The holiday season is here, and what better way to spread joy and warmth than with delicious baked treats? Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, holiday baking is the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and create memories that will last a lifetime.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best holiday baking recipes that are sure to delight your family and friends. From classic cookies to decadent cakes, get ready to indulge in the flavors of the season. So, grab your apron and let's dive into the world of holiday baking!
1. Whipped Shortbread Cookies
Whipped Shortbread Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that are easy to make and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The buttery and light cookies are made with a combination of butter, confectioners' sugar, flour, and cornstarch.
They can be flavored with vanilla, lemon, or orange extract and topped with sprinkles for added festive flair. These cookies are perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa during the holiday season.
2. Gingerbread Macarons
These Gingerbread Macarons are a delicious holiday treat filled with Gingerbread Buttercream. The macaron shells are perfectly baked with a deep color and formed feet. The buttercream filling is flavored with vanilla extract, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
The macarons can be decorated with white chocolate and Christmas sprinkles. They can be frozen for up to 2 months or stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Overall, these Gingerbread Macarons are a festive and delightful addition to any holiday baking repertoire.
3. Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that captures the flavors of homemade cinnamon rolls. These slice-and-bake cookies feature a soft and chewy texture with a beautiful cinnamon swirl. Topped with a simple vanilla glaze, they are a sweet and satisfying addition to any Christmas cookie platter.
The recipe offers variations such as using pumpkin pie spice or brown sugar for the filling, and suggests alternative glaze options like maple or cream cheese. Overall, Cinnamon Roll Cookies are a must-try recipe for the holiday season.
4. Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a must-have for your holiday baking. These bakery-style cookies are thick, soft, and perfect for decorating. The recipe yields cookies that don't spread in the oven, making them ideal for creating festive shapes.
The dough is easy to make ahead and chill, resulting in a delicious end product. These cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike, and they're a great addition to any Christmas cookie tray.
5. Butter Cookies
These Butter Cookies are a must-have for any holiday baking extravaganza. With a rich buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they are a true delight.
Decorate them with melted chocolate and festive sprinkles for an extra special touch. Perfect for gifting or serving on a cookie tray, these classic cookies are sure to bring joy to all who taste them.
6. Homemade Butter Cookies
Homemade Butter Cookies are a classic holiday treat that are easy to make and have a rich, buttery taste. They are soft on the inside with a slight crispness on the outside, giving a nice crumble like a shortbread cookie.
With only 7 simple ingredients, these cookies can be customized for any holiday by changing the cookie cutter. They are perfect for adding to your holiday baking tins and will impress your friends and family. Give them a try this holiday season!
7. Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodles
Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodles are a delicious holiday cookie that combines the flavors of fresh apples and cinnamon with a soft cookie dough. These cookies are a hit during the holiday season and are perfect for baking with kids.
The recipe calls for Granny Smith apples, unsalted butter, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The dough is mixed with diced apples and rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture before baking. These cookies are soft, flavorful, and a must-try for any holiday baking.
8. Christmas Cookie Bars
Christmas Cookie Bars are the perfect holiday treat, combining the flavors of blondies with festive M&Ms and sprinkles. These easy-to-make and freezer-friendly bars are a great alternative to traditional cookies.
They can be enjoyed all year round by simply changing the candy and sprinkles to match any occasion. Whether you're gifting them or keeping them for yourself, Christmas Cookie Bars are a delicious addition to any holiday baking lineup.
9. Gingerbread Cookies
These Gingerbread Cookies are a must-have for the holiday season. They are soft, chewy, and packed with festive flavors. The recipe is easy to follow and perfect for decorating.
The cookies have the right amount of molasses and spices, resulting in a delicious gingerbread flavor. They stay soft and chewy, and the texture is just right. These Gingerbread Cookies are a new favorite and a great addition to any holiday baking lineup.
10. Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies
Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday cookie assortment. These nutty, glazed cookies have a vintage vibe and a wonderful blend of brown sugar, honey, and spices.
The addition of hazelnuts gives them a unique texture. The glaze adds a touch of sweetness and can be customized with or without alcohol. These cookies are perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cup of coffee.
11. Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie tray. These cookies hold their shape beautifully, with defined and slightly crisp edges. The recipe combines the flavors of a sugar cookie and shortbread, resulting in a soft and tender texture.
The cookies can be made ahead of time and stored for up to 2-3 weeks. Overall, this recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to bake delicious and festive holiday treats.
12. Sugar Cookies
Sugar Cookies are the perfect holiday treat. This recipe is known as the BEST sugar cookie recipe ever, and for good reason. The cookies are soft, flavorful, and keep their shape when baked. What sets this recipe apart is that there is no need to chill the dough, making it quick and easy to whip up.
The cookies can be decorated and personalized, making them a festive addition to any holiday gathering. Whether you prefer a soft or crisp cookie, this recipe can be adjusted to your liking. The dough comes together easily with pantry staples, and the cookies freeze well for future enjoyment. Overall, this Sugar Cookie recipe is a must-try for the holiday season.
13. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect holiday treat for those who love sugar cookies but are short on time. These bars are extra soft, topped with a thick layer of frosting, and require no chilling or rolling out of dough.
The addition of cream cheese in both the bars and frosting adds a delightful twist to the classic sugar cookie flavor. With easy preparation and delicious results, these bars are a must-try for holiday baking.
14. Original Nanaimo Bars
The Original Nanaimo Bars recipe is a classic Canadian holiday treat that is perfect for any time of year. The three layers of deliciousness include a buttery graham cracker base, a creamy custard filling, and a rich chocolate ganache on top.
With a perfect balance of sweetness and texture from the coconut and walnuts, these bars are a must-try for any baking enthusiast. Store them in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for later enjoyment. Overall, the Original Nanaimo Bars recipe earns an A+ for its easy preparation and delightful taste.
15. Chocolate Peppermint Slice and Bake Cookies
The Chocolate Peppermint Slice and Bake Cookies are a must-try holiday treat. These rich chocolate cookies infused with peppermint flavor are dipped in chocolate for an extra decadent touch.
They are addictive and taste just like thin mint cookies. Perfect for cookie exchanges and gifting, these slice and bake cookies are easy to make and will be a hit at any holiday gathering.
16. Christmas Crack
Christmas Crack is the ultimate holiday treat that combines the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. With just six ingredients, including saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and chocolate chips, this recipe is incredibly easy to make.
It takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and is a must-have for Christmas celebrations. The addition of toppings like nuts, candy, or sprinkles adds a festive touch to this addictive treat. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, Christmas Crack is a crowd-pleaser that will satisfy any sweet tooth during the holiday season.
17. Amish Sugar Cookies
Amish Sugar Cookies are a classic holiday treat that will melt in your mouth. These soft and tender cookies have a buttery, vanilla flavor that is universally loved. They can be rolled in sprinkles or granulated sugar for a festive touch.
With a unique texture and no need for frosting, these cookies are a delicious alternative to traditional holiday cookies. Perfect for any occasion, these Amish Sugar Cookies are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
18. Coconut Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Coconut Jam Thumbprint Cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday baking repertoire. These buttery shortbread cookies are coated in shredded coconut and filled with your favorite jam, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The cookies are not overly sweet, but incredibly addictive.
They bake up to a soft texture and have a beautiful golden color. These cookies freeze well, making them a convenient option for holiday preparations. Overall, Coconut Jam Thumbprint Cookies are a must-have treat for cookie trays during the holiday season.
19. Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are a classic holiday treat that will melt in your mouth. Made with simple ingredients, these buttery and nutty cookies are perfect for any holiday gathering.
The dusting of powdered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness. These cookies can be stored for up to 2 weeks and can also be frozen for up to 3 months. A must-have on the holiday dessert tray!
20. Easy Sugar Cookies
The Easy Sugar Cookies recipe is a game-changer for holiday baking. With just three ingredients and less than an hour of your time, you can have delicious, crunchy sugar cookies that taste like shortbread. While they can't be used for cut-out cookies, they can be frosted and decorated with sprinkles.
These cookies are perfect for novice bakers or for introducing kids to baking. Plus, they only have 90 calories per cookie, making them a guilt-free treat. Store them properly, and they will last up to 5 days on the countertop or can be frozen for up to 2 months. Overall, this recipe is simple, foolproof, and a must-try for the holiday season.
21. Chai Spice Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
These Chai Spice Brown Butter Snickerdoodles are a must-try for holiday baking. The combination of warm chai spices and nutty brown butter creates a cozy and festive flavor. The cookies are soft, chewy, and don't require chilling before baking.
The addition of cream of tartar gives them a soft texture and slight tang. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or shared at a cookie swap, these snickerdoodles will surely impress.
22. Caramel Apple Cookies
Caramel Apple Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that captures the flavors of a caramel apple in a soft and chewy cookie.
The apple butter in the dough provides a moist and flavorful texture, while the caramel icing adds a rich and creamy sweetness. These cookies are perfect for sharing during the holiday season and can be enjoyed for up to 7 days.
23. Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
These old-fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies are a classic holiday treat that brings back nostalgic memories. With a perfect balance of warm spices and molasses, these soft and chewy cookies have a delightful cake-like texture.
They are not overly sweet and are a great option for sharing with neighbors or decorating with festive icing and sprinkles. The aroma of these freshly-baked cookies is simply irresistible. Overall, these gingerbread cookies are a holiday dessert perfection.
24. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a classic holiday treat that is both fun to make and delicious to eat. With a rich cocoa flavor and a crinkled appearance, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. The recipe calls for basic pantry ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
After chilling the dough, it is rolled into balls and coated in powdered sugar before baking. The result is a soft and fudgy cookie with a beautiful cracked appearance. These cookies can also be customized by adding chocolate chips, Hershey's kisses, caramel, or spices like cinnamon and cayenne for a unique twist. Enjoy them warm out of the oven or store them for up to 5 days.
