Oh, the joy of making easy Christmas desserts! Seriously, there’s something magical about whipping up sweet treats during the holiday season. Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising guests, or just treating yourself, these simple yet delicious desserts will bring a festive spirit to your kitchen. I love how they come together so quickly, and before you know it, your home is filled with the warm aroma of baked goods. Trust me, you’ll want to have these easy Christmas desserts on hand for all your holiday gatherings—they’re sure to spread cheer and satisfy sweet cravings!
Ingredients for Easy Christmas Desserts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: This is the base of our dessert. It gives structure and helps everything hold together beautifully.
- 1/2 cup sugar: Sweetness is key! This sugar will add just the right amount of sweetness to balance the cocoa.
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: This is where the chocolatey goodness comes from! It gives the dessert its rich flavor and color.
- 1/2 cup butter, softened: Softened butter is crucial for creaming with sugar. It brings a delightful richness to the dessert.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs help bind everything together and add moisture. They’ll give your dessert a lovely texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla adds depth of flavor and enhances the sweetness. Trust me, it makes a difference!
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: This little leavening agent helps the dessert rise, making it light and fluffy.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out all those wonderful flavors.
- 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting: This sweet dusting on top not only looks festive but adds an extra touch of sweetness when serving!
How to Prepare Easy Christmas Desserts
Preheat and Prepare
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for baking perfection! While that’s warming up, grab a baking dish and grease it with a little butter or non-stick spray—this will ensure your dessert slides out easily when it’s done. I like to use a square dish, but any similar size will work just fine!
Mix Dry Ingredients
Now, in a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk them together until they’re well blended. This step is important because it helps distribute the baking powder evenly and ensures every bite is just as delicious as the last!
Cream Butter and Sugar
In another bowl, it’s time to cream together 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/2 cup of sugar. I like to use an electric mixer for this part, but you can totally do it by hand if you’re feeling strong! Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. You want to get some air in there, which will help make your dessert nice and light!
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, add in those 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your butter mixture. Mix everything together until it’s well combined. The eggs will add moisture and richness, and the vanilla will make your kitchen smell heavenly!
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now it’s time to bring it all together! Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. I usually do this in three parts, stirring gently after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want our dessert to stay tender and fluffy!
Bake the Dessert
Pour the batter into your greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. To check for doneness, stick a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, you’re good to go! If it has a few moist crumbs, that’s okay too; it means it’s going to be super fudgy!
Cool and Dust
Once baked, let your dessert cool in the dish for about 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is where the magic happens! Once it’s cool, dust the top with 1 cup of powdered sugar before serving. It gives such a lovely, festive touch that’s perfect for the holidays!
Tips for Success
To make sure your easy Christmas desserts turn out absolutely perfect every time, here are some of my favorite tips! First off, always store your leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from drying out. You can enjoy them for days, which is just lovely!
If you want to elevate the flavor, consider adding some chocolate chips to the batter. It’s a simple tweak that adds a delightful surprise in every bite. I mean, who doesn’t love a little extra chocolate, right?
Also, don’t skip the cooling step! Allowing your dessert to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar not only helps with presentation but also enhances the texture. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
And if you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle in some chopped nuts or a dash of cinnamon for a festive twist. These little additions can transform your dish from delicious to absolutely unforgettable. Enjoy your baking, and happy holidays!
Nutritional Information
When it comes to enjoying these easy Christmas desserts, it’s always good to have an idea of what you’re indulging in! Here’s an estimated breakdown of the nutritional values per serving:
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 150mg
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. It’s all about enjoying these delightful treats in moderation while making the most of the festive season!
FAQ Section
I know you might have some burning questions about these easy Christmas desserts, so let’s tackle a few common ones that pop up!
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Absolutely! This dessert actually gets better as it sits, so feel free to bake it a day or two in advance. Just store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. When you’re ready to serve, dust it with powdered sugar for that lovely festive touch!
What can I substitute for cocoa powder?
If you don’t have cocoa powder on hand, you can use unsweetened carob powder as a substitute. It’ll give you a different flavor profile, but it still tastes delicious! You could also try using a blend of melted chocolate and flour, but you’ll need to adjust the flour amount a bit.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. Just remember to dust with powdered sugar right before serving to keep that fresh look!
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Oh, definitely! Adding chocolate chips will give you extra gooey bites that are just heavenly. And if you’re a nut lover, feel free to toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch. Just fold them in gently with the dry ingredients!
Got more questions? Feel free to ask—baking should be fun and stress-free, especially during the holidays!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can whip up these delightful desserts in no time!
- Delicious Flavors: The rich chocolatey goodness paired with a hint of vanilla makes every bite absolutely irresistible.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll use basic pantry staples, making it easy to throw together without a trip to the store.
- Festive Appeal: A dusting of powdered sugar gives these treats a lovely, snowy finish—perfect for holiday gatherings!
- Kid-Friendly: Little ones can help with mixing and dusting, making it a fun family activity!
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts, for a personal touch.
- Great for Sharing: Cut into squares and plate them up; they make a wonderful addition to any holiday spread!
- Perfect for Last-Minute Desserts: These easy Christmas desserts come together quickly, so you can impress guests even on short notice!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your easy Christmas desserts properly is key to keeping them fresh and delicious! Once your dessert has completely cooled, place it in an airtight container. This helps lock in that rich chocolate flavor and keeps it from drying out. You can keep it at room temperature for about 3 days, but if you want it to last longer, pop it in the fridge for up to a week. Just remember to dust with powdered sugar right before serving to keep that festive look!
If you find yourself with leftovers that you want to save for later, you can also freeze individual pieces. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They should be good for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to indulge again, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. No need to reheat—just enjoy them chilled or at room temperature for a delightful treat!
Imprimer
Easy Christmas Desserts: 7 Simple Ways to Spread Joy
- Temps Total: 45 minutes
- Rendement: 8 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Simple and delicious Christmas desserts that anyone can make.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light.
- Add eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture, mix well.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stir until combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Can add chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Serve with whipped cream for a treat.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 30 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 piece
- Calories: 200
- Sucre: 15g
- De Sodium: 150mg
- La graisse: 8g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 28g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 40mg
Mots-clés: easy christmas desserts
