40 Festive Christmas Treats

It doesn’t get much more classic holiday than peppermint bark and you don’t need anything fancy to make it.—just high-quality dark chocolate, white chocolate, and crushed candy cane pieces will do the trick. If you don’t want to temper the chocolate, use untempered. Know that if you do, you should store the bark in the fridge since it will soften otherwise.

If you have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party to attend this season, you need to bring these adorable sweater-shaped cookies. Start with a delicious sugar cookie base, then dress them up with with icing, candy pieces, fondant, or other decorations to make them as cute as they are delicious.

These sugar cone Christmas trees make an excellent activity for kids because there's no raw ingredients or hot stoves involved. They also do double duty as decorations and desserts, so make them ahead to dress up the table and and then enjoy them after the meal ends.

When you don’t have time to shape individual cookies or need a pan of something seasonal to bring to a get-together, this warming spiced gingerbread hits the spot. A tart lemon glaze will contrast the molasses, ginger, and clove flavors of the cake and the whole thing tastes very appropriate for the holiday.

For a unique tree-shaped holiday treat, try these Christmas pretzel trees that look much more complicated that they actually are. Just grab some pretzel rods, green candy melts, and some candy “ornaments” and you have everything you need. The kids can help with this fun creation, too.

Even though it comes out rosy and beautiful, this red velvet cake isn't at all difficult to make. A lemony cream cheese glaze contrasts wonderfully with the sweet chocolate cake and a raspberry ribbon kicks it up a notch. Best of all, it takes just 20 minutes to put together and then just about an hour to bake. It also freezes well, so you can make it ahead.

Everyone will want to get their hands one of these gingerbread men after you whip up a batch. With spiced gingerbread and sweet icing smiles, they can become as simple or complicated as you like. Set out a selection of toppings to let the kids help or leave them plain for an easier treat. Using dark molasses will result in a stronger flavor, while light molasses will keep them less bitter.

These beautiful Linzer cookies look impressive on a platter and taste great alongside a cup of tea or coffee. Tender shortbread get sandwiched around your choice of jam or preserves then dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet note. You will need special cut-outs to make these cookies, but they’re well worth the investment.

Rather than making a bunch of smaller cookies, try baking up one large one instead. This pretty wreath cookie uses a buttery shortbread for the base, so it doesn't spread much during baking. Slather it with a sweetened cream cheese frosting and decorate with your favorite fruits. Peach or apple slices, blueberries, and strawberries all work well. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pretty presentation.

For those who really deck the halls during the holidays, don’t leave the cookie platter bare. These Christmas lights cookies make a unique addition to the tray, and the simple shape and store-bought frosting means they come together in a snap. Use mini M&Ms for the lights; the regular size ones will overwhelm the cookies.

Just because you follow a keto diet doesn't mean you have to miss the holiday dessert fun. These sugar cookies have the crumbly texture and sweet taste you love without all the extra carbs. They hold their shape well too, so they make a great cutout option. Because they're delicate when hot, remember to give them plenty of time to cool before decorating.

Make these mini cookies for your Elf on the Shelf to celebrate the holiday season. They take only five minutes to bake and you can customize them to suit your tastes. Shape them like tiny gingerbread men or leave them as small rounds, and use either gingerbread, chocolate-chip cookie dough, or even shortbread. The only limit is your imagination.

You may know red velvet cake and chocolate crinkles, but put the two together and you have a truly awesome holiday cookie. They have the traditional look of traditional crinkles, nut with the decadent sweetness of red velvet cake—and they look gorgeous on a cookie plate. Bake up a batch for Valentine’s Day, once New Year’s has passed.

One part whoopie pie, one part red velvet cake, and two parts delicious, these festive sandwich cookies will definitely please any sweets-loving crowd. They don’t take too much time to make but also don’t keep particularly well, so serve them shortly after baking for best results. Don’t worry—they won’t last long once your guests get a taste.

Because they have two flavors and brightly colored candied cherries, these beautiful cookies make a perfect festive treat. They will please both butter and chocolate fans, plus the cherries give them a bright pop and a sweet note that offsets the rich cookie perfectly. They also freeze well, so feel free to make them ahead.

Easy to put together and just plain delicious, brownies make a wonderful treat any time. Shaping them into Christmas trees by adding a pretzel trunk, sprinkles, and frosting garlands make them even more fun and festive. Once you try this simple recipe, you will never buy a boxed mix again.

When you need something a little different to contribute to the Christmas sweets table, try these lovely individual-sized fruitcakes. With all the taste of the classic gifting loaf but in a single serving package, they make perfect gifts and additions to the dessert table, bake sale, or cookie exchange. Dust them with powdered sugar or frost any way you like.

Warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove combine with sticky, syrupy molasses and brown sugar for classic cookies that will make your house smell amazing. Roll them in turbinado for best results. Granulated also works if you can't find the coarser kind. They make great gifts, especially for those who enjoy sweets but prefer something other than chocolate.

Adding peppermint bark to luscious, velvety cheesecake and layering it all on top of a chocolate cookie crust creates a lovely holiday dessert. Try finishing it with a little fresh homemade whipped cream for an even more decadent treat. Use store-bought peppermint bark or homemade—both work just as well.

This pretty cranberry-studded bread has a sweet and tart flavor thanks to tangy cranberries, zippy lemon zest, and chopped pecans. It tastes wonderful for brunch, as an afternoon snack, or a light dessert. Use either fresh or frozen cranberries in this recipe.

These colorful shaped cookies often appear on store-bought trays, but you can make them at home easily enough. Because they rely on butter for the bulk of their flavor, use a high-quality unsalted brand for best results. Dust them with colored sugar for a pretty presentation.

This wreath of cupcakes makes a gorgeous dessert table centerpiece and you can eat the whole thing! It has bright green frosting leaves, edible candy berries, and adorable almond-covered pine cones. Use any flavor of cupcake base you like or a variety for a truly showstopping sweet.

Just six ingredients and about half an hour stand between you and these easy thumbprint cookies. Fill them with your favorite berry-flavored jam for a festive look or mix it up for a more varied treat. Use the best jam you can find, since the cookies have few ingredients and will really show off the flavors.

If you avoid animal products and want a cookie with a little nutrition, these pretty cranberry-studded vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies will do the trick. They come out nice and hearty and require no egg replacements so they make a great starter recipe for those new to vegan baking. Make a big batch, because these will go fast.

With about half the fat of your average sugar cookies recipe, you can enjoy these low-fat holiday treats without blowing your diet. Top them with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or colored glaze or enlist the kids to help you decorate them for a fun weekend activity.

White chocolate truffles look like little snowballs and make a silky smooth addition to any holiday dessert plate. And because white chocolate has such a lovely neutral flavor, they lend themselves to customization. Try adding different flavors or colors to the chocolate, rolling them in cocoa powder, or dipping them in other chocolates for a fun flare.

Dust these sand tart cookies with a combination of colored sugar and cinnamon for a slightly more festive twist on the standard. For extra nutty flare, add an almond to the center of each before baking. You can cut them into holiday shapes if you like or leave them round. Whatever you do, roll them nice and thin for the right texture.

These stained glass cookies mimic the intricate windows in cathedrals throughout Europe and traditionally get placed on holiday trees as decoration. Despite their beautiful appearance, they don’t take as much work to make as you think. The kids will like crushing up the candies and cutting out the shapes.

For that Christmassy candy cane taste, try this easy make-ahead peppermint swirl fudge. It has an assertive minty flavor and a fun red-and-white swirl color that make a great gift or party sweet. Put it together up to two weeks ahead, for a fun present or just to save yourself some time come the holiday rush.

No holiday sweets table is complete without Mexican tea cakes, also called Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cakes, or snowballs. Whatever you name them, these crumbly, sweet little cookies taste like shortbread, but don’t spread while baking and make fun and easy additions to any celebration. You can add nuts or leave them out, depending on your preference.

Shatteringly crisp, mint-accented meringue cookies just say “holidays.” Try adding a little green food coloring to give them that festive flare, or leave them plain and garnish the platter with a few sprigs of holly or mint leaves to point to their fresh, seasonal flavors.

For one of the most versatile cookies around, try these soft sour cream sugar cookies. The cream gives them a hearty, slightly less sweet flavor and a crumbly texture that comes out buttery and perfect for frosting and decorating. Just whip up some royal icing, set out some sprinkles, and let the kids go to town. Decrease the vanilla extract and add a little nutmeg, for variation.

These vegan hot cocoa cupcakes taste just like sipping on a steaming mug of peppermint hot chocolate, no cup or cooling time required. And they use no animal products, so even those who follow a vegan diet can indulge. Dress them in seasonal cupcake wrappers for festive flare.

Many of us purchase boxes of macarons to give out at holiday time, but you don’t need to shell out with this easy recipe. Follow these steps for perfect macarons every time, and once you master the technique, mix up the flavors and colors for a festive treat that you can make for every occasion.

Cinnamon and almond come together for a sweet traditional taste in these star-shaped German cookies. They aren’t complicated to make, but do require some specialized European ingredients so you might have to get online or try a speciality store for some of the requirements. It’ll all be worth it, once you give them a try.

Often either shaped into a wreath or piled high into a Christmas tree shape, Neapolitan struffoli make a lovely holiday treat. These little balls of fried dough either get dusted with powdered sugar or covered with festive colored sprinkles for the perfect ending to a Christmas dinner. Try them yourself for a show-stopping dessert everyone will adore.

Gingersnap cookies have an assertive, slightly spicy flavor that just tastes like the holidays. Very easy to roll and bake, these cookies make a lovely gift for even less experienced bakers. Store them in a tightly-covered container so they keep for enjoying later.

Few things feel more festive on a cookie platter than the classic candy cane. These twisted cookies come out looking just like the classic shape and taste just like the candy. Try using several different colors of food dye to make differently hued cookies, for a more interesting plate.

Try these no-bake cookie dough pops for a fun and festive treat that are endlessly versatile. And because the cookie dough uses no eggs, you can eat it right from the bowl. Coat them with white, dark, or milk chocolate and then decorate with sprinkles, chopped nuts, colored sugar, or even small candy pieces. They make a great centerpiece for a dessert table or a fun contribution to a bake sale.

These holiday rice crispy treats make a great holiday craft for the kids. Shape the treats into triangles, then get out sprinkles, candy-coated pieces, and other decorations to create snacks worthy of the class party. Candy canes make great trunks and since they don’t need to bake or cool nearly as long as cookies, making them quick and easy.