10+ Christmas Baking Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday Season

Baking during Christmas? It’s one of the best ways to fill your home with warmth and sweetness. You get to make treats that smell amazing and bring everyone together.

Christmas baking recipes offer simple steps and tasty results you can share and enjoy. Whether you’re into cookies, cakes, or other desserts, baking makes the season brighter and helps you create delicious memories.

1) Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Win a Ninja Slow Cooker!

Classic sugar cookies—can you even have Christmas without them? They hold their shape, so you can cut out stars, trees, or whatever festive shapes you like.

Royal icing dries hard and smooth, perfect for detailed designs. Add a few drops of food coloring and your cookies will look as festive as they taste.

You just need a few simple ingredients. The cookies turn out soft in the middle with crisp edges, making them ideal for icing and decorating.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light.
4. Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet.
6. Roll out dough and cut shapes.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges set.
8. Let cool before icing with royal icing.

2) Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread men cookies are a classic holiday treat. You can decorate them with icing and candies to make them cheerful and bright.

These cookies stay soft in the center but hold their shape well. Spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves give them that unmistakable holiday flavor.

Bake these with your family or friends for a fun afternoon. They’re perfect for parties or as gifts in cute boxes.

Try this gingerbread men cookies recipe if you want to balance spices and sweetness just right.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light. Add egg and molasses, then mix well.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until dough forms.
5. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick.
6. Cut with a gingerbread man cookie cutter and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are firm.
8. Let cool before decorating.

3) Cranberry and Jalapeño Jelly Bars

These bars bring a fun twist to Christmas baking. Sweet cranberries meet spicy jalapeños for a flavor combo that’s surprisingly good.

Start with a simple crust, then add a layer of cranberry jalapeño jelly. The jelly brings both sweetness and heat, making these bars stand out.

They work well for parties or as edible gifts. Making the jelly from scratch is easy—just use fresh cranberries and jalapeños.

You can find recipes online for cranberry jalapeño pepper jelly if you want to give it a try.

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely chopped fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup finely chopped jalapeños
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour and butter until crumbly. Press half into a baking pan.
3. Bake crust for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.
4. Spread cranberry jalapeño jelly over the crust.
5. Crumble the rest of the dough on top.
6. Bake for another 25 minutes.
7. Cool, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

4) Traditional Mince Pies

Traditional mince pies are a staple at Christmas. They’re small pies with a filling called mincemeat—usually a mix of dried fruits, spices, and maybe a splash of brandy.

The crust is buttery and flaky, a perfect match for the rich, sweet filling. Add a little orange zest to the pastry if you want to brighten things up.

Serve them warm with a dusting of powdered sugar. Making mince pies is a fun way to bring a bit of British tradition into your kitchen.

You can find easy recipes online for both the filling and the pastry.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup chopped apple
• 1 tbsp brandy or orange juice
• 1 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cold butter, diced
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix dried fruits, apple, sugar, brandy, and spices in a bowl. Let it soak.
2. Combine flour and butter, rubbing until it looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Add cold water if needed, then knead dough lightly. Chill for 30 minutes.
4. Roll out dough and cut circles for pie cases. Press into tins.
5. Fill cases with mincemeat mixture. Top with pastry lids.
6. Brush with beaten egg.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
8. Cool slightly before serving.

5) Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Bars

Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Bars are a must if you love that chocolate-mint combo. You get a rich chocolate cookie base, smooth peppermint fudge, and fluffy meringue on top.

These bars are sweet, refreshing, and honestly, they look great on a cookie tray. They bring a festive pop to your holiday baking.

Making them is pretty straightforward. Every bite has layers of chocolate and peppermint.

Ingredients

• Chocolate peppermint cookie mix (or crushed chocolate cookies)
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Chocolate chips
• Crushed peppermint candies
• Egg whites (for meringue)
• Sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Press the cookie mixture into a baking pan.
3. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool a bit.
4. Melt chocolate chips with condensed milk for the fudge.
5. Spread fudge over the cookie base.
6. Whip egg whites with sugar to make meringue.
7. Spread meringue on top and bake another 15 minutes.
8. Let cool before cutting into bars.

Try this recipe for a tasty Christmas treat! For more details, check out peppermint hot fudge bars here.

6) Eggnog Biscotti

Eggnog biscotti has that classic holiday vibe. You get the warm taste of eggnog baked right in, and a light glaze on top makes them extra special.

Spices like nutmeg and a splash of rum or whiskey really boost the flavor. These biscotti are perfect with coffee or hot chocolate.

The process is pretty simple, though you bake them twice to get that signature crunch.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 11 tablespoons eggnog
• 3 teaspoons whiskey (optional)
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until light.
3. Beat in eggs, eggnog, and whiskey.
4. Mix flour, baking powder, and nutmeg in another bowl.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, forming a dough.
6. Shape dough into two logs on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 25 minutes, then cool for 10 minutes.
8. Slice logs into 1/2-inch pieces.
9. Bake slices another 10-15 minutes until crisp.
10. Cool completely before glazing, if you want.

You can find more detailed recipes for eggnog biscotti here.

7) Russian Tea Cookies

Russian Tea Cookies, also called Snowballs, are buttery and nutty. They’re rolled in powdered sugar for that classic snowy look.

You can use pecans or walnuts—whatever you have on hand. Bake until they’re just golden, then roll them in sugar while they’re still warm.

They’re simple but so good. These cookies have been part of holiday traditions for ages.

They also keep well, so you can make them ahead for parties or gifts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
• Additional powdered sugar for rolling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Mix in flour, salt, and nuts until just combined.
4. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden.
6. Let cool slightly, then roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
7. Cool completely and roll again in powdered sugar before serving.

8) Stollen Bread

Stollen bread is a German Christmas classic. It’s sweet, packed with dried fruits, nuts, and sometimes marzipan in the center.

Powdered sugar on top gives it a snowy finish. The bread is soft and buttery, with raisins, currants, candied orange peel, and maybe almonds mixed in.

You get a slightly tangy flavor from the yeast and a rich, buttery texture. Baking it fills your kitchen with an amazing aroma.

Stollen makes a thoughtful gift or a standout treat for your holiday table.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup dark raisins

• 1/3 cup golden raisins

• 1/2 cup currants

• 1/2 cup candied orange peel

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast

• 3/4 cup warm water

• 1 large egg

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• Powdered sugar for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak raisins and currants in warm water for 10 minutes.

2. Mix yeast with warm water and sugar. Wait until it gets bubbly—shouldn’t take long.

3. Combine flour, butter, egg, and yeast mixture. Work it together to form a dough.

4. Fold in the drained dried fruit and candied peel.

5. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles.

6. Shape into a loaf and place it on a baking sheet.

7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes.

8. Cool and dust generously with powdered sugar.

9) Panettone Loaf

Panettone loaf is a soft, fragrant bread that brings a bit of holiday magic to your kitchen. It’s got a buttery texture and often carries notes of orange zest and vanilla.

This version skips the fuss of the traditional tall panettone. You’ll get a sweet, tender crumb with a little honey and citrus peeking through.

It’s just right for breakfast or as a snack with coffee. Baking it in a loaf pan means you can slice and share it easily.

Dried fruits like raisins or currants, soaked in rum, add a nice pop of flavor. No need for special molds—just a regular loaf pan does the trick.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup rum-soaked raisins or currants
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix warm water, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, orange zest, and vanilla.

3. Add eggs, honey, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Stir it all together until you’ve got a dough.

4. Fold in the rum-soaked raisins.

5. Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth. Ten minutes should do it.

6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until it doubles—about an hour.

7. Shape the dough and put it in a greased loaf pan. Let it rise for 30 minutes.

8. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

9. Bake the loaf for 40-45 minutes, or until it turns golden brown.

10. Let it cool before slicing.

For a bit of cozy tradition, give this recipe a try at Christmas. If you’re curious, check out panettone loaf cake ideas at Pancakes and Biscotti.

10) Peppermint Iced Cupcakes

Peppermint iced cupcakes bring a cool, fresh kick to your holiday baking lineup. You start with a soft vanilla or chocolate cupcake base.

Top them with creamy peppermint frosting for that sweet, minty vibe. Crushed candy canes or a sprinkle of sparkling sugar finish things off.

If you want, swirl in a bit of white chocolate for extra richness. These cupcakes are fun to make and always seem to disappear fast at Christmas parties.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup butter, softened (for frosting)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes or sparkling sugar for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grab a bowl and mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until it looks light and fluffy.

4. Crack in the eggs one at a time.

5. Add the vanilla and give it a quick mix.

6. Start adding the dry mix and milk, alternating between the two.

7. Make sure you begin and finish with the dry mix.

8. Scoop the batter into cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds of the way.

9. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.

10. Let the cupcakes cool completely—don’t rush it.

11. Beat together the butter, powdered sugar, cream, and peppermint extract until the frosting turns fluffy.

12. Frost your cupcakes generously.

13. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive touch.