I love to bake no matter the season. I love to see my children’s (and my husband’s) eyes light up over what new treat mama has created. It’s easy to want to bake when you have such an appreciative family!
But during this time of year, there are always extra special treats! We bake and make candy and share with neighbors and friends. It’s the only time of year I make fudge and candy cane cookies and there are always plenty of bowls and beaters to lick!
We usually share our treats with the mail lady and the garbage men. Yesterday, the mail lady brought us a note thanking us for the goodies and telling the children how she ate them with hot chocolate that evening. You should have seen the delight on their faces!
Some of our yearly yummies are:
Buckeyes (shown above and affectionately called “Buckin’ Bulls” around here ala my 7 yr old)
CHECK OUT OUR EASY BUCKEYE BARS!
Candy Cane Cookies
Snowballs
Chocolate Revel Bars
Fantasy Fudge
Thumbprint Cookies
I also like to experiment and try new recipes, but I prefer to stick with treats that are simple and quick. I have no desire to spends hours in the kitchen crafting the perfect cookie, so anything that can please my crowd with the least amount of effort gets my vote!
I’m also anxious to try some of the yummy treats I saw at An Oregon Cottage, the cinnamon popcorn at Amy’s Finer Things, and the edible gifts at Many Little Blessings!
One good thing about having a large family is that with so many mouths clamoring for a tasty treat, no one person ends up with too much!
What are your favorite Christmas treats? My children would love to try something new!
Sharon says
These recipes look wonderful! Thank you for jump starting my baking list for Christmas!
Amy says
You’re welcome! There is just something extra fun about baking this time of year!
Kim says
Toffee Snack Mix is always a favorite. You have to scroll down to the 2nd recipe from this blog post:
http://kimscountyline.blogspot.com/2010/12/bowl-game-snack-riddle.html
Super easy! You don’t even have to cook it in the oven like caramel corn.
Another couple of favorite snack mixes are found at this blog post, especially the Peanutty Snack Mix.
http://kimscountyline.blogspot.com/2010/11/snack-attack.html
I’ve also used those peanut-butter filled pretzel pillows in this recipe.
I’m looking forward to trying the Moose Munch recipe you linked to. It looks like a variation of a very expensive version you find in kitchen stores (and I’m never willing to spend the money).
Merry Christmas, Amy! And happy baking!
Amy says
Oh how I love those peanut-butter filled pretzels…Snyder’s right? Thanks for the recipes! You have always been my cooking hero!
Sherie says
I received your email today and began craving the buckeyes! 🙂 They now sit in the refrigerator. Thank you for the great recipe. By the way, I love your blog. It is such an encouragement.
Sherie
Amy says
Ha! I hope I didn’t contribute to your delinquency! Enjoy!
Teresa says
Great timing, I am hosting a cookie bake at church this Sat. We are making over 18 different cookies. Should be a blast. We used to do this at my house, but with only one oven it was to much,the church has 4 ovens. This year we will have over 20 women. It is a great way to make a lot of cookies in a little time and try other peoples recipes:) I am making to cookie recipe book this afternoon, so everyone goes home with one and dozens of cookies. All the cookies left over go to witnessing opportunities. Last year we gave a plate to the guy at the gas station, our neighbors, and my husbands coworkers.
Looks like we are making all the cookies you listed. I can hardly sleep I am so excited. This year we have several college student (our church is in a small town with a college) that are coming and bringing some unsaved friends.
Amy says
That sounds like a wonderful idea! What fun!
Joyce says
We also give sweet treats to our mail carrier, never thought to give some to the garbage men. We always do Christmas baking and I always make coconut macaroons, one year I allowed my boys to pick a recipe and one of them chose eggnog cookies. These have been added to the list of ongoing Christmas treats. Last year I made some pumpkin bread for the house and to share with a neighbor. I might try that buck eye recipe those sure do look good, thanks for sharing.
Amy says
We just made some pumpkin bread for breakfast around here. Great quick breakfast and treat!
Kasey says
We love Buckeyes and your picture made my mouth water!!
Lauree says
Okay-yummmmm! Can’t wait to try out some of these recipes!
Ginger says
Oh no, you’re one of those moms. You’ve lost me on this one! lol I *occasionally* like to bake, like when I’m craving something in particular. But luckily, my 14 yo dd LOVES to bake, so my kids never lack for goodies. She always bakes a cake for our church fellowships.
One of my younger daughters actually asked me one time if I knew how to bake a cake. {BLUSH} That was embarrassing!
Amy says
You wouldn’t happen to like to like to clean kitchens and we could just team up…I bake, you clean? 😉
Ginger says
I have people for that. (Little people) But I must admit I’d rather clean a kitchen than bake several dozen cookies. Especially if I have to dip them in chocolate and let them dry. Oh, the effort!!
Amy says
Bahahaha!
Amy @ Finer Things says
Let me know how you like the cinnamon popcorn! Wish we lived closer; we could have a cookie swap. 😉
Amy says
That would be a blast!
abba12 says
I’m in a pickle this year. Our oven broke. Even if our oven didn’t break, we’re in a rental at the moment that only has an ancient, non fan forced oven, with the element at the bottom so it burns the bottom of the cookies while leaving the top white
So I’m on the lookout for sweets that can be made without an oven! All my recipes call for the oven, except for toffee and fudge.
Amy says
What about popcorn balls, peanut brittle, even no-bake cookies! 😉
Alisha says
Oh yum, we are going to have to try making the buckeyes!! Our favorite Christmas treat around here is candy cane fudge. It is basically the same as your fantasy fudge except I swap peppermint flavoring for the vanilla and sprinkle the top with crushed candy canes.
Merry Christmas!
Amy says
That sounds lovely and very festive! Merry Christmas to you too!
Jean Anderson says
We make these, they are like Thumbprint cookies but a bit different – delicious!
http://stylishcuisine.com/?p=1902
Amy says
Those are neat! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Kristin says
I love to bake, too. Christmas gives me an excuse to make more sweets that I usually allow in the house because we have guests to share with and friends to gift our extra goodies to. The kids and I made these cookies last week…and we even called it “school.”
http://from-my-life.blogspot.com/2011/12/quest-for-best-shortbread-cookie-recipe.html
Dawn says
I’m in a little late on this one. I haven’t been blogging much lately.
We are making petit fours, snickers surprise cookies, and red velvet trifle with toasted coconut. Here are my recipes.
http://homeschooldawn.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-are-you-baking-for-christmas.html
I also put a link in there to a fabulous strudel recipe.