Believe it or not, Christmas is just a few short days away! Before you head to your in-laws’ house, you’ll need something delicious to accompany their big Christmas feast—but what can you bring? Sure, you could make a cake, but the last thing you want is for the frosting to smear all over your Tupperware. And yes, you could bring a gingerbread loaf, but will that fresh bread be soggy upon arrival?
As much as we love Christmas treats, no one wants to sink their teeth into odd textures. Luckily for you, there are still plenty of scrumptious desserts you can make that will not only get people excited but will also survive the car ride there. Let’s dive into the best desserts you can make for travel!
Biscotti
At-home bakers have hundreds of cookie recipes to choose from, so it’s no easy task picking the right one! However, not every cookie makes a good travel partner; jam-filled options run the risk of oozing everywhere, shortbread will likely crumble to dust, and anything overly soft (like molasses cookies) probably won’t have the intended texture after an hour or two in the car.
You know what doesn’t have any of those problems? Humble biscotti! This recipe works surprisingly well for the holidays thanks to its versatility. For something simple, don’t be afraid to stick with classic variations, or even chocolate-dipped options. For something a little more festive, you can introduce nuts or work cranberries into the dough.
They’re also the perfect companion for hot chocolate or coffee. Their shape makes them ideal for dunking, and most recipes yield well over a dozen, so people can indulge more than once! Thanks to their shape and texture, you can also comfortably stack these to avoid any crumbling, ensuring a safe journey on the road.
Rice Krispies Treats
Hey, hey, hey—don’t knock this classic recipe! Marshmallow squares are one of the simplest desserts around, but they’re also one of the most nostalgic. If you’re really looking to bring a little Christmas magic back to the adults, you can’t go wrong with this gooey option.
The best thing about it is that you can make it with just three ingredients: Rice Krispies, marshmallows, and butter. The whole thing is ready in about 15 minutes (including prep time), and you’ll easily score two dozen. What makes them even more fun is that Kellogg's often has Christmas cereals around this time of year, meaning you’ll have red and green squares without any added work!
You don’t need to stop at the basics, either. Despite their simplicity, these treats also pair well with sprinkles, festive M&Ms, or white chocolate drizzle. You can also toss a few other ingredients into the mix, like vanilla extract or browned butter for an even richer flavor. You’d be surprised just how much you can do with these.
Fudge
Martin Pettitt from Bury St Edmunds, UK on Wikimedia
What’s Christmas without stuffing your face with chocolate? We all love a good box of fudge around the holidays, so why not cut out the middleman and make it yourself? It travels well, it’s easy to make, and it’s a classic recipe that you can make all your own.
You’ll need a few things to make this happen. Vanilla and sweetened condensed milk get the ball rolling, while tons of chocolate shape it into that mouth-watering treat we all know and love. Chocolate chips, baking chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate all do wonders (plus, anything else you decide to toss in along the way)!
For such a rich treat, it’s pretty shocking to know that fudge doesn’t take more than half an hour to make. Even if you incorporate traditional add-ins, like chopped nuts, white chocolate, or crushed peppermint, you’ll have a quick and easy recipe better than anything in stores.
Chocolate Bark
Veganbaking.net from USA on Wikimedia
Sorry, we’re not pivoting away from chocolate just yet! Nothing tastes (or travels) better than chocolate bark. It’s an incredibly versatile recipe that lets you experiment with different flavors and ingredients, and it’s also a no-bake option that’s ready after just a few hours of refrigeration. And because it’s a chilled treat, you can bet your winter boots that it travels well.
Our favorite part of this recipe is knowing that we can play with the ingredients. Do you want to include white chocolate and crushed peppermint? Go for it! Would you rather layer different kinds of chocolate atop pretzel pieces and nuts? That’s another option! Don’t be afraid to get creative this year; bark is only as delicious as you make it.
Christmas dessert is arguably more important than the main dish itself! It’s the last thing people eat, so you want it to be as tasty as it looks. Rather than serve a melted mess this year, indulge in one of these beloved recipes for an intact dessert that earns you a spot on the nice list.
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