Holiday Baking

It's getting to be that time of year where we have a handful of different family gatherings and holidays parties, the stress of the holidays are coming up, and we try desperately to not feel totally wiped trying to find everyone the perfect present.

Whew. This is a lot of work. Let's take a step back and bake some awesomeness, ok? Also, if you need something to take to that holiday party, these are some good options, and some of my personal favorites.

Sugar cookies

This is my go to recipe for sugar cookies, and they're eggless so you can eat as much raw dough as you want! Which may or may not be a good thing... but at least you don't have to worry about the little ones sneaking some dough.

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour

Cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy. Add milk, vanilla and flour. Chill dough for easier rolling (about 1/2 hour in the fridge). Roll out and cut into festive shapes. Bake at 375 for about 8 minutes, cool, frost and decorate!


Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies. I've been wanting to try these cookies for ages.


Pumpkin Cookies because pumpkin makes everything festive, right?


Feeling a little fancier than cookies?

I might suggest Pumpkin cheesecake. You know, with your new found cheesecake skills.

Or some Bourbon Bread Pudding? It might just make you look like a domestic goddess.

Bourbon Street Bread Pudding

1 ¼ lbs cubed French bread – ½” diameter (as needed to fill pan)
½ cup raisins
7 eggs
6 yolks
1 ½ cups sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
3 pints (6 cups) whole milk
1 ½ cups heavy cream


1. Fill buttered baking pan (9x13ish) almost full with bread. Sprinkle raisins evenly over bread.
2. Beat together the eggs, yolks, sugar, salt, vanilla, and spices.
3. Scald the milk and cream, pour very slowly into egg mixture while whisking.
4. Pour the custard mixture through a strainer into the pans over the bread. Let sit for 1 hour if time allows (or you can weight it down with plates with cans on top, then cut the time in half).
5. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar just before baking.
6. Bake in a water bath at 375 until set (when you press the middle and no liquid comes out).

Bourbon Sauce

3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 cup cream
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp vanilla
dash of nutmeg
2 tbsp bourbon

1. Melt butter in saucepan, add flour add cook for 1 minute on low, stirring constantly.
2. Whisk in the cream and bring to a boil.
3. Add the sugar and simmer 3 minutes.
4. Add the vanilla, nutmeg and bourbon. Simmer 3 minutes more.