Shortcut treats they'll love

Speedy 6-ingredient sweets give you more time for holiday fun

Gingerbread Trifles

ACTIVE TIME: 30 min. TOTAL TIME: 30 min. SERVES: 8

These individual treats layered with love get a quick kick start, thanks to premade cake

1 On medium speed, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. On low, beat in 1/2 cup cream. Gradually add remaining cream until smooth. On medium-high, beat until peaks form.

2 Spoon 1 Tbs. caramel sauce each into 8 parfait glasses. Place half of cake on top. Dividing evenly, top with half of cream cheese mixture and 1 Tbs. caramel sauce; repeat once. Drizzle remaining caramel sauce on top. Garnish each parfait with 2 pecan halves.

Per serving: Cal. 630 Pro. 5g Carb. 61g Fiber 0g Sug. 44g Chol. 115mg Sod. 370mg Total fat: 40g Sat. 21g

ENJOY WITH Mulled Red Wine

Simmered in spices, this tipple is sure to spread smiles. To make: In pot, simmer 2 (750 ml.) btles. dry red wine, 4 oz. orange liqueur, 1⁄ 3 cup packed brown sugar, 10 cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks and 3 star anise pods over medium-high heat 1–2 min. Reduce heat to low; let simmer 30 min. Serve warm.

Cheesecake Tart 

ACTIVE TIME: 45 min. TOTAL TIME: 5 hrs. SERVES: 10

Store-bought sugar cookie dough makes for an easy crust, and sneaking a few dollops of sour cream into the filling makes it extra rich