Holiday break is one of the most favorite school breaks in high school history. You got Christmas Day, and a full 13 days of break to do whatever you want.

Some people have their entire break planned out, but others don’t have a clue. Here’s an idea! Create and bake some holiday treats to get you in the mood for the holidays! Here’s a list of 3 holiday foods to make on break.

1. GingerBread House

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup light molasses or dark corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough.
• Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut out the paper patterns for the gingerbread house template:
• Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place.
• Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm.
• Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet.
• Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened.
• Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing.
  Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roofline of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house.
• Continue decorating the house, gluing on gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired.

2.  Peppermint Lollipops

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil
• Red and/or green paste food coloring
• 10 lollipop sticks
• Crushed peppermint candies, optional

Directions

• Butter 10 assorted metal cookie cutters and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; set aside.
• In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup and cream of tartar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage).
• Remove from the heat. Stir in oil, keeping face away from mixture as odor is very strong.
• For each color of candy swirls, pour 1/4 cup sugar mixture into a ramekin or custard cup; tint red or green.
• Immediately pour remaining sugar mixture into prepared cookie cutters.
• Drizzle with colored mixtures as desired; cut through with a toothpick to swirl.
• Remove cutters just before lollipops are set; firmly press a lollipop stick into each.
• Sprinkle peppermint candies over tops if desired.

3.  Mini Apple Crisps

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
• 1 cup crushed raw almonds
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  FILLING:
• 3 unpeeled medium apples, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Mix the first four ingredients. In a large bowl, combine almonds and oats; toss with butter mixture until well coated. Press 2 tablespoons onto bottoms of six greased 6-ounce ramekins.
• For filling, combine apples, sugar, lemon juice and pie spice. Spoon filling evenly into ramekins.
• Top with remaining oat mixture.
• Bake until topping is dark golden brown and fruit is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Serve warm; if desired, top with ice cream.

Starbucks Corporation is an American coffee company and coffeehouse chain. Starbucks was founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1971. As of 2018, the company operates 28,218 locations worldwide. Starbucks is one of the many coffee places that sell seasonal drinks, a favorite being the holiday drinks. Here is a list of the Holiday Drinks that are coming out.

• Peppermint mocha

“A holiday classic made with our signature espresso, steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce and peppermint-flavored syrup. It’s all topped off with whipped cream and dark chocolate curls.” 

• Caramel Brulee Latte

“Espresso, steamed milk and rich Caramel Brulee Sauce, topped with whipped cream and Caramel Brulee Topping.”

• Chestnut Praline Latte

“Espresso, steamed milk and flavors of caramelized chestnuts and spices. Topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs.”

• Eggnog Latte

“This perennial holiday favorite is made with rich, steamed eggnog and our signature espresso. Then we top it off with a dusting of ground nutmeg for the perfect finish.”

• Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

“Our signature espresso, steamed milk and flavors of caramelized white chocolate are finished with whipped cream and a topping of holiday sugar sparkles and crispy white pearls.”

• Gingerbread Latte

“Sweet and delicately spicy gingerbread flavors mingle with our classic espresso and steamed milk and are topped with whipped cream and ground nutmeg for the perfect holiday touch.”

Review:

I’ve heard a lot of different reviews on Starbucks Holiday drinks, and some people have positive things to say, while some others don’t really like them at all.

One response that stood out to me, by someone who wanted to stay anonymous, was that the flavors that are represented in the ads, don’t really match the name of the drinks. For example, she had said that the Gingerbread Latte had “good flavor” but “did not taste like gingerbread.” She did say though, that she really enjoyed the decorations of the Starbucks cups, and that it somewhat made up for the drink flavors.

In my opinion, I understand what Starbucks is trying to do: promote the holiday season by selling seasonal drinks to get everyone in the holiday spirit. However, I do have to agree with the anonymous responder that the flavors don’t really match the drink titles very well. I have also tried the Gingerbread latte and I have to say that I really did enjoy the flavor of it, but again, felt they could’ve added a little bit more gingerbread.