15 Easy Christmas Desserts & Cookies Everyone Will Love

Discover 15 simple Christmas desserts and cookies that are quick to make and full of holiday cheer. From classic gingerbread to no-bake treats, these recipes use basic ingredients for festive flavors kids and adults adore—perfect for parties or cozy nights in.

Hey friends, it's MD Ashraf Ahmed here, your go-to guide for fun kitchen adventures. The holidays sneak up fast, don't they? Lights to hang, gifts to wrap, and suddenly it's time for sweets. But who has hours to bake? I've got you. These 15 easy Christmas desserts and cookies are beginner-proof. They use stuff from your pantry and take little time. Imagine the smell of gingerbread wafting through your home or the joy of sharing no-bake fudge. You'll build sweet memories without stress. Stick with me—we'll cover tips, recipes, and why these treats win hearts. Ready to sprinkle some magic? Let's get baking!

Why These Christmas Treats Are a Holiday Must

Christmas desserts bring people together. They add warmth to cold nights and sparkle to tables. Easy ones like these let you enjoy the season more. No fancy skills needed—just mix, bake, and share. From chewy cookies to creamy pies, each bite tells a story of joy.

Health perks sneak in too. Many use fruits or nuts for natural sweetness. Kids love the colors; grown-ups savor the flavors. According to the FDA, simple baking builds family bonds and cuts stress. It's affordable too—most recipes cost under $10 for a batch.

Picture this: Your cookie plate wows guests. Or a quick trifle ends dinner perfectly. These ideas fit busy schedules. Bake ahead, freeze, or make no-bake. Let's see top picks in a table.

Treat Type	Prep Time	Key Flavor	Why You'll Love It
Cookies	15 min	Gingerbread	Spicy, chewy, festive shapes
No-Bake	10 min	Peppermint	Cool, creamy, no oven needed
Cakes/Pies	20 min	Chocolate	Rich, indulgent, crowd-pleaser
Fudge/Bars	5 min	Cranberry	Tangy, easy to gift

This quick guide shows variety. Now, stock up!

Pantry Staples for Holiday Baking

Keep basics ready for last-minute magic. Flour, sugar, butter—check. Add festive twists like peppermint extract or red sprinkles. Eggs, vanilla, and chocolate chips are stars. For no-bake, grab cream cheese and condensed milk.

Tools? Mixing bowls, cookie sheets, and a hand mixer. No mixer? Stir by hand—it's therapeutic. Shop smart: Bulk buy at warehouse stores. For safety, follow USDA tips on storing sweets to avoid spoilage.

• Essentials: Flour, sugar, butter, eggs
• Festive adds: Candy canes, cranberries, ginger
• Tools: Bowls, sheets, spatulas
• Tip: Label mixes for gifting

With these, you're set. Dive into recipes!

15 Easy Christmas Desserts & Cookies

Here are 15 crowd-lovers. Each has simple steps, servings for 12-24, and tips. Mix cookies, bars, and cakes for a full spread. Start with classics.

1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Soft, spicy cutouts that scream holidays. Inspired by Taste of Home favorites.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• Salt pinch

Steps:

1. Mix butter and sugar until fluffy.
2. Add egg, molasses, spices.
3. Stir in flour and soda.
4. Chill dough 1 hour.
5. Roll, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 8-10 min.
6. Cool, decorate with icing.

Tip: Use cookie cutters for fun. Makes 3 dozen.

2. Peppermint Bark

No-bake crunch of chocolate and mint. From Delish quick ideas.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz white chocolate
• 12 oz dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

Steps:

1. Melt dark chocolate, spread on sheet.
2. Chill 10 min.
3. Melt white, spread over.
4. Sprinkle canes, chill.
5. Break into pieces.

Tip: Gift in tins. Ready in 20 min.

3. Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Versatile base for icing art. Pioneer Woman style.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Steps:

1. Cream butter, sugar.
2. Add egg, vanilla.
3. Mix in flour.
4. Chill, roll, cut.
5. Bake 375°F, 7 min.
6. Decorate.

Tip: Add sprinkles pre-bake. 4 dozen.

4. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Snowy, fudgy bites. Country Living crinkles.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• Powdered sugar for rolling

Steps:

1. Mix cocoa, sugar, oil.
2. Add eggs one by one.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder.
4. Chill 2 hours.
5. Roll in powdered sugar, bake 350°F, 10 min.

Tip: Don't overbake for chew. 5 dozen.

5. Thumbprint Cookies

Jammy centers, nutty edges. Allrecipes jam gems.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
• Jam for filling

Steps:

1. Cream butter, sugar.
2. Add flour, nuts.
3. Roll balls, thumb indent.
4. Bake 350°F, 10 min.
5. Fill indents with jam.

Tip: Raspberry jam for holidays. 3 dozen.

6. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Quick, creamy orbs. Pioneer Woman no-bakes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• Chocolate for dipping

Steps:

1. Mix peanut butter, sugar, butter.
2. Roll into balls.
3. Chill 30 min.
4. Dip in melted chocolate.
5. Set on wax paper.

Tip: Add holiday sprinkles. 4 dozen.

7. Christmas Fudge

Smooth, minty squares. Delish fudge fix.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups chocolate chips
• 1 can condensed milk
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• Green food color

Steps:

1. Melt chips with milk.
2. Stir in extract.
3. Pour into pan, swirl color.
4. Chill 2 hours, cut.

Tip: Layer red and green. 36 pieces.

8. Gingerbread Loaf Cake

Moist, spiced quick bread. Kitchn loaf love.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg

Steps:

1. Mix wet: molasses, butter, egg.
2. Add dry: flour, spices, soda.
3. Pour into loaf pan.
4. Bake 350°F, 45 min.
5. Cool, glaze optional.

Tip: Serve with cream. 1 loaf.

9. Cranberry Pistachio Bark

Tart, nutty crunch. Good Housekeeping bark.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz white chocolate
• 1 cup cranberries, dried
• 1 cup pistachios

Steps:

1. Melt chocolate.
2. Stir in fruits, nuts.
3. Spread on sheet.
4. Chill, break.

Tip: Red-green festive. 1 lb.

10. Rum Balls

Boozy, no-bake bites. Southern Living classics.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups crushed cookies
• 1 cup nuts
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/4 cup honey
• Cocoa for rolling

Steps:

1. Mix crumbs, nuts, rum, honey.
2. Roll balls.
3. Coat in cocoa.
4. Chill 1 hour.

Tip: Non-alcoholic version with juice. 4 dozen.

11. Linzer Cookies

Jam-filled hearts. Food Network linzers.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup almonds, ground
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Jam

Steps:

1. Cream butter, sugar.
2. Add flour, almonds.
3. Chill, cut shapes.
4. Bake 350°F, 10 min.
5. Sandwich with jam.

Tip: Heart cutters for love. 2 dozen.

12. Yule Log Cake

Chocolate roll wonder. Ree Drummond yule.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• Cocoa, cream for filling

Steps:

1. Beat eggs, sugar fluffy.
2. Fold in flour, cocoa.
3. Bake sheet 375°F, 10 min.
4. Roll with cream, chill.
5. Dust snow.

Tip: Mushrooms from meringue. Serves 8.

13. Pecan Pie Bars

Goof-proof pie bites. Kitchn bars.

Ingredients:

• Crust: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup butter
• Filling: 1 cup pecans, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup corn syrup, 2 eggs

Steps:

1. Mix crust, press pan, bake 350°F, 15 min.
2. Whisk filling, pour over.
3. Bake 25 min.
4. Cool, cut.

Tip: Add chocolate chips. 24 bars.

14. Eggnog Cheesecake Bites

Mini creamy delights. Allrecipes bites.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham crumbs
• 1/3 cup butter
• 16 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• Eggnog splash

Steps:

1. Mix crust, press minis.
2. Beat cheese, sugar, spices.
3. Fill, bake 325°F, 15 min.
4. Chill.

Tip: Top with whipped cream. 24 bites.

15. Saltine Toffee

Christmas crack magic. Kitchn toffee.

Ingredients:

• 40 saltines
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Chocolate chips, 2 cups
• Nuts optional

Steps:

1. Line crackers on sheet.
2. Boil butter, sugar 3 min.
3. Pour over, bake 350°F, 5 min.
4. Top chips, spread.
5. Sprinkle nuts, cool.

Tip: Break into shards. 40 pieces.

Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Baking

Bake in batches. Freeze dough for later. Involve kids for fun. Use parchment for easy cleanup. For gifts, wrap in cellophane. Check FDA for safe icing tips.

• Prep ahead: Dough freezes well.
• Flavor boost: Extracts like almond.
• Clean as you go.
• Taste test: Adjust spices.
• Share the joy: Plate prettily.

These keep holidays merry. See USDA for storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead?

Yes! Most cookies freeze up to 2 weeks. Fudge and bark last a month chilled.

What if I'm gluten-free?

Swap flour for almond or gluten-free blends. Check labels for safe swaps.

Are these kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Simple steps and fun decorating keep little hands busy and happy.

How do I store leftovers?

Airtight tins or fridge for creamy ones. Label dates for freshness.

Can I skip alcohol in rum balls?

Sure! Use juice or milk for the same chew without the kick.

What's the easiest no-bake?

Peppermint bark—melt, chill, done in 20 minutes flat.

How many does one batch serve?

Most make 2-4 dozen, perfect for parties or gifting extras.

Conclusion

There you have it—15 easy Christmas desserts and cookies to light up your holidays. From gingerbread's warm spice to toffee's sweet crunch, these treats spread joy without fuss. As MD Ashraf Ahmed, I love how simple baking creates lasting smiles. Pick one (or all!) and gather your crew. The kitchen's where memories happen. Wishing you a season full of laughter, love, and seconds on dessert. Happy holidays—now go make some magic!