Happy Holiday Season!

It is officially winter break and I could not be more happy!!! Sleep! Baking! Holiday stuff! YAY!

So I guess this is my Happy Holidays post! I still have more recipes coming, but I felt like writing a post so here we are. Before I get into the baking stuff here are some random updates.

I finished Nutcracker at my school. Our last performance was last Sunday. It’s bittersweet because Nutcracker is so stressful and tiring, but I already miss it! I love performing because it’s so freeing! Your brain doesn’t have to think about tests or other life problems, it’s too busy focusing on the movements. So I’ll miss that part, but I do appreciate the relaxing time.

I say all that as if I was in some big proffessional Nutcracker. That would be a lie. My schools Nutcracker was really just a few of the dances from it, performed at a middle school for the dance community. Also some retirement homes. But it was still fun!

Ok back to winter break. I am looking forward to wrapping all my families presents this year. Every year I wrap everyones presents for them (even the ones addressed to me). I never see what’s in them, but I wrap them. I love to wrap gifts and Christmas is kind of the only time to do it for real. I’m also planning on getting ahead in my January recipes, and make plenty of Christmas cookies!

Speaking of baking, let’s move onto a more relevant topic.

Holiday Recipes on Ballerina Baker!

Peppermint chocolate cups are a great simple but delicious treat this holiday season!

Hazelnut cookie butter sweet rolls are perfect for when you want something sweet, but not crazy festive.

Eggnog layer cake makes for a perfect centerpiece for any party or get together.

Peppermint chocolate custard tart is a great after dinner dessert to munch on while watching movies!

Malted hot cocoa cookies are perfect for gift giving and sharing.

Apricot pecan and dark chocolate cookies are a little different than your classic chocolate chip, but one of my most popular recipes.

Hazelnut and cream latte cupcakes are one of my personal favorites for this time of year.

Gingerbread lattes are perfect to sip on while you decorate the tree, or just for a cozy winter Sunday.

Rosemary and caramelized white chocolate cookies are one of my families favorites, and a top recipes on the site!

Although I love to make my own recipes, I make plenty of other peoples too. Here are some of my favorites, plus some I’m pumped to try.

Cookies to Bake Over Break

• Andes cookies from Sallys Baking Addiction were my favorite last year!
• Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Bars from Butternut Bakery look so pretty!
• Chestnut Bars from Curly Girl Kitchen. I’ve always been intrigued by using chestnuts in baking. I might have to try this one.
• Orange Shortbread Cookies from Flouring Kitchen. I LOVE chocolate and orange so I will have to try this!
• Nutella Crinkle Cookies from Sallys Baking Addiction because who doesn’t love a good crinkle?
• Gingerbread latte cookies from Half Baked Harvest. These look so yummy!
• Chocolate Hazelnut Blossoms from Butternut Bakery look like my dream. I might even add some espresso powder.
• Cornflake Cookies from In Bloom Bakery are so buttery and unique. I made these a while back and loved them! I added some brown butter and espresso powder for a lil extra pizzazz, but they would be great as is.
• Samoas Pretzel Presents from Half Baked Harvest. Made these for my friends last year and they all loved them.
• The BEST Gingerbread from Sallys Baking Addiction. I make this every year and it’s always yummy!

So what do you plan to do over break? What holidays do you celebrate? Are you traveling? Most importantly, what are you baking? I know I have quite the list.

OH. Guess what. IT MIGHT SNOW THIS WINTER. I haven’t seen snow in over a year. There was basically none last year, so we better be getting some this year! I’ve heard there might be some big snow storms this year so fingers crossed! Missing school + beautiful snow is amazing. Those pictures with all the snow are from 2022 when we had a big storm that knocked out the power for a whole week.

I mean just look at it. It’s gorgeous.

Ok that’s kinda it. Have a happy winter break and holiday celebrating, and I will be sending out at least 2 more recipes this month so buckle up!