So you've finished exams.

If you're anything like me, you have no idea if you aced those 200 multiple choice questions or completely missed the mark on that unforeseen essay question. Somehow, even if I study for a week in advance, I always come out of an exam wondering if all the studying paid off.

Quickly, I realize that I don't even care how I did because it's winter break. The jolliest time of the year is upon us, and no exam grade can get me down (at least until next semester).  

This exciting realization is shortly followed by an absurd (and kind of sad) amount of boredom. I clean my room, watch Netflix until my eyes burn, and contemplate getting a head start on work for next semester. After a few hours of melting my brain cells from the proximity of my computer screen to my face, I decide to bake.

I had a family holiday party coming up, so I decided (okay, my mom suggested) that I make some desserts for that instead of baking and eating them all myself.

These desserts require just five ingredients each and share a lot of the same ingredients, so while you might get fat, at least you won't be broke too. And yes, I did make these for my extended family, but no, I won't judge you if you eat them all on your own.

S'mores Cups

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:10 mins 30 secs
  • Total Time:15 mins 30 secs
  • Servings:12
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups graham crackers
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 36 marshmallows
cereal, nut, candy, cookie, sweet
  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°.

  • Step 2

    Melt the butter in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between. At the same time, turn the graham crackers into crumbs by getting out all your irrational anger at that one unhelpful TA.

  • Step 3

    Once the butter is melted, mix it into the graham cracker crumbs. Divide the mixture equally into a twelve-cup muffin tin and press it down so that it's flat on the bottom. Bake for ten minutes.

  • Step 4

    Immediately after removing the graham crackers from the oven, cover them in chocolate chips, allowing the chocolate to melt.

    sweet, cake, cream, candy, marshmallow, chocolate
    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 5

    Add three marshmallows to the top of each cup and return to oven for 45 seconds (keep a close eye to make sure they don't burn).

  • Step 6

    Scoop them out and enjoy your bite-sized bonfire treat.

    flour, wheat, cereal, sweet
    Amanda Szpindel

These super easy s'mores cups will help you forget that all of your friends are tanning on a beach somewhere while you're stuck in the frozen tundra for the next three weeks.

Hershey's Kiss Thumbprint Cookies

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:12 mins
  • Total Time:22 mins
  • Servings:12
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup softened butter
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package Hershey's Kisses
candy, flour, sweet, pastry, cookie, chocolate, dough
  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°.

  • Step 2

    Add the butter, sugar, and vanilla into a bowl and whip for 2 minutes. Add the flour and mix together (preferably with a wooden spoon) until the mixture is fully combined and not sticky.

  • Step 3

    Shape the dough into balls, making sure all of them are the same size and not too small. Place them on a baking sheet (not touching) and press your clean finger into the center of the cookie to make an indent. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they're gold-ish on the edges.

  • Step 4

    Add one Hershey's Kiss to the centre of each cookie right when they come out of the oven. Allow the cookies to cool and the chocolate to set.

    dough, bread, pastry, sweet
    Amanda Szpindel

At least you're sure to get a midnight kiss on New Year's Eve from one of these cookies!

Saltine Toffee Crack

  • Prep Time:15 mins
  • Cook Time:12 mins
  • Total Time:27 mins
  • Servings:32
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 40 saltines
  • 1 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup toffee bits
chocolate, bacon
  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°.

    dairy, cracker, cheese
    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 2

    Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil, making sure to cover all edges—this recipe can get messy. Arrange the saltines in a single layer on the sheet.

  • Step 3

    Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and bring to a boil. Continue to stir for 1-2 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved into the butter. Keep an eye on it as it can burn quickly! Pour mixture over the saltines, spreading with a spatula if necessary.

  • Step 4

    Bake the covered saltines for 8-10 minutes, or until the butter mixture is bubbly.

    peanut butter, chocolate, peanut, butter
    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 5

    Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let the chocolate chips melt for five minutes, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate so all saltines are covered. Once the saltines are evenly coated, sprinkle toffee bits on top.

  • Step 6

    Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (this is the worst part). Cut the bark or break it with your hands and enjoy until the food coma hits.

    cookie, cake, candy, sweet, chocolate
    Amanda Szpindel

I call this recipe 'crack' because I swear there must be some addictive property to it. No joke, I could eat a whole batch of this by myself.

Hello Dollies (or Goodbye Exams)

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:30 mins
  • Total Time:40 mins
  • Servings:12
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°.

    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 2

    Melt butter in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between. Once melted, combine with graham cracker crumbs and press down into a baking dish.

  • Step 3

    Sprinkle chocolate chips and coconut flakes evenly over the graham crackers. Pour the can of condensed milk evenly over the chocolate chips and coconut flakes.

    chocolate, cheesecake, cream, cake, cheese
    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 4

    Bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes, or until the coconut begins to toast. Remove from the oven and let cool. Cut and serve!

    french toast
    Amanda Szpindel

With these, you'll be saying hello to a full belly. Dollies require almost no effort, so why not get off your butt and exercise by walking from your bed to the kitchen?

(Chocolate Covered) Fruit Plate

  • Prep Time:30 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:30 mins
  • Servings:20
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 box strawberries
  • 4 ripe bananas
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Optional: 1 cup white chocolate chips
cream, goody, pastry, cake, candy, sweet, chocolate
  • Step 1

    Prepare fruit by washing it, removing strawberry stems, and peeling the bananas. Cut the bananas into three pieces each.

    sweet, strawberry, vegetable, banana
    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 2

    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler, then dip the strawberries and bananas into the chocolate. Place on the baking sheet to harden.

  • Step 3

    Optional: Melt the white chocolate chips and drizzle over the chocolate for a fancy finish.

    cake, sweet, goody, candy, chocolate
    Amanda Szpindel
  • Step 4

    Refrigerate overnight (or for at least an hour).

These recipes are fool-proof, and since you have the whole break to do nothing, you might as well make something delicious to eat while you pass the time.

These desserts also make a great holiday present when you have no money to buy your friends real gifts. Giving the gift of baked goods shows that you put creativity and time into it, which is just as valuable as that necklace your friend keeps hinting at.

Enjoy these simple recipes and happy holidays!