Introduction

This minty chocolate holiday treat is the perfect quick and easy dessert for festive gatherings. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, it delivers maximum flavor and festive cheer. For more holiday baking inspiration, try the White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Clusters Recipe or the Trisha Yearwood’s Butterscotch Bars Recipe.

Ingredients

These warm, spiced blondies fill your kitchen with the comforting aromas of ginger and molasses, creating a festive treat that comes together in minutes.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For Snow Sugar: 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Timing

Prep Time	10 minutes
Cook Time	15 minutes
Total Time	25 minutes

Context: This perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays is approximately 30% faster than similar traditional recipes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Gather Your Ingredients

Before starting, measure out all ingredients to ensure a smooth baking process. For this perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays, you’ll need basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and festive spices.

Having everything at room temperature (especially butter and eggs) helps ingredients blend more easily and creates a smoother batter.

Step 2 — Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your batter is mixed. This temperature is ideal for even baking without burning.

While the oven heats, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

Step 3 — Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. For holiday flavor, add cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.

Whisking aerates the dry ingredients, which helps your treat rise evenly and creates a lighter texture.

Step 4 — Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step incorporates air for a tender crumb.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 5 — Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough texture.

If using mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit, fold them in gently at this stage.

Step 6 — Portion and Shape

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop evenly sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each for spreading.

For uniform baking, make sure all portions are the same size. You can gently flatten them slightly if you prefer a thinner cookie.

Step 7 — Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set. The perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays should be firm around the edges but still soft in the middle.

Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning. Ovens can have hot spots, so this ensures consistent results.

Step 8 — Cool Properly

Let the treats cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

Resist the urge to eat them immediately—allowing them to cool completely helps the flavors develop and improves texture.

Step 9 — Serve and Store

Once cooled, arrange your holiday treats on a festive plate or in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, freeze baked treats in a single layer before transferring to freezer bags. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Nutritional Information

Calories	180
Protein	3g
Carbohydrates	25g
Fat	8g
Fiber	2g
Sodium	95mg

Note: Estimates based on typical ingredients and serving size.

Healthier Alternatives

• Greek yogurt instead of sour cream — Adds protein while maintaining creaminess with a tangy flavor.
• Almond flour instead of all-purpose flour — Creates a gluten-free, lower-carb base with a nutty taste.
• Coconut oil instead of butter — Provides a dairy-free option with subtle tropical notes.
• Unsweetened applesauce instead of oil — Reduces fat content while adding natural moisture and mild sweetness.
• Stevia instead of refined sugar — Offers zero-calorie sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels.
• Dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate — Lowers sugar content and provides antioxidant benefits.
• Sea salt instead of table salt — Enhances flavor with lower sodium per pinch due to larger crystals.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with hot cocoa or spiced cider for a cozy winter pairing.
• Serve on a festive platter with holiday sprinkles for instant cheer.
• Offer alongside fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
• Pack in decorative boxes or bags for easy holiday gifting.
• Arrange on tiered stands for an elegant party display.
• Accompany with coffee or tea for a quick afternoon pick-me-up.

The perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays shines when presented thoughtfully. These simple ideas help you create memorable moments with minimal effort, making your holiday hosting both stylish and stress-free.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using cold butter straight from the fridge. Fix: Let butter soften at room temperature for 30–60 minutes to ensure proper creaming and a better texture for your perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays.
• Mistake: Overmixing the batter once flour is added. Fix: Mix just until ingredients are combined to avoid developing gluten, which can make treats tough instead of tender.
• Mistake: Not preheating the oven fully. Fix: Always allow 15–20 minutes for the oven to reach the correct temperature to ensure even baking from the start.
• Mistake: Using the wrong pan size or type. Fix: Use the pan size specified in the recipe; if substituting, adjust the baking time accordingly to prevent under or over-baking.
• Mistake: Skipping the step of lining your baking pan. Fix: Use parchment paper or a light greasing to guarantee your holiday treats release cleanly and easily.
• Mistake: Adding too many mix-ins like chips or nuts. Fix: Stick to recommended amounts to maintain the structural integrity and balanced flavor of your easy treat.
• Mistake: Ignoring altitude adjustments if you live at high elevation. Fix: Research simple high-altitude baking modifications for ingredients like flour, sugar, and leavening to avoid flat or dry results.
• Mistake: Rushing the cooling process. Fix: Allow treats to cool in the pan for the time specified before transferring to a wire rack to set properly.
• Mistake: Substituting key ingredients without understanding their function. Fix: Recognize that ingredients like baking powder, baking soda, and specific fats play crucial chemical roles for the perfect texture.
• Mistake: Baking multiple sheets at once without rotating. Fix: Rotate baking sheets halfway through the baking time to combat hot spots and ensure even browning on all your holiday treats.

Storing Tips

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly or use freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven or microwave until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Following these simple steps ensures your perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays stays fresh and delicious whenever you’re ready to enjoy it.

Conclusion

This minty chocolate holiday treat truly is the perfect quick and easy dessert for festive gatherings. Simple to prepare yet impressive to serve, it’s guaranteed to delight guests. Give this recipe a try and share your experience in the comments below!

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FAQs

Can I make this treat ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container. This makes The perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays ideal for busy schedules.

What are some easy variations I can try?

You can easily customize this treat by adding different mix-ins like nuts, dried fruit, or holiday sprinkles. Experiment with white or dark chocolate coatings for a festive twist. These simple changes keep it as The perfect quick and easy treat for the holidays.