3 Holiday Treats to Make With Kids

Crispy Rice Ornaments--when making treats, don't do it for them. Empower them, instead. — threemanycooks.com

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies

1 whole egg, plus 1 yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups bleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

36 peppermint kisses

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle positions and heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix egg, yolk, vanilla and salt in a small bowl. Mix flour and baking powder in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add egg mixture; mix on low speed until well incorporated. Add flour mixture; mix on low speed until dough forms. Beat in crushed peppermint.

Divide dough into 36 rounded tablespoon portions, rolling each into a ball. Working in batches, arrange 12 cookie dough balls on a large silpat- or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and puffed. Remove cookies from oven, gently pressing a peppermint kiss into each one. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough balls and kisses. (Can be stored in a tin for a week or sealed and frozen up to 1 month.)

Crispy Rice Ornaments

Make 16

3 tablespoons butter

1 package (10 ounces) marshmallows

6 cups puffed rice cereal

Assorted colored sugars (you'll need about 1/2 cup total)

Heat butter and marshmallows in a large pot over low heat until melted. Remove from heat; stir in cereal until completely incorporated. Divide cereal mixture into 16 portions, rolling each into a ball. Depending on the desired number of colored sugars measure each into a small bowl. Roll cereal balls in sugar to coat. Store crispy rice cereal balls in a single layer until ready to enjoy. (Can be sealed and frozen up to 1 month.)

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