Christmas baking is half the fun of the holidays. This guide brings together our favourite easy Christmas cookies, festive desserts, warming drinks and kid-friendly treats in one place, so you can plan your whole holiday menu, from the cookie tray to Christmas morning breakfast.
Plan your holiday baking
- Bake in stages. Most cookie doughs can be made ahead and frozen for up to three months. Bake them in December, when you need them.
- Mix easy and showy. Pair a few simple drop cookies with one decorated cookie or dessert that steals the show.
- Store cookies separately. Keep crisp and soft cookies in different airtight tins so the crisp ones stay crunchy.
- Let icing set. Royal icing needs several hours to dry hard, so decorate the day before you stack or gift cookies.
- Bake extra for gifts. A tin of homemade cookies is one of the most appreciated presents there is.
Easy Christmas cookies
- Christmas cookie recipes: gingerbread sugar cookies, pinwheels, candy cane kiss cookies, Grinch cookies and molasses cookies
- Sweet Christmas cookies that are easy to make: sugar cookie truffles, swirl cookies, Oreo ornaments and Rice Krispie trees
- Christmas cookies that melt in the mouth: snowman cookies, wreaths, snow globes and royal icing sugar cookies
- Easy Christmas-inspired cookies: reindeer cookies, cornflake wreaths and peppermint bark
- Decorative and easy Christmas cookies: snowman cookies, reindeer cupcakes and cake pops
- More Christmas cookie ideas
Decorated cookies and gingerbread
If you love decorating, these ideas turn simple dough into edible art.
- Gingerbread houses: show-stopping houses to celebrate in style
- The lazy way to make cookies look fancy: embossed rolling pins, including a snowflake design
Last-minute and no-bake treats
Short on time? These recipes are quick, and several need no oven at all.
- Last-minute Christmas desserts: Ritz toffee, butter cookie cutouts, no-bake wreath cookies and a tree-shaped brownie torte
- More last-minute Christmas desserts: sugar cookie trees and Rolo ornament cookies
- Festive Christmas desserts: peppermint Oreos, no-bake Christmas tree cookies and Italian ricotta cookies
Christmas desserts and cakes
- The most delicious Christmas desserts: chocolate truffles, snowy chocolate pine cones and mini cakes
- Easy Christmas desserts: Yule log, cheesecakes, chocolate mousse pie and more
- Easy Christmas dessert recipes: chocolate-dipped madeleines, sugar cookie ornaments and fudge
- Classic Christmas recipes: Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, stollen and meringues
Fun food for kids
- Christmas recipes kids will love: marshmallow snowman hot chocolate and cinnamon roll Christmas trees
- Creative Christmas food ideas for kids: reindeer bagels, Santa pancakes and Christmas tree cupcakes
- Healthy Christmas fruit breakfast ideas
- Vegetable Christmas breakfast ideas
- Christmas breakfast smoothies: spiced cranberry, layered and peppermint
Christmas drinks
- Christmas drink recipes for your party: cocktails, spiced wine and winter sangria
- Decorative Christmas Eve drinks
- Hot winter drinks: eggnog, gingerbread hot chocolate and spiced coffee
- Hot chocolate recipes: peppermint white, peanut butter and Nutella hot chocolate
Christmas dinner and edible gifts
- Quick Christmas dinner recipes: all ready in under 30 minutes
- Holiday side dishes: roasted vegetables, gratins and mushroom toasts
- Food that doubles as Christmas decor: a Christmas tree cheesecake, caprese wreath and more
- Christmas food gift baskets: hot cocoa, coffee, sangria and marmalade baskets
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead can I bake Christmas cookies?
Most baked cookies stay fresh for about a week in an airtight tin. For longer, freeze the dough or the baked, undecorated cookies for up to three months and decorate after thawing.
What are the easiest Christmas cookies to make?
Drop cookies, shortbread, no-bake cookies and simple sugar cookie cutouts are the easiest. They need few ingredients and are forgiving for beginners and children.
How should I store Christmas cookies?
Store each type in its own airtight container at room temperature, with baking paper between layers of decorated cookies. Keep crisp and soft cookies apart.
Decorating the house too? See our guide to DIY Christmas decorations on a budget or browse all recipes.
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Ideas, guides and real budgets for home, garden and travel, published on World inside pictures since 2013.
