December is here, which means it’s time to start baking everything sweet and magical. You’ll be ready for your holiday bake-off with our ultimate guide to Christmas desserts and holiday treats.
From classics like cut out sugar cookies to new takes on old favorites (hello triple stuffed brownies), we have everything you need right here. Grab the kids, put on your apron, and make memories with these 40+ Christmas desserts.
Tips for the Perfect Holiday Platter
You’ll want to keep these tips available to make sure that your holiday platter is as beautiful as it is tasty:
- If you’re giving away a tray, add a printable gift tag for a personal touch.
- Use a simple platter so your treats can be the star of the show.
- Variety is key! Make sure you include cookies, candies, and bars in a wide range of flavors and textures.
- Don’t overdo it. All you need are 5-7 different treats to keep things interesting, but not overwhelming.
- Look for variations. Some of the cookies below include adaptations to the same base dough…which means you can get more cookies for less work.
- Reserve some candy for garnish. No need to go overboard with fancy garnish on a holiday dessert tray. Simply scatter a few M&Ms or Hershey’s Kisses on top of your treats, and you’ll look like a pro.
Christmas Desserts Recipes to Make this Holiday Season
Reindeer Cupcakes
These cute reindeer cupcakes are a show stopping addition to any Christmas dessert tray. And best of all, they're ridiculously easy to make.
Easy Orange Shortbread Cookies with Ginger
These orange shortbread cookies with ginger are buttery, crisp, and melt in your mouth delicious with fresh citrus flavor and a zing from crystallized ginger. On their own or dipped in chocolate, this is one of the best shortbread cookies recipes that you can make for your holiday cookie platter.
Melting Snowman Cookies
These adorable cookies look like melting snowmen, and are a huge hit with the kids. Best of all, we'll walk you through the whole process of making these fun treats so you look like a master baker.
Red Velvet Cookies with Cake Mix
You're going to love these soft and chewy red velvet cookies made with cake mix. And with all the holiday adaptations shared in the post, they're the perfect easy treat for your Christmas celebration.
Soft and Chewy Almond Macaroons
Don't want to make a giant batch of cookies? Soft and chewy almond macaroons are soft on the inside with just the right amount of crunch, and completely irresistible!
The Best Snowball Cookies with Walnuts
Whatever you like to call them - Snowball cookies, mexican wedding cookies, Russian tea cakes - these festive Christmas cookies are everyone's favorite. Melt in your mouth good, this easy snowball cookies recipe with walnuts is the best addition to your holiday dessert table, cookie exchange, or as a quick gift for friends.
Brown Sugar Cashew Brittle
Once you take a bite of this easy brown sugar cashew brittle, you’ll be hooked. This recipe is perfectly sweet with hints of toffee and vanilla, the cashew nuts provide the perfect amount of crunch. It’s the perfect holiday candy to give away at Christmas or any time of year.
Orange Vanilla Candied Cranberries
Friends and family are always asking me to make this orange vanilla candied cranberries recipe for Christmas desserts. Best of all, these sugar coated holiday treats are SO pretty and are the perfect addition to your holiday parties or office cookie tray. Yum!
Ritz Cracker Toffee
You're missing out if you haven't yet made Ritz cracker toffee! It's the perfect combination of crunchy, sweet, and salty and is ready to eat in about an hour. It's no wonder some people call it Christmas Crack.
How to Make Apple Roses with Puff Pastry
These gorgeous apple rosettes look impressive, but are so simple to make with the help of puff pastry. To make it even easier, we've got a step by step tutorial and plenty of tips and tools to make sure that your apple roses come out perfect every time.
Double Decker Triple Stuffed Christmas Brownies
Looking for a make ahead Christmas dessert that is both impressive and easy? Try this recipe for double decker triple stuffed Christmas brownies! No one has to know that you used boxed cake and brownie mix for the layers.
Candy Cane Hearts with Chocolate (step by step tutorial)
How sweet are these mini candy cane hearts made with chocolate? Loaded with semi sweet and white chocolate, this easy peppermint bark recipe is a perfect homemade gift for kids during the holidays, or even as Valentine's Day gifts. We even show how to make peppermint bark candy cane hearts when the candy canes are all broken.
Pecan Crescent Cookies (aka Christmas Horns)
This Pecan Crescent Cookies recipe is a family favorite that was handed down to me by my small little Italian step-grandmother - and we affectionately refer to them as "Christmas Horns." The cottage cheese cookie dough is delicate and flakey, with just enough nut filling to add taste. Don't forget the dusting of powdered sugar on top. Yum!
Sugar Cookie Ornaments
Wow your party guests with yummy edible sugar cookie ornaments that you can hang on the tree! With these tips & tricks, you'll have cookies that not only look amazing, but they also taste incredible.
Chex Mix Christmas Crack Candy Recipe
What are you looking for in the greatest holiday treat ever? Chex mix Christmas crack is cheap, simple, and 100% addictive. This combination of cereals, coconut flakes, and candies is perfect for handing out as gifts or as a delicious holiday party snack.
Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches
Red velvet cookie sandwiches are soft, sweet, and the perfect bite sized version of your favorite red velvet cake. Enjoy them for holidays, parties, or even as an afternoon snack.
Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Looking for the best cut out sugar cookies recipe? Look no further! It's time to make a batch of these simple and delicious cookies that don't spread in the oven, even with intricate patterns. Best of all, they still have a soft and buttery center, with a slightly crisp edge for sugar cookie perfection.
Ginger Cookies with Molasses (Impossibly soft!)
Ginger cookies with molasses are a holiday classic for a reason. These ginger cookies have just the right amount of chewiness and softness, and is bursting with the holiday spices we all love.
Lumps of Coal Treats: Easy No-Bake Recipe
There will be no crying when your kids see these easy, no bake lumps of coal treats. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, lump of coal treats make great stocking stuffers and Christmas party treats.
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double chocolate chip cookies are an indulgent treat for your resident chocoholic. Bursting with rich chocolatey flavor, they bake up with the perfect, slightly crispy exterior and sweet, tender center.
Easy Candied Pecans
Quick and easy candied pecans made in the oven use only 6 ingredients and are ready to eat in less than 45 minutes. My husband asks for them every year, and we love them as holiday snacks or salad topping.
The Perfect Buckeyes Recipe (Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls)
Buckeyes have been a family tradition since I was a child. Here, I share how we learned to make the perfect Buckeyes recipe year after year.
Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
There’s no resisting the soft, gooey call of these incredible chocolate chip cookies. They're the perfect 2-bite size, but still stay chewy and soft in the center. And since the recipe makes so many cookies in one batch, it’s easy to have fresh homemade cookies in just minutes.
Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies
Rich double chocolate chip cookie dough is rolled in sweetened coconut for a simple, but tasty way to make your cookies extra special.
Cranberry Curd Bars with a Pistachio Shortbread Crust
You really can’t get more festive than the bright red and green of cranberries and pistachios. And even though they look like a gourmet Christmas dessert, you can absolutely pull off this make ahead homemade treat.
White Chocolate Blondies with Peppermint
White chocolate blondies with peppermint are the perfect easy recipe to make for the holidays this year. They are a creative take on peppermint desserts for Christmas, but are also a simple way to make desserts for a crowd. Hands down, these are the BEST blondies and bars for the holiday season.
Holiday Truffles with a Boozy Twist
Covered in festive Christmas sprinkles, these dark chocolate truffles are sinfully delicious. Plus, learn a chef's secret to making melt-in-your-mouth homemade chocolate truffles. Then find a good hiding place…you’ll want one!
Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Double chocolate crinkle cookies are a beautiful addition to your Christmas cookie platter, and they're EASY and delicious. Made with only a few special ingredients and coated with a thick layer of powdered sugar, double chocolate crinkle cookies are flavorful enough to please even the pickiest eater.
Gingerbread Fudge
If you love gingerbread...this fudge recipe is for you! Best of all, it's so EASY! Smooth and creamy gingerbread fudge is a fantastic way to spice up your holiday platter this season.
The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe
Mmmmm. This chewy coconut macaroons recipe is just the best! I love how easy it is, even with whipping the egg whites into a meringue. Plus, learn how to make them so the coconut doesn’t burn! This is definitely a classic cookie will that be perfect for many Christmas celebrations to come.
Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Bars with Rum
Dark chocolate gingerbread bars are a moist and flavorful cross between brownies and gingerbread cake. You don't want to miss out on this recipe!
Grinch Nougat
This easy homemade nougat recipe is infused with iconic green Grinch green and heart-warming red gumdrops. It makes the perfect festive treat for Christmas desserts, or Grinch themed parties.
Gingerbread Magic Bars
Full of the warm winter spices, gingerbread magic bars are a delicious holiday twist on the classic seven layer bars recipe.
Homemade Eggnog Marshmallows
Eggnog marshmallows are the perfect holiday treat to add to a cup of hot chocolate for the kids or as a delicious holiday creamer in your coffee.
Grinch Fudge
Unleash your inner Grinch with this vibrant and delectably sweet Grinch Fudge recipe! Perfect for any Christmas or Grinch-themed party, this simple, fun, and unique treat will steal the show and melt hearts faster than the Grinch's own transformation.
Colorful Krispy Christmas Trees
These colorful Krispy Christmas Trees couldn't be easier. Two batches of cereal treats are combined to create a simple, festive snack everyone will love.
Easy Cinnamon Spice Cake Mix Blondies with Eggnog Glaze
You have to try this cinnamon spice cake mix blondies recipe with eggnog glaze. Perfectly chewy, full of flavor, and so incredibly simple to make, these are totally addictive. Bring these treats to a party and everyone will be raving!
Homemade Chocolate Marshmallow Recipe
Make your Christmas hot chocolate bar even more special this year with homemade chocolate marshmallows.
Easy Coconut Cherry Angel Food Cake Bars
With no frosting needed, this 3 ingredient recipe is a perfect quick dessert, snack on the go, or party treat. You can also use this same idea with different flavors of pie filling (like strawberry or lemon).
Java Eggnog Brownies
You'll love these rich and indulgent java eggnog brownies with a hint of coffee and a thick eggnog infused cheesecake layer.
Death by Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Inspired by the original Death by Chocolate cake from the Trellis in Williamsburg, VA these Death by Chocolate cookies are made with 4 layers of decadent chocolate, including a brownie-based cookie, white chocolate chips folded, ganache icing, and crunchy chocolate meringue bits to top it all off.
Simply Scrumptious: Choco-Mallow Candy Squares
Move over s'mores! Chocolate and marshmallows combine with a touch of coffee and toasted nuts, to make a candy even adults want to devour.
The Cheater's Cookie Platter & a Peanut Butter Icing Recipe
With a little bit of chocolate and this awesome peanut butter cookie icing recipe, you can turn store-bought cookies into an incredible cookie platter...in only 40 minutes!
Lemon Cake Mix Cookies | One Dough, Three Amazing Cookies
Lemon cake mix cookies are so easy. And the best part is, you can make three delicious versions of this recipe with just one batch of dough. From mellow powdered citrus cookies, to tart cookies with glaze. You'll be hooked.
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies (made with beer!)
Once you try chewy oatmeal cookies made with beer, you'll never want plain oatmeal raisin cookies again. Made with a flavorful winter ale and cranberries or a milk stout and raisins, these cookies are full of flavor and stay soft for days!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches
Try chocolate chip cookie sandwiches filled with rich Swiss meringue buttercream frosting. They're sweet treats worthy of a glass of milk and a quiet moment.
Red Velvet and Pistachio Ice Cream Bread Bars
YUM! Ice cream, red velvet Oreos, and pistachios come together in this amazing #dessert #recipe to create a colorful and flavorful holiday treat.
Update: Sadly, Red Velvet Oreos have been discontinued. Rest assured, I'm testing alternatives and will update the recipe when I've found an easy, and tasty alternative.
Samoas Copycat Recipe
Forget waiting for spring. Enjoy coconut and caramel cookie goodness with this this copycat Samoas recipe.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking for something new to bake with your kids on snowy weekends, one of these Christmas desserts is sure to satisfy even the pickiest palate.
And once you’re full of all the Christmas treats you can stand, why not spend some time with your family doing one of these fun games and crafts:
- Free printable Christmas scavenger hunt
- 80 Fun and Festive Christmas activities for families
- Christmas Bingo cards – 40 cards in one set!
- The cutest reindeer food poem and printable
- Reindeer candy cane craft (the perfect preschool gift!)
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