With the holidays just around the corner, your family will soon be wondering what you’ve learned in college. Well, Auntie Sue is not going to understand Calculus, so impress your family with a baking miracle instead! Or, curb your appetite for Christmas Dinner with these easy-to-make recipes that I grew up with! Bon Appetite!

Microwave Fudge

• 16oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 Can (14oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
• Optional Extra Credit: Walnuts, Crushed Peppermint, whatever else floats your boat

Combine Chocolate Chips and Condensed Milk in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on High for 2-3 minutes. Stir until Chocolate and Milk are completely mixed. Stir in Vanilla, or half Vanilla and half your favorite flavoring (i.e. Peppermint Extract). Add Crushed Peppermints, Walnuts, or Espresso Powder if you wish! Pour mix into a greased 8x8 container. Refrigerate for 1 hour (AKA watch 3 episodes of Friends), cut into squares, refrigerate for another hour (another 3 episodes of Friends) and then serve!

Instant Spiced Tea

This next recipe is my grandmothers, who sadly will not be celebrating Christmas with us this year. In memory of her, here is her Spiced Tea Recipe. Just add the mixture to hot water to taste and “Mix Good”. Trust me, it is delicious, and I have many fond memories of drinking it with her! This is a bulk recipe, so make it at home and bring it to school with you, or use it all winter!

• 2 Cups Tang
• 2 ½ Cups Sugar
• 1 Package Lemonade Mix (Grandma suggested Wyler’s) or 3 scoops (6 Tablespoons)
• ½ Cup or more Instant Tea
• 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves (no more, no less)
• Simply add mixture (2-3 Tablespoons, or whatever your sweet heart desires) to hot water and stir!

NO Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Can’t afford Reese's? Have no fear! These Peanut Butter Bars will satisfy your cravings, and make your family, or roommate, think you are a genius (which you are).

• 1 Cup Melted Butter (do the melting yourself—if you use pre-melted butter it will not set up, I tried that)
• 2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 Cup + 4 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
• 1 ½ Cups Chocolate Chips

In medium bowl, mix butter, crackers, and sugar plus 4 TBS peanut butter. Press evenly into greased 9x13 pan. In microwave melt chips and peanut butter for 30 seconds, stir and repeat until smooth. Spread over crumb layer. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Cut after 30 minutes.

That's it! 3 easy-peasy holiday recipes that will satisfy your sweet-tooth or add a little somethin' somethin' to your holiday cookie tray!