20 Christmas Baking Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebrating, and sharing delicious treats with loved ones. Christmas baking is a cherished tradition that fills the kitchen with warmth, the aroma of spices, and the joy of creating something special. From classic gingerbread cookies to decadent peppermint brownies and festive breads, these 20 Christmas baking recipes are perfect for adding a touch of sweetness to your holiday festivities. Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying a new recipe for the first time, each of these treats is sure to bring joy, color, and a little holiday magic to your table. Let’s dive into a world of delightful holiday flavors and create something memorable this Christmas!

Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

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

Steps:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
2. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
3. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla to the butter mixture, mixing well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, stirring until fully incorporated.
5. Roll dough, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Servings: 16 brownies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
• 1/2 cup white chocolate, melted

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking pan.
2. Mix melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs one at a time, followed by peppermint extract.
4. Fold in flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
5. Pour batter into pan, sprinkle with crushed peppermint, and drizzle melted white chocolate before baking for 25 minutes.

Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Servings: 12 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup eggnog
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, pressing into a baking dish for the crust.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggnog, egg, nutmeg, and vanilla, mixing well.
5. Pour over crust and bake for 35 minutes until set. Cool before slicing.

Cranberry Orange Bread

Servings: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• Zest of 1 orange

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add cranberries and orange zest, stirring to coat with flour.
4. In a separate bowl, combine orange juice, milk, and melted butter.
5. Add wet ingredients to the dry, pour into a loaf pan, and bake for 50 minutes.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Steps:

1. Combine cocoa, sugar, and oil in a bowl.
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Chill dough, then roll into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until crinkled.

Pecan Snowball Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for rolling

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, pecans, and vanilla.
3. Add softened butter, mixing until dough forms.
4. Roll into balls and bake for 10-12 minutes.
5. Let cool, then roll in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.

Red Velvet Cake Roll

Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp red food coloring
• 1 cup cream cheese frosting

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs and red food coloring, stirring until smooth.
4. Pour into prepared pan, bake for 15 minutes, then roll in a towel to cool.
5. Unroll, spread with cream cheese frosting, and roll again to serve.

Spiced Apple Cider Donuts

Servings: 12 donuts
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Add apple cider, sugar, and melted butter, stirring until smooth.
4. Pour into donut molds and bake for 10 minutes.
5. Let cool, then dust with cinnamon sugar.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar.
3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, white chocolate, and cranberries.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

Almond Biscotti

Servings: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar, then add eggs and almond extract.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, and almonds until combined.
4. Shape dough into logs, bake for 20 minutes, then slice.
5. Bake sliced biscotti for 10 minutes to crisp up.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Servings: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 box of vanilla cupcake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
• 1 cup green buttercream frosting
• 1/4 cup assorted sprinkles
• 12 pretzel sticks

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cupcake batter according to package instructions.
2. Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners and bake for 18 minutes. Allow to cool.
3. Place a pretzel stick in each cupcake to serve as the tree trunk.
4. Pipe green frosting onto the pretzel in a tree shape, starting at the base and moving up.
5. Decorate with sprinkles to resemble ornaments.

Hot Cocoa Bombs

Servings: 8 cocoa bombs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips, melted
• 1/2 cup hot cocoa mix
• 1/4 cup mini marshmallows
• Silicone chocolate mold

Steps:

1. Spoon melted chocolate into the molds, coating the sides evenly.
2. Let the chocolate harden, then carefully remove it from the mold.
3. Fill half the chocolate spheres with cocoa mix and marshmallows.
4. Warm the edges of the remaining spheres and press onto the filled spheres to seal.
5. Place in hot milk to dissolve and enjoy.

Stollen (German Christmas Bread)

Servings: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 1-hour rising)
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet of active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup candied fruit
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and yeast.
2. Stir in warm milk and softened butter until dough forms.
3. Knead dough, adding raisins, candied fruit, and almonds.
4. Let dough rise for 1 hour, then shape into a loaf.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes and dust with powdered sugar.

Linzer Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.
3. Mix in flour and almond flour until dough forms.
4. Roll dough, cut out shapes, and bake for 12 minutes.
5. Spread jam between two cookies, and dust with powdered sugar.

Rum Balls

Servings: 24 balls
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: None

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup rum
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine crushed wafers, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder.
2. Add rum and honey, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
3. Fold in chopped pecans for added texture.
4. Roll dough into small balls and coat with additional powdered sugar.
5. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Servings: 16 pieces
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes (plus cooling time)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Steps:

1. Melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk over low heat.
2. Stir in peppermint extract, blending well.
3. Pour the mixture into a lined baking dish.
4. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top and press gently.
5. Chill for 2 hours until firm, then slice into squares.

Italian Pizzelle Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 tsp anise extract (or vanilla)
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder

Steps:

1. Beat eggs and sugar until light, then stir in melted butter and anise extract.
2. Mix in flour and baking powder until smooth.
3. Drop batter onto a preheated pizzelle iron.
4. Cook until lightly golden, about 30 seconds.
5. Remove and let cool for a crispy texture.

Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

Servings: 10 slices
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup whipped cream
• Chocolate ganache for frosting

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.
2. Mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and baking powder.
3. Beat in eggs until the batter is smooth.
4. Pour into prepared pan, bake for 15 minutes, then roll in a towel.
5. Unroll, spread whipped cream, and frost with ganache for a festive finish.

Fruitcake Cookies

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup dried fruit mix

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and brown sugar.
3. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, nuts, and dried fruit.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

Cinnamon Star Bread

Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 1-hour rising)
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet of active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk, warmed
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Steps:

1. Combine flour, sugar, and yeast in a bowl, adding warm milk and butter.
2. Knead dough until smooth, then let rise for 1 hour.
3. Roll the dough into a large circle, and spread with cinnamon and brown sugar.
4. Slice and twist sections to form a star shape.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until golden brown.

MORE RECIPES

Conclusion

With these 20 Christmas baking recipes, you’ll have everything you need to make the season extra special. From nostalgic flavors to creative holiday twists, each recipe adds its charm and joy to your holiday baking lineup. Baking together is a wonderful way to create holiday memories, share laughter, and enjoy the warmth of the season with family and friends. So, gather your ingredients, put on some holiday tunes, and savor the magic of Christmas baking. Here’s to a festive season filled with love, laughter, and sweet treats that will be remembered for years to come! Happy Holidays and happy baking!