Dreaming of a "White" Christmas
Is this controversial? We'll see!
Happy December!
Welcome to the time of year when the majority of those who celebrate the holiday season become primetime bakers.
And we love to see it!
I love the holidays.
Although, they are becoming more and more bittersweet as I get older. Transitioning into my twenties, losing loved ones, gaining loved ones, missing old traditions, and starting new ones: the nature of the holiday season is constantly changing! I can’t help but feel childhood nostalgia I will never be able to equivocally experience again.
Going to Siti and Gido’s on December weekends to make Ma’amoul, watching the Polar Express in pajamas in elementary school, the weird battle of Texas being 50 degrees in the morning and 80 in the afternoon.
That last one is still alive and well, I’m afraid.
All this to say….I’m getting sentimentally distracted from what I originally wanted to write about: “white” people desserts.
They’re like the Meg Ryan of desserts!
I guess I should say Americana or Midwestern staples.
This idea originally came out of a conversation I was having with my boyfriend.
*For context: my lovely boyfriend is from Mexico and this article is not meant to exclude but inform the masses of Caucasian confectionary.
We were talking about Trader Joes’ holiday lineup and I mentioned their Salty Honey Toffee Milk Chocolate Crackers (that’s a MOUTHFUL), this is how the conversation went.
Me: “They remind me of Christmas Crack!”
Him: “Christmas WHAT?”
Me: “You know, Christmas Crack!”
Him: “I’ve never heard of this before. I am so confused.”
Me: “It’s a Christmas Staple in America! You have to try it!”
What makes a White Christmas Dessert?
Simplicity at its core (and a lot of butter and sugar)
Five ingredients or less
Easy to make
Easy to share
Easy to eat in large amounts
Please bear with me, this article has merit I promise!
Christmas Crack
Starting strong since I’ve already mentioned this. I think Christmas Crack is one of the best American desserts during the Holidays.
For those who haven’t tried Christmas Crack, it’s a base of saltine crackers with layered toffee and melted chocolate.
They’re crispy, gooey, salty, sweet, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Truly a gift that keeps on giving.
Puppy Chow
Puppy Chow is a Chex Mix-based dessert traditionally made with a layer of melted peanut butter, and chocolate, then fully doused in powdered sugar.
They’re messy, they’re delicious, and they’re easy to eat a whole pound of.
Reindeer food
PSA: don’t google reindeer food origin because the first thing that will pop up is sauteed reindeer….
Reindeer food is just a silly name for an extra sweet, kid-friendly trail mix. Typically, you’ll find pretzel sticks, marshmallows, M&M’s, popcorn or Chex Mix, and raisins.
You know how you’re supposed to leave cookies out for Santa? You also had the option of leaving out reindeer food, or eat it yourself! I’m sure Santa doesn’t mind either way.
Fudge
The first record of “fudge” was in 1888 in a letter written by Emelyn Battersby Hartridge, a student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. She received the recipe for her cousin’s “fudge” from Baltimore and made 30 pounds of the dessert for her school auction, which caused wildfire in the confectionary world.
Now it’s an American holiday staple, typically containing sweetened condensed milk, melted chocolate, and whatever mixins your heart desires.
Honorable Mentions!
Monkey Bread
Peppermint Bark
Sugar Cookies
Oreo Balls
Thanks for leaning into the silliness of this article. I hope your holiday season has been nothing but joy and sugar crashes.
With Love,
Cara