The holiday season is a great time of year. Your days are filled with family and friends, decorations, holiday music and parties. One of the best parts of the season is all the tasty treats you get to indulge in! Here are some easy treats you can make for your next holiday gathering.
Homemade Fudge
Fudge is a treat that dates back to the late 1800s and hasn’t lost it status as a family favorite during the holidays. It’s simple recipe allows for different flavors and textures to be added in, creating a myriad of possibilities!
Start with sweetened condensed milk, then add in chocolate chips, salt and vanilla until it’s melted and thick. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours and you have yourself a delicious treat!
Here is an easy recipe to follow. And don’t forget to get creative!
Sugar Cookies
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without some good old fashioned sugar cookies. Many of us have childhood memories of rolling, cutting, and decorating fun shapes every holiday season. This easy recipe only calls for 7 ingredients, not including your imagination!
Here is an easy basic recipe to follow that can be cut into whatever holiday shape you want! Perfect for decorating and spending time with family and friends, these tasty treats are a great addition to any party.
Gingerbread House
For the more ambitious of those out there, building a gingerbread house is the perfect challenge. You have to be sure to mix and bake the gingerbread perfectly before assembling, frosting and decorating it, all while making sure it doesn’t fall over.
Follow this recipe to bake your gingerbread, then assemble one or multiple houses for a decorating contest among family and friends!
Peppermint Bark
Peppermint is a flavor that everyone automatically associates with the holiday season, and you find it everywhere! In hot chocolate, candy, cakes, and even cookies. One of the most popular treats, however, is when it is paired with chocolate creating peppermint bark, and this tasty treat is very easy to make! Add it to a bit of melted chocolate, let it harden and you have yourself a tasty treat that everyone will love!
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]]>Step 1: Select the cheeses
When choosing your cheeses, think contrasting textures and flavors, from soft to firm, and sweet to pungent.
- Firm: Cheddar, Manchego, Gruyere, Mimolette, Fontina, Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Semi-Soft: Constant Bliss, Morbier, Taleggio, Vacherin, Reblochon
- Double- or Triple-Cream: Saint-Andre, Camembert, Brie, Brillant-Savarin
- Blue-Veined: Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Bleu de Bresse
- Goats and Sheep’s Milk: Brebis Pyrenees, Humboldt Fog
If you need inspiration, here’s a sampling of some of our favorite:
- Mitica Pecorina Toscano Stagionato (dense, firm sheep’s milk)
- Salvatore Bklyn Smoked Whole Milk Ricotta
- Saint-Andre Triple Creme Cow’s Milk
- Isigny Ste. Mere Brie
- Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue
- Tartufo Truffle Gouda
- Vermont Creamery Bijou (ripened goat)
Step 2: Pick the right amount of cheese
In general, 3 ounces of cheese per person is a good rule of thumb. If you’re throwing a party where cheese plays the starring role, plan on about 3 pounds for 8 people.
Step 3: Add your pairings/condiments
As with your cheeses, a range of textures and flavors in you accompanying nibbles is key. Try a mix of smattering of these:
- Bread: Fresh baguette slices, crostinis, classic water crackers, Parmesan straws
- Jams and spreads: Sweet fig, tart cherry or chutney, honey
- Mustards: Brown spicy, honey, horseradish
- Olives: Kalamata, green, blue cheese stuffed
- Nuts: Marcona almonds, candiend walnuts, pistachios
- Veggies: Cornichons, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, caponata
- Fruit: Slices of tart apple or sweet pears, dried apricots or cranberries, fresh figs
- Charcuterie: Prosciutto, hard salami, pate
Step 4: Pick your board
An attractive serving board is just as important as what’s on it. Choose a rustic butcher board, wooden cutting board or slab of natural stone to make a statement.
Step 5: Serve and say cheese
Give your cheeses time to site at room temperature for approximately 45 minutes before serving to bring out their natural flavors and aromas. Make sure to set out a separate knife for each cheese, and, if you have time, add labels so your guests know what’s what. Eat and enjoy!
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]]>Barrels & Bottles
With 22 beers on tap and 24 wines on tap, this nano brewpub offers premium, hand-crafted beers and special guest taps, along with in-house staples like the Orange Creamsicle Ale, a Blonde Ale brewed with orange peel and vanilla beans.
Holidaily Brewing
Colorado’s only dedicated gluten-free brewing facility, Holidaily offers locally sourced, 100 percent gluten free beers with Colorado-grown millet and buckwheat like the BuckWit Belgan Ale.
Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta
“New York” style pizza fans can fold their slices all they want here, along with hot hero sandwiches, pastas and salads.
Cafe 13
Local favorite Cafe 13 has been closed for remodeling and will debut its new look and feel under new ownership soon, keeping many of its beloved recipes but giving us new updates like an in-house Bloody Mary recipe with bacon, as well as vegan and gluten free options. Check out their Instagram for the latest updates on opening.
Gold Mine Cupcakes
Everything is made from scratch at this award-winning confectionery paradise complete with a sprinkle bar to top off your treats. Don’t miss the carrot cake flavor. There are always a few gluten-free options daily, as well.
Genesee Pub & BBQ
This family-owned BBQ joint smokes meats daily onsite. It offers and extensive list of favorites like pulled pork and smoked chicken wings, plus all the classic sides.
Table Mountain Grill & Cantina
A popular place for brunch, Table Mountain Grill & Cantina offers classic Southwestern fare, as well as surf and turf. Try the perfectly seasoned guacamole and chips.
Indulge Bistro and Wine Bar
40 wines by the glass. What’s not to love?
Randy Buzz Meadery
The pleasures of drinking mead are alive and well in Golden, thanks to the purveyor of easy-drinking meads that are meant top put a randy pep in your step.
6th Annual Taste of Golden
March 25, 2019
Buffalo Rose Event Center, 1110 Washington Avenue, Golden
5:00pm to 7:30pm | Price: $30
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