When it comes to holiday cooking with your kids, there’s magic, and there’s chaos. And that’s the point! These 20 recipes will keep the fun alive, but won’t demand complicated techniques, and are designed for little (snacking) helping hands. So get those tiny aprons on, and let’s create some memories that you’ll be cleaning off the counter for weeks!
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1) Reindeer Pancake Stacks
Your kids are going to freak out since breakfast now has antlers!
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Reindeer Pancake Stacks
Stacks of fluffy pancakes decorated with pretzel antlers, banana eyes, and a cherry nose to create a fun reindeer face.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir in the milk, egg, and melted butter until just combined.
- Cook 1/4-cup pancakes on a greased griddle until golden on both sides.
- Stack two pancakes per plate.
- Add two pretzel twists as antlers, banana slices for eyes, and a cherry for the nose.
Notes
Let the kids build the reindeer faces while you handle the hot griddle.
2) Snowman Cheese Balls
A little snowman that is actually a cheese ball dressed up for the holidays.
Snowman Cheese Balls
Two cream cheese balls are stacked on top of each other and covered in shredded cheese. They have pretzel stick arms and peppercorn buttons.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the cream cheese and cheddar until smooth.
- Form one large ball and one smaller ball, then chill 30 minutes.
- Roll both balls in the shredded mozzarella to coat like snow.
- Stack the small ball on the large one and insert pretzel-stick arms.
- Add a baby carrot nose and peppercorns for eyes and buttons; serve with crackers.
Notes
Chill the balls firm before stacking so your snowman doesn't slump.
3) Grinch Fruit Kabobs
A deceptively healthy dessert alongside a marshmallow Santa hat that is sure to increase your spirit three sizes!
Grinch Fruit Kabobs
These fun Grinch fruit skewers have a mini marshmallow hat and are stacked with bananas, strawberries, and grapes!
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and prep all the fruit.
- Thread a green grape onto each skewer first.
- Add a thick banana slice, then a strawberry pointed up.
- Top each skewer with a mini marshmallow as the Santa hat pom.
- Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.
Notes
Use shorter skewers or trim the tips for little ones.
4) Santa Hat Brownies
We've got some fudge brownie bites dressed up in adorable little strawberry Santa hats.
Santa Hat Brownies
Brownie squares draped in a ribbon of whipped cream and topped with a strawberry with a fluffy white pom.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in the cocoa, flour, and a pinch of salt until just combined.
- Spread into a lined 8x8 pan and bake at 350F for 23-25 minutes.
- Cool, then cut into 16 squares.
- Pipe a dot of whipped cream on each, add a strawberry hat, and top with a little whipped-cream pom.
Notes
Assemble the hats right before serving so the cream stays fluffy.
5) Elf Hat Cupcakes
Sprinkles and icing on cupcakes with little elf hats made of pointy paper.
Elf Hat Cupcakes
Vanilla cupcakes topped with a tall swirl of green frosting and decorated with an elf hat sugar cone and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt alternately with the milk.
- Divide into 12 liners and bake at 350F for 16-18 minutes; cool fully.
- Pipe a tall swirl of green frosting on each cupcake.
- Set a small sugar cone on top as the elf hat and shower with sprinkles.
Notes
Trim the cones shorter if they topple, and add a frosting pom at the tip.
6) Polar Bear Marshmallow Pops
Little polar bears on a stick have been dipped and decorated in a super adorable way.
Polar Bear Marshmallow Pops
These are jumbo marshmallows that are covered in white chocolate and have candy accessories like ears, chocolate noses, and googly eye candy. They are also mounted on a lollipop stick.
Ingredients
Method
- Push a lollipop stick into each jumbo marshmallow.
- Dip each marshmallow into the melted white chocolate to coat.
- Press two mini marshmallows on top as ears before it sets.
- Add two candy eyes and a brown candy nose.
- Stand the pops upright in a foam block and let set until firm.
Notes
Halve the mini marshmallows cut-side out for rounder bear ears.
7) Gingerbread Men Waffles
It's so last year to make your normal waffles in a circular shape. That's why these festive gingerbread waffles are made in the shape of little gingerbread men.
Gingerbread Men Waffles
Gingerbread waffles with warm spices, shaped and decorated with icing buttons and a smile!
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir in the milk, egg, molasses, and melted butter until smooth.
- Cook in a greased waffle iron until crisp and golden.
- Cut each waffle with a gingerbread-man cookie cutter.
- Pipe icing buttons, eyes, and a smile on each gingerbread waffle.
Notes
Save the trimmed waffle scraps for snacking; no waffle left behind.
8) Peppermint Bark Snowflakes
Chocolate snowflakes are edible decorations and snowflakes at the same time!
Peppermint Bark Snowflakes
Snap apart for a cool treat! Dark and white chocolate snowflakes are piped and dusted with crushed peppermint.
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Spoon melted dark chocolate into a piping bag and snip a tiny tip.
- Pipe snowflake shapes onto the parchment.
- Pipe thin white chocolate accents over each snowflake.
- Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and chill until firm, then peel off carefully.
Notes
Pipe extra-thick lines so the delicate snowflakes don't crack when lifted.
9) Candy Cane Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk's festive cousin, featuring a candy cane stirrer for a fun minty experience.
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Candy Cane Chocolate Milk
Creamy Chocolate Milk, Peppermint Flavored, with Whipped Cream and a Cute Candy Cane Stir Stick !
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the chocolate syrup and peppermint extract into the milk until blended.
- Pour into two glasses over ice if desired.
- Top each with a swirl of whipped cream.
- Sprinkle with a little crushed candy cane.
- Add a whole candy cane to each glass as a stirrer.
Notes
Go light on the peppermint; a little goes a long way.
10) Jingle Bell Pizza Bites
Mini pizzas with holiday faces are perfect to help balance out all that sugar.
Jingle Bell Pizza Bites
Fun Jingle Bell Face pizzas topped with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, and served on kid-friendly English muffins.
Ingredients
Method
- Split the English muffins and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Spread each with pizza sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Arrange pepperoni and olive slices into little bell or face shapes.
- Bake at 400F for 10-12 minutes until the cheese bubbles.
- Cool slightly before serving to little hands.
Notes
Let kids design their own pepperoni faces before they go in the oven.
11) Rudolph's Carrot Soup
A warm orange soup named after the reindeer who would absolutely approve.
Rudolph's Carrot Soup
Smooth roasted carrot soup with a hint of ginger, cream, & warm for cold weather days.
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion in olive oil until soft, then add the ginger.
- Add the carrots and broth and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until the carrots are very tender, about 25 minutes.
- Blend until smooth and season with salt and pepper.
- Swirl in the cream and serve warm with a swirl on top.
Notes
A swirl of cream in a spiral makes it extra cheerful for kids.
12) Ho Ho Holiday Hot Chocolate
The thick and dreamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows.
Ho Ho Holiday Hot Chocolate
A rich stovetop hot chocolate made with real chocolate and topped with tons of mini marshmallows!
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat without boiling.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until dissolved.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla and pour into mugs.
- Top each mug with a generous pile of mini marshmallows.
Notes
Use real chocolate, not just cocoa, for that rich melted texture.
13) Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Crisp cut-out cookies iced to look like unique snowflakes, just like the real thing!
Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Classic vanilla sugar cookies that have been cut into snowflakes and adorned with white royal icing and shimmering sugar.
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Mix in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to form a dough, then chill 1 hour.
- Roll to 1/4 inch and cut snowflake shapes, then bake at 350F for 9-10 minutes.
- Cool fully, then whisk the powdered sugar with milk into a pipeable icing.
- Pipe snowflake patterns and finish with a sprinkle of sparkling sugar.
Notes
Let the icing dry an hour before stacking so the designs don't smudge.
14) Frosty the Snowman Pudding
Layered pudding cups decorated as the cutest snowman you will ever eat!
Frosty the Snowman Pudding
Whipped cream and candy are used to create a smiling Frosty face on the creamy vanilla pudding cups.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the pudding mix into the cold milk until it thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Spoon into four clear cups and chill 10 minutes.
- Top each with a dome of whipped cream as the snowman head.
- Add mini chocolate chips for eyes and a smile.
- Press in an orange candy nose and a licorice scarf detail.
Notes
Use clear cups so the snowy layers really show off.
15) Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
The veggie tray that people eat because it looks like a Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
A ranch dip trunk and festive tree shape star with a few pieces of broccoli, peppers, and tomatoes.
Ingredients
Method
- Arrange the broccoli florets in a triangle tree shape on a platter.
- Tuck cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices among the broccoli as ornaments.
- Cut a star from the yellow pepper and place it at the top.
- Form a small brown trunk at the base with extra veggies or a dip cup.
- Serve with ranch dip on the side.
Notes
Cut the pepper star with a small cookie cutter for clean points.
16) Nutcracker Nut Bars
Try these chewy oat bars packed with nutty flavor! They are sturdy enough to pack in a lunchbox or stash in a stocking.
Nutcracker Nut Bars
A simple snack to make for the holidays! It is a nutty and oat bar with honey to stick it all together.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the oats and chopped nuts in a bowl.
- Stir together the honey, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture over the oats and nuts and stir to coat.
- Press firmly into a lined 8x8 pan.
- Bake at 350F for 22-25 minutes until golden, then cool fully before cutting into bars.
Notes
Press the mixture down hard so the bars hold together when cut.
17) Christmas Lights Crispy Treats
Classic crispy treats adorned with candy lights are the snacks that will brighten up the dessert table!
Christmas Lights Crispy Treats
Marshmallow cereal treats are gooey and cut into strips. They are made even more fun by the addition of candy-coated chocolate lights.
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and marshmallows together until smooth.
- Stir in the cereal until fully coated, then press into a lined pan.
- Cool, then cut into long strands or rectangles.
- Pipe a curvy black icing wire down each treat.
- Press candy-coated chocolates along the wire as the colorful lights.
Notes
Butter your hands before pressing the sticky cereal into the pan.
18) Yule Log Cake Slices
A chocolate cake rolled to look like a log and tastes like a holiday miracle!
Yule Log Cake Slices
Soft chocolate sponge cake rolled up with cream and decorated like a forest yule log. Also cut into portions.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Beat the eggs and sugar until pale and thick, then fold in the dry ingredients.
- Spread onto a lined jelly roll pan and bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes.
- Turn out onto a towel, roll up warm, and let cool.
- Unroll, spread with whipped cream, re-roll, frost with chocolate, drag a fork for bark, and dust with powdered sugar 'snow' before slicing.
Notes
Roll the warm cake in a towel right away so it doesn't crack later.
19) Holiday Pretzel Wands
Salty pretzel rods are dipped, drizzled, and sprinkled to create edible magic wands!
Holiday Pretzel Wands
Chocolate-dipped crunchy pretzel rods with a white chocolate drizzle and fancy sprinkles.
Ingredients
Method
- Dip each pretzel rod two-thirds of the way into the melted chocolate.
- Let the excess drip off and lay on parchment.
- Drizzle white chocolate over the dipped portion.
- Roll or sprinkle with holiday sprinkles while still wet.
- Let set until firm, about 20 minutes.
Notes
Stand them upright in a tall glass to set if you want a smoother coat.
20) Tinsel Tarts
Little flaky tarts shimmering with streaks of coconut tinsel and glowing jam.
Tinsel Tarts
Mini jam tarts feature buttery pastry shells with a shiny tinsel effect from tinted coconut shavings.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt, then cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
- Add cold water and bring together into a dough, then chill 20 minutes.
- Press into a mini muffin tin and fill each with a spoon of jam.
- Bake at 375F for 16-18 minutes until the pastry is golden.
- Toss the coconut with green food coloring and sprinkle on the cooled tarts as tinsel.
Notes
Tint the coconut in a zip bag so little hands don't end up green.