It wouldn’t be the holidays without a festive spread of desserts and treats. This season, we’re here to help you reimagine sweet holiday favourites with recipes you’ll love – and love to make. And if the busy holiday rush leaves you with little time to bake, we’ve got delicious store-bought options and other time-saving and gift-giving solutions.
Cookie Swap
A delicious tradition, holiday cookie swaps give guests a sweet variety of treats to enjoy at home. If you’re invited to a neighbourhood cookie swap, bring your festive A-game with our Salted Caramel & Cashew Cookies. Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe makes 48 decadent caramel-covered cookies. For a colourful and festive contribution to your office cookie swap, try Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies with Jam. Filled with jewel-toned bursts of jam, these gooey sweets are an easily transported holiday classic.
Cookie Baking Tips: Be ready for the holidays by doing some big-batch baking ahead of time: make two or three batches of Sugar Cookies and freeze.
Buy it: No time to bake? Bring the hostess a yummy gift of classic Sensations by Compliments Scottish Pure Butter Shortbread Assortment cookies that can be shared and eaten during the event!
Holiday Open House
An old-fashioned holiday open house lets you share joyful merriment and holiday treats. Candy Cane Brownies will always bring a sweet and festive flair to the table, topped with white frosting and colourful candy cane crunch. For guests who like a little spice with their sweet, serve Chai Chocolate Almond Biscotti. These crunchy treats are perfect for dipping in eggnog, and offer variety from the usual holiday fare.
Setting the Sweets Table
For a fun and functional presentation, show off sweets on different heights on the table. Use platters and tiered trays, or use boxes covered in gift wrap to prop up various serving dishes and trays.
Buy It: A sweet and salty mixture of almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans and more is a nice addition to an open house spread. Just open a package of Compliments Nuts & Candied Nuts Carousel and serve.
Perfect Holiday Gifts
Show friends, colleagues, and teachers they’re appreciated with Chocolate Nut Cluster Brookies. Remember to be wary of nut allergies when deciding who to give these to and where to take them. What makes them extra special – and easy to make – are the ready-to-use Sensations by Compliments Milk Chocolate Pecan Caramel Clusters that are part of the recipe. For the truffle lover on your gift list, roll up a tray of soft and velvety Chocolate Truffles. Personalize each one with flavours like espresso powder, shredded coconut, and icing sugar. For an elegant gift, place truffles in a small box lined with festive parchment paper.
Gift Wrapping Tips: For convenience and ease, set up a gift wrapping station at home. Keep scissors, tape, wrapping paper and bags all in one place, as well as ribbon, small wreaths, pinecones, ornaments, twine and candy canes – for decorating the packages.
Buy It: Has a neighbour left a gift in your mailbox? Return the gesture by wrapping up a package of Sensations by Compliments Milk Chocolate Pecan Caramel Clusters.
Kid-Friendly Sweets
Little ones love fun and colourful treats. For classroom celebrations, take traditional caramel corn to the next level with Candy Cane & Cranberry Caramel Popcorn. With special substitutions for extra crunch, this high-yield recipe lets kids enjoy the holidays by the handful. For a quick and easy treat infused with kid-approved flavour, try Microwave Gingerbread Fudge. Ready in just 30 minutes, this super simple festive fudge is free from peanuts, and will have little ones following the fudge tray around.
Kids in the Kitchen: Let youngsters play chef for a day by allowing them to select a recipe and make taste decisions along the way.
Buy It: Pick up Sensations by Compliments Caramel & Chocolate Duo Popcorn and be armed with delicious snacks when your little one unexpectedly invites a few friends over from school.
Showstopping Desserts
The tree is up, and your loved ones have travelled from far and wide. Our festive Orange & White Chocolate Cheesecake is a delightful way to finish a special meal together. A light-tasting cheesecake with refreshing bursts of natural orange flavour, this dessert highlights the holidays with melted dark chocolate in festive shapes and sugared orange zest curls. Another way to dazzle guests – and citrus-lovers – is to serve a Caramelized Clementine & Chocolate Tart for dessert. The tart’s dark chocolate ganache with a caramelized finish is spectacular and rich. Just a small slice will satisfy even the most intense chocolate craving.
Quick Dessert Tip: To soften cream cheese, cut the block into small pieces and microwave on low for 10 to 15 seconds.
Buy It: This year, focus on cooking the perfect turkey, and leave the delicious desserts to us. Colourful Sensations by Compliments Macarons are imported from France, and bring a memorable end to any holiday feast.
