Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Desserts 93 Christmas Baking Recipes for Festive Cookies, Bars, and Bites Did your favorite holiday cookie make the cut? By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 12, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Johnny Miller There's no such thing as too much at Christmas, so we gathered our favorite recipes to stuff you to the gills with tasty holiday treats for gift exchanges, office holiday parties, school celebrations, and family gatherings. With literally dozens of recipes perfect for the holiday season—from classic cookies to giftable bars to delectable bites—they are sure to satisfy every sweet tooth. They also span a range of skill levels, cooking times, and ingredients, making it a breeze to find just the right treat for you. The real challenge here is picking just one treat to bake this season, but who says you can only choose one? You're bound to find a handful to enjoy (and share, if you want), so set up some Christmas movies on Netflix, tie up your apron, and get baking. You'll probably find that filling your cookie jar is a whole lot easier than checking off your list of Christmas gifts. 01 of 93 Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads Johnny Miller Double chocolate plus peppermint? That's a recipe for holiday cookie success! This one spikes cocoa-infused shortbread dough with just a hint of peppermint extract. Serve with hot cocoa or eggnog for a festive pairing. Get the recipe 02 of 93 Chewy Chocolate Brownies Recipe Caitlin Bensel Don't get us wrong: There's absolutely nothing wrong with a basic chewy chocolate brownie. But to upgrade this recipe for the perfect holiday treat, dress these cooled brownies with a layer of melted white chocolate and then top with chopped peppermint candies. Get the recipe 03 of 93 Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies Romulo Yanes Don't feel like baking but still want to serve something homemade? These no-bake cookies are just the thing. Even better, you can make them a day ahead. Get the recipe 04 of 93 Gingerbread Men and Women Romulo Yanes A holiday cookie platter just isn't the same without a few cheerful gingerbread people. While almost too cute too eat, their ginger, cinnamon, and molasses flavors make it hard to stop nibbling. Get the recipe 05 of 93 Pumpkin Cream Puffs Max Kelly Pumpkin pie is so last month. These sophisticated puffs—classic choux pastries stuffed with pumpkin-flavored cream—take pumpkin desserts to the next level. Get the recipe 06 of 93 Pine Nut Drops Jennifer Causey Not lucky enough to have an Italian grandmother? These classic Italian cookies—which are easy, fun to make, and don't require a lot of ingredients—will make any nonna's holiday table proud. Get the recipe 07 of 93 Nutella Cones With Hazelnut Praline Johnny Miller For an entry that stars at the holiday bake sale, look no further. These are a decadent Nutella-lover's dream, but we think even non-chocoholics will swoon for them. Get the recipe 08 of 93 Chocolate Bark With Dried Fruit and Spices Josh Wand If a chocolate bar and a fruitcake had a baby, it would be this no-bake treat: rich chocolate bark studded with dried fruit and dusted with spices. Get the recipe 09 of 93 The Best Sugar Cookie Caitlin Bensel This classic recipe will satisfy all your holiday-cookie-decorating wants and needs. These not-too-sweet treats hold up to decorative icing, but are incredibly satisfying all on their own. Get the recipe 10 of 93 Strawberry Dust Meringues Caitlin Bensel There's a lot to love about a great meringue cookie—a crisp outer shell and gooey soft interior, to start. For this one, we add a dusting of strawberry powder for festive holiday color. Get the recipe 11 of 93 Chewy Gingersnaps Levi Brown These spicy cookies, which sit right at the intersection of chewy and crispy, epitomize holiday flavor with a mix of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. What's more, baking a batch or two provides the most festive aromatherapy session you could possibly imagine. Get the recipe 12 of 93 Make-Ahead Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars Jennifer Causey Healthful ingredients is not something you expect from a Christmas treat recipe, so this one exceeds expectations. These no-bake bars are so hearty and satisfying, you won't feel guilty eating one (or several!) for breakfast. Get the recipe 13 of 93 Simple Sugar Cookies Levi Brown Yes, it's another sugar cookie recipe, but can you ever have too many sugar cookies? Cut out and decorate these basic-but-tasty cookies any way you please. Get the recipe 14 of 93 Chocolate Linzer Cookies Caitlin Bensel These sandwich cookies not only look bakery-worthy, they're totally delicious. Make them your go-to gifting cookie for the holiday season and you're sure to win rave reviews. Get the recipe 15 of 93 Chocolate “Salami” With Hazelnuts and Figs Caitlin Bensel These rich, eye-catching charcuterie imposters couldn't be simpler to make. To further the illusion, wrap the "links" in festive paper for a surprising, no-bake gift. Get the recipe 16 of 93 Pumpkin Caramel Pie Bars With Toasted Coconut Brie Passano Is it a bar cookie or pie? Who cares? They offer the taste of the holidays without the hassle of a finicky pie crust. Get the recipe 17 of 93 Salty-Sweet Chunkers Caitlin Bensel We loaded these addictive sweet-and-salty cookies with mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, chopped chocolate mints, and pretzels. Get the recipe 18 of 93 Raspberry-Almond Crumb Bars Greg DuPree This not-yet-classic bar cookie layers raspberry preserves atop an almond crumb crust, and then is topped with more almonds. Just seven ingredients and 10 minutes of prep yields loads of happy holidaymakers. Get the recipe 19 of 93 Gingerbread Latte Whoopie Pie CAITLIN BENSEL For this holiday confection, we sandwich an espresso-flavored cream cheese filling between soft gingerbread-flavored cookies. If you pair this with an actual gingerbread latte, would that be too much of a good thing? We didn't think so either. Get the recipe 20 of 93 Salted Oatmeal Cookies With Dark Chocolate Roland Bello We stuff these pillowy oatmeal cookies with coarsely chopped dark chocolate chunks, and then sprinkle with flaky sea salt, making each bite the perfect mouthful of salty and sweet. Get the recipe 21 of 93 Chocolate Pecan Fudge Balls Caitlin Bensel This technically isn't a cookie or bar, but it certainly qualifies as a bite! Preparation of these delectable no-bake treats is easy and kid-friendly. Get the recipe 22 of 93 Chewy Salted Brown Butterscotch Cookies Dawn Perry This is just like a chocolate chip cookie recipe, except it uses butterscotch feves instead of chips, has a little whole wheat flour for heartiness, and is topped with a dash of flakey salt. Come to think, it's way better than a chocolate chip cookie recipe. Get the recipe 23 of 93 White Chocolate Chunk Ginger Cookies Caitlin Bensel The star of this recipe—ginger, in both ground and candied form—shines among chocolatey-molasses goodness. Bake two batches: one to share and one to keep for yourself. Get the recipe 24 of 93 Mini S'mores Cookie Cups Grace Elkus A campfire favorite meets Christmas in these these tiny treats. We stacked a Hershey’s kiss atop a warm, gooey marshmallow set on a graham cracker cookie crust to create this ultimate one-bite s’more. Get the recipe 25 of 93 Brownie Batter Babka Bites Brie Passano This fusion of chocolate babka—that classic yeasty Eastern European loaf—with a brownie results in a not-to-sweet bite that will delight holiday revelers. Serve warm, straight from the oven, for maximum decadence. Get the recipe 26 of 93 Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti Levi Brown Studded with antioxidant-rich dried cherries, chopped chocolate, and toasted hazelnuts, this version is chock-full of tasty goodness. Feeling decadent? Dip one side of each cookie in melted chocolate. Get the recipe 27 of 93 Cardamom Bun Cookies Caitlin Bensel Descendants of Swedish cardamom buns, these pinwheel cookies are reminiscent of a cinnamon roll but have a cardamom kick. A sweet cream-cheese glaze takes these bites over the top in appearance and flavor. Get the recipe 28 of 93 Peppermint Checkerboard Cookies What starts with a simple sugar-cookie dough ends up as a treat for your eyes and sweet tooth. Easier to make than you think, they'll wow everyone at the cookie swap and at home. Get the recipe 29 of 93 Jam Sandwich Cookies Raymond Hom A dusting of powdered sugar atop these buttery, jam-filled cookies creates a beautiful wintry effect. Get the recipe 30 of 93 Glazed Lemon Cookies Kana Okada If lemonade was a cookie, it would be this one. And while lemonade evokes images of swimming pools and picnics, no one at your holiday party will consider these tart-and-sweet bites out of season. Get the recipe 31 of 93 Apple Rugelach Victor Protasio These make-ahead rugelach, which originated among Jewish communities in Poland, are equally festive at a Hanukkah spread or Christmas buffet. For variety, swap the apple filling with other jams like apricot, peach, or raspberry. Get the recipe 32 of 93 Marbled Cookies Caitlin Bensel These ethereal confections are perfect for Hanukkah, but you'll want to make them more than once a year. Top these slice-and-bake cookies with sanding sugar for a sparkly, snow-globe vibe. Get the recipe 33 of 93 Break and Bake Kitchen Sink Cookies This is essentially an oatmeal cookie on steroids, but what we love about it is you can mix up the mix-ins to suit the occasion (or your pantry). Since it's the holidays, we suggest dried cranberries, chopped peppermint candies, or pecans (with chocolate, of course!). Get the recipe 34 of 93 Buckeyes Raymond Hom They may look like the seed from a tree native to Ohio, but these creamy-peanut-butter bites dipped in bittersweet chocolate are an irresistible indulgence. Get the recipe 35 of 93 Cashew Gingersnaps Levi Brown This recipe calls for adding cashews and candied ginger to a gingersnap cookie batter, which brings these tasty morsels a nutty crunch and extra-spicy kick. Get the recipe 36 of 93 Triple Chocolate Cookies Alison Miksch Bittersweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate chunks coalesce to give you this decadent, rich, decidedly chocolatey cookie. Get the recipe 37 of 93 Cranberry Cacao Nib Brownies Plump cranberries and cocoa nibs add tartness and eye-popping, holiday-appropriate color to these fabulously fudgy brownies. Sprinkle a few more nibs on top for extra crunch. Get the recipe 38 of 93 Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Anna Williams For a childhood take on standard brownies, this recipe calls for folding chopped mini peanut butter cups into the batter. Too delicious? Almost... Get the recipe 39 of 93 Shortbread Wedges David Prince Buttery shortbread makes a great gift because its firm texture transports well, but that doesn't mean you can't keep these for yourself. Get the recipe 40 of 93 Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Brownies Caution: This sweet trifecta of favorites is not for the faint of heart! Only the most dedicated dessert fans dare bite into its rich layers of fudgey brownie, creamy cheesecake, and whole Oreos. Get the recipe 41 of 93 Chocolate-Drizzled Shortbread Levi Brown Dress up a classic shortbread cookie with drizzled chocolate melted in the microwave. Get the recipe 42 of 93 Chocolate Chip Cookies Levi Brown There's always room for this crowd-pleasing classic on any holiday table. Wait, who are we kidding?... on any table, any time. Get the recipe 43 of 93 Chocolate Banana Bites Getty Images This four-ingredient, no-bake, no-guilt treat features just chocolate, banana, almond butter, and a little salt. The hardest part about making them is waiting for them to harden in the freezer. Get the recipe 44 of 93 Apricot-Macadamia Chocolate Chip Cookies Levi Brown The unexpected combination of dried apricots, chopped macadamia nuts, and chocolate chips adds a fun twist to this cookie classic. Get the recipe 45 of 93 Sugared Pecan Balls Levi Brown Dusted with powdered sugar, these dainty snowball-like cookies pack a lot of flavor into every bite. Get the recipe 46 of 93 Dark Chocolate Truffles Samantha Seneviratne Use our recipe for dark chocolate truffles as a canvas for a myriad of variations. We provide instructions for Peanut Butter and Jelly, Earl Gray, Maple Pecan, and Cardamom Coconut, but feel free to create your own holiday-inspired concoctions. Get the recipe 47 of 93 M&M Popcorn Balls Samantha Seneviratne This sweet no-bake treat harnesses the perks of popcorn (hello, fiber!) and the crispy chocolatey goodness of M&Ms. This twist on the classic Rice Krispies treats is a great motivator to get little hands to help with Christmas baking. Get the recipe 48 of 93 Salty Coffee Toffee Bars Gift these gorgeous toffee bars in glass jars, clear candy bags, or include them in a cookie box. They're sure to bring joy. Get the recipe 49 of 93 No-Bake Seed and Nut Bars Greg DuPree No-bake and no-guilt—no joke! Almond butter, sesame seeds, pistachios, and dried apricots make these bars both sweet and substantial. And did we mention this recipe is versatile? Swap in any nut butter, nuts, or dried fruit you'd like. (Dare we add chocolate?) Get the recipe 50 of 93 Banana Pudding Pie Bars With Meringue Brie Passano This recipe layers a buttery Nilla Wafer crust with sliced bananas, homemade vanilla pudding, and more cookies, crowned with a mile-high meringue. It's a lot of steps, but so worth it. Get the recipe 51 of 93 Almond Biscotti Levi Brown Whole almonds and almond extract infuse these cookies with a double dose of almond goodness. Serve with our homemade caramel latte. Get the recipe 52 of 93 Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti With White Chocolate Caitlin Bensel For a homemade gift on the fly, package these biscotti in a clear bag with all the chocolate-dipped tips aligned. And make sure to include a printout of the recipe, as giftees will be sure to ask. Get the recipe 53 of 93 Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti Levi Brown Studded with antioxidant-rich dried cherries, chopped chocolate, and toasted hazelnuts, this version is chock-full of tasty goodness. Get the recipe 54 of 93 Chocolate Chocolate-Chunk Cookies Levi Brown There's melted chocolate in the batter with chocolate chunks folded in—a chocoholic's delight. Get the recipe 55 of 93 Chickpea "Cookie Dough" Bites Victor Protasio Rolled oats and canned chickpeas form the basis of these spicy no-bake bites. Mix in pecans, cinnamon, and molasses for a whole-grain treat you can feel good about. Get the recipe 56 of 93 Cookies and Cream Crispy Treats Alison Miksch We merged Oreo cookies with Rice Krispies treats for this sweet-and-salty, no-bake confection. With just 20 minutes of prep, it's fun and easy to make with kids. Get the recipe 57 of 93 Marshmallow and Chocolate Shortbread Slices Caitlin Bensel A cross between a cookie and a candy bar, these fancy-looking sweets are surprisingly easy to make. Their secret ingredient: apricot preserves. Get the recipe 58 of 93 Peanut Butter Cookies Levi Brown These flourless peanut butter cookies take just 30 minutes from start to finish. Get the recipe 59 of 93 Chocolate-Oat-Date Bars Greg DuPree There are so many reasons to gift these sweet treats. To start: They stand up to being shipped in the mail without breaking, and their date-and chocolate-chip center doesn't make them soggy. Get the recipe 60 of 93 No-Bake Almond Butter Thumbprints Jen Causey The "no-bake" makes these easy, the strawberry jam makes them Christmas-y, and their secret ingredient (crushed pretzels!) makes them addictive. Get the recipe 61 of 93 Gingerbread Truffles Victor Protasio Spicy and rich, these truffles make the perfect homemade gift for the holidays. Place them in mini muffin cup liners to keep your gift box tidy. Get the recipe 62 of 93 Gingerbread and Chocolate Sandwiches Beatriz da Costa Hot chocolate doesn't always have to be sipped. Here we sandwich hot chocolate frosting between two store-bought gingerbread cookies. Overachievers, feel free to bake the gingerbread cookies from scratch. Get the recipe 63 of 93 Hermit Bars Greg DuPree These bars have a strange name, but a rich molasses flavor and plenty of spice, namely ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Not too sweet, they're studded with raisins and walnuts for extra texture and complexity. Get the recipe 64 of 93 Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies Greg DuPree These blonde beauties have just the right combination of sugar, chocolate chips, and vanilla for an extra-sweet flavor, as well as pecans (or walnuts) for texture. They're destined to please a crowd, unless you prefer to keep them for yourself. Get the recipe 65 of 93 Dark Chocolate Coconut Tartlets Jennifer Causey Pull out the mini-muffin pan to make these delightful treats. They're shredded-coconut crusts filled with a nut-butter-and-chocolate mixture topped with flakey salt. Delish! Get the recipe 66 of 93 Coconut Macaroons José Picayo With just five ingredients, you can whip up these chewy flourless cookies in 35 minutes. Perfect for gift-giving! Get the recipe 67 of 93 Lemony Almond Macaroons Ellen Silverman We dressed up our chewy coconut macaroons for the holidays with grated lemon zest, and then added sliced almonds for a nice crunch. Get the recipe 68 of 93 Chocolate Chip Meringue Kisses David Prince These light-and-airy bites have just four ingredients, the star of which are semisweet chocolate chips that we scattered throughout to add flavor and texture. Get the recipe 69 of 93 Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men Hector Sanchez Get your cookie cutters and piping bags out, because it's time to bake these Christmas classics. Don't forget to make some gingerbread women, too! Get the recipe 70 of 93 Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies Victor Schrager These little jam-filled sandwich cookies originated in Austria in the 1600s, and are still a popular Christmas treat around the world. They provide a wonderful excuse to use those cute holiday-themed cookie cutters. Get the recipe 71 of 93 Raspberry and Honey Marshmallows Caitlin Bensel Never made marshmallows before? Why not? Freeze-dried raspberries are what give these treats their festive color. Add a plateful to your holiday dessert buffet or serve with hot chocolate. Get the recipe 72 of 93 Chewy Spice Cookies Victor Schrager Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper ensure there’s plenty of warm, complex flavors in these classic chewy cookies. Get the recipe 73 of 93 Cinnamon-Sugar Cookies Jennifer Causey Buttery puff pastry forms the base of these simple cookies, which feature a cinnamon-sugar and pecan swirl in each bite. And don't be intimidated by that picture-perfect spiral—all you need is a well-rolled dough and a quick trip to the freezer. Get the recipe 74 of 93 Slice-and-Bake Lemon Shortbread Victor Schrager This buttery cookie gets a lift from lemon zest and a final sprinkle of coarse sugar gives them extra shine and texture. Get the recipe 75 of 93 Lemon Bars Victor Schrager Start with a cookie crust, top with a layer of lemon-curd-like filling, and then dust with powered sugar. That's a recipe for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Get the recipe 76 of 93 Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons Victor Schrager We dipped super-moist, chewy macaroons in rich, dark chocolate to create the ultimate decadent dessert. Get the recipe 77 of 93 Shortcut Palmiers Caitlin Bensel Make these crispy, fancy-looking pastries with just three simple ingredients: egg, sugar, and store-bought puff pastry. Get the recipe 78 of 93 Jammy Pastries Antonis Achilleos Baking your own version of these nostalgic treats is easier than you think: Just top rectangles of ready-made pie crust with a layer of cream cheese and your favorite jam. Make them Christmas-y with raspberry jam and a sprinkle of red or green decorative sugar. Get the recipe 79 of 93 Angeletti Cookies Victor Schrager These adorable Italian classics have been around a long time, but don't expect them to last long at your house. They're part shortbread, part sugar cookie, and totally addictive. Get the recipe 80 of 93 Chocolate Crinkles Greg DuPree Chocolate crinkle cookies are a decadently fudge-centric holiday tradition. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to evoke a dusting of Christmas snow. Get the recipe 81 of 93 Pecan Sandies Greg DuPree Packed with a comforting butter-pecan flavor, no wonder these blonde bombshells are considered a classic. Get the recipe 82 of 93 Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies Victor Schrager Old-fashioned oats (not the quick-cook type) give these cookies robust flavor and hearty texture. Pro tip: Go ahead and put on your fat pants now! Get the recipe 83 of 93 Chocolate Ganache Sandwiches Melanie Acevedo All you need are three ingredients—chocolate chips, heavy cream, and store-bought chocolate wafers—and 15 minutes prep to make these sandwich-style delights. To mix things up, swap the chocolate wafers with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or (dare we suggest?) thin mint cookies. Get the recipe 84 of 93 Potato Chip Crispy Treats Antonis Achilleos Ever wonder what would happen if you replace Rice Krispies with potato chips in those treats? This recipe answers that query with a sweet-and-salty version that'll remind you of a white-chocolate macadamia cookie. Get the recipe 85 of 93 No-Bake Apricot and Oat Nuggets Jen Causey These no-bake flavor bombs are also no-egg and no-flour treats. For the holiday, swap the dried apricots with cranberries or cherries, and dust with snow-like powdered sugar. Get the recipe 86 of 93 No-Bake Lemon Chia Date Bars Grace Elkus Cashews, dates, chia seeds, and freshly squeezed lemon juice make these chewy no-bake bars a healthy alternative to traditional Christmas treats, but no one else has to know that. Get the recipe 87 of 93 Raspberry Pinwheels Kana Okada; Styling: Sara Quessenberry These delightful little bites only look hard to make. Just spread raspberry jam onto a slab of dough, roll, and slice—but don't let on. Accept compliments on your baking chops graciously. Get the recipe 88 of 93 Churros With Chocolate Sauce Caitlin Bensel Think there's nothing better than a cinnamon-sugar churro? How about a homemade churro dipped in a three-ingredient chocolate ganache? I think we're done here. Get the recipe 89 of 93 Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches Beatriz da Costa If you're not over pumpkin flavor by Christmastime, whip up a batch of these to go with your pumpkin spice latte. Get the recipe 90 of 93 Raspberry S'mores James Baigrie This layered treat takes the campfire favorite to a whole new level with fresh raspberries. Just swap the campfire for your oven's broiler setting or toaster oven. Get the recipe 91 of 93 Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats Jennifer Causey This version of the cereal treat swaps marshmallows with coconut oil, resulting in less sugar and a more-crispy-than-chewy texture. True chocoholics can swap Rice Krispies with Cocoa Krispies. Get the recipe 92 of 93 Pecan Logs David Prince Baking these gems is easier than it looks, especially if you take a shortcut with store-bought sugar cookie dough. And when it comes to holiday baking, who doesn't need a shortcut? Get the recipe 93 of 93 Chocolate Espresso Truffles Hector Sanchez Espresso powder, two types of chocolate plus cocoa powder, and an optional splash of coffee liqueur give these treats an intense, sophisticated, not-too-sweet taste you're sure to love. Don't worry, a batch yields 48 of these addictive gems. Get the recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit