During this time of social distancing and nightly curfews, friends and family are doing more things over Zoom or FaceTime, and baking is one way people can celebrate the season together without being physically in the same space. Here are some of the best festive desserts you should make (and some you should avoid). 

Chocolate fudge – 9/10

Chocolate fudge has always been my favorite as I have been a big fan of chocolate. I love the way the fudge melts and then crumbles in the mouth as soon as you take a bite of it. Adding nuts or peanut butter to the fudge is best when you add it with butter and vanilla, making the fudge have even more texture and an extra taste to it. I rate this dessert a 9/10 since crystals will form on the fudge on a humid day as it collects moisture from the air. Here is the recipe if you want to make this dessert.

Christmas sugar cookie – 10/10

Ever since I tasted sugar cookies when I was young, I always looked forward to having them in elementary school and still do! They are simple to bake and decorate. I prefer to make them plain and have a slight drizzle of sugar on them, but it would also be great to frost or coat them in sprinkles. Especially during Christmas, people can shape them in various shapes like a Christmas tree, candy canes, etc. Here are some cookie cutters that you can buy. Sugar cookies are packed with flavor with the right amount of butter that would leave your mouth drooling. You can decorate them with frosting and food coloring. I would rate them 10/10 since they have an impeccable texture from powdered sugar and cream of tartar, and they are also extremely easy and quick to make. Here is the recipe if you want to make this dessert. 

Creme brulee – 7/10

If you ever want a light dessert I suggest Creme brulee. Even though it looks a bit intimidating to people who have never made it, this dessert only requires little prep time. It’s a simple but elegant dessert that contains a lot of heavy cream, egg yolk, vanilla and sugar which is then topped with caramelized sugar. One of the best things about Creme Brulee is that the topping can be made before it is ready to be served. I rate it a 7/10 as it is one of the desserts that needs a long time to make but can wow guests easily with its presentation and taste. Here is the recipe if you want to make this dessert. 

Coconut macaroons – 10/10

Coconut has always been one of my preferable flavors to taste (besides chocolate) making coconut macaroons one of my favorite desserts to have during the holidays. On the inside, they are chewy and moist, and on the outside, they are crisp and golden. Even though they are delicious when the macaroons are plain, they are extremely tasty when dipped in chocolate. When taking them out of the oven, the smell of the coconut wafts in the kitchen creating a holiday scent that makes the macaroons irresistible to eat. I rate them a 10/10 as they are easy and quick to make and are delicious. Here is the recipe if you want to make this dessert. 

Classic Peppermint bark – 8/10

Peppermint bark is one of the easiest desserts to make. It is made with peppermint extract, semisweet chocolate, white chocolate and crushed candy canes. Peppermint bark can be stored up for a long time, for up to two weeks at room temperature and three weeks in the fridge. I rate it a 8/10 since I don’t really like mint, but it is an iconic dessert and is easy to make. Spending the hour making peppermint bark is worth it compared to simply buying it from the store. Not only is it cheaper, and doesn’t take too much time, but you will be able to use your favorite type of chocolate, and get the ratios of candy cane to chocolate just right. Here is the recipe if you want to make this dessert.

by NIKHITA TANDON