Winter is the best season to put your baking skills to the test. During the cold winter months, most of us want to be wrapped up in blankets in our beds, but these easy to make desserts will fulfill your cozy feeling in the comfort of your own home. These seasonal desserts will get you in the winter spirit and will satisfy your taste buds. 

Hot Chocolate Cookies: 

This easy recipe combines the warmest winter drink and everyone’s favorite pastry to create one delicious dessert. These cookies are a great snack to eat while sitting on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, watching your favorite show. 

Ingredients:                                                                    

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature          1 ¼ teaspoon of salt

1 cup white sugar                                                               1 ¼ teaspoon of baking soda 

2/3 cups light brown sugar, packed                                    1 cup of milk chocolate chips 

2 eggs                                                                                 1 cup of semi- sweet chocolate chips 

1 teaspoon vanilla                                                               1 ½ cups of mini marshmallows 

3-¼ cups all-purpose flour

4 1-oz packages hot chocolate mix

Instructions:

1. Cream the butter and sugars until smooth and beat in eggs and vanilla until it’s combined
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, hot chocolate mix, salt and baking soda together
3. Add in the flour to the wet ingredients until it’s all mixed (note: the dough should be thick)
4. Put in the milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chips 
5. Chill the dough for an hour ( note: chilling the dough allows the ingredients to blend better but also makes thicker cookies)
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
7. Make dough into balls (about 1 ½ tablespoon each) and spread evenly on the baking tray on the parchment paper
8. Bake for about 10-12 minutes and leave them to cool for about 5 minutes

Here is the full recipe: https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/hot-chocolate-cookies/ 

 Rice Krispie Snowballs:

This next festive dessert will bring back childhood memories of everyone’s favorite marshmallow treat, Rice Krispies, but these treats have another surprise, peanut butter! These Rice Krispie balls also have peanut butter cups in the center to give the dessert a more fun flavor. 

Ingredients:

5 tbsp of  butter                                             6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal

1 (10-oz.) bag of marshmallows                   30 Reese’s Minis

1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter                    1 ½  cup of white chocolate chips (melted) 

Pinch of kosher salt                                       Sprinkles

Instructions: 

1. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter
2. Put in marshmallows and peanut butter, and stir until mixture is melted
3. Remove from the stove and pour in the Rice Krispies, let it lightly cool 
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper 
5. Flatten about a tablespoon amount of Rice Krispies and add a mini Reese’s in the middle and roll the mixture into a ball
6. Dip in melted chocolate, then place on the baking sheet 
7. Add sprinkles for a design and re-do the steps for the rest of the mixture
8. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until chocolate is set. 

For the full recipe: https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/a25562466/rice-krispie-snowballs-recipe/ 

Blondies: 

These chocolate chip bars are a fan favorite because of the delicious flavor and easy recipe. During the cold weather, this is definitely a dessert you should make if you love chocolate chip cookies, but are looking for something a little different. 

Ingredients: 

1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar                                         1 ½ cups of all purpose flour

1/2 cup butter, melted                                                         ½ teaspoon of baking powder

2 large eggs, lightly beaten, room temperature                   ½ teaspoon of salt 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                                   1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla just until blended
3. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to brown sugar mixture
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Pour into a greased 13×9  baking pan
6. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (18-20 minutes)
7. Let cool on a wire rack

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-chip-blondies/  

These three easy dessert recipes are something fun to share with family and friends to have warm and delicious desserts to get you through the winter. These sweets are perfect to just grab and sit on your couch or bed, curled up with a blanket, and watching TV. So get together with some friends or family and have fun and enjoy making these easy desserts that are perfect for the winter.