Snow has arrived, and winter is in full swing. As the weather becomes colder, many people are staying cozy indoors and making their favorite winter snacks. From nostalgia to cheer, snacks are a fun way to get in the snowy mood. Several students share their favorite winter snacks and recipes if you need an activity to do during this long weekend!
Peanut Butter Blossom cookies
“I love the peanut butter blossom cookies. The coated sugar and the warm soft chocolate on top make the cookie perfect. They are delicious and sweet without the extreme richness of a fully chocolate cookie,” Emma Flannery, junior, said.
Ingredients:
Cookie:
- 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 24 unwrapped chocolate kiss candies
Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Recipe:
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl
- In large bowl, beat butter for 1 minute until creamy, then beat brown sugar and granulated sugar until completely smooth. Add the egg and beat until combined and then add peanut butter and vanilla extract and beat until combined
- Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and beat until combined (the dough should be creamy and soft)
- Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour
- Prevent oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper
- Roll the dough into balls and roll it in the 1/2 cup of sugar and arrange on baking sheet about 3 inches apart
- Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the top slightly cracks
- Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet
- Press a chocolate candy into the center of each cookie and then place the cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes to set the chocolate
- Remove from freezer and enjoy!
This recipe is from Betty Crocker.
Eggnog
“Eggnog is my favorite [winter] snack because, to me, it is like a spicy vanilla milkshake and it reminds me of the holiday season,” Summer Fabsik, junior, said.
Ingredients:
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon if desired
Recipe:
- Whisk egg yolks and sugar together until light and creamy
- In saucepan, combine cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until mixture reaches a bare simmer
- Add spoonful of hot milk to egg mixture, whisking rapidly. Repeat adding more spoonful’s to temper the eggs
- Once most hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove
- Whisk constantly for a few minutes until mixture is slightly thickened (it will thicken more once it cools)
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla
- Pour eggnog through a fine mesh strainer into a container and cover with plastic wrap
- Refrigerate until chilled
- Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and whipped cream if desired
- Enjoy!
This recipe is from Tastes Better from Scratch.
Hot Chocolate
“My favorite [winter] snack is hot chocolate because I think that it is really good and it is nostalgic to me. Every year around [this] time, I always drink hot chocolate, so whenever I have it, it makes me so happy,” McKenzie Bergfeld, senior, said.
Ingredients:
- Hot chocolate mix of choice
- Marshmallows
- Water or milk
Recipe:
- Heat a mug of water or milk for about 2 minutes
- Pour one packet of hot chocolate mix into a mug
- Stir till fully blended
- Add marshmallows or other additives if desired
- Sip and enjoy!
This recipe is from Celebrating Sweets.
