tend to reserve it for special moments, which is probably why my peppermint mocha recipe tends to be more on the decadent side.

While a classic mocha tends to me more espresso-forward (when I make it) and flavored with chocolate, the gloves come off for a peppermint mocha. While yes, this has espresso, it tastes more like a peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream when I make it at home.

Related: Looking for more seasonal drink recipes? Next up, try Gingerbread Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Chai Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, 35+ Coffee Recipes, Espresso Martini.

Ingredients

Espresso
Milk – or a milk alternative
Chocolate syrup – or a hot chocolate mix
Peppermint extract
Whipped cream – optional

I also like to garnish this with a mini candy cane or crushed candy canes. Peppermint bark would be a nice addition too.

Directions

First, add the chocolate syrup to your mug. I like to add most to the bottom, as it will mix with the hot espresso. But I will also drizzle some up the sides of the mug as well. If you are using a packet of hot chocolate mix instead, you can mix this with the hot milk.

Next, make your espresso. Pour the espresso shot into the prepared mug.

Next, steam the milk. You want the milk hot and to create some foam on top. If your espresso machine has a frothing wand, you can do this all in one step. If not, you may need to heat the milk then froth by hand or use a milk frother. Add the hot chocolate mix during this step to incorporate well if using.

Pour the hot milk into the espresso; the foam will naturally settle on top. Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and other garnishes.

Home Espresso Machines

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. I got this machine for Christmas a year ago and we use it almost every day and love it! It comes in three colors.
Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But, this is a classic method that works great when done well.
Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

Serving Suggestions

Since this drink is so festive why not make some Christmas cookies too?

Peppermint Mocha

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate, espresso, peppermint

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 467kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Equipment

espresso maker

Ingredients

1 shot espresso
1 ½ cups milk
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup or a hot chocolate mix
½ cup whipped cream

Instructions

First, add the peppermint extract and chocolate syrup to your mug. I like to add most to the bottom, as it will mix with the hot espresso. But I will also drizzle some up the sides of the mug as well. If you are using a packet of hot chocolate mix instead, you can mix this with the hot milk.
Next, make your espresso. Pour the espresso shot into the prepared mug.
Next, steam the milk. You want the milk hot and to create some foam on top. If your espresso machine has a frothing wand, you can do this all in one step. If not, you may need to heat the milk then froth by hand or use a milk frother. Add the hot chocolate mix during this step to incorporate well if using.
Pour the hot milk into the espresso; the foam will naturally settle on top.
Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup and other garnishes.

Notes

I also like to garnish this with a mini candy cane or crushed candy canes. Peppermint bark would be a nice addition too.

You can use whole milk or any percentage; also, alternative milks will work well here too.

Nutrition

Gingerbread Latte

Emma Chapman — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:02:00 +0000

There may be nothing better this time of year than a gingerbread latte. The bold flavors of gingerbread cookies with molasses and spices paired with the creaminess of a latte is such a treat.

In this post, I’m going to share my favorite recipe for a gingerbread latte, which includes a homemade syrup. Bonus points if you add a little gingerbread man when serving.

Related: Want more seasonal coffee drink recipes? Try Pumpkin Spice Latte, Chai Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Starbucks Medicine Ball, Apple Crisp Macchiato, Espresso Martini, 35+ Coffee Recipes,

Ingredients

Espresso
Gingerbread syrup – recipe below OR use a store-bought option
Milk – or a milk alternative

I like to add whipped cream to this latte recipe, but it’s optional.

Directions

First, make the gingerbread syrup. In a small pan, combine the sugars, water, molasses, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat, stirring so the sugar fully dissolves. Before the mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat and allow to cool. Store the syrup in an airtight container. While the syrup doesn’t have to be refrigerated, I usually do store it in mine just to keep it fresh longer.

Brew the espresso. To a mug add the syrup and espresso.

Steam and froth the milk so it’s hot and foamy. If your espresso machine has a frothing wand, you can use that, or you can use a milk frother or even do this with a whisk by hand on the stovetop.

Pour the hot milk and foam on top of the espresso and syrup. Add whipped cream if using.

Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since we got it seven months ago and we love it! It comes in three colors.
Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But, this is a classic method that works great when done well.
Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.

Serving Suggestions

I think Christmas cookies go great with this latte. Here are some of our favorites:

Gingerbread Latte

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword gingerbread, latte

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings

Author Emma Chapman

Equipment

espresso maker

Ingredients

1 shot espresso
1-2 tablespoons gingerbread syrup
1 cup milk

Gingerbread Syrup

⅓ cup sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup molasses
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

First, make the gingerbread syrup. In a small pan, combine the sugars, water, molasses, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla extract.
Cook over medium heat, stirring so the sugar fully dissolves. Before the mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat and allow to cool. Store the syrup in an airtight container.
Brew the espresso.
To a mug add the syrup and espresso.
Steam and froth the milk so it’s hot and foamy. If your espresso machine has a frothing wand, you can use that, or you can use a milk frother or even do this with a whisk by hand on the stovetop.
Pour the hot milk and foam on top of the espresso and syrup. Add whipped cream if using.

Notes

You can use any % of milk or a milk alternative for this latte. Keep in mind that some milk alternatives will not foam or froth as much as dairy milk. But it will still be delicious.

While the syrup doesn’t have to be refrigerated, I usually do store it in mine just to keep it fresh longer.

Homemade Eggnog

Emma Chapman — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:01:00 +0000

While there is nothing wrong with store-bought eggnog, it might surprise you to know that homemade is VERY easy to make and in my opinion so much better. You can customize the sweetness level as well as make this creamy drink more or less spiced to your preferences.

I am a big fan of custard generally. And eggnog is essentially a spiced custard drink as it is made of mostly milk and egg yolks. It’s decadent and delicious and feels absolutely perfect for the holiday season.

Related: Need more festive drink recipes? Try Butterbeer, Pumpkin Smoothie, Turmeric Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte and Medicine Ball Tea.

Ingredients

Egg yolks
Granulated white sugar
Heavy whipping cream
Milk
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon stick

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, store the egg yolks, separating them from the whites. Set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, add the sugar, cream, milk, nutmeg, vanilla extract and cinnamon stick. Whisk over low/medium heat until very warm and the sugar has fully dissolved.

Slowly add 1/2 cup of the warm milk to the egg yolks at a time, stirring between each addition. The goal is to slowly warm the egg yolks because if they go from cold to hot too quickly they can curdle.

Once the mixing bowl with the milk and yolks feels very warm to the touch (on the outside of the bowl), whisk the mixture back into the pan. Heat until the liquid reaches 160°F (71°C).

Strain to remove any sediments and the cinnamon stick. Store in the refrigerator.

Tips for Making

You can use an instant read thermometer or candy thermometer to check the liquid for reaching its food-safe temperature.
If the egg yolks do curdle a little, it’s OK! While not ideal, the eggnog is not ruined. Once you strain the mixture before chilling, this will remove any curdled pieces.
Feel free to add more nutmeg, cinnamon or other spices to this recipe! Pumpkin pie spice might be a nice addition.

More Great Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eggnog served hot or cold?

Christmas Cake Pops

Laura Gummerman — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:02:00 +0000

Christmas is the best time of the year for treats and we have easy Christmas cake pop ideas that are sure to be a hit with all ages at your next holiday party. With just a few edible decorations, you can make reindeer, snowmen, or Christmas tree cake pops to celebrate the season.

We’ll also show you the secret to making cake pops in just minutes if you want a handy shortcut to get the decorating part faster, so look for that below …

Looking for more holiday treats? Check out:

What You Need to Make Christmas Cake Pops:

Cake mix: You can use any flavor cake mix: chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, yellow, etc. Be sure to check your cake mix to ensure you have whatever other cake ingredients the mix recommends for baking (eggs, oil, etc.).
Can of frosting: You will also need one container of store-bought frosting. I like to use anything with a simple texture like vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry.
Cake pop sticks: While it’s most common to use sticks like this, you can also use forks or edible items like pretzel rods!
Candy melts: These discs of chocolate are the easiest way to get that chocolate coating as they melt easily and come in lots of color options.
Microwave or Double Boiler: You can melt candy melts in the microwave, but you can also use a double boiler to do it on the stove top or a chocolate melter like this one.
Edible decorations: For these Christmas cake pops, you’ll want mini pretzels, candy eyes, and red M&Ms for the reindeer, chocolate coins, Rolo or mini Reese’s cups, and orange sprinkles for the snowmen, and sprinkles or mini M&Ms to decorate your Christmas tree.

Looking for more cake pops? Check out our Chocolate Cake Pops, Birthday Cake Pops, Halloween Cake Pops, and Oreo Cake Pops!

How to Make Christmas Cake Pops

1. Bake the cake: Bake your cake according to the package instructions and allow to fully cool.

2. Add the frosting and mix: Spoon the baked cake into a large mixing bowl. Add 2/3 of the container of frosting. Using the full container makes the cake pops a bit too soft and harder to work with once we dip them in chocolate. But, this is how you get cake pops to stick together—with frosting. Use clean hands to mix together the frosting and cake. The cake pop batter is going to be pretty soft, but moldable.

3. Roll cake balls: Form your cake pop batter into small balls (about 3-4 tablespoons each). You don’t want them to be too big, just so they easily fit in the palm of your hand.

Once you have formed all your pops (a standard size cake will make around 35-40 cake pops), put them in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or the freezer for 30 minutes.

4. Melt your candy melts: Melt candy melts in the microwave in 30-second increments on half power. You could also use a double boiler to do it on the stove top or a chocolate melter like this one. If you need to thin your candy melts, you can stir in a teaspoon of canola or vegetable oil once melted and can reheat the chocolate for 15 seconds at a time to remelt if it starts to set up at any point.

5. Attach the cake pop stick: First, put your stick into the melted chocolate and push the stick 2/3 through a cold cake pop.

6. Dip the cake pop: Dip the attached cake pop into the melted chocolate and allow any excess chocolate to drip off the pop. Gently tap the cake pop stick on the side of your bowl to also shake off extra chocolate. Then, add any extra decorations and store the cake pop upright while it sets (unless you don’t mind a flat bottomed cake pop).

You can keep them upright in a number of ways, like sticking them into a container that is filled with granulated white sugar or rice or you can stick them into a block of styrofoam.

How To Make SUPER EASY Cake Pops:

To make your cake pops even faster and easier, try using Little Debbie Snack Cakes or Zebra Cakes! Just crumble them into a bowl and mash them together with a mixing spoon until you get a thick dough. Use your small cookie scoop to scoop out balls of cake and continue to chill, dip, and decorate just like you would with the regular recipe! Such a time saver and you get about one cake pop per snack cake.

How To Make a Reindeer Cake Pop:

Follow directions above to make a general cake pop and dip the cake pop into brown chocolate.
Add two mini pretzels to the head for the antlers (or break off a section of a regular size pretzel), two candy eyes, and a red M&M for the nose.
Allow the chocolate to set and your cake pop is ready!

How To Make a Christmas Tree Cake Pop:

Follow directions above to make a general cake pop and dip the cake pop into green chocolate. Allow the chocolate to set.
Add some melted green chocolate to a piping bag (or ziplock bag with the tip cut off) and lay the cake pop on some wax paper. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the tree back and forth and add sprinkles or small candies to decorate.
Allow the chocolate to set and your cake pop is ready!

How to Make a Snowman Cake Pop:

Follow directions above to make a general cake pop and dip the cake pop into white chocolate.
Glue your Rolo or mini Reese’s cup to your chocolate coin with a little melted chocolate to make a hat and add to your snowman’s head. Add your sprinkle nose and allow chocolate to set.
Once chocolate is set, melt a small amount of black or brown chocolate to pipe the eyes and mouth (or you can use black sprinkles or mini chocolate chips placed before the chocolate sets!).
Allow the chocolate to set and your cake pop is ready!

Looking for a seasonal cocktail? Check out:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store Christmas cake pops?

Christmas Wreath Cookies

Laura Gummerman — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 14:08:00 +0000

These easy no-bake Christmas wreaths are a fun holiday cookie that puts a spin on the classic Rice Krispies treat recipe. Melted marshmallow and butter (and a little bit of green food coloring) transform cornflake cereal into cute little mini wreaths to make the season brighter.

It only takes about 15 minutes to put these wreaths together and you can customize and decorate them however you like!

Tips for making wreath cookies:

Make sure to spray your fingers with nonstick cooking spray (or butter them!) so you can handle the sticky mixture when forming the wreaths.
For sturdier cookies, you can pack your 1/3 cup measuring cup with the cookie mixture before dumping it out and shaping it into a wreath. The more loosely shaped wreaths will be a little floppier when picked up, so make your wreaths more dense if you want it to feel more solid when handled.
Add a little powdered sugar once your cookie is cool for a snowy effect!
The most common decorations are red hots or mini M&Ms, but you can use star candies, candy pearls to look like ornaments, or even pull-and-peel Twizzler pieces to make a small bow.

Ingredients for wreath cookies:

Cornflakes: All you need is plain cornflake cereal for the base of these wreaths.
Butter: Melted butter makes the marshmallows even creamier for a rich cookie coating.
Marshmallows: You can use mini or regular sized marshmallows for this recipe.
Vanilla extract (optional): Just a little hint of vanilla is added and you can also put in some almond extract if you have that on hand.
Green food coloring: We like gel food coloring as it’s a more concentrated color, but you can use liquid as well.
Decorations: You can use whatever sprinkles or candies you want to decorate your wreaths!

How to make wreath cookies:

Melt the marshmallows: Add your marshmallows and butter to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30-second increments until melted, stirring each time. Quickly add your green food coloring a few drops at a time until you get the color you like and stir in your vanilla and almond extract.