Wrapped in warmth and love, the aroma of freshly baked goods is a surefire way to bring people together during the holiday season. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this special time of year offers the perfect chance to hone your skills and create lasting memories with your loved ones. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some of the most scrumptious holiday baking recipes that are guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
From traditional cookies to rich and decadent cakes, get ready to indulge in the festive flavors of the season. So, don your apron and let’s embark on a culinary journey through the world of holiday baking!
Whipped Shortbread Cookies
Baked to perfection, Shortbread Cookies bring joy to the holiday season with their tender texture and rich flavor. A combination of butter, confectioners’ sugar, flour, and cornstarch is blended together to create a delicate crumb that simply melts in your mouth. These versatile cookies can be infused with a hint of vanilla, lemon, or orange zest, adding an extra layer of depth to their buttery taste.
For an added touch of festivity, top them with colorful sprinkles and share them as gifts or indulge in one (or two) while sipping on a warm cup of hot cocoa.
Gingerbread Macarons
Lighting up your holiday spread with a sweet and spicy twist, these Gingerbread Macarons are a show-stopping dessert that combines the best of French patisserie with the warmth of traditional gingerbread. The macaron shells, perfectly baked to a deep color and formed feet, provide a delicate and crumbly base for the rich and creamy Gingerbread Buttercream filling.
Infused with the comforting flavors of vanilla extract, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this buttercream is a masterclass in seasonal baking. To take these macarons to the next level, consider decorating them with white chocolate and Christmas sprinkles – a perfect finishing touch for your holiday table.
And don’t worry about storing them, as they can be frozen for up to 2 months or stored in the fridge for up to 1 week, making them a convenient addition to any festive baking repertoire.
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Newly released recipes for the holiday season often feature creative twists on classic treats. Among these innovative desserts is the Cinnamon Roll Cookie, a delightful holiday delight that captures the essence of homemade cinnamon rolls in a convenient slice-and-bake format. These soft and chewy cookies boast a beautiful cinnamon swirl and are elevated by a simple yet sweet vanilla glaze, making them a standout addition to any Christmas cookie platter.
The recipe is versatile and encourages experimentation, with suggestions for using pumpkin pie spice or brown sugar in the filling and alternative glaze options such as maple or cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re looking to shake up your holiday baking routine or simply impress your loved ones with a tasty new treat, Cinnamon Roll Cookies are an absolute must-try recipe this season.
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Magical holiday treats like Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are an essential part of your winter baking repertoire. Unlike traditional cut-out cookies that can spread in the oven, these bakery-style cookies retain their shape and texture, making them perfect for decorating with festive designs and colors. With a dough that’s easy to prepare ahead of time and chill, you’ll be rewarded with a deliciously soft and chewy cookie that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike.
Plus, they’re ideal for adding to your Christmas cookie tray without the risk of spreading or losing their shape.
Butter Cookies
Creating the perfect holiday treat is a tradition that many of us cherish, and These Butter Cookies are an ideal addition to any festive baking endeavor. With their rich buttery flavor and indulgent melt-in-your-mouth texture, they offer a delightful combination that is sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Homemade Butter Cookies
Holiday treats have a special place in our hearts, and Homemade Butter Cookies are no exception. These classic cookies are incredibly easy to make and boast a rich, buttery flavor that’s sure to become a favorite. With their soft centers and crispy edges, they’re reminiscent of shortbread cookies – perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. What makes these cookies even more versatile is the fact that they can be customized for any holiday simply by changing up the cookie cutter.
Imagine adding a festive touch to your holiday baking tins with cookies in fun shapes like snowflakes, trees, or bells. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking to add some cheer to your own home, these buttery treats are sure to impress your friends and family. So why not give them a try this holiday season? With only 7 simple ingredients, they’re the perfect addition to any holiday spread.
Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodles
Perfectly capturing the essence of the holiday season, Apple Cinnamon Snickerdoodles are a delightful cookie recipe that brings together the freshness of apples and the warmth of cinnamon in a soft, chewy dough. This classic treat is a staple during the holiday period and is an excellent choice for baking with children, as it’s both fun and educational.
Christmas Cookie Bars
Often associated with the warmth and joy of the holiday season, Christmas Cookie Bars bring together the classic flavors of blondies with festive M&Ms and sprinkles in a convenient bar form. This versatility allows them to be enjoyed not just during Christmas time, but also throughout the year by simply adjusting the colors and types of candies and sprinkles to suit any occasion or celebration.
Whether you’re sharing them as gifts or indulging in them yourself, these delicious bars are an excellent addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
Gingerbread Cookies
Often considered a classic Christmas treat, these Gingerbread Cookies are a must-have for the holiday season. With their soft, chewy texture and rich, festive flavors, they’re sure to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire. The recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, making it perfect for decorating and adding a personal touch.
Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies
Joining the ranks of classic holiday treats, Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies offer a delightful twist on traditional cookie flavors. Infused with a rich blend of brown sugar, honey, and spices, these nutty confections evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth. The crunchy texture provided by the hazelnuts adds depth to each bite, while the glaze contributes a touch of sweetness that can be tailored to personal preference – or even elevated with a hint of liqueur for added sophistication.
These cookies make an ideal gift or accompaniment to a warm cup of coffee on a cold winter morning.
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Crafting the perfect holiday cookie tray just got a little easier with Cut-Out Sugar Cookies. These cookies boast defined edges and a crispy texture that will delight both children and adults alike. The unique flavor combination of sugar cookie and shortbread makes them truly special, yielding a soft and tender crumb. Not only are these treats easy to make, but they can also be made ahead of time, allowing you to store them for up to 2-3 weeks without sacrificing any texture or freshness.
Whether you’re planning a holiday party or just want to add some festive flair to your family gatherings, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Sugar Cookies
Finding yourself in need of a delicious and easy-to-make sugar cookie recipe? Look no further! This beloved recipe has been touted as the best sugar cookie recipe ever, and its many fans can attest to its exceptional qualities. One key advantage that sets this recipe apart from others is its unique requirement: there’s no need to chill the dough, allowing you to whip up a batch in record time.
The end result is a tender, flavorful treat with excellent texture retention – your cookies will hold their shape beautifully when baked. Whether you’re partial to soft and chewy or crunchy on the outside, this recipe can be tailored to suit your taste preferences.
Plus, its simple composition using common pantry staples makes it a breeze to prepare, while the fact that these treats freeze remarkably well means you can enjoy them at any time, making this sugar cookie recipe an absolute must-try for the holiday season and beyond.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Just when you thought traditional sugar cookies were the only way to go during the holidays, Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars arrive on the scene. These scrumptious treats offer all the flavors of classic sugar cookies in a convenient bar form that’s perfect for busy bakers. The soft and chewy texture is elevated by the addition of cream cheese in both the bars and frosting, adding a tangy twist to the traditional recipe.
With their ease of preparation and impressive presentation, these festive cookie bars are an absolute must-try for anyone looking to simplify their holiday baking without sacrificing flavor or style.
Original Nanaimo Bars
Year after year, Canadian households have cherished The Original Nanaimo Bars as a classic holiday treat that is suitable for any time of year. This beloved dessert consists of three distinct layers: a buttery graham cracker base, a creamy custard filling infused with coconut and walnuts, and a rich chocolate ganache on top, providing an exquisite balance of sweetness and texture.
With its ideal blend of flavors from the combination of coconut, walnuts, and the crunch of the graham cracker crust, these bars are a must-try for any baking enthusiast. It’s worth noting that they can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for later enjoyment. Overall, The Original Nanaimo Bars recipe stands out with its straightforward preparation method and delightful taste, making it a true favorite among many.
Chocolate Peppermint Slice and Bake Cookies
Festive and indulgent, the Chocolate Peppermint Slice and Bake Cookies are a perfect fit for the holiday season. Infused with rich chocolate and peppermint flavor, these delightful treats are reminiscent of thin mint cookies, making them an instant favorite among cookie lovers.
Whether you’re attending a cookie exchange or hosting a holiday gathering, these easy-to-make slice and bake cookies are sure to be a hit, and their delicious combination of chocolate and peppermint will leave everyone wanting more.
Christmas Crack
A holiday classic that combines sweet and salty flavors in perfect harmony, Christmas Crack is a treat that’s sure to become a staple of your festive celebrations. With just six simple ingredients – saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and chocolate chips – this recipe is incredibly easy to prepare and requires minimal effort. In fact, it takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for busy holiday schedules.
The beauty of Christmas Crack lies in its versatility, as the addition of toppings like nuts, candy, or sprinkles adds a fun and festive touch to this addictive treat. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this crowd-pleaser is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth during the holiday season.
Amish Sugar Cookies
A classic holiday treat that has captured the hearts of many is the Amish Sugar Cookie. With its delicate texture and rich flavor, it’s no wonder why these cookies have become a staple in many households. The combination of buttery and vanilla flavors creates a taste experience that is universally loved, making them a perfect choice for any occasion. These soft and tender cookies can be further enhanced with the addition of sprinkles or granulated sugar, giving them an extra festive touch.
What’s more, their unique texture and lack of need for frosting make them a delicious alternative to traditional holiday cookies, ensuring they’ll be a hit with your family and friends.
Coconut Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Making an impressive impression on your guests’ taste buds is made easy with Coconut Jam Thumbprint Cookies. By combining the richness of buttery shortbread with the sweetness of shredded coconut and a dollop of their favorite jam, bakers can create a delightful balance of flavors that will leave everyone wanting more. The cookies’ subtle sweetness makes them incredibly addictive, yet they don’t overpower the palate.
Additionally, their soft texture and beautiful golden color make them a stunning addition to any holiday spread.
Snowball Cookies
Delicious snowball cookies are a staple of the holiday season, boasting a delectable combination of buttery and nutty flavors that will leave you craving more. Made with straightforward ingredients, these mouth-watering treats are an ideal choice for any festive gathering or occasion. Dusting them with powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness that complements their rich flavor perfectly.
One of the best things about snowball cookies is their shelf life – they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, and also frozen for up to 3 months, making them a convenient addition to your holiday dessert spread.
Easy Sugar Cookies
Sometimes, simplicity is the key to making baking more enjoyable, especially during the holidays when schedules get busier. The Easy Sugar Cookies recipe fits the bill perfectly with its minimal ingredients and quick preparation time of under an hour. This results in delicious cookies that have a satisfying crunch similar to shortbread, although they’re not ideal for cut-out designs. Nevertheless, they can still be frosted and decorated with sprinkles, adding a fun touch to your holiday treats.
Chai Spice Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
A delicious and festive twist on traditional snickerdoodle cookies, the Chai Spice Brown Butter Snickerdoodles are an absolute must-try for holiday baking enthusiasts. The harmonious blend of warm chai spices and nutty brown butter generates a cozy and inviting flavor profile that is sure to become a new favorite. With their soft, chewy texture and effortless preparation – no chilling required before baking – these cookies are perfect for a quick dessert or snack.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of cream of tartar adds a subtle tanginess, balancing out the richness of the brown butter and enhancing the overall flavor experience. Whether you’re enjoying them with a warm cup of tea or sharing them at a cookie exchange, these snickerdoodles are sure to make a lasting impression.
Caramel Apple Cookies
Creating sweet memories with Caramel Apple Cookies is a breeze, as these delightful treats perfectly capture the essence of a caramel apple in a soft and chewy cookie format. The addition of apple butter to the dough ensures a moist and flavorful texture, while the caramel icing contributes a rich and creamy sweetness that’s simply irresistible.
Whether you’re sharing them with friends and family during the holiday season or enjoying them on your own, these cookies remain delicious for up to 7 days, making them a wonderful choice for any festive gathering.
Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
Yearning for a taste of nostalgia, these old-fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies are a classic holiday treat that evoke memories of the past. With a perfect balance of warm spices and molasses, these soft and chewy cookies have a delightful cake-like texture that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. They’re not overly sweet, making them an ideal choice for sharing with neighbors or decorating with festive icing and sprinkles.
The aroma of these freshly-baked cookies is simply irresistible, filling the air with a warm and inviting scent that’s hard to resist. Overall, these gingerbread cookies are a holiday dessert perfection that’s sure to become a new tradition.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Looking at classic holiday treats, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies stand out as a delightful combination of fun to make and delicious to eat. The cookies’ rich cocoa flavor and crinkled appearance make them an instant hit at any festive gathering. The recipe relies on basic pantry staples like flour, cocoa powder, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract for its foundation.
Laura Hauser is a food writer and editor passionate about authentic, approachable home cooking.
