That’s always a worry of mine, because I LOVE the holidays. I think often of the holidays I had as a kid – when Chanukah felt like 8 weeks and not 8 nights. Christmas really did feel like 12 days, or even 25. I remember holiday vacation feeling like it was a MONTH long! Well, to be fair, it was a month long in college. Those were some good times. I feel like we’re always on the go, though, with shopping, parties, traveling, and giving the kids the gift of a “magical childhood.” Which, to be fair, I wouldn’t give up anyway. That said, it’s also important to savor this time of year before it gets too close and passes us by. Holiday movies, holiday traditions, and holiday baking too
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We all know by now that Splenda Stevia is the best-tasting stevia on the market. It comes from a plant and is 100% Natural, with nothing artificial. As you probably know, there are several definitions of “natural” in the food industry. At SPLENDA® Brand, it means no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and non-GMO! Did you know that Splenda Stevia wins blind taste tests by a landslide? It tastes just like sugar! Other stevia brands can be bitter, but SPLENDA® uses the stevia extract Reb D that tastes just like sugar – and has no aftertaste! AWESOME.
SPLENDA® carefully picks and selects their stevia leaves, and then they dry them and steep them in water. And you take the time to be healthy, and to create lower sugar holiday recipes with the whole family! For us, fully loaded holiday cookies are a favorite. They have festive and colorful ingredients, like cranberries and pecans, and are really fun to bake with the family!
Holiday Fully Loaded Cookies:
What You Need:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
Pinch salt
2 tbsp Splenda Naturals Stevia
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1/3 dark chocolate chips
1/3 dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Yields: 10 to 12 cookies
What You Do:
1 – First, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 – Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3 – In a small bowl, sift together dry ingredients: flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
4 – In a slightly larger bowl, mix together Splenda Naturals Stevia, softened butter and egg. Whisk well until all ingredients are creamy.
5 – Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
6 – Fold in dark chocolate chips, dried cranberries and chopped pecans.
7 – Roll cookie dough into spheres, about 1 ½ inch in diameter and place on lined baking sheet – leaving about 1 inch of space between each one.
8 – Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy!
YUM. And that’s that! Really, these flavors go incredibly well together, and the cookies are just the right amount of sweet and chewy, without being loaded with sugar. It’s a winning recipe! You can bring it to potlucks, cookie swaps, school parties, or wherever else you want to bring these delicious cookies. My kids still believe in all of the wonder and magic of the holiday season, and in a way, I do too. And that’s why I do whatever I can to make it count. Like by baking cookies with my family and gifting cookies too! Cookies are wonderful.
So would you love these holiday fully loaded cookies?
