It\’s easy to get pressed for time around the holidays, that\’s why I have two simple go-to treats. They\’re sweet and salty and all you need is: a bag of round pretzels, a bag of Rolo\’s, pecans, a bag of Hershey Kisses and a bag of M&M\’s. Place the chocolate(Rolo or Hershey Kiss) in the center of the pretzel (on a parchment lined baking sheet) and place in a 200 degree oven for 4-5 minutes or until chocolate melts. Top the Rolo pretzels with pecans and the Hershey Kiss with an M&M (I used all red to make Rudolph\’s nose) .

There is a local Italian bakery near my parents house that serves the best cakes however my favorite item is their holiday sprinkle cookies. This past weekend I decided to attempt to copy their recipe for a cookie exchange party. While it\’s not exactly their cookie I am pleased with the results.

Sprinkle Cookies
Ingredients
1.5 cups flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
dash of salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 egg white, lightly beaten
multi-colored sprinkles

Directions

1. Beat butter, and sugar on medium-high for 3 minutes.
2. Add vanilla, almond and egg; beat until smooth.
3. Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat until just combined.
4. Use a cookie scoop drop into balls onto a parchment lined baked sheet.
5. Press each ball into disks.
6. Chill disks for 40 minutes (I placed my cookie sheets outside -it\’s freezing out).
7. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
8. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush tops of cookie disks with the egg white and press into sprinkles.
9. Return cookies to baking sheet.
10. Bake for 10 minutes or slightly brown on the bottom (time varies based on oven) rotating the cookie sheet halfway through.
11. Allow to cool before serving.