Christmas is just around the corner, and it is time to enjoy a little holiday cheer. Since we are all stuck inside our homes, this is the perfect time to reward ourselves. The best way to do this is to bake some delicious and indulgent treats and enjoy them with your loved ones while watching your favourite Christmas movie. Here are some Christmas recipes to try this year and pamper your sweet tooth.

1. Jelly Donut Holes

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Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 litres oil

3/4 cup whole milk

1 packet active dry yeast

1/4 cup granulated sugar, extra for coating

2 large eggs

1 tsp kosher salt

2 tbsp unsalted butter

3 cups all-purpose flour (maida)

1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 cups mixed fruit jam

Method:

Making the dough:

Take a saucepan and heat milk in it over medium heat till it turns warm but not hot. Add yeast and sugar to it, stir it well, and keep aside for about 5-7 minutes till it turns foamy. Once it gets foamy, whisk the yeast mixture and eggs. Now, add butter and salt and whisk to combine. Next, add flour and keep mixing continuously till it forms into a dough. Knead the sticky dough till it becomes slightly stiff and holds in place.

Next, take a pan and lightly oil it, and transfer the dough into it, cover it with a plastic wrap, and let it rest for about 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Once the dough is prepared and is at room temperature, roll it out and cut small circles out of the dough. Now, lightly oil a baking sheet and place the cut circles onto it, cover it with a towel, and let it rest for about 20 minutes.

Making the donuts:

After 20 minutes, heat oil over a high flame till it becomes hot. Fry 2-3 donuts at a time, flipping till they turn golden brown. Meanwhile, take a wire rack and place it over a baking sheet. Transfer the fried donuts to the rack to let them cool. Take a bowl, add powdered sugar to it and gently toss and coat the fried donuts once they have cooled down. Place them back on the rack. Next, add the jam in a piping bag, cut a narrow slit into the donut, and fill it to the top. Fill in the rest of the donuts, and enjoy this yummy sweet treat with your family.

2. Santa Hat Brownies

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Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

2 large eggs

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 tbsp water

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

A handful of fresh strawberries, stem removed

1/2 cup vanilla frosting

Method:

Start by preheating the oven at 350 degrees F. Line a baking pan with baking paper and set it aside. Then, take 1 cup of chocolate chips and melt it in the microwave, stirring in between. Next, take a bowl and combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Then, in another bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, and oil for about 2 minutes. Next, add water and vanilla extract into the mixture and mix well till everything combines properly. Once everything is mixed, add the dry ingredients and mix well. Now, add the melted chocolate to this batter and fold it in, followed by the leftover chocolate chips. Then, transfer the mixture into the baking pan and bake it for 55-60 minutes till it is done.

Once the brownies are done, place them on a rack and let them cool down. Once at room temperature, cut them into equal pieces. Now, taking the whipped cream, make a small circle on top of the brownie, followed by one strawberry upside down. Finally, add just a tad bit more whipped cream on the top of the strawberry to complete the Santa’s hat, and you are good to go!

3. White Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

5. Apple Pecan Spice Cake

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Ingredients:

4 cups apple, chopped into small pieces

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

For the frosting:

250 gms cream cheese frosting, room temperature

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup golden brown sugar

Method:

Making the cake:

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F, and prepare a baking pan by greasing it and set it aside. Then, take a large mixing bowl and mix apple and sugar in it, followed by oil, eggs, and vanilla. Stir till it all combines well. Take another bowl and combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Now, add the flour mixture to the apple mixture, and add milk and stir till it combines. Add the chopped pecans and give the mixture a good stir. Next, pour it into the baking pan, and let it bake for about 30-40 minutes. Once the cake is done, set it aside to cool down and start working on your frosting.

Making the frosting:

Start by beating the cream cheese until it becomes smooth. Then, add butter and continue to beat till it combines and keep scraping down sides when needed. To this, add vanilla and brown sugar, and beat for another 5 minutes until it is light and fluffy and the sugar has dissolved. Finally, spread this frosting evenly on top of the cake and set it to refrigerate for about an hour before serving.

Isn’t this one of the simplest and most delicious Christmas cake recipes?

6. Red Wine Chocolate Truffles

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Ingredients:

1 cup red wine

250 grams dark chocolate, finely chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

Cocoa powder, for coating

Shredded coconut, for coating

Crushed pistachios, for coating

Frozen strawberries or raspberries, crushed for coating

Method:

Take a small saucepan, add red wine to it, bring it to a boil, and cook until reduced to 1/4th cup, for about 5 minutes. Then, place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl and in another saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Now, pour the heavy cream mixture over the chocolate and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Whisk the mixture until smooth, and to this, add the reduced wine and whisk again. Now, refrigerate the mixture till it gets firm, for about 1 hour.

Once the chocolate has set, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, take a small cookie scoop and drop the set chocolate mixture into the shredded coconut. Coat it in coconut and then use your hands to roll it into a ball. Then, coat it in coconut again and transfer to a tray. Repeat by alternating between coconut, cocoa powder, pistachio, and the berries. Now, refrigerate the balls until they are ready to be served.

7. Cranberry Bread

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Ingredients:

For the bread: