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    Ambitious Foodie » Desserts & Sweets

    30 Easy Christmas Treats

    Modified: Nov 15, 2026 · Published: Nov 15, 2026 · . Help us out! Review HERE. · Written by: Imene Senouci · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    These easy Christmas treats are the kind you can make in an afternoon: cookies for the exchange, fudge and bark for gift tins, and no-bake snacks for holiday movie nights.

    A few of ours make lovely gifts too, like our Easy Turkish Baklava, Maple Popcorn and Candied Lemon Slices. If you're baking for a party, browse our Christmas cake recipes as well.

    I'm sharing 30 easy Christmas treats below. They include Peppermint Bark, Gingerbread Cookies, Christmas Crack and more. Most use pantry staples and make big batches, so pick a few for your cookie tray or gift boxes!

    Jump to:
    • Christmas Cookies
    • Fudge, Bark and Candy
    • Bars and Brownies
    • No-Bake Treats
    • Christmas Breads and Muffins

    Christmas Cookies

    Christmas cookies are the heart of holiday baking, and this collection covers everything from citrus sugar cookies to nutty Austrian linzers. Each one is festive enough for a cookie exchange and simple enough for a weekend afternoon.

    1. Christmas Sugar Cookies1

      Christmas Sugar Cookies

      Light, airy sugar cookies with a hint of citrus, topped with royal icing for a festive finish. They are perfect for holiday cookie trays and make a cheerful homemade gift.

      29 reviews / 4.8 average

      Make this recipe:

      Christmas Sugar Cookies >

      Photo and recipe: Wyse Guide

    2. Gingerbread Cookies2

      Gingerbread Cookies

      Soft, warmly spiced gingerbread cookies packed with rich molasses flavor. They can be decorated with icing for a festive look or enjoyed plain.

      385 reviews / 4.9 average

      Make this recipe:

      Gingerbread Cookies >

      Photo and recipe: Love and Lemons

    3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies3

      Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

      Rich, fudgy chocolate cookies made with pantry staples, rolled in powdered sugar before baking for their signature crinkled look. A reliable holiday crowd-pleaser.

      1,111 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Chocolate Crinkle Cookies >

      Photo and recipe: Preppy Kitchen

    4. Peanut Butter Blossoms4

      Peanut Butter Blossoms

      Soft peanut butter cookies topped with a dark chocolate Hershey's Kiss, though milk chocolate works just as well. A classic holiday cookie that belongs on every cookie exchange tray.

      10 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Peanut Butter Blossoms >

      Photo and recipe: Love and Lemons

    5. Jam Thumbprint Cookies5

      Jam Thumbprint Cookies

      Simple, buttery cookies with a sweet jam center. Classic and approachable, they fit right in on any holiday cookie plate.

      12 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Jam Thumbprint Cookies >

      Photo and recipe: The Comfort of Cooking

    6. Christmas Candy Cane Cookies6

      Christmas Candy Cane Cookies

      Peppermint butter dough is split, tinted red and twisted into little candy canes, then sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy and sugar. They're a cute addition to any cookie exchange.

      20 reviews / 4.4 average

      Make this recipe:

      Christmas Candy Cane Cookies >

      Photo and recipe: Home Cooking Memories

    7. Classic Austrian Linzer Cookies7

      Classic Austrian Linzer Cookies

      Nutty, tender, and not too sweet, these Austrian sandwich cookies are filled with jam for a classic holiday look. Their delicate texture makes them stand out on any cookie tray.

      121 reviews / 4.6 average

      Make this recipe:

      Classic Austrian Linzer Cookies >

      Photo and recipe: Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking

    8. Russian Tea Cakes8

      Russian Tea Cakes

      I love the simplicity here: buttery, tender cookies with a light nutty flavor, rolled in powdered sugar to look like little snowballs. Also called Snowballs, they are a beloved holiday classic.

      8 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Russian Tea Cakes >

      Photo and recipe: Life Love and Sugar

    9. Peppermint Meringues9

      Peppermint Meringues

      Light, airy meringues with peppermint flavor that are budget-friendly and easy to make. A pretty addition to a cookie tray or a sweet homemade gift.

      137 reviews / 4.5 average

      Make this recipe:

      Peppermint Meringues >

      Photo and recipe: Love Bakes Good Cakes

    Fudge, Bark and Candy

    Fudge, bark, and candy round out a holiday treat table without requiring a single sheet pan or muffin tin. These recipes range from quick microwave fudge to beautifully layered peppermint bark perfect for gift boxes.

    1. Easy Peppermint Bark10

      Easy Peppermint Bark

      I love a no-bake option, and this peppermint bark layers chocolate and peppermint for a festive treat that doubles as a great homemade gift.

      19 reviews / 4.8 average

      Make this recipe:

      Easy Peppermint Bark >

      Photo and recipe: Savory Nothings

    2. Christmas Crack11

      Christmas Crack

      Saltines get covered in a bubbling brown sugar and butter toffee, then melted chocolate and holiday sprinkles. It takes about 20 minutes, and one pan makes plenty for gift tins.

      108 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Christmas Crack >

      Photo and recipe: Dinner at the Zoo

    3. Easy Peppermint Fudge12

      Easy Peppermint Fudge

      Made in the microwave, this peppermint fudge comes together fast for a quick holiday treat. Great for cookie trays, parties, or neighbor gifts.

      Make this recipe:

      Easy Peppermint Fudge >

      Photo and recipe: TidyMom

    4. Tiger Butter Fudge13

      Tiger Butter Fudge

      White chocolate and peanut butter get swirled with semi-sweet chocolate into a striped, tiger-print fudge. This version uses sugar-free chips, so it's keto-friendly too.

      6 reviews / 4.7 average

      Make this recipe:

      Tiger Butter Fudge >

      Photo and recipe: Around My Family Table

    5. English Toffee14

      English Toffee

      Buttery, crispy toffee finished with chocolate and chopped pecans. Rich and satisfying, it makes a beautiful homemade holiday gift.

      58 reviews / 4.9 average

      Make this recipe:

      English Toffee >

      Photo and recipe: Wyse Guide

    6. Easy Homemade Chocolate Truffles15

      Easy Homemade Chocolate Truffles

      Silky dark chocolate truffles that require no baking. They make a stunning holiday gift or an elegant addition to a dessert table.

      9 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Easy Homemade Chocolate Truffles >

      Photo and recipe: Scientifically Sweet

    7. Homemade Peppermint Patties16

      Homemade Peppermint Patties

      Made with just 5 ingredients and no baking, these homemade peppermint patties are a simple, cool, and minty candy for the holiday season.

      10 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Homemade Peppermint Patties >

      Photo and recipe: The Stay At Home Chef

    Bars and Brownies

    Bars and brownies are the low-effort, high-reward option when holiday baking gets busy. They bake in one pan and slice into tidy portions that work beautifully on dessert tables and cookie trays.

    1. Peppermint Brownies17

      Peppermint Brownies

      Fudgy brownies topped with peppermint frosting and crushed candy cane pieces. The chocolate-peppermint combination is a natural fit for the holiday season.

      Make this recipe:

      Peppermint Brownies >

      Photo and recipe: Shugary Sweets

    2. Cranberry Bliss Bar18

      Cranberry Bliss Bar

      A Starbucks-inspired blondie bar with cream cheese frosting, white chocolate, and dried cranberries. The homemade version delivers all the flavor of the original in an easy, shareable batch.

      Make this recipe:

      Cranberry Bliss Bar >

      Photo and recipe: Culinary Hill

    3. Magic Cookie Bars19

      Magic Cookie Bars

      Layered bars made with condensed milk, chocolate, and coconut. Simple to assemble and always a crowd favorite at holiday gatherings.

      7 reviews / 4.6 average

      Make this recipe:

      Magic Cookie Bars >

      Photo and recipe: The Kitchen Magpie

    No-Bake Treats

    No-bake treats are a lifesaver during the holiday season when oven space is at a premium. These recipes come together quickly and are perfect for snacking, gifting, or festive movie nights.

    1. Coconut Snowballs20

      Coconut Snowballs

      No-bake winter treats coated in coconut to look like little snowballs. A sweet, festive addition to any holiday cookie tray.

      14 reviews / 4.4 average

      Make this recipe:

      Coconut Snowballs >

      Photo and recipe: Love Bakes Good Cakes

    2. Chocolate Covered Pretzels21

      Chocolate Covered Pretzels

      Pretzels dipped in chocolate for a sweet and salty holiday snack. Easy to package as gifts and great for party spreads.

      10 reviews / 4.9 average

      Make this recipe:

      Chocolate Covered Pretzels >

      Photo and recipe: Dinner, then Dessert

    3. Reindeer Chow22

      Reindeer Chow

      A sweet and salty Christmas Chex Mix with a festive, colorful look. It makes an easy, eye-catching edible gift for the holiday season.

      27 reviews / 4.6 average

      Make this recipe:

      Reindeer Chow >

      Photo and recipe: Simply Stacie

    4. Christmas Popcorn23

      Christmas Popcorn

      A quick, festive popcorn treat that comes together in minutes. Perfect for Christmas movie nights or holiday snack bowls.

      Make this recipe:

      Christmas Popcorn >

      Photo and recipe: Simply Stacie

    5. Chocolate Dipped Oreos24

      Chocolate Dipped Oreos

      Chocolate sandwich cookies dipped in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles for a fun, festive treat. Easy to customize for any holiday theme.

      Make this recipe:

      Chocolate Dipped Oreos >

      Photo and recipe: Good Cheap Eats

    6. Butterscotch Haystacks25

      Butterscotch Haystacks

      An easy, sweet no-bake treat made with butterscotch. Simple to put together and a nice addition to a holiday candy spread.

      28 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Butterscotch Haystacks >

      Photo and recipe: Spend With Pennies

    Christmas Breads and Muffins

    Holiday quick breads and muffins bring warmth and seasonal flavors to Christmas morning without requiring advanced baking skills. Many of these recipes are easy to double for gifting to neighbors and friends.

    1. Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls26

      Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

      Soft homemade cinnamon rolls are arranged into a pull-apart Christmas tree and spread with cream cheese frosting. Set it out on Christmas morning and let everyone tear off a piece.

      Make this recipe:

      Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls >

      Photo and recipe: I Heart Eating

    2. Cranberry Orange Bread27

      Cranberry Orange Bread

      A moist quick bread packed with tart cranberries and bright orange flavor. The recipe is easy enough to double for gifting to neighbors and friends during the holidays.

      10 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Cranberry Orange Bread >

      Photo and recipe: Glorious Treats

    3. Eggnog Quick Bread28

      Eggnog Quick Bread

      A moist, sweet quick bread made with eggnog, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. It brings the warm, classic flavors of the holiday season into an easy Christmas morning option.

      Make this recipe:

      Eggnog Quick Bread >

      Photo and recipe: Dinner, then Dessert

    4. Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Bread29

      Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Bread

      A rich, moist chocolate loaf made with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and peppermint extract, finished with peppermint icing and crushed candy cane pieces. It is vegan, allergy-free, and makes a great holiday gift.

      Make this recipe:

      Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Bread >

      Photo and recipe: Strength and Sunshine

    5. Easy Gingerbread Muffins30

      Easy Gingerbread Muffins

      Spiced, moist gingerbread muffins with a light sweetness. A lovely holiday-morning treat or an easy bake to bring to a seasonal gathering.

      9 reviews / 5.0 average

      Make this recipe:

      Easy Gingerbread Muffins >

      Photo and recipe: Seasons and Suppers

    Whatever your holiday tradition looks like, there is something in this list to bring a little sweetness to the season.

    More Desserts & Sweets

    • Creamy No-Bake Cookie Butter Pie
      25 No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
    • Pumpkin Babka
      30 Sweet Pumpkin Recipes for Fall (From Breakfast to Dessert)
    • Peppermint Bark Cake
      30 Christmas Cake Recipes
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake
      30+ Best Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

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    Welcome I'm Imene, author of the Ambitious Foodie.

    My name is Imene, and i am the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Ambitious Foodie. Welcome to my virtual kitchen! If you're wondering what's for dinner, you've come to the right place.

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    Hi, This is Imene! I'm the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Ambitious Foodie. Welcome to my virtual kitchen! If you're wondering what's for dinner, you've come to the right place.

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