
You can’t go to bed tonight without leaving out cookies and milk for Santa. No worries — we’ve got you. From hot cocoa cookies to cherry chocolate whoopie pies, check out these 12 Christmas cookie recipes from this year’s Snapguide cookie contest. With these, you’ll definitely be making Santa’s nice list. At least next year…
1. Painted Christmas Tree Cookies: This Christmas classic will show you how to bake a classic shortbread Christmas tree cookie. Give it your own unique twist by “painting” it with festive Christmas colors. (via Annie Ai on Snapguide)
2. Hot Cocoa Cookies: Drink your cocoa and eat it too. Made with dark chocolate chips, black beans and vanilla balsamic vinegar (yup, you read that right), these cookies have a rich chocolate flavor and are super cute to boot. Oh, and did we mention they’re gluten-free? (via Hannah Heinz on Snapguide)
3. Candy Cane Monster Cookies: With peanut butter, candy canes, oatmeal and chocolate, these little babies combine all of our favorite flavors with a dash of festive peppermint cheer. (via Leighla Woelffer on Snapguide)
4. Melting Snowman Cookie: We’re just melting over these cookie cuties. Super easy to recreate, they’re the perfect last-minute cookie to make with your kids. (via Caroline Brown on Snapguide)
5. Snowball Pooping Snowman Cookies: Give these little smiling snowman a shake and watch him leave a small trail of edible snowballs. Come on now, how cute is that? (via Juliana Janiszewski Evans on Snapguide)
6. Cherry Chocolate Whoopie Pies: Cherry cordial chocolates are a must at Christmastime, so why not break the cookie rules and whip up these delicious whoopie pies this holiday season? (via Shauna Havey on Snapguide)
7. Christmas Tree Iced Sugar Cookies: They’re a classic for a reason. Santa won’t be able to say no to these iced sugar cookies, which you can also make ahead and freeze the dough for whenever you need a cookie pick-me-up. (via Nikki Lyon on Snapguide)
8. White Chocolate Cookie Bars: Looking to go gluten-free? These cookies are moist, sweet and filled with ooey gooey chocolate pieces. Super easy to whip up for that last-minute holiday get-together. (via Hannah Heinz on Snapguide)
9. Warm-hearted Sugar Cookie People: These edible cookie creations have a warm glowing heart filled with festive sprinkles. A definite crowd pleaser for a last-minute gift or party favor. (via Juliana Janiszewski Evans on Snapguide)
10. Chocolate Pistachio Cookies: Looking to go a little fancier? With unsalted pistachios, cocoa powder and a little orange zest, these cookies have unique and subtle flavors that party guests are sure to enjoy. (via Kathy Gori on Snapguide)
11. Gingerbread Christmas Trees: Gingerbread houses are a must at Christmas, but what about some gingerbread trees? These standing gingerbread trees are a ton of fun to decorate, and easy to package up for friends and family. (via Caroline Brown on Snapguide)
12. S’mores Thumbprint Cookies: No campfire required for this recipe. Santa will love this new take on the thumbprint cookie recipe with melted marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate. (via Annie Ai on Snapguide)
Have a favorite holiday cookies recipe? Share with us on Twitter @britandco + @snapguide.
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
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When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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