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
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°.
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.
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.
Immediately after removing the graham crackers from the oven, cover them in chocolate chips, allowing the chocolate to melt.
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).
Scoop them out and enjoy your bite-sized bonfire treat.
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
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°.
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.
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.
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.
At least you’re sure to get a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve from one of these cookies!
Saltine Toffee Crack
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°.
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.
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.
Bake the covered saltines for 8-10 minutes, or until the butter mixture is bubbly.
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.
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.
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.
 "5 Easy 5-Ingredient Desserts to Celebrate the End of Exams 4")
Hello Dollies (or Goodbye Exams)
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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(Chocolate Covered) Fruit Plate
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare fruit by washing it, removing strawberry stems, and peeling the bananas. Cut the bananas into three pieces each.
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.
Optional: Melt the white chocolate chips and drizzle over the chocolate for a fancy finish.
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!