Easy But Festive Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

Yes... the holidays are here! Nothing says Happy Holidays more than some festive and beautifully decorated cookies. Agree? Today I want to share with you a super cute and moderately easy recipe that will dress up any cookie swap, or holiday party!

These are called Festive Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups. I stumbled across this recipe a couple of years ago on Princesspinky Girl.com and decided to make a huge batch to take and share at the local rest homes in my area.

I feel that sometimes some elders placed in these types of care facilities are overlooked and forgotten. This is tough, but it is even sadder when they are just so alone.

So, my girls and I decided that we wanted to bake these Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups, put them on a festive platter with some beautiful paper and ribbons and deliver them all to the rest homes.

I'm not going to lie here. These are so stinking easy to make, but yet, somehow they look like they have taken several grueling hours in a kitchen.

These delectable, edible treats take only six ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:

Ready to Bake Sugar Cookies

Ready to Eat Pudding Cups

Mini Marshmallow Bits: Tip: these are not mini marshmallows, but mini marshmallow bits. These are usually found somewhere near the hot chocolate at the grocery store.

Mini Candy Canes

White Chocolate

Christmas sprinkles

Now I'm well aware of what people may think about this ingredient list. CHEAT! Well, it sort of is. Especially when you think about just how many hours some of you people dedicate to Christmas holiday baking.

But, between you and me...I won't tell if you don't. Wink, Wink!

Okay now that we have that settled back to business. First, you start off by making the cookie cups. Ready? Let's go!

Cookie Cup directions:

First, make sure you have preheated the oven to 350.

Put one piece of ready to bake cookie dough in the bottom of each mini-muffin baking cup. With your fingers press the dough up and along the sides of the pan to make a cup-like shape.

These cookie cups are going to need to bake for about ten minutes. As soon as you remove the cups from the oven use a wooden spoon to gently re-shape back into cups. Do this by widening the center and flattening the bottom. When you are finished pop the muffin tin back into the oven for two more minutes,

When the cookie cups come out of the oven the second time set them aside and let them cool completely. Next, gently pop the cookie cups out of the tin. You may have to give them a gentle twist during this process.

Onto the next step. Carefully cut the mini candy canes' hook using a sharp knife. These will be used as your cup handles. Save the remaining piece of candy cane for the straw.

Next, melt your white chocolate. Carefully dip the curved piece of candy cane that will be used as cup handles into the chocolate. Place the handle gently on the side of the cookie cup, let dry, and set.

Now when you are ready to serve or deliver in our case spoon the chocolate pudding into each cookie cup. Shake on the mini marshmallow bits, Add the festive sprinkles and the candy cane straw.

You are now all set to do what you may with your tasty treats. When my girls and finished ours we packed them onto a tray with some of the other treats we had made. Next, we carefully loaded up the car and headed to the rest home.

The looks on the resident's faces when we walked in and began passing out the treat trays were unforgettable. We did not rush and we spent the next couple of hours sitting and chatting with those who wanted to visit.

It was truly the highlight of our Christmas season. I can't explain just how good it felt to see their happy faces. It is a good feeling and one I would highly recommend to anyone. It is also a good teaching tool for your kiddos they learn about respecting their elders, community, and giving.

I hope you all enjoy these Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups and have a wonderful and safe holiday season!