Oh my goodness, I absolutely adore making *xmas desserts*! There’s just something so magical about baking during the holiday season, isn’t there? The aroma of warm spices and sweet treats fills the house, making everything feel cozy and festive. I remember as a kid, my family would gather in the kitchen, flour flying everywhere, while we whipped up our favorite holiday sweets. Trust me, the joy of sharing these treats with loved ones is unbeatable! Whether it’s a cozy night in or a festive gathering, these desserts bring everyone together. So grab your mixing bowls and let’s dive into this delicious holiday treat that’s sure to put a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart!
Ingredients for xmas desserts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – the base for our delightful treats
- 1 cup granulated sugar – for that perfect sweetness (make sure it’s packed in!)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – it should be at room temperature for easy mixing
- 2 large eggs – these help bind everything together
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – because who doesn’t love a hint of vanilla magic?
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – this will give our desserts that lovely rise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – to enhance all those wonderful flavors
- 1 cup chopped nuts – I love using walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch
- 1 cup dried fruit – think raisins, cranberries, or a mix for an extra festive touch
How to Prepare xmas desserts
Preheat the Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because a properly heated oven ensures even baking and helps our delightful treats rise perfectly. While that’s warming up, you can prep your ingredients, so everything is ready to go when it’s time to mix!
Creaming the Butter and Sugar
Now, let’s cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl. This is one of my favorite steps! You want to beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Creaming is essential because it incorporates air into the mix, giving our xmas desserts that wonderful, tender texture we all love!
Combining Ingredients
Next, it’s time to combine our wet and dry ingredients. Start by adding the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, gently folding it in until just combined. This is where you’ll fold in the chopped nuts and dried fruit! Be careful not to overmix—this keeps our dessert light and fluffy. You want to see those colorful bits of fruit and crunchy nuts throughout the batter, making it as festive as possible!
Baking and Cooling
Once everything is nicely mixed, pour the batter into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let it cool in the dish for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This cooling time is essential because it allows the flavors to settle and makes slicing easier!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules
- Deliciously festive flavors that capture the spirit of Christmas
- Great for sharing with family and friends—everyone loves a sweet treat!
- Versatile enough to customize with your favorite nuts and dried fruits
- Perfect for potlucks or holiday gatherings, bringing smiles to the table
- Leftovers (if there are any!) are just as tasty the next day
Tips for Success with xmas desserts
Alright, let’s ensure your xmas desserts turn out absolutely perfect! First off, make sure your butter is at room temperature. This helps it cream beautifully with the sugar and results in a light texture. If you forget to take it out in advance, just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds—watch it closely, though! Next, when measuring your flour, scoop it into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife for accuracy. Too much flour can make the dessert dense—yikes! Also, don’t skip the cooling time after baking; it’s crucial for flavor development and makes cutting easier. Lastly, if you want to switch things up, feel free to experiment with different nuts or dried fruits. The festive spirit is all about creativity, so have fun with it!
Nutritional Information for xmas desserts
These delightful xmas desserts are not just tasty; they also have some nutritional value! Each slice is estimated to contain around 200 calories, 8g of fat, and 3g of protein. You’ll also find about 30g of carbohydrates and 2g of fiber in each serving. Keep in mind, these values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect. Enjoy these sweet treats in moderation, and savor every bite!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your delicious xmas desserts fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can pop them in the fridge for about a week. For reheating, just place a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm it up. This will revive that lovely, cozy flavor without drying it out! Trust me, they taste just as good the next day, especially with a scoop of ice cream on the side!
FAQ About xmas desserts
Got questions? No problem! Here are some common ones I get about these festive xmas desserts:
Can I use different nuts or dried fruits? Absolutely! Feel free to swap in your favorites—almonds, pistachios, or even chocolate chips can be delightful! Just keep in mind that this will change the overall flavor.
Can I make this gluten-free? Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. It works like a charm and still gives you that wonderful texture!
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians? Yes, it’s vegetarian-friendly as it doesn’t contain any meat products. Just make sure to check your specific ingredients for any hidden animal products.
Can I freeze these desserts? You sure can! Just wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying!
Z nadrukami
Xmas Desserts: 7 Festive Treats to Warm Your Heart
- Całkowity Czas: 45 minutes
- Ustępować: 12 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Delicious and festive desserts perfect for Christmas celebrations.
Składniki
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 cup dried fruit
Instrukcje
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugar together.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Fold in nuts and dried fruit.
- Pour batter into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving.
Uwagi
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- These can be made a day ahead.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 30 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 slice
- Kalorie: 200
- Cukier: 10g
- Sód: 150mg
- Kwasy: 8g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 3g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 5g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 30g
- Włókno: 2g
- Białko: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Słowa kluczowe: xmas desserts, holiday treats, festive sweets
