Christmas 2016 is officially four days away, and many people are wondering what they should bring to their holiday parties. Oftentimes, baking can be a sweet gesture, and Christmas dessert recipes are plentiful.
The problem is many of them take a considerable amount of effort to make—something that many people are tight on. So, here are a couple of easy desserts you can make for the holidays.
Easy Desserts for Christmas 2016
Here is a simple recipe that is totally Christmas—everyone knows the story of the Grinch. This recipe takes 15 minutes and there is no baking involved. It’s a great alternative to traditional Christmas cookies.
Grinch Kranky Treats:
Ingredients
- 8-9 drops green food coloring
- 1 bag mini M&Ms
- 1 can chocolate frosting
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 package mini marshmallows (10 oz)
- 5 1/2 c. crisped rice cereal
Directions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium to low heat. Stir in the food coloring and marshmallows, mixing until combined (approx. 2 mins). Remove from heat and stir in the cereal.
- Spread mixture onto sheet of wax paper. Let cool for 3-4 minutes.
- Spritz your hands with cooking spray/grease with vegetable oil so the treats don’t stick to your hands. Mold the treats into the shape of the Grinch’s head, (looks like the curved base of a violin). Press two yellow M&Ms into each treat, in the area where eyes would be.
- Place the frosting in a piping bag or a re-sealable bag with the corner snipped off. Use the frosting to draw the Grinch’s mouth and nose on each treat, and also a pupil on each M&M “eye”, plus add eyebrows on top. Draw a squiggle for the hair on top of his head. Voila!
Tiramisu Pie
Forget about Christmas fudge – try this Tiramisu pie instead and wow your guests with the taste of an Italian classic.
Ingredients
- 2 c. cold milk
- 1 1/2 c. heavy cream
- 1 packet vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 8-oz. container mascarpone
- 3 c. brewed espresso or coffee
- 34-40 ladyfingers (depending on size of springform pan)
- Cocoa powder, for dusting
- 3 tbsp. rum (more if you want it boozier!)
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Directions
- Grease the bottom and sides of an 8″ or 9″ springform pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, use a whisk or hand mixer to beat together the vanilla pudding mix and the milk. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold the vanilla pudding into whipped cream until it is completely combined and then fold in the sugar and mascarpone.
- Cut lady finger cookies to match the height of your springform pan.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the rum and espresso. Working quickly, gently dip each cut ladyfinger into the espresso/rum mixture for 1 second, then stand them around ring or perimeter of springform pan and layer on bottom of pan, cutting ladyfingers to make one even layer.
- Pour half the pie filling over the ladyfinger layer and top with another layer of espresso-dipped ladyfingers.
- Finally, pour over remaining half of pie filling.
- Refrigerate the pie until filling is firm, 6 hours.
- Unmold springform pan. Dust top of pie with cocoa powder and garnish it with chocolate shavings.
Sources:
Fantozzi, S., “66 Awesome No Bake Desserts” Delish; December, 14, 2016; http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/g2887/50-no-bake-desserts/?slide=1; last accessed December 20, 2016.
