Treat Yourself, No Oven Required

It’s not the holidays without some sweets! If you’ve got the dormitory blues this study period, fear not! Delicious holiday treats can be yours, even in the cement block cages of Warren Towers. Here are just a few no-bake recipes to whet your culinary whistle as the semester comes to an end, and the holidays begin their reign.

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Chocolate-Covered Mint Cookies (via Better Homes and Gardens)

Because chocolate and mint go together like Santa and cookies!

  • Photo courtesy of flickr user idh.
    These chocolate-covered mint cookies are the perfect festive treat | Photo courtesy of flickr user idh.

  • 6 ounces chocolate candy coating
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
  • 30 Oreo cookies w/ mint filling
  • Festive sprinkles

 

Melt chocolates together in microwave (or over stove)
Dip each cookie into melted chocolate
Let coated cookies sit until melted chocolate is set

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Cookie Dough Truffles (via Cooking Channel)

Who needs an oven when the best part of cookies is the dough?

  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 Tbsp milk or cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1  1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate candy coating (for the shell)

 

Beat butter and sugars in large bowl until light and fluffy
Mix in milk and vanilla
Stir in flour and salt until incorporated
Stir in chocolate chips
Chill dough for 30 minutes
Roll dough into balls and freeze for 15 minutes
Melt dark chocolate in microwave or over stove
Dip dough into melted chocolate
Let sit until coating is set

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Oreo Truffles (via allrecipes.com)

These are so easy you can make them while you study for Chem.

  • Photo courtesy of flickr user jayesel
    Oreo Truffles will satisfy any late night sweet tooth | Photo courtesy of flickr user jayesel

  • 1 package of Oreo cookies
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese
  • 16 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Crush cookies and place in bowl
Add cream cheese and mix until well blended
Roll mixture into one-inch balls
Melt chocolate and dip cookie mixture into the chocolate
Refrigerate until firm (about one hour)

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Caramel Cracker Candy (via Better Homes and Gardens)

For the warm-and-fuzzy feeling.

  • 12 graham crackers
  • 14 ounces of vanilla caramels
  • 1/4 cup of half-and-half or light cream
  • 1  1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 Tbsp shortening
  • 1 cup toasted hazelnuts (or almonds), chopped

 

Line the bottom of a baking sheet with graham crackers
Melt caramels in microwave (or over stove) with half-and-half
Pour caramel mixture over graham crackers
Melt chocolate and shortening in microwave (or over stove)
Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer on pan and spread evenly
Sprinkle with nuts
Let stand until set
Cut up into pieces to serve

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Whether you don’t have access to a kitchen or just don’t have time to bake something intricate in the flurry of finals, these recipes are huge time-savers that will make your friends happy to be over for a holiday-themed study break.

About Beth St. John

Beth St. John is an English major in the College of Arts and Sciences. She was born and raised in New Jersey but now happily calls Boston home. When she's not reading a book or watching a movie she's probably eating copious amounts of chocolate.

View all posts by Beth St. John →

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