Holiday Baking Extravaganza

There are SO many great holiday treat ideas! 

In preparing to do some Christmas baking this week, I stumbled upon a couple cute things...then a couple more...then a few more...and then, I suddenly had a list of like 25 things and HAD.TO.STOP!  So, here's what I'll be baking (NO. Not all of them! But, hopefully at least one from each category!)

{Snow-Inspired Creations}

The snowflake pretzels have been a big hit and we'll need more for this weekend!

The kiddos would love making Flexible Dreams'  adorable little marshmallow snowman treats!

    These melting snowman cookies from Crazy Domestic are so appropriate for our winter in the desert!  

Or, for a healthier snowman snack, how about this snowman cheese ball from Babble?!

And, wouldn't the kids love some cute polar bear "cubcakes" to share in all the snow festivities?  Get all the directions for these on Family Fun! 

{Peppermint Paradise}

Check out these peppermint "candies" from Bake at 350 ! 

 Seriously, so cute!

How about giving out some real peppermint candies in a "not so choking hazard" kind of way?!  Michelle, the Muffin Tin Mom shows you how! 

Tidy Mom serves up some deliciously easy Christmas tree peppermint bark!

Picky-palate shares the delicious combinations of brownies, candy canes, and kisses! Definitely nothing to be picky about there! 

How about some homemade mint patties?!  Let Domestic Sugar show you how! 

I've never made homemade marshmallows before. But with all the great recipes I've seen now, I totally want to try.  And, Little Birdie Secrets' peppermint version sure does sound good in some hot chocolate! 

{Festive & Fun}

Can't decide on red or green for your Christmas cupcake?!  No problem, let Sugar Wings show you how to have them both in one! 

I.LOVE.THIS! Rice Krispie Treat ornaments from The Finer Things in Life.

Nothing says festive & fun like some of Bakerella's Cake Pops! Can't wait to make these!  

One of Betty Crocker's Top 10 Red Hot Holiday trends--the kids would love getting in the kitchen to make these bags of Reindeer Feed!

Maybe you need to make some reindeer to accompany that feed.  These Reindeer Cupcakes from Hoosier Homemade are some of the cutest around! And, speaking of Hoosier Homemade and cupcakes...these ornament cupcakes are beautiful!!

..."not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse!"

 So many Christmas stories feature mice, so how perfect would serving up these chocolatey cuties from Taste of Home be while reading your favorite mouse story?! 

{Bars...a.k.a Heaven in a Pan}

These chocolate revel bars have been so nice to have in the freezer this holiday season.  And, since the first batch is oh so close to gone, it's time for round two! Or, maybe just one of these next few recipes instead:

Oatmeal chocolate caramel bars from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Cranberry Cinnamon Chip Bars from Our Best Bites

Double Chocolate Magic Bars from Life as Mom

And last, but certainly not least in the Holiday Baking Extravaganza....

{Christmas Cookies}

Not only do these little raspberry stars from Tidy Mom look adorable, but I'm sure they taste absolutely delicious!

I've never made crinkle cookies before, but they look so easy & yummy. Make the Best of What's Around will show you how!

I love almost all things lemon, so these Slice 'n Bake Lemon Gems from Taste of Home look amazing!

And, finally, the grand daddy of them all....Christmas cookies with royal icing!  I've never made royal icing...never even used it...not even the already made up, store-bought kind. For some reason, it seems somewhat elusive and scary--like for the "big time" bakers or something.  But, no more!  This year, I am trying it!  For those royal icing scaredycats  newbies like me, The Crafty Penguin shares a whole tutorial!

And, Bake at 350 even shares recipes & tips in free printable form!

Once you know how to do royal icing, look at these little beauties you can create:

Personalized ornament cookies from Bake at 350

Beautiful snowflakes like Tidy Mom.

Maybe even the jolly 'ole big man himself, from, who else?! 

Bakerella

Thanks to all of you creative geniuses for such wonderful ideas!  Many a friend and family member who come by my house will be thanking you for it!