Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

ONLY TEN DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

BAKE ALL THE COOKIES!!

Are you baking up a storm in your kitchen? 'Tis the season after all. I am whipping up a whole bunch of these AH-mazing Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Rich, sweet, chocolatey cookies, blanketed in a generous layer of powdered sugar. These cookies look like festive balls of snow, and they taste like everything you could ever want in a chocolate cookie.

I love these cookies for so many reason. First is, you can prepare the batter the night before, because it is critical that it chills for at least a few hours. Then the next morning, just roll the batter, toss each cookie in the powdered sugar, and bake! Another reason these are wonderful treats is that there is no fancy equipment or ingredients required. As long as you have a big bowl, a whisk, and a couple of cookie sheets, you are just a few steps away from decadent chocolate cookies.

After baking off my first batch, I was a bit sad because I didn't feel like the crinkles had enough powdered sugar on them (though they still tasted amazing!). The next time around, I was very generous with the powdered sugar, and now they look great! Just like the classic cookies you think of when you hear "crinkle cookies." So, pro-tip: don't be afraid to be heavy handed with your powdered sugar!

I guarantee Chocolate Crinkle Cookies will be a real crowd pleaser this Christmas season. All the chocolate lovers in your life will be begging you for these year-round!

For other chocolate cookie treats, check out the links below!

Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

Brownie Cookies

Spicy Sausage, Gnocchi and Kale Soup

SURPRISE! I have a new favorite soup!

I feel like I say this with every new soup I cook, but this one. OH, this soup. It is spicy and creamy, rustic yet refined. The ingredient list is small, but that doesn't mean this isn't packed with delicious flavor. In fact, this is a soup that is dressed to impress - perfect for early holiday get-togethers or as a first course at your Christmas table! 

This Spicy Sausage, Gnocchi and Kale Soup is like a big blanket wrapping you in warmth. It is truly the definition of comfort food. The spiciness of the hot Italian sausage is cooled wonderfully by the heavy cream. The kale is tender and filling, packed with all sorts of good-for-you nutrients. A can of diced tomatoes and a chiffonade of basil seems too appropriate here--their natural sweet and tangy tastes complimenting the sweet cream. 

And let's not forget the gnocchi. I might as well admit it now--I am wholeheartedly obsessed with gnocchi. Big fluffy potato dumplings. What could be better? I never thought to use gnocchi in soup; I was a bit concerned that they would become gummy and create a weird texture in the soup. Turns out, I was wrong. In fact, this soup is just as tasty the next day! 

As with most soups, I strongly recommend serving this with a big piece of crusty bread and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Some extra basil gives this creamy soup a much needed freshness. What more can I saw? I wouldn't change a single thing, Let's eat!

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies {Soft and Chewy!}

If you want Christmas in a cookie, I've got you covered. It exists within this chocolatey, peppermint-y treat.

I'm not one to demand you make MY cookies for YOUR family during the holidays. I know everyone has their own traditions, their own cookies that hold a place near and dear to their heart during the holiday season. I have no authority to demand that you change that.

However, if you are looking for a fun and festive cookie to bring to a holiday gathering or to share with coworkers and friends--I think these soft and chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are just perfect!

There is no better combination than peppermint and chocolate. Don't lie--I know you've gotten a few more Peppermint Mocha Lattes from Starbucks than you'd like to admit! Now, you can get your fix in a cookie.

These are no fuss cookies, but they are all kinds of delicious. Chewy chocolate cookies with adorable mini chocolate chips with a nice hint of cool peppermint extract. While the cookies are still piping hot, a bit of crushed up candy canes get sprinkled on top. This melts the candy just slightly and anchors them to the cookies. Yum!

If you want another tasty and no-bake chocolate peppermint treat, try my Peppermint Oreo Balls! These things are going to fly off your dessert table :-)

Peppermint Oreo Balls

Peppermint and Chocolate are so in love. And I am in love with them. You are, too.

You don't think so? What about those Peppermint Mocha Lattes you've been pounding back? Or that mint hot chocolate that you can't get enough of? And how many boxes of Thin Mints do you buy each year from those cute little Girl Scouts?

Do you know what happens when you take Oreos (America's favorite cookie obviously), candy canes, and cream cheese and dip them all in chocolate?

Answer: An amazing explosion of chocolatey, minty, rich and creamy goodness!

Alternative Answer: A surprisingly simply but decadent holiday dessert!

Alternative to the Alternative Answer: Peppermint Oreo Balls!

Traditionally, Oreo Balls consist of mashed up Oreos mixed together with cream cheese then dipped in chocolate (milk, white, dark, semi-sweet, whatever you fancy!). They are absolutely addictive.

In an effort to be festive I imagined the aforementioned treats with an extra, pepperminty surprise. And since my cat keeps ruining Christmas by knocking all the candy canes off the Christmas tree I thought...yes. I will remove the candy canes from the tree and I will put them in the Oreo balls. Double win.

The process is super easy. Blend the oreos and candy canes together in a small food processor.

Then, using your best tools (your hands!), mash together the cookie and candy cane crumbs with softened cream cheese until well combined.

Form the mixture into 2-inch balls (I use a heaping teaspoon) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze and wait, trying your best to be patient.

Using a double boiler, we will melt together a little bit of milk and a whole bunch of semi-sweet chocolate.

The frozen balls go for a swim in the chocolate pool. Then they are topped with tiny pieces of candy cane and returned to the freezer.

After the chocolate has set, you will simply transfer the balls to the refridgerator for storage until they are ready to serve!

If you get invited to a last minute holiday party, these are a super quick and delicious dessert. Nearly everyone at the party will devour them! They are a bit like a truffle and a cookie combined. And better still - there is no baking required!

Red Velvet Black and White Cookies

Christmas time makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I just put up a fun-sized (read: appropriate size for a 1 bedroom apartment in the greater Boston area) Christmas Tree and our family stocking last night. The Christmas cheer is palpable!

I love going around looking at houses all decked out with lights, and spiral trees, and giant Santa balloons.

I am addicted to eating and drinking all things peppermint and candy cane and chocolate.

My best friend Lisa and I can quote the entire Jim Carrey version of the Grinch. It's so worth it.

Who can forget about the whole presents part of Christmas? There is no better feeling than giving someone a perfect and thoughtful gift that they adore, or receiving a gift that had the same care and thought put into it. People love each other year round, but we really know how to show it in December, don't we?

Then, there's the cookies.

Christmas and cookies. Peanut butter and jelly. Skinny jeans and booties. These are matches made in heaven.

I made these Red Velvet Black and White cookies from Joy the Baker this past weekend. These could not have been baked at a better time. It was like, I was all depressed because it started snowing and life is sometimes so boring and I couldn't get into the Christmas spirit and then BAM! Red Velvet + Chocolate Glaze + Cream Cheese Frosting came to remind me that things are never all that bad.

They reminded me, in fact, that things are usually pretty darn good.

I will absolutely be making these a second time for Christmas with the family in New York. I encourage you to do the same, no matter where your holiday celebrations take you. They are soft and decadent, rich from cocoa powder and chocolate glaze, but also sweet and tangy from the cream cheese frosting. Go forth and bake these, friends! You know you want to!