5 ways to use leftover holiday cookies

Written By Karen B.

After a while of being absent on the blogging scene, we are so thrilled to be launching our popular #TuesdayTips on our website. And we thought, what better time than to share with you our HOLIDAY food surplus tips?

Did you know that the festive season generates 15 times more food waste compared to any other celebrations? Studies have found that in the UK alone, 74 million mince pies (that are still edible) are thrown away.

Don't want to be on the naughty list? Then allow us to bring you 5 ways to use leftover cookies!

Cookie Butter

Apple Crumble

Milkshake

Ice Cream Sandwich

Cookie Truffle

 

Cookie Butter

What is cookie butter, you might ask? It's basically your favourite holiday cookie turned into a spread. All you need is to grind your cookie in a food processor until finely processed, add vanilla, coconut oil (or butter) and salt. Then gradually add the milk to create the consistency you desire.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of holiday cookie crumbs

  • 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (or 1/2 stick of butter)

  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar or granulated sugar (optional, if needed to be sweetened)

  • a pinch of salt

  • 1/4 cup of milk

Apple Crumble

Why not reuse your leftover cookies and turn them into a scrumptious topping for everyone's favourite dessert?

First, you will need to preheat the oven to 350F/190C. Apple filling: peel and chop the apples into small cubes. In a bowl, fold the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and lemon together before placing the filling into the oven to bake for 10 minutes. Apple crumble: crush the cookies and add in the room-temperature butter to create a crumble mix. Once the apples are ready to be removed from the oven, distribute the crumble over the apples. Press the crumble down with a spatula and cook the dish for a final 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Ingredients:

  • 350g Bramley apples

  • 1 tablespoon of flour (plain or all purpose)

  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (or water)

  • 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

  • 1 cup of Demerara sugar or brown sugar (half for the apple filling, half for the apple crumble)

  • 1/2 cup of soften butter

  • 400g of holiday cookies

Milkshake

Because who doesn't love a drink that has Christmas cheer blended into it? Enjoy this simple yet decadent milkshake that will bring all the elves to your yard, begging you to get the recipe for Santa.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of ice cream, any flavour

  • 1 cup of milk

  • 4 to 8 small holiday cookies

  • Optional toppings: sprinkles, chocolate/caramel drizzle, whipped cream… be inspired by Elf the movie (maple syrup & spaghetti anyone?)

Ice Cream Sandwich

1 + 2 = 3, therefore… ice cream + 2 holiday cookies = YUMMM.

This one is pretty straightforward. Sandwich the ice cream between two cookies and store it in the freezer until you're ready to eat it. BONUS: this also extends the shelf life of the cookies! (We recommend using thinner cookies for this one so it's easier to chew.)

Cookie Truffle

Bite-size foods are dangerous. Just when you think you have the self-control to only eat one, next second you're finishing the leftover holiday cookies without even noticing! Balls: crumb your cookies or put them in a food processor until coarse, then mix in the cream cheese until the mixture holds together. Then, form the mixture into 1-inch balls (using either your hands or ice cream dipper). Chocolate coating: place the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stirring to melt. Repeat with small time intervals if necessary. Finally, dip the balls into the melted chocolate before placing them onto wax paper/silicone baking sheet to allow for the chocolate to harden. Feel free to coat the balls (while chocolate coating is still moist) with desiccated coconut, sprinkles, edible glitter - you get the drift, go wild!

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup of cream cheese

  • 180g of holiday cookies

  • 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening

Psssst! Do you wanna know the secret sixth tip? We promise it will get you onto Santa's Good List: avoid buying/baking too many holiday cookies. We all love the holidays, but we also love our planet.

“What does the Gingerbread Man use to make his bed? Cookie sheets!”
Karen B.

Passionate about conservation, Karen had spent the past 5 and a half years living in the South African bush. After dedicating her time in research and education in the sustainable tourism field, Karen wishes to apply her knowledge into new ventures.

Previous

5 ways to use leftover turkey