Holiday Recipes and Holiday Traditions
Holiday bakers tend to fall into two camps: traditionalists and neo-traditionalists. Some of us look forward to bringing out our cherished family recipes year after year and wouldn’t dream of changing a thing. And some of us view the holidays as an opportunity to try new techniques and tweak the classics.
At Domino Sugar, we don’t take sides—we believe in equal opportunity for all holiday bakers! As proof, here’s a collection of holiday recipes that will satisfy everyone: those of you who stick to the classics and those who crave a little novelty.
Halloween Treats
Welcome the spooky season with a classic: Caramel Apples made with a deliciously gooey mixture of Domino Brown Sugar, Domino Granulated Sugar, and light corn syrup. And you don’t have to be trick-or-treat age to enjoy these delicious Popcorn Balls: offer them at a late-October football party and watch adult guests turn into happy kids.
Looking for something a little more innovative in the confection department? How about a batch of Banana Split Brownie Cake, made in three yummy layers with your favorite banana split ingredients? Or instead of baking a dozen cookies, make just one Monster Chocolate Chip Cookie—with Halloween candies baked right into it—in a pizza pan! To serve, simply cut into wedges as you would with pizza.
Giving Thanks
Grace your Thanksgiving table with a selection of all-time favorites, like this American Apple Pie topped with ice cream or sliced cheese. (Choose Golden Delicious apples for the perfect texture.) Tempting Pecan Pie has almost a full cup of nuts and the rich, deep flavor of Domino Light Brown Sugar. Cooking a big bird? Our No-Bake Pumpkin Cream Pie requires no baking, so you can free up your oven for the turkey and other dishes. The eggs are cooked on your stovetop, so they’re safe to eat.
For more adventurous palates, we recommend this unusual and scrumptious Cranberry Peach Tart, which also contains almonds (or pecans) and sliced peaches. And instead of pumpkin pie, why not this Cold Pumpkin Soufflé, an elegant no-bake dessert you can make the day before your feast? Or tempt your guests with ultra-rich and perfectly spiced Pumpkin Bread Pudding, served with a dollop of gingered crème Anglaise.
Winter Wonders
December’s a whirl of family gatherings and festive parties. For you traditionally minded bakers, that means baking plenty of 1001 Sugar Cookies in seasonal shapes like stars and snowmen (get the kids to help with decorations—they’ll love it!). Gingerbread Men are perfect for nibbling by the fireplace or hanging on your tree. Or gather the family and create a unique Gingerbread Cake using our recipe.
Want to go beyond the tried and true? This Cornmeal-Cranberry Cookie recipe has seasonal flavor and color combined with the unexpected texture of coarsely ground cornmeal (or polenta). Serve the cookies with a pitcher of Spiced Cranberry Punch for the perfect afternoon snack. For dinner parties and fancy holiday meals, our Cranberry-Pear Tart is a sophisticated, slightly tangy variation on classic fruit pies.
And if you love decorating, be sure to make time for at least one fancy cake this season. This Frosty the Snowman Cake requires minimal equipment (just two cake pans); our colorful photo provides an easy-to-follow decorating guide. A little more advanced, but well worth it for the “wow!” factor, the New Year’s Countdown Cake is the perfect centerpiece for an unforgettable Dec. 31 party. Just add something sparkling in your glass!
Quick Tip
Planning to bake multiple batches of cookies for holiday gifts or cookie swaps? Streamline the job by preparing our 1001 Cookie Mix. It yields 10 cups of mix—enough to make as many as 12 dozen cookie varieties such as Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies (using 1001 Cookie Mix) or Cranberry Nut Cookies. Scoop premeasured mix amounts in zip-seal bags and store in your freezer until you’re ready to bake. For more on cookie swaps, see our Cookie Swap page, which includes hosting tips and recipe suggestions.