Every year, most children in America leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk to refresh Santa when he visits their home on Christmas Eve. Like most things that are done repeatedly, milk and chocolate chip/sugar cookies may be getting a little boring. If you’re looking for a new idea for a treat to leave Santa this year, check out these ideas below.

Raspberry Jam Thumbprints

The most typical treat to leave out for Santa are cookies. And the most popular flavors: sugar or chocolate chip. This year, try a more unique cookie recipe such as this delicious thumbprint cookie.

What you need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 4 ounces white chocolate baking bar, chopped
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

If you don’t care for raspberry, you can also choose a different flavor filling for the center. To see how to make these cookies, check out the full recipe here.

Melted Snowman Cookies

If you prefer a more classic cookie but still want something that’s unique, get creative with these melted snowman cookies, which are fitting for mild Tennessee winters.

What you’ll need:

• Basic cookie dough: 1/3 cup (80g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (115g) caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cup (200g) plain flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• To decorate: 1 cup (150g) pure icing sugar
• Licorice strips
• Red cachous
• Icing pens
• Small colored sweets

To whip up these yummy treats, view the full cookie recipe here.

Gingerbread Men

Another classic Christmas treat is a gingerbread man. Whether you eat them or not, these are always fun to decorate and create a fun time for you and your kids.

What you’ll need:

For the gingerbread men

• 350g plain flour, plus extra for rolling
• 1 level tsp bicarbonate soda
• 2 rounded tsp ground ginger
• 110g unsalted butter, cubed
• 175g Tate & Lyle® Fairtrade Light Muscovado Cane Sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 4 tbsp Lyle’s Golden Syrup®

For the icing

• 1 large egg white
• 175g Tate & Lyle® Icing Sugar
• Caramel paste color

Click here to read the full recipe.

Magic Reindeer Food

Santa isn’t the only one who needs a refreshment. His reindeer get hungry too from flying all around the world to deliver presents. To spread some Christmas magic and help the reindeer, mix up these oats with some edible glitter.

What you’ll need:

(Serves 9 reindeer)

• 1/2 cup porridge oats
• 1 tsp edible red glitter
• 1 tsp edible green glitter

You can also add a half cup of granulated sugar to make the treat sweet if you plan to taste some of it. For a healthier treat for them to enjoy, you can also leave some carrots and apples outside. Check out how to make this special reindeer food here.

Hot Chocolate

 

Every treat needs something good to wash it down with. If milk isn’t your thing, try pairing your cookie with some steaming hot chocolate. You can either do a simple packet of mix or go for a richer flavor by creating your own.

What you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed), plus more for serving
• 3 cups whole milk
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate (preferably Scharffen Berger), finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons demerara or granulated sugar
• Lightly sweetened whipped cream (for serving)

Check out this hot chocolate recipe for instructions on how to prepare this delicious drink.

These are just a few recipe ideas, but there are so many more, especially amongst other cultures. Do you have a unique Christmas tradition you do for Santa each year? Let us know in the comments below!