The winter season is here, meaning that temperatures have dropped and the holidays are near for many. Baking is an inside activity to avoid the cold. Using ingredients that are traditionally used in the winter, many winter recipes can make unique holiday treats.

Nutella Pastry Christmas Tree

Dusted with powdered sugar, the nutella-filled puff pastry christmas tree is a dessert perfect for a holiday party, serving as both a decoration and a tasty treat. With the flakiness of the puff pastry, it is super easy to tear and share them with friends.

The recipe calls for four ingredients: two puff pastry sheets, four tablespoons of nutella, one beaten egg, and some powdered sugar. First, preheat the oven to 395 degrees fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take one unrolled pastry sheet and spread the nutella on the surface. Next, place the second pastry sheet on top of the first. With a star shaped cookie cutter, stamp a star out of the corner of the pastry. Cut the rest of the pastry into a triangle tree shape. Cut branches into the side of the triangle and twist each branch. Then place the star on top of the tree. Brush the beaten egg over the pastry. Bake for twelve to fifteen minutes. When ready to serve, place on a serving board and dust with powdered sugar to look like snow for a wintery touch.

Peppermint Bark

The sweet cocoa of the chocolate and refreshing taste of the crushed candy canes make this peppermint bark a holiday staple. With the basic preparation and no baking required, this recipe is super simple. 

To make peppermint bark, you need twelve ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, twelve ounces of white chocolate, half a 

teaspoon of peppermint extract, and eight candy canes. First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Chop the semi-sweet chocolate. Place a heat-proof bowl over the pot and turn the heat down to a low setting. Add the chopped semi-sweet chocolate to the bowl and stir until melted. Stir in the extract. Pour onto the baking sheet and spread evenly. Refrigerate for twenty minutes. Chop the white chocolate. Using the same pot of simmering water, place another heatproof bowl over the top and melt the white chocolate. Pour the melted white chocolate over the semi-sweet chocolate. Crush the candy canes and sprinkle pieces over the chocolate. Refrigerate for another twenty minutes. Once set, break up the bark into pieces and place the bark in gift boxes to spread some holiday cheer.

Gingerbread Cookies

A holiday classic, gingerbread can come in the form of cookie men, cake, or houses.The Gingerbread Cake and Cookie Mix from Trader Joe’s creates soft cookies with crystalized ginger pieces, giving the cookies a pop of flavor and crunch. This mix is only a seasonal product, making it unique to the holiday season.

In addition to the mix, the recipe requires one egg and one stick of softened butter. Starting off, preheat the oven to 350°F. Add the mix, egg, and stick of butter to a bowl and combine to form a dough. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using the cookie cutters, cut the dough into little men or shapes as desired. Bake for ten to twelve minutes. Allow cookies to cool for two to three minutes, then decorate with colored frostings and holiday sprinkles.

Baking may be a way for some to destress before finals and get into the holiday spirit. These recipes are uniquely holiday themed and are for people at all levels of baking expertise.