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6 easy family-friendly holiday desserts

When it’s cold outside, we like to warm things up inside with easy desserts everyone will love!

Gingerbread Pancakes

Who wants to choose between gingerbread cookies and pancakes? Spice up breakfast or dessert with plush pancakes that bring together the best of both worlds. Whisk Compliments Pancake & Waffle Mix Traditional Buttermilk with 4 eggs, 1⅓ cups milk and 2 tsp each Compliments Fancy Molasses, ground cinnamon and ground ginger. Cook in batches on lightly greased non-stick skillet until browned, 1 to 2 min. per side. Serve with maple syrup.

Hot Chocolate Mug Cake

With this trick in your back pocket, you’ll always be minutes away from rich, moist chocolate cake.

Stir ¼ cup Compliments Hot Chocolate Mix with ¼ cup warmed 35% M.F. Whipping Cream until smooth; set aside. In a lightly greased microwaveable mug, stir ⅓ cup Compliments Deluxe Brownie Mix, 1 tbsp Compliments Balance 100% Pure Liquid Egg Whites, 1 tbsp canola oil and 1 tsp water until combined. Microwave on high until toothpick inserted in centre of cake comes out clean, about 50 sec. Sprinkle with Compliments Mini Marshmallows, drizzle with hot chocolate sauce and top with Compliments Hot Chocolate.

Mint Chocolate Shortbread Slices

Prepare a half package of Compliments Shortbread Cookie Mix with ½ cup plus 2 tbsp butter. Press into greased and parchment paper–lined 8-in. square cake pan; bake according to package directions. Let cool completely. In large bowl, microwave 250 g pkg Compliments Dark Chocolate Chips with ¼ cup 35% cream on high until melted. Stir and let cool to room temperature. Pour over shortbread, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with Compliments Mint-Flavoured Baking Chips. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hr. Slice into squares. Tip: To make a peanut butter version, use Compliments Peanut Butter Baking Chips instead.

Cake Mix Waffles

Red Velvet Waffles for a holiday breakfast or dessert? It’s amazing what you can do with cupcake batter, a waffle iron, and 15 spare minutes! Start with Compliments Red Velvet Cake Mix and follow the package instructions, stirring in 2 tsp chocolate chips. Heat the waffle iron before misting it with cooking spray. Fill the moulds with batter; cook until they’re crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and oh-so tasty, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Let them cool, then serve with your favourite toppings (think ice cream, chocolate drizzle, or cream cheese icing).

Brownie Mix Cookies

The crispy corner pieces of the brownie tray always seem to go first, don’t they? Enter our Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies, which bring you the best of both worlds. It’s the ultimate Christmas cookie. Crispy on the outside, fudgy on the inside, rich and chocolatey—these tasty holiday desserts are, above all else, easy to make. Simply prepare Compliments Deluxe Brownie Mix according to package instructions, adding in ¾ cup Compliments Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips & Chunks. Drop heaping spoonfuls onto a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F until puffed, about 12 minutes. Let cool and enjoy as is—or top with marshmallows, caramel, melted chocolate, and whatever else your sweet tooth desires!

Cupcakes with Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate Icing

One of the easier ways to make cupcakes festive this season! Prepare one 400 g box Compliments Gluten-Free Yellow or Chocolate Cake Mix following package directions, and bake into 12 cupcakes. Let cool completely. Combine ½ cup room-temperature unsalted butter with ¼ cup Compliments Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate Mix, 1 cup icing sugar and ¼ cup 35% M.F. whipping cream in a large bowl. Beat, using an electric mixer on medium, until mixture is smooth and fluffy. Ice cupcakes with mixture and sprinkle with finely chopped candy canes, if desired.