Holiday Snack & Cocktail Recipes from The BakerMama

Our friend Maegan Brown (The BakerMama) is back with a few tasty recipes for your holiday gatherings. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cheese Ball Bites

Prep Time: 15 mins

Chill Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Yield: 24 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) container cream cheese (plain or pumpkin spice flavored), softened
• 1 cup shredded orange cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher
• 3/4 cup baked cheddar crackers, crushed (such as Cheez-its)
• 12 pretzel sticks, halved
• 24 fresh parsley leaves

Instructions:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese, shredded orange cheddar cheese, pumpkin pie spice, cayenne pepper, paprika and salt until well combined.
2. Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon or cookie scoop to form the cheese mixture into 24 small balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
3. Just before serving, roll each cheese ball in the crushed cheddar crackers and place them on a serving platter.
4. Insert a pretzel stick half and a leaf of parsley into the top of each ball as the pumpkin stem.

Cranberry Cheer Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 small spring rosemary
• 1/2 ounces simple syrup
• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce cranberry juice
• 2 ounces gin

Instructions:

1. Muddle the rosemary and simple syrup together in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add remaining ingredients and some ice. Shake well.
3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a cocktail glass. Serve up or with ice.
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries. Cheers!

3-in-1 Cookie Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 18 bars

Cookie Dough:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

 Toppings:

• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup Holiday M&M's
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar

 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the divider from a 9x13-inch Slice Solutions Brownie Pan and spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars until well combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
3. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour, baking soda and salt until combined.
4. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared brownie pan.
5. Spray the divider with non-stick cooking spray and press it into the cookie dough.
6. Garnish 6 bars with chocolate chips, 6 bars with holiday M&M's, and 6 bars with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cookies comes out clean.
8. Let the cookie bars cool completely and then lift them from the pan and remove the divider.
9. Serve and enjoy!

Products shown: Acacia Utensil Caddy, Dexas Faux Slate Serving Board, Dexas Black Marble & Wood Serving Board, Acacia Fruit Bowl