Christmas Countdown- Day 5

The sweets!

Cookies, candy, cupcakes, pies... these are my favorite things to make at the holidays.  There are so many options and such little time!  These are some of the treats that I made this year.  Some are new additions to my holiday sweets rotation, and some are longtime staples.

Chocolate peppermint stars-

My mom and I make these every year!  This was a test batch for work and then we're doing the real deal tonight!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Peppermint-Stars-236803

Chocolate peppermint tart-

(photo from Epicurious/Bon Appetit)  This is my favorite holiday pie!  Soooo good.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Dark-Chocolate-and-Peppermint-Whipped-Cream-Tart-236763

Mini Cherry Cakes-

These little guys are extremely festive for this time of year!  And they are miniature, so you can have more than one, or in addition to the other goodies that are tempting you.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=236984346364588&set=a.205599749503048.52177.205571772839179&type=1&theater

Chocolate Espresso Treats-

Another fun mini-bite dessert that you won't feel so guilty about piling on your plate!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=237498832979806&set=a.205599749503048.52177.205571772839179&type=1&theater

Sugar Cookie Peppermint Kisses-

Got these from Family Circle magazine.  I omitted the nuts due to allergies, but I am sure they would be great either way!
http://www.familycircle.com/holiday/christmas/cookies/favorite-holiday-cookies/?page=2

Holly Cookies-

Another Family Circle recipe.  Note: don't use cinnamon candies for the accents, they do not look nice or hold up in the baking.  I used dark chocolate M&Ms and was much happier with the result.  Also, I used a holly cutout instead of a wreath cutout.
http://www.familycircle.com/holiday/christmas/cookies/favorite-holiday-cookies/?page=6

Linzers & Lemons-

For the linzers, I omitted the hazlenuts (again, pesky allergies) and used seedless raspberry jam.  They are labor intensive, but worth it!  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/linzer-cutouts-recipe/index.html
For the lemon cookies, we had to doctor up the icing (thanks Steph!) but the cookies themselves are fabulous.  Splurge on the star-shaped edible glitter, they really make this cookie shine. http://www.marthastewart.com/865406/sparkly-lemon-cookies

Gingerbread Truffles-

So messy to make, but so delicious.  Afterall, what fun is baking if you're not up to your wrists in melted chocolate? Melt 14oz white chocolate chips and stir in 1/2c heavy cream, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, and 1/8 tsp allspice until smooth. Pour into a shallow square pan and refrigerate 2 hours. Roll into 1-inch balls and chill 30 min. Dip into 14oz melted dark chocolate and chill until set. If you want to decorate them with sprinkles, powdered sugar, etc do so after dipping in the dark chocolate.

Peppermint Bark- 

White chocolate, dark chocolate and peppermint come together, and the results speak for themselves!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=234452506617772&set=a.205599749503048.52177.205571772839179&type=3&theater