Cook up a storm this Christmas and make festive holiday-themed desserts with these three recipes. The sweet treats can be shared with friends and family to spread holiday cheer. Convent of the Sacred Heart Upper School students can utilize the recipes for their grade’s Cookie Exchange and bake a dozen cookies to share and enjoy with classmates.

Holiday Tree Brownies
Ingredients:

• 1 box of brownie mix
• Necessary amount of water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
• 2 or 3 drops green food coloring
• 2/3 cup creamy vanilla frosting
• Red and green candy sprinkles or miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits
• Candy canes, unwrapped

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line the 9-inch square pan with foil so the foil extends about two inches over the sides of the pan. Grease bottom only of the foil with cooking spray or shortening. 
2. Prepare and bake brownie mix as directed on the box. Cool completely (about 1 1/2 hours). Remove brownie from pan by lifting foil, then peel the foil away. To cut brownie into triangles, cut three rows. Cut each row into five triangles. Save the smaller pieces for snacking. 
3. Stir food coloring into the frosting. Spoon frosting into a small resealable food-storage plastic bag and partially the seal bag. Cut off tiny bottom corner of the bag. Squeeze the bag to pipe frosting over brownies. Sprinkle with decors. 
4. Break off the curved end of a candy cane. Insert the leftover straight piece into the bottoms of triangles to make tree trunks.

Courtesy of bettycrocker.com

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon green food coloring
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups cornflakes cereal
• 1 (2.25 ounce) package cinnamon red hot candies

Directions:

1. Microwave the marshmallows and butter on High for 2 minutes. Stir, and then microwave again on High for an additional two minutes. Use a double boiler if a microwave isn’t available.
2. Add and quickly mix the food coloring, extracts, and cornflakes. Drop by spoonfuls in clumps in the shape of a wreath on greased wax paper and decorate with three red hot candies each.
3. Once cool, transfer wreaths to a lightly greased serving or storage tray.

Courtesy of allrecipes.com
 
White Chocolate Peppermint Covered Oreos
Ingredients:

• 1 package Oreo cookies (If desired, purchase the ones with red creme filling to make the treat more festive)
• 1 package white candy melts or 6 ounces white chocolate
• Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Directions:

1. Melt the candy melts or white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat heating in 30 second intervals (stirring in-between) until chocolate is smooth.
2. Dip the Oreos into the melted chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off into the bowl, and place them on wax paper or parchment paper.
3. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over the Oreos before the chocolate is completely set so the candies will stick.

Courtesy of karaspartyideas.com
-Holly Roth, Co-Features Editor