One of my favourite things about the Christmas season? Baking!! Sure, I can bake any time of the year, but for some reason Christmas just brings out the domestic housewife in me and I want to BAKE ALL THE THINGS!

Ironically, my first batch of holiday goodies didn’t even have to go into the oven! I opted to make chocolate haystacks, using Kyle’s mom’s recipe. They’re one of his favourite and while they’re totally not good for you in any way at all, they are delicious!

Here’s the ingredients:

– 2 cups sugar
– 6 tbsp. cocoa
– 1/2 cup butter
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1 tsp. vanilla
– 1 cup shredded coconut
– 3 cups rolled oats
– 1 cup raisins (optional)

Start by combining the sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil. I found it was easier to melt the butter in the pan first and then add the other ingredients. Once it’s boiled, add the vanilla. (Which I forgot to do. They’re not as dark, but they still taste great!)

In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut, oats and raisins. If you have a toddler helping you, be prepared to be sweeping up oats and coconut off the floor…

Pour the cocoa mixture into the bowl with the oats and coconut, and mix until everything is nice and coated! Grab a tablespoon and drop cookie-sized balls of the mixture onto a cookie sheet (or two) lined with parchment paper. (Because who has time to wash cookie sheets?) Stick ’em in the fridge for about 2 hours to help them settle, then dive in!

Nothing screams “Fattening Christmas Goodies!” like oats and coconuts smothered in a chocolatey, buttery, sugary goop. Eat in moderation! (Or not, because it’s Christmas!)

What’s your favourite Christmastime indulgence??