Holiday Recipes

The Messenger’s Copy Editor shares two of her favorite delicious holiday dishes.

Megan Serfontein, Copy Editor

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies, as made here, are a holiday staple.

Photo by Megan Serfontein, Copy Editor

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Yields: 20 cookies 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of self-rising flour

• 1 cup of sugar

• 1 large egg

•  4 tbsp melted butter

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 Tbsp milk

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and sugar.

3. In a smaller bowl, mix together the melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract.

4. After the wet ingredients are thoroughly mixed, slowly pour the mixture into the larger bowl stirring continuously.

5. The dough should form quickly. If it’s too wet add more of the dry mixture, and if it’s too dry, add a cap full of milk until the desired consistency forms.

6. Put the dough on a well-floured surface and roll (you may wrap it with cling wrap and place in the refrigerator for an hour if you want to use a cookie-cutter).

7. Cut dough with a knife into ½ inch slices and place them on a well-oiled baking sheet.

8. Cook in the oven until golden brown (approximately 15 to 20 minutes). 

Chocolate and Oat Scones

Chocolate and oat scones are another perfect holiday baked good.

Photo courtesy of Megan Serfontein, Copy Editor

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yields: 15 scones (fewer if cut into triangles) 

Dough Ingredients:

• 2 cups of self-rising flour

• 1 cup of sugar

• ½ cup rolled oats

• 8 tbs softened butter

• 2 large eggs

• ¼ cup milk

• 1 Tbs nutmeg

• 1 Tbs cinnamon

• 1 Tbs apple pie spice

• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (you can also use raisins, nuts, etc.)

• 1 Tbs vanilla extract

• Topping Ingredients:

• Milk

• Vanilla extract

• Nutmeg

• Apple pie spice

• Cinnamon

• Sugar

• Oats

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).

2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, oats, nutmeg, cinnamon, and apple pie spice.

3. Cut butter into tiny squares, and put in the large bowl. Using your hands, incorporate the butter until each square is pea-sized pieces.

4. Mix in chocolate chips in the large bowl

5. In a smaller bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Make sure to not whisk for too long or else the scones will be dense and not fluffy.

6. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture 1/3 of the mixture at a time, mixing as you pour.

7. After the wet and dry ingredients are completely combined, you should have a dough that is similar to cookie dough but slightly more firm.

8. Put the dough on a well-floured surface and roll out to an inch thick.

9. In a cup, pour milk (approximately 1/8 cup) and combine with vanilla extract. Using a pastry brush, brush the milk on the top of the dough. Sprinkle oats, nutmeg, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and sugar on top.

10. Use a knife or pizza cutter (a floured pizza cutter works the best) to cut the dough. Cut it as you would a pizza if you want traditional triangle slices. However if you want it to be easier, cut the dough vertically into three pieces and then cut squares from those three sections.

11. Place scone pieces on a well-oiled baking sheet and bake in the oven until golden brown on top about 25 minutes.

I hope you enjoy these recipes just as much as my family and I do! If you try the recipes yourself, please tag us on Instagram @nhsmessenger or email us a photo at nhsmessenger@gmail.com! Happy holidays and happy baking!