holiday baking
Holiday baking season is officially here! This is one of our favorite times of the year — a chance to test new recipes, revisit the classics we’ve “perfected,” and share sweet treats (and love!) with our family and friends.
One of our traditions is hosting a Cookie Decorating Party. It’s not only a wonderful bonding moment for me and my daughter while we bake, but it also gives her unforgettable memories with her friends as they decorate, snack, and zoom around the house (yes, the sugar high is real!).
I’m excited to share some of our go-to baking recipes — from cookies to cakes — along with some beautiful, Instagram-ready shots of a charcuterie board that never disappoints. Full credit to my dear friend Carla, who creates the most stunning boards!
But first, let’s talk cookies. For decorating, we usually stick with the classics: sugar cookies and gingerbread. We also bake everyone’s favorite chocolate chip cookies, and this year we’re adding a cranberry-orange shortbread for a little extra holiday magic.
You can find all of these recipes on Pinterest!
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies, Chocolate Chip CookiesPeanut Butter Blossoms Austrian LInzer Cookies
And of course, a party simply isn’t a party without cake! To complement our cookie display, we love baking a classic Tres Leches cake — a sponge cake soaked in three milks (evaporated, condensed, and whole milk). This popular Latin American dessert is famously moist and typically topped with whipped cream, sometimes finished with fruit or a sprinkle of cinnamon. We take it a step further by making it a two-layer cake with a generous spread of Dulce de Leche in the middle. You can find fantastic Dulce de Leche at the Argentinian Gaucho Meat Market in Lawndale (they also carry incredible empanadas that we love serving on our savory table!).
In addition to Tres Leches, we recently added a new cake to our baking lineup. It’s rich, decadent, and absolutely stunning once it’s finished with Swiss Orange Meringue Buttercream. And don’t forget the candied cranberries — they were a surprisingly big hit at our baking party!
And last, one of our favorite appetizers is a Charcuterie Board, along with lots of bubbly to go around!
We hope you are having a beautiful time with your tribe :) creating memories and eating a lot of great food and desserts! Here is to Holiday Baking!
