The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. As you prepare to welcome family and friends into your home, one of the best ways to create a warm and inviting atmosphere is through the art of baking. There’s something magical about the smell of cookies, cakes, and pastries wafting through the house that brings back fond memories and creates new ones. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or simply want to indulge your loved ones, these 12 delightful baking recipes will ensure your guests leave with their hearts—and bellies—full.
1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies
No holiday season is complete without the delightful aroma of gingerbread cookies. These spiced, sweet treats are perfect for decorating and sharing. The dough is easy to work with, and you can unleash your creativity by using icing and colorful sprinkles for decoration.
- Ingredients: Flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, brown sugar, molasses, and eggs.
- Instructions: Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet ingredients, chill the dough, roll out, and cut into shapes before baking.
2. Peppermint Bark Brownies
Elevate your brownie game this holiday season with a layer of rich chocolate and a festive peppermint twist. These brownies are fudgy, decadent, and topped with crushed peppermint candies, making them a delightful treat for your holiday guests.
- Ingredients: Butter, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, flour, chocolate chips, and peppermint candies.
- Instructions: Melt butter and chocolate, mix with sugar and eggs, fold in dry ingredients, pour into a baking pan, and top with crushed candies before baking.
3. Eggnog Muffins
If you love the taste of eggnog, you’ll adore these eggnog muffins. They’re fluffy, moist, and filled with the classic flavors of nutmeg and vanilla, making them perfect for breakfast or as a snack during the holidays.
- Ingredients: Flour, sugar, eggnog, eggs, baking powder, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Instructions: Combine dry ingredients, mix wet ingredients, combine both mixtures, pour into muffin cups, and bake until golden.
4. Cranberry Orange Scones
Add a touch of elegance to your holiday spread with these cranberry orange scones. The tartness of cranberries paired with the zesty flavor of oranges creates a delightful contrast that your guests will love. Serve them warm with butter or clotted cream for an extra treat.
- Ingredients: Flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, cranberries, orange zest, and cream.
- Instructions: Mix dry ingredients, cut in butter, fold in cranberries and zest, form into a dough, cut into triangles, and bake until golden.
5. Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
This elegant chocolate hazelnut tart is sure to impress your guests. With a rich chocolate filling and a buttery hazelnut crust, it’s perfect for those who appreciate indulgent desserts. Serve this tart with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Ingredients: Hazelnuts, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, dark chocolate, and cream.
- Instructions: Prepare the crust with ground hazelnuts, bake, make the filling by melting chocolate and combining it with eggs and cream, pour into the crust, and bake until set.
6. Spiced Apple Bundt Cake
Capture the essence of the season with a spiced apple bundt cake. The combination of tender apples and warm spices makes this cake a true crowd-pleaser. Drizzle it with a simple glaze or dust it with powdered sugar for added charm.
- Ingredients: Flour, sugar, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggs, and baking powder.
- Instructions: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and dry ingredients, fold in chopped apples, pour into a bundt pan, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Pecan Pie Bars
Pecan pie is a holiday classic, and these pecan pie bars offer all the rich flavors in a convenient, shareable form. The buttery crust and gooey filling topped with crunchy pecans create a delightful treat that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Perfect for cookie trays or as a sweet ending to your holiday meal!
- Ingredients: Flour, brown sugar, butter, eggs, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and pecans.
- Instructions: Prepare the crust by mixing flour and brown sugar with melted butter, press into a baking dish, bake until set, then mix the filling ingredients, pour over the crust, and top with pecans before baking until golden.
8. Sugar Cookie Cutouts
Who can resist the charm of sugar cookie cutouts? This simple yet delightful recipe allows you to create festive shapes that can be decorated to match your holiday spirit. With just the right amount of sweetness, these cookies are perfect for a family baking day or as a fun activity with the kids.
- Ingredients: Flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder, and vanilla extract.
- Instructions: Cream together the butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, mix in dry ingredients, chill the dough, roll out, cut into shapes, and bake until lightly golden.
9. Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies
Take the classic chocolate chip cookie up a notch with the refreshing taste of peppermint. These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips, making them a perfect treat for anyone who loves the combination of chocolate and mint. Ideal for holiday gatherings!
- Ingredients: Butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, chocolate chips, and peppermint extract.
- Instructions: Cream butter and sugars, add eggs and peppermint extract, mix in flour and baking soda, fold in chocolate chips, scoop onto baking sheets, and bake until edges are golden.
10. Mini Pumpkin Pies
These mini pumpkin pies are not only adorable but also packed with all the flavors of traditional pumpkin pie. Perfect for portion control, they can be served as a delightful dessert at your holiday table. Top them with whipped cream for that classic finish!
- Ingredients: Pie crust, pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cream.
- Instructions: Roll out the pie crust and cut into rounds to fit into a muffin tin, mix together filling ingredients, pour into each crust, and bake until set. Let cool before serving.
11. Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Start your holiday mornings off right with this warm and gooey cinnamon roll casserole. It combines the flavors of cinnamon rolls with the ease of a breakfast bake, making it a great option for brunch gatherings. Serve it warm with a drizzle of icing for a truly indulgent treat.
- Ingredients: Canned cinnamon rolls, eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Instructions: Cut the cinnamon rolls into pieces, whisk together eggs and milk with cinnamon and vanilla, pour over the rolls, bake until puffed and golden, and finish with icing.
12. Red Velvet Cupcakes
Complete your holiday baking repertoire with these stunning red velvet cupcakes. Their rich color and velvety texture are perfect for festive occasions. Topped with cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes will not only look beautiful on your dessert table but will also delight your guests with every bite.
- Ingredients: Flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oil, red food coloring, baking soda, and cream cheese for frosting.
- Instructions: Mix dry ingredients, combine with wet ingredients including food coloring, pour into cupcake liners, bake until a toothpick comes out clean, and top with cream cheese frosting once cooled.
Final Thoughts
These six additional baking recipes will surely bring joy and flavor to your holiday gatherings. Each recipe is designed to be simple yet delicious, allowing you to enjoy the process of baking while creating memories with your loved ones. Whether you’re indulging in a slice of spiced apple bundt cake or savoring a mini pumpkin pie, your holiday season will be filled with warmth, laughter, and, of course, delectable treats!
13. Holiday Fruitcake
Fruitcake often gets a bad rap, but this holiday fruitcake recipe is a game changer! Packed with dried fruits, nuts, and a hint of spices, it’s a dense, moist cake that improves with age. Serve it sliced with a bit of butter or on its own for a delightful treat that embodies the spirit of the season.
- Ingredients: Mixed dried fruits (like raisins, cranberries, and apricots), nuts (walnuts or pecans), flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Instructions: Preheat the oven, mix the dry ingredients, combine with the fruits and nuts, pour into a greased cake pan, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow it to cool before slicing.
14. Peanut Butter Blossoms
These classic cookies are a favorite for a reason! Soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss create a perfect balance of salty and sweet. They’re not just delicious; they also bring a fun touch to your cookie trays, making them a hit at any holiday gathering.
- Ingredients: Peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, and chocolate kisses.
- Instructions: Cream together the peanut butter and sugars, add in the eggs, then mix in the dry ingredients. Roll into balls, bake, and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
15. Almond Joy Cookies
For coconut lovers, almond joy cookies are a must-try! These cookies combine the flavors of chocolate, coconut, and almonds, transforming a beloved candy bar into a delightful treat. They’re perfect for those who enjoy a little crunch with their cookies!
- Ingredients: Flour, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, chopped almonds, butter, sugar, and eggs.
- Instructions: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, mix in dry ingredients along with coconut, chocolate, and almonds. Drop onto a baking sheet and bake until golden.
16. Eggnog Cheesecake
Eggnog isn’t just for drinking; it can also shine as a creamy cheesecake! This rich dessert offers a delightful twist on traditional flavors, making it an impressive centerpiece for your holiday dessert table. The smooth texture and festive spices will have everyone asking for seconds.
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, sugar, eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and a graham cracker crust.
- Instructions: Preheat the oven, mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth, add in eggs and eggnog, pour into a crust, and bake until just set. Chill before serving.
17. Chocolate Raspberry Tart
This elegant chocolate raspberry tart combines rich chocolate ganache with the tartness of fresh raspberries, creating a dessert that is both luxurious and refreshing. It’s perfect for impressing guests at any holiday gathering and adds a pop of color to your dessert table.
- Ingredients: Dark chocolate, heavy cream, fresh raspberries, and a tart crust (made from flour, butter, and sugar).
- Instructions: Prepare and bake the tart crust, heat cream and pour over chopped chocolate to create ganache, let it set, then top with fresh raspberries before serving.
18. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
These cookies are a beautiful combination of sweet white chocolate and tart cranberries, making them a fantastic choice for your holiday cookie tray. Their festive colors also make them visually appealing, ensuring they stand out among other treats.
- Ingredients: Flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs, white chocolate chips, and dried cranberries.
- Instructions: Cream butter and sugars, add eggs, incorporate dry ingredients, then fold in white chocolate and cranberries. Scoop onto baking sheets and bake until edges are golden.
19. Maple Pecan Pie
This twist on the classic pecan pie incorporates the rich flavor of maple syrup, adding a unique sweetness that elevates this beloved dessert. The combination of gooey filling with a crunchy pecan topping makes for a perfect end to your holiday meal.
- Ingredients: Pie crust, pecans, maple syrup, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Instructions: Prepare the crust, mix the filling ingredients until combined, pour into the crust, and bake until set. Let it cool before serving.
20. Coconut Macaroons
These sweet, chewy coconut macaroons are simple to make and are a delightful treat for coconut lovers. They make a perfect addition to any holiday dessert platter and are naturally gluten-free, ensuring they can be enjoyed by everyone.
- Ingredients: Shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and egg whites.
- Instructions: Preheat the oven, mix coconut with condensed milk and vanilla, beat egg whites until stiff, fold into the coconut mixture, drop onto a baking sheet, and bake until lightly browned.
21. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
These sweet and salty treats are incredibly easy to make and are always a hit! The combination of crunchy pretzels coated in rich chocolate provides the perfect snack for your holiday gatherings. Decorate them with sprinkles for an extra festive touch!
- Ingredients: Pretzels, chocolate chips, and sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
- Instructions: Melt chocolate, dip pretzels halfway in the chocolate, set on parchment paper, and sprinkle with toppings before the chocolate hardens.
With these additional recipes, your holiday baking will be nothing short of extraordinary. From classic favorites to creative twists, each treat will bring joy and flavor to your celebrations, making the season even more memorable for you and your loved ones.