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Easy & Festive Holiday Treats
Christmas is the perfect time for desserts that are as fun to make as they are to eat. These ten easy holiday treats deliver festive cheer with minimal effort, featuring creative shapes, vibrant colors, and beloved seasonal flavors. From playful Grinch cookies to elegant peppermint bark, each recipe is designed for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros looking for quick yet impressive ideas. Get the whole family involved and create delicious memories with desserts that capture the magic of the season.
Fun Christmas Cookies
1. Grinch Cookies
Time: 25 MinutesBright green cookies with a single red heart sprinkle capture the classic character.
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Green food coloring
- Red heart sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil.
- Add green food coloring until desired shade is reached.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Press a red heart sprinkle into the center of each warm cookie.
2. Hot Chocolate Cookies
Time: 30 MinutesFudgy chocolate cookies topped with a melted marshmallow, just like a cup of cocoa.
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups flour
- Mini marshmallows
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs.
- Mix in cocoa powder and flour.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets.
- Bake 10 minutes. Top each cookie with a few mini marshmallows.
- Bake 2 more minutes until marshmallows are puffed.
3. Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks
Time: 40 MinutesStacked sugar cookies of decreasing sizes create adorable edible Christmas trees.
Ingredients:
- 1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough
- Star-shaped cookie cutters in 3 sizes
- 1 can green frosting
- Assorted sprinkles for “ornaments”
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Roll out dough and cut equal numbers of each star size.
- Bake cookies 8-10 minutes and cool completely.
- Stack cookies from largest to smallest, using frosting as “glue” between layers.
- Decorate with sprinkles.
No-Bake Christmas Treats
4. Reindeer Pretzels
Time: 20 MinutesSalty, sweet, and irresistibly cute treats made from pretzels and candy.
Ingredients:
- Mini pretzel twists
- Chocolate melting wafers
- Candy eyeballs
- Red M&M’s or similar candies for noses
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt chocolate wafers according to package directions.
- Dip pretzels in melted chocolate, covering completely.
- Place on parchment paper.
- Immediately add two candy eyeballs and one red candy nose.
- Let set completely before handling.
5. Christmas Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
Time: 15 MinutesA festive version of the classic snack mix with red and green candies.
Ingredients:
- 9 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Red and green M&M’s
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in microwave.
- Pour over cereal and stir to coat.
- Transfer to a large bag with powdered sugar and shake until coated.
- Spread on wax paper to cool, then mix in M&M’s.
6. Holiday Rum Balls
Time: 25 Minutes + ChillingClassic no-bake boozy bites rolled in festive sprinkles or sugar.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Mix crushed wafers, pecans, sugar, and cocoa.
- Stir in rum and corn syrup until combined.
- Shape into 1-inch balls.
- Roll in additional powdered sugar or festive sprinkles.
- Store in an airtight container; flavor improves after a day.
Festive Baked Desserts
7. Christmas Brownies
Time: 40 MinutesFudgy brownies decorated with green frosting and sprinkles to look like Christmas trees.
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix (and ingredients to make it)
- 1 can green frosting
- Assorted Christmas sprinkles
- Candy canes or pretzel sticks for “trunks”
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Bake brownies according to package directions in a rectangular pan.
- Cool completely and cut into triangles.
- Insert a piece of candy cane or pretzel into the base of each triangle.
- Pipe green frosting on top in a zig-zag pattern.
- Decorate with sprinkles.
8. Peppermint Bark
Time: 15 Minutes + ChillingA simple yet elegant layered dessert with chocolate and crushed candy canes.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 oz white chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Melt semi-sweet chocolate and spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill until set.
- Melt white chocolate with peppermint extract.
- Spread white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer.
- Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
- Chill until firm, then break into pieces.
9. Red Velvet Brownies
Time: 45 MinutesThe festive color of red velvet combined with a tangy cream cheese swirl.
Ingredients:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, butter, and 1 egg to form a dough. Press into pan.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and remaining egg until smooth.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over the red velvet base. Swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.
10. Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Time: 1 HourSimple cupcakes transformed into festive trees with clever frosting work.
Ingredients:
- 1 dozen baked cupcakes (any flavor)
- 1 can green frosting
- Ice cream sugar cones
- Sprinkles and a star topper
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Frost the tops of the cupcakes.
- Place a sugar cone upside down on top of each cupcake.
- Using a star piping tip, cover the cone with green frosting “leaves”.
- Decorate with sprinkles and place a star on top.
Tips for Fun Holiday Baking
Choose no-bake recipes or simple decorating tasks like adding sprinkles. Mixing, rolling, and cutting cookies are also great activities for little hands.
Don’t be afraid to use boxed cake mixes, refrigerated cookie dough, or store-bought frosting. The fun is in the decorating and sharing!
Lay out bowls of different sprinkles, colored frosting, and candies. This makes decorating organized and turns it into a fun, creative activity.
Arrange treats in festive tins, boxes, or cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Fun homemade desserts make excellent, heartfelt gifts for neighbors, teachers, and friends.
