I love the holiday season as much as the next person, especially with all of the food available around the holidays. I have collected 20 festive treats for all hours of the day, from warm morning meals to that one truffle you have while the kids are still awake. Heat the hot chocolate, and get your snacks set, it is time to enjoy the holiday season.
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1) Gingerbread Cookies
These cookies make the entire house smell like Christmas morning and you get to put little faces on the cookies!
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Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of salt together in a bowl.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then mix in the molasses and egg.
- Stir the dry mix into the wet until a stiff dough forms, then chill it for an hour.
- Roll the dough to a quarter inch, cut out shapes, and arrange on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 9 to 10 minutes, then cool fully before icing on the faces and buttons.
Notes
2) Peppermint Bark
Nothing says 'Get Excited!' more than two chocolate layers plus a downpour of crushed candy canes. Also, no baking is required, just the energy Christmas December needs.
Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and have your crushed candy canes ready.
- Melt the dark chocolate gently, stir in half the peppermint extract, and spread it onto the parchment.
- Chill until just set, about 15 minutes in the fridge.
- Melt the white chocolate, stir in the rest of the extract, and pour it over the firm dark layer.
- Scatter the crushed candy canes on top, chill until solid, then break into jagged pieces.
Notes
3) Eggnog Fudge
All the cozy spiced flavor of eggnog in a melt-in-your-mouth square you can eat with one hand.
Eggnog Fudge
Ingredients
Method
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang for lifting.
- Warm the eggnog and butter in a saucepan over low heat until steaming.
- Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate chips until completely smooth.
- Mix in the nutmeg and rum extract, then pour into the prepared pan.
- Chill at least two hours until firm, then lift out and cut into small squares.
Notes
4) Cheese and Olive Christmas Wreath
A wreath shaped holiday treat because not every holiday snack has to be sweet.
Cheese and Olive Christmas Wreath
Ingredients
Method
- Arrange the rosemary sprigs in a ring on a round platter to form the wreath base.
- Tuck cubes of cheddar and mozzarella around the rosemary in alternating colors.
- Nestle the olives and cherry tomatoes into the gaps for pops of red and green.
- Use a small star cutter on the bell pepper and scatter the stars over the wreath.
- Chill until ready to serve and add a bow of red ribbon at the bottom.
Notes
5) Pecan Snowball Cookies
These little snowball cookies are so buttery and delightful that they are guaranteed to disappear from your tray before you can even roll another batch!
Pecan Snowball Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the butter and half cup of powdered sugar until creamy, then mix in the vanilla.
- Stir in the flour and chopped pecans until a soft dough comes together.
- Roll into one-inch balls and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 14 to 15 minutes until the bottoms are just golden.
- Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar, cool, then roll a second time for a snowy finish.
Notes
6) Roasted Chestnuts
The scent makes you picture being at one of those lovely holiday markets.
Roasted Chestnuts
Ingredients
Method
- Cut an X into the flat side of each chestnut shell with a sharp knife.
- Soak the chestnuts in warm water for about 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Spread them cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Roast at 425F for 20 to 25 minutes until the shells curl open and the insides are tender.
- Toss the peeled warm chestnuts with melted butter and flaky salt before serving.
Notes
7) Holiday Spiced Popcorn
We've elevated movie night with an inviting Christmas in a bowl scent. Enjoy the warm cinnamon-sugar coating.
Holiday Spiced Popcorn
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the popped popcorn on a large parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Stir the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt together in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn and toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle the spiced sugar over the buttery popcorn and toss again.
- Bake at 300F for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once, until lightly crisp and fragrant.
Notes
8) Cranberry Orange Shortbread
The buttery shortbread cookies infused with bright orange zest and tart cranberries evoke the sweet celebration of the holidays.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the orange zest, then stir in the flour and salt until crumbly.
- Fold in the chopped cranberries and press the dough into a log, then chill 30 minutes.
- Slice the chilled log into rounds and place on lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 325F for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges are barely golden, then cool fully.
Notes
9) Mini Christmas Puddings
We’ve captured all the magic of a classic Christmas pudding, and made it even cuter with snowy white drizzle single-serving bite-sized pieces.
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Mini Christmas Puddings
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the eggs one at a time.
- Fold in the flour, mixed spice, and dried fruit until just combined.
- Spoon the batter into a greased mini muffin tin.
- Bake at 350F for 22 to 25 minutes until risen and set, then cool completely.
- Mix the powdered sugar with a splash of water and drizzle over each pudding to look like snow.
Notes
10) Candy Cane Truffles
They’re cool, creamy, and have just the right amount of mint. These are definitely the after-dinner treats you’ll be hiding from the kids!
Candy Cane Truffles
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to steam.
- Pour the hot cream over the chopped white chocolate and let it sit one minute, then stir smooth.
- Mix in the peppermint extract, then chill the mixture until firm, about two hours.
- Scoop and roll the firm ganache into small balls with your hands.
- Roll each truffle in the crushed candy canes and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
11) Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
Perfect for those blissfully slow holiday mornings with a giant coffee, these cookies are crunchy and dunkable!
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and a pinch of salt together.
- Beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla, then stir in the dry mix to form a stiff dough.
- Fold in the toasted hazelnuts and shape the dough into two flat logs on a lined sheet.
- Bake at 350F for 25 minutes, then cool 10 minutes and slice the logs on a diagonal.
- Lay the slices cut side down and bake again for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp.
Notes
12) Christmas Tree Brownies
Messy but fun! Brownies that are fudgy and cut into small trees are being decorated by little hands.
Christmas Tree Brownies
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the melted butter, sugar, and cocoa together until glossy.
- Beat in the eggs, then fold in the flour and a pinch of salt until just combined.
- Spread the batter in a lined 8-inch pan and bake at 350F for 22 to 25 minutes.
- Cool completely, then cut the slab into triangles to look like trees, adding a small trunk.
- Pipe green frosting over each tree and decorate with sprinkles like tiny ornaments.
Notes
13) Brie and Cranberry Tarts
These bite-size tarts will save your holiday spread by adding a touch of class and being warm and melty.
Brie and Cranberry Tarts
Ingredients
Method
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into small squares, then press into a mini muffin tin.
- Place a cube of brie into each pastry cup.
- Top each with a small spoonful of cranberry sauce and a few chopped pecans.
- Bake at 400F for 16 to 18 minutes until the pastry is golden and the brie is melty.
- Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve warm.
Notes
14) Caramel Corn with a Festive Twist
Classic caramel corn gets a holiday makeover. We've added a dash of red and green candies to give it a pop and a touch of warm spice to elevate it!
Caramel Corn with a Festive Twist
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the popcorn on a large lined baking sheet and set aside.
- Boil the brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup together for four minutes without stirring.
- Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the baking soda until foamy.
- Pour the caramel over the popcorn, toss to coat, and bake at 250F for 45 minutes, stirring twice.
- Cool completely, then break apart and toss with the red and green candies.
Notes
15) Nutty Brittle Bars
Crunchy and dangerously snackable, the golden brittle is the kind of treat that disappears the moment you look away!
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and set it near the stove.
- Boil the sugar, corn syrup, and water until the mixture turns deep amber.
- Stir in the nuts and butter, cooking another minute until well coated.
- Remove from heat, quickly whisk in the baking soda, then pour onto the parchment and spread thin.
- Cool completely until hard, then break into rough bars.
Notes
16) Sugar Dust Christmas Donuts
Soft baked donuts and cinnamon sugar because it's the holidays and we can happily enjoy donuts!
Sugar Dust Christmas Donuts
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt together.
- Stir in the milk, egg, and two tablespoons of the melted butter until smooth.
- Pipe the batter into a greased donut pan, filling each well two-thirds full.
- Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until springy, then cool a couple minutes.
- Brush the warm donuts with the remaining butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
17) Bacon-Wrapped Dates
The little bundles take the award for best appetizer because the perfect combo of sweet and salty means they are gone in a matter of seconds.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Ingredients
Method
- Slit each date open and tuck a small piece of goat cheese inside.
- Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Arrange the wrapped dates on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 400F for 18 to 20 minutes, turning once, until the bacon is crisp.
- Let them rest a few minutes before serving so the centers are not scalding.
Notes
18) Stollen Bites
All the soft, fruity, and marzipan magic of German stollen in small, adorable, pop-in-the-mouth bites and sprinkled with powdered sugar!
Stollen Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the flour, sugar, yeast, warm milk, and butter into a soft dough and knead until smooth.
- Knead in the dried fruit, then let the dough rise until doubled, about one hour.
- Pinch off pieces, flatten each, tuck a marzipan cube inside, and seal into balls.
- Arrange on a lined sheet and bake at 350F for 18 to 20 minutes until golden.
- Brush the warm bites with melted butter and roll generously in powdered sugar.
Notes
19) Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
The easiest festive treat on the list is the one the kids will beg to help with, sprinkles will be flying everywhere!
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment and set out your sprinkles.
- Dip each pretzel rod two-thirds of the way into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off.
- Immediately roll the chocolate-coated portion in holiday sprinkles.
- Lay the rods on the parchment to set.
- Drizzle the white chocolate over the top in thin lines and let everything firm up before serving.
Notes
20) Festive Fruitcake Bites
While fruitcake is generally considered to be terrible, these no-bake bites are actually good and get eaten quickly.
Festive Fruitcake Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Pulse the dried fruit and pecans in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Add the graham crumbs, cinnamon, and honey and pulse until the mixture clumps together.
- Roll the mixture into small balls with your hands.
- Roll each bite in shredded coconut to coat.
- Chill at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving.