There is something special about baking during the holiday season. The amount of time and energy a person spends baking makes for a meaningful and memorable gift.

However, with the hustle and bustle that comes with this season, the reality is that there just isn't a lot of time to make your grandma’s top-secret chocolate chip cookie recipe. Instead, you might have to settle for a quicker and easier recipe that's just as tasty and delicious.

Below I have two recipes that are just as yummy as they are easy to make, and the people you make them for will absolutely love them!

Peanut-Butter Cracker Cookies:

Delicious and indulgent, these are not your typical kind of cookie. The mix of creamy peanut-butter, salty ritz-cracker, and decadent chocolate is going to be a crowd pleaser for sure. The saltiness from the ritz-crackers and the sweetness from the chocolate is down-right delicious.

Sprinkle on some green and red sprinkles for a festive twist!

Ingredients:

32 Ritz-Crackers

Peanut butter (enough to make sandwiches)

2 cups white chocolate chips

2 cups chocolate

Recipes:

1) Spread the peanut butter onto the Ritz crackers and assemble them into sandwiches

2) Put the sandwiches in the fridge for about 15 minutes

3) Melt the chocolate over the stove or in a microwave-safe bowl (for about 3 to 4 minutes in the microwave, every chocolate will be different though)

4) Next, take a fork or tongs and dip the crackers into the melted chocolate

5) Top with holiday sprinkles

6) Let cool the sandwiches cool for about 15 mins

7) Enjoy!

Serves 24

Peppermint Brownies:

ATTENTION: Holiday baking hack that everyone needs to know ASAP!! Instead of making your own brownies from scratch, Ghirardelli has pre-made brownie mix that is to die for. Specifically, the Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix flavor is simply amazing.

All you have to do is follow the instructions on the back of the box to make these insanely delicious brownies. Then to spice them up, add peppermint chunks on top of the brownies. The chocolate and peppermint combination is heavenly and will have your friends and family wanting more!

Ingredients:

Ghirardelli brownie mix (and ingredients as listed on the box)

Peppermint chunks or Mini peppermint candy canes

Recipes:

1) Follow the instructions for the brownies on the back of the box (trust me they are super easy)

2) Top off the brownies with peppermint chunks

3) Enjoy!

There you have it, two easy and down-right delicious treat recipes to make your holiday season a little sweeter, and a little simpler!