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Holiday Baking 101

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

Every December since junior year in high school, three of my close friends from home and I set a day aside to bake Christmas treats for all of our friends and family; a Whobilation, if you will.  We then merrily proceed to drive all across town like little elves, blasting Christmas music, and dropping them on people’s doorsteps.  I’m sure most of you collegiettes™ take part in your own holiday baking sessions, or if you’re like me and your friends don’t let you within ten feet of the double boiler, it’s more of an eating session.  Regardless, I’m here to present to you some of the best treats we’ve made over the years.  Nom Nom Nom!
 
Cookies
The Sugar Cookie
The quintessential Christmas cookie has to be the sugar cookie, which is usually cut into different shapes like candy canes or Christmas trees.  I like this “Nice n’ Soft” recipe.

The Snickerdoodle
Snickerdoodles are pretty underappreciated in my opinion.  A cousin of the sugar cookie, it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside- an unstoppable combination.  Add some cinnamon and you have the perfect Christmas cookie.  I also like it because I’m really good at pressing a fork on top to make a pretty criss-cross design (the extent of my baking skills).  For the more adventurous, I recently found a new yummy-looking peppermint snickerdoodle recipe– definitely on my list for this year!

The Peanut Butter Cookie
You can never go wrong with peanut butter cookies- there are so many variations! Here are two of my favorites, Peanut Blossom Cookies and Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.

Bars
Turtle Brownies
Covered with caramel, pecans, and drizzled chocolate, these turtle brownies can get pretty messy, but are oh so worth it.

Millionaire Shortbread Bars
These bars consist of a layer each of shortbread, caramel, and chocolate.  If that doesn’t convince you, you’re basically making a homemade Twix bar.  You’re welcome.

Cheesecake Brownies
Before these cheesecake brownies started making appearances in the BC Dining Halls, I made them first. When done right, they’re fabulous.  And this gem is similar to our cheesecake brownies.  I have four words for you: Cookie. Dough. Cheesecake. Bars.

Pecan Squares
I love, love, love pecan pie, so when I made this pecan squares mini version last year, it was love at first bite (I think I’m allowed one horrifying pun per article, so there we have it).

Candy
White Chocolate Haystacks
I’m a sucker for any sweet and salty combination, so I love this white chocolate, peanut, and pretzel combination.  Plus, zero baking skills are involved!

Peppermint Bark
This is definitely a must for the holiday season.  One fun way to change up your traditional peppermint bark is by adding green or red food coloring to the white chocolate.

Fudge
Last, but certainly not least, we have the fudge.  Every year, my friends and I have made the “Never-Fail-Fudge” straight from the back of the Marshmallow Fluff jar. While last year we did have some difficulties with the fudge due to an overly ambitious baking schedule, this recipe is pretty much guaranteed to be the best one around.

I think these should keep you busy in the kitchen this holiday season!  Happy Whobilation everyone!
 
Photo Sources:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Nice–n–Soft-Sugar-Cookies
http://www.joyofbaking.com/WhiteChocolateHaystack.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/chocolatefudge.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/candy/PeppermintBark.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/barsandsquares/PecanSquares.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/barsandsquares/CreamCheeseBrownies.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/Millionaire’sShorbreadBars.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/PeanutButterCupCookies.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/barsandsquares/TurtleBrownies.html
http://www.joyofbaking.com/Snickerdoodles.html

Katie Moran is a junior at Boston College, majoring in Communication. Originally from Seattle, she loves the East Coast but misses her rainy days and Starbucks coffees. On campus, Katie is involved with Sub Turri Yearbook, the Appalachia Volunteer Program, UGBC Women's Issues Team, Cura, and the Women's Resource Center Big Sister Program. She loves reading, watching "Friends," and exploring new places. She has a passion for creating and hopes to begin a career in marketing and advertising.