The Perfect Holiday Treats for Your Seasonal Get Together

If there’s one thing we love about the holidays here in Kissimmee, it’s getting a chance to spend time with all our favorite people. And, if you’re like us, time with these friends and family members means a lot of snacking and treats while sharing good times and even better memories. Now, everybody knows you need to save the milk and cookies for the “big guy” during the holiday season, so it’s a good time to get creative with the snacks. Luckily, we have you covered with some fantastic recipe cards to add to your holiday collection!

When you head into the kitchen to prepare your next batch of holiday treats, don’t forget to try a few of these Kissimmee-inspired delights!

Kissimmee Kisses

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that will melt in your mouth and put a smile on your face, whip up a batch of Kissimmee Kisses! These bite-sized meringue snacks are quick, simple, and only require three ingredients!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup fine sugar
• Food coloring (green or red, your choice!)

Here’s what you’ll do:

Start by preheating your oven to 200°F. While your oven is heating up, line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Beat your egg whites in a mixing bowl until they become stiff, then begin slowly adding your fine sugar to the bowl. When we say slowly, we mean it! Add one teaspoon at a time while continuing to beat your egg whites—making sure the mixture remains stiff.

You’ll want to continue mixing for another 5-10 minutes after all your sugar has been added to ensure you end up with a mixture that can be described as smooth and stiff, with a glossy quality. Now it’s time to transfer the mixture from the bowl to a pastry bag (don’t forget your food coloring!) for piping onto your cookie sheet. Once your Kissimmee Kisses are on the cookie sheet, bake them for approximately 35-45 minutes. You will know they are ready when you can remove them from the parchment paper without any sticking.

Let your Kissimmee Kisses cool and then, voila! A sweet snack for guests that will keep for up to two weeks in a sealed container.

Orange Snowmen

Some tasty treats come in a glass! If you’re looking for a fun and refreshing drink to serve guests this holiday season, try whipping up an Orange Snowman.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 14 ice cubes
• Florida Oranges

Here’s what you’ll do:

Throw it all in the blender (except the Florida Oranges, of course)! Combine your orange juice concentrate with your milk, water, sugar, vanilla, and ice. Then, simply blend until your drink is smooth and ready to drink. That’s it! Just pour it into your glasses and serve your guests. Of course, if you want to give your Orange Snowmen some unique Florida flare, we recommend cutting your Florida Orange into slices and adding to your glass for a special garnish and added flavor!

Old Town Sugar Cookies

Old Town offers visitors a trip back in time, and there’s no better blast from the past than good old-fashioned sugar cookies! This is a simple and sweet treat that harkens back to the classic cookies mom used to make.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Colored sugar (for decorating)
• Milk (for decorating)

Here’s what you’ll do:

Begin by creaming your butter and sugar in a mixing bowl (ideally using an electric mixer). While doing this, beat in your eggs and vanilla. Then, grab a second bowl and combine your flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well, then—one cup at a time—slowly begin stirring your flour mixture into your butter mixture.

With your dough made, it’s time to let it chill. Place it in the fridge for three to four hours. While you’re waiting, maybe start planning your upcoming vacation to Kissimmee!

When the time is right, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment. Roll out your dough and cut your cookies into shapes using cookie cutters or a knife. May we recommend a few holiday trees, just like the 40-foot tree you’ll see during your visit to Old Town this holiday season! When you’re finished shaping your Old Town Sugar Cookies, place them on your prepared cookie sheet. Lightly brush your cookies with milk, then sprinkle your colored sugar and place them in the oven. Once they’re brown around the edges (about 10-15 minutes of bake time), remove your cookies from the oven and put them on a rack to cool. This is followed by the most important part of the recipe, serve them and enjoy!

Wonderful Wizarding (Gingerbread) Wands

The holiday season is a magical time, and here in Kissimmee, we know a thing or two about magic! That’s why we love these gingerbread wands. They’re perfect for casting spells, and—most importantly—snacking on!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light molasses
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 large egg
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg white, beaten
• Colored decorating sugar
• Edible glitter
• Sprinkles

Here’s what you’ll do:

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Using a saucepan, combine your granulated sugar, molasses, pumpkin pie spice, and black pepper, then—while stirring occasionally—bring it to a boil on the stove over medium heat. Once things start to boil, remove your saucepan from the heat and begin stirring in your baking soda, followed by your butter, your egg, and your flour until everything is combined.

Sprinkle some flour on your baking surface and begin kneading your dough until it is smooth, then divide your dough in half. Set aside one half of your dough (for round two!) and roll your remaining dough using a lightly-floured rolling pin—creating a 12” x 8” rectangle that is approximately ¼” thick. Next, grab a pizza cutter and cut your dough into strips that are ¼” wide. When you’ve finished, move your strips to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. You’ll want to give your wands plenty of room to bake, so space them about an inch apart.

Before putting your wands in the oven, lightly brush them with your egg white, then sprinkle them with your decorations. For a truly special batch, let everybody decorate their own wand! When the decorations are ready, bake your magic wands in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until they are set. Abra Cadabra! You now have delicious magic wands that are ready for your guests.

And since there’s no doubt these wands will cast a spell over your guests, repeat the above steps using your remaining dough to create another delicious batch for wizards young and old alike!  

With these fantastic recipes, you’ll be ready for any gathering this holiday season! In fact, the only thing left to start cooking up is your upcoming visit to Kissimmee! We can’t wait to see you here soon!