10+ Best Christmas Baking Recipes to Delight Your Holiday Gatherings

The holiday season brings joy and warmth, making it the perfect time for baking. You can elevate your celebrations and fill your home with delightful aromas by finding the best Christmas baking recipes. From cookies to cakes, there’s a wide range of treats that everyone will love.

As you prepare for festive gatherings and family traditions, these recipes will help you create memorable moments. Whether you are a seasoned baker or just starting, there is something for you to enjoy while spreading holiday cheer.

1) Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat. They are perfect for decorating and sharing with family and friends. The rich flavors of molasses and spices make them special.

To start, chill your dough for at least 2 hours. This helps the cookies maintain their shape when baking. When you’re ready, roll the dough to about ½ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.

Make sure to bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Once they are cool, you can frost and decorate them with your favorite icing. You might also add candies for a festive touch.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and spices.
2. In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy.
3. Add egg and molasses, then mix well.
4. Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients.
5. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
8. Bake for 10 minutes and cool before decorating.

2) Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is a delightful treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. It features layers of rich chocolate and peppermint flavor that everyone loves.

To make peppermint bark, you start with dark chocolate and white chocolate. Each layer brings its own taste, making it a favorite among holiday desserts.

You can add crushed candy canes on top for a festive touch and extra crunch. This simple recipe requires minimal ingredients and can be made in no time.

It’s a great gift idea or a sweet addition to your holiday spread.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (227 grams) dark chocolate
• 8 ounces (227 grams) white chocolate
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

Cooking Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water.
3. Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the baking sheet and spread evenly. Let it cool.
4. Melt the white chocolate in the same way and mix in the peppermint extract.
5. Pour the white chocolate over the cooled dark chocolate.
6. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top and let it set.
7. Once firm, break into pieces and enjoy!

3) Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Eggnog cheesecake bars are a delightful treat to enjoy during the holiday season. They blend the creamy sweetness of cheesecake with the warm flavors of eggnog and nutmeg. These bars are perfect for gatherings and will surely impress your friends and family.

To make them, start by preparing a buttery graham cracker crust. This crust adds a satisfying crunch that balances the smooth filling.

The filling combines eggnog, cream cheese, sugar, and spices. This mixture creates a rich and dreamy dessert.

You can cut them into squares for easy serving. These bars are great for parties or as a festive gift.

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Press into a baking pan.
3. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, eggnog, vanilla, nutmeg, and eggs until smooth.
4. Pour the filling over the crust and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until set. Let it cool before cutting into bars.

4) Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log, is a classic holiday dessert. This cake symbolizes a rich tradition and is a favorite during Christmas celebrations. It features a light sponge cake rolled with creamy filling and frosted to look like a log.

To make this dessert, start by baking a thin sponge cake. Once it’s cool, you’ll spread chocolate or coffee-flavored filling inside. Carefully roll it up to create that log shape.

Next, frost the outside to give it a rustic appearance. Use chocolate ganache for a smooth finish. To add some extra charm, consider decorating it with meringue mushrooms or edible decorations.

Gather your ingredients to create this festive treat:

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (120 g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (30 g) cocoa powder
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 8 oz (225 g) dark chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Sift in cocoa powder and fold gently to combine.
4. Bake in a lined jelly roll pan for 12-15 minutes.
5. Let cool, then spread filling and roll.
6. Frost with ganache. Decorate as desired.

5) Pecan Snowball Cookies

Pecan snowball cookies are delightful treats for the holiday season. These cookies are simple to make and have a rich, buttery flavor. The powdered sugar coating gives them their signature snowball look.

You can create these cookies with just a few ingredients. Start by combining butter, sugar, flour, and toasted pecans. The dough comes together easily, making it a fun recipe to try with family or friends.

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) until they are lightly golden. After baking, cool them for a few minutes, then roll them in powdered sugar. These treats will melt in your mouth and are sure to impress everyone at your holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar.
3. Add vanilla, flour, salt, and pecans. Mix until combined.
4. Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly golden.
6. Let cool for a few minutes, then roll in powdered sugar.

6) Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding is a warm, comforting dessert that is perfect for Christmas. This rich treat features a soft cake made with dates, soaked in a luscious toffee sauce. You will love how easily it comes together.

To start, combine chopped dates with boiling water to soften them. Once ready, blend the mixture until smooth. You’ll cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and the date blend.

Then, mix in your dry ingredients. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish or a porcelain soufflé dish for the best texture. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until the top is golden.

When it’s done, drizzle warm toffee sauce over the pudding. Serve it hot, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Toffee sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Soak chopped dates in boiling water with baking soda for 10 minutes.
3. Blend the dates until smooth.
4. Cream butter and brown sugar together.
5. Beat in eggs, then mix in the date puree.
6. Combine flour and baking powder, then fold into the mixture.
7. Pour batter into a greased baking dish.
8. Bake until golden brown, about 30-35 minutes.
9. Drizzle with warm toffee sauce before serving.

7) Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are a delightful treat for the holidays. Originating from Austria, these cookies are known for their unique shape and sweet filling. They are perfect for sharing with loved ones.

To make them, you start with a buttery dough, often flavored with almond or hazelnut. You roll it out and cut it into shapes, usually with a cutout in the middle. This gives them a beautiful look when filled with jam.

You can use raspberry or apricot jam for a colorful and tasty filling. After baking, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an extra touch.

These cookies not only taste amazing, but they also look festive on any holiday table.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup (85g) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (100g) almond flour
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Jam (raspberry or apricot)
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.
3. Add egg yolk and vanilla, then mix.
4. Combine flours and mix until just blended.
5. Roll out dough and cut shapes.
6. Place jam on half of the cookies.
7. Top with cut-out cookies.
8. Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden.
9. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.

8) Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry orange bread is a delightful holiday treat. Its sweet and tangy flavor brightens up any gathering. You will enjoy the juicy cranberries combined with the fresh taste of orange.

To make this bread, you’ll need some basic ingredients. Flour, sugar, and butter are key for a moist texture. Baking soda and baking powder help it rise. You should also add fresh cranberries and orange zest for that festive flavor.

This bread is easy to prepare. Mix your dry ingredients in one bowl and your wet ingredients in another. Then combine them, pour into a loaf pan, and bake. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, mix the sugar, butter, orange juice, eggs, and zest.
5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
6. Fold in the cranberries.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9) Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a festive treat perfect for Christmas. They have a rich, fudgy center with crispy edges. When rolled in powdered sugar, they look beautiful on your holiday cookie trays.

To make these cookies, you’ll mix melted chocolate with butter. Then, add sugar, eggs, and dry ingredients like flour and cocoa powder. The dough will be sticky, so you’ll chill it before rolling it into balls.

Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar gives them their signature crinkle appearance. Bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes. The result is a delicious cookie that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (150g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50g) cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Powdered sugar for coating

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt chocolate and butter together in a bowl.
2. Stir in sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
3. Mix flour, cocoa, and baking powder in another bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until mixed.
5. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Roll dough into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
8. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

10) Stollen

Stollen is a traditional Christmas bread from Germany. It’s filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. This sweet, rich bread is perfect for the holiday season.

To make stollen, you start by activating yeast in warm milk. Then, you mix it with flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. After kneading the dough, you fold in your choice of fruits and nuts.

Let the dough rise until it doubles in size. Then shape it into a lopsided loaf and bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 35 minutes.

The result is a delightful treat that pairs well with coffee or tea. You can dust it with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 4 cups (480 g) bread flour
• 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (115 g) butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mixed dried fruit
• 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Activate yeast in warm milk.
2. Combine yeast mixture with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and salt.
3. Knead dough until smooth.
4. Fold in dried fruit and nuts.
5. Let rise until doubled in size.
6. Shape into a lopsided loaf.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
8. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.