Cook Up Something Special!
Celebrate the holidays the best way possible, by making and eating delicious desserts! Here are some easy and fun recipes you can make as a whole family to get in the holiday spirit! If you make any of these festive creations, post a picture and tag Lincoln Kids to spread some holiday cheer!
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar for rolling
40 chocolate Kisses unwrapped
Directions
In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, softened butter, and peanut butter. Mix or beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, just for a couple of minutes.
Add in the egg and vanilla, and beat until well-mixed. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat on low until fully combined.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375º F. Line a baking sheet with a cookie mat or parchment paper and
set aside.
Add the additional 1/2 cup granulated sugar to a small bowl, and set aside.
Roll 1 1/2 tablespoons of cookie dough into a 1-inch ball using your hands. Gently roll balls in the bowl of granulated sugar to coat on all sides. Place approximately 2 inches apart on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 9-10 minutes, until lightly brown and the tops of the cookies look a bit cracked.
Top off with a chocolate Kiss in the center of each cookie, then transfer to a cooling rack to continue cooling.
Enjoy!
Holiday Pretzel Rods
Ingredients
Pretzel rods
Light cocoa candy melts, milk chocolate morsels, or chocolate almond bark
White candy coating, white chocolate morsels, or vanilla almond bark
Green candy coating
Red candy coating
Sprinkles of your choosing
Crushed peppermints or candy canes
Directions
Melt the candy coating according to package directions giving special care not to overheat the candy. If the candy coating is overheated, it will be too thick. You can add 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening to help thin the candy but do not add any other type of liquid as the candy will seize and harden.
Pour candy coating over two-thirds of the pretzel rod and shake gently to remove excess. If applying sprinkles, do so immediately rotating the pretzel rods to coat all sides. Larger sprinkles work best if placed individually.
Place the pretzel rod on waxed paper or a cooling rack. (Baker’s Tip: Waxed paper makes for easier takeoff.)
If drizzling with additional colored candy melts, allow the first candy coating to dry completely. Then, use a spoon or fork to drizzle the second candy coating over the pretzel rods. Before the pretzel drys, gently pick it up and move to clean wax paper.
Let pretzel rods dry completely before packaging or serving.
Enjoy!
