10+ Best Christmas Baking Recipes to Delight Your Holiday Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather in the kitchen and create delicious treats that bring joy to your family and friends. Baking during Christmas not only fills your home with wonderful aromas but also allows you to share love through food. Discovering the best Christmas baking recipes can make your celebrations even more special and memorable.

From cookies to cakes, there are countless recipes to choose from, each offering a unique flavor and festive flair. You can explore traditional favorites or try something new that can become a holiday classic in your home. Baking is not just about the final product; it’s about creating happy moments and lasting memories with loved ones.

1) Classic Yule Log Cake

A Classic Yule Log Cake, or Bûche de Noël, is a festive treat perfect for Christmas celebrations. This cake has a light chocolate sponge filled with creamy frosting. It looks like a real log, adding charm to your holiday table.

To make it, you will roll the cake after baking, which creates a beautiful swirl. The outside is typically covered with smooth chocolate ganache. You can decorate it with powdered sugar to resemble snow and add decorations like little edible mushrooms or berries.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 8 ounces chocolate (for ganache)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Beat eggs and sugar together until fluffy.
3. Mix in flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
4. Bake in a lined pan for 10-12 minutes.
5. Once baked, roll the cake in a towel to shape.
6. Make ganache by melting chocolate and stirring in cream.
7. Fill the cake, unroll it, and coat it with ganache.

2) Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread men cookies are a holiday favorite. They are soft, spiced, and fun to decorate. You can make them for family gatherings or to enjoy with friends.

To start, you will need simple ingredients like flour, brown sugar, and spices. These cookies hold their shape well, making them perfect for decorating with icing and candies.

Baking these cookies fills your home with a delightful aroma. Plus, they are great for sharing or giving as gifts during the festive season.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Add molasses and egg; mix well.
4. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
6. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
7. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

3) Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is a festive treat that’s easy to make. It features layers of dark and white chocolate, topped with crushed candy canes. This popular holiday dessert looks great and tastes even better.

To make peppermint bark, you need just a few simple ingredients. Start by melting the dark chocolate and spreading it in a nice, even layer. After it cools, melt the white chocolate and pour it over the dark chocolate.

Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a crunchy finish. Let it set in the fridge, then break it into pieces. This delicious treat is perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225 grams) dark chocolate
• 8 ounces (225 grams) white chocolate
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup crushed candy canes

Cooking Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler.
3. Spread the melted dark chocolate onto the baking sheet.
4. Refrigerate until firm.
5. Melt the white chocolate and mix in peppermint extract.
6. Pour the white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer.
7. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
8. Chill until set, then break into pieces.

4) Fruitcake with Nuts

Fruitcake with nuts is a classic holiday treat. It combines rich flavors and textures that many people love. This cake is often made with a mix of dried fruits, like raisins and cherries, along with various nuts.

To make it special, you can use nuts like walnuts or pecans. These add crunch and a nutty taste that pairs well with the sweet fruits. Some recipes even call for spices to warm it up, like cinnamon or nutmeg.

Preparing fruitcake is quite simple. You just mix the ingredients, pour the batter into a pan, and bake until golden. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings and makes a lovely gift.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruits
• 1 cup mixed nuts, chopped
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Grease a cake pan and set aside.
3. In a bowl, mix butter and sugar until creamy.
4. Add eggs and mix well.
5. Stir in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
6. Fold in dried fruits and nuts.
7. Pour batter into the pan.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5) Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a delightful treat for the holidays. Their soft, fudgy texture and the powdered sugar coating make them a favorite during Christmas. These cookies look beautiful on any dessert platter.

To make them, you only need a few common ingredients. The dough is easy to mix, and it requires some chilling time. Once baked, they come out with a lovely crackled appearance.

These cookies taste rich and chocolatey, making them perfect for chocolate lovers. They are sure to impress your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cocoa powder, sugar, and oil.
3. Add eggs and vanilla, and stir well.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Chill the dough for at least 4 hours.
6. Roll dough into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

6) Eggnog Cheesecake

Eggnog cheesecake is a creamy delight perfect for the holidays. Its rich flavor combines the classic taste of eggnog with a smooth, velvety texture. This dessert is sure to impress your guests.

The crust typically uses gingersnap cookies, adding a nice spice. The filling blends cream cheese, sugar, eggnog, and a hint of rum or nutmeg for that festive touch.

Finally, top it off with whipped cream for extra creaminess. This dessert is a wonderful way to celebrate the season!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups gingersnap crumbs
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup eggnog
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• Whipped cream for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (162°C).
2. Mix gingersnap crumbs with melted butter and press into a pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggnog, flour, eggs, and nutmeg. Mix until combined.
5. Pour filling into the crust and bake for 55-60 minutes.
6. Let it cool and chill before serving. Top with whipped cream.

7) Mince Pies

Mince pies are a classic treat during Christmas. These sweet pastries are filled with a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and sometimes a splash of brandy for extra flavor. You can make them from scratch or use store-bought pastry for convenience.

To start baking, gather a few simple ingredients. The buttery crust complements the rich filling perfectly. Once baked, they can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1 package of pre-made pie pastry or homemade dough
• 2 cups mincemeat filling
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out your pastry and cut out rounds for the pie bases.
3. Place the rounds in a muffin tin.
4. Fill each pastry with mincemeat.
5. Cover with pastry tops and seal the edges.
6. Brush with beaten egg.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

8) Stollen Bread

Stollen is a traditional German Christmas bread that many people love. It’s filled with dried fruits, nuts, and sometimes marzipan, giving it a delicious flavor. Dusting it with powdered sugar makes it look festive.

You can enjoy Stollen fresh or let it age for a few days to enhance the taste. It pairs well with coffee or tea during holiday gatherings. Making this bread at home can be a fun project for you and your family.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1/4 cup marzipan (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the milk to 110°F (43°C) and add yeast, letting it bubble.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and nutmeg.
3. Add egg, butter, and milk mixture to dry ingredients.
4. Knead dough until smooth, then let it rise for 1 hour.
5. Incorporate fruits and nuts. Optionally, add marzipan.
6. Shape the dough into a loaf and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes.
8. Cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

9) Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies

Red velvet thumbprint cookies are a festive and delicious treat for the holiday season. Their rich red color and soft texture make them stand out on any dessert table. Each cookie is filled with a dollop of cream cheese frosting, adding a delightful tang.

To make these cookies, you’ll need basic ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, and sugar. The cream cheese frosting is simple but adds the perfect sweet touch.

Enjoy making these cookies with family and friends. They are fun to decorate and share!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• Cream cheese frosting for filling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the egg, vanilla, and food coloring; mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
6. Roll dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet.
7. Make an indent in the center of each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
9. Let the cookies cool, then fill them with cream cheese frosting.

10) Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms are a classic holiday treat. These cookies are soft and chewy, making them a perfect addition to your Christmas baking. Each cookie is topped with a sweet chocolate kiss, adding a delightful touch.

To make these cookies, you’ll need basic ingredients like peanut butter and sugar. They are easy to prepare and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Hershey’s Kisses (for topping)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
3. Add the egg, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
4. Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie after baking.
7. Enjoy!