Nothing gives the holiday spirit an easier lift than baking those favorite Christmas treats! For Ree Drummond, it means indeed one whole day of making Christmas cookies or cinnamon rolls for friends and neighbors. Want more ideas for Christmas desserts? This list has everything you need for a season of sweets, including gingerbread recipes, decadent cheesecakes, and holiday pies. There are even tons of festive treats that work wonderful as homemade Christmas food gifts too, like boozy bourbon balls, homemade marshmallows, or Ree’s favorite holiday haystacks!
You will find classics such as a traditional yule log along with a list of fun Christmas desserts that are sure to surprise you. Bake a batch of Christmas cupcakes or try the eggnog ice cream, spiked with spiced rum. In addition, treats with lots of festive red and green include the Crock-Pot candy or sugar-cookie fudge. Most of these recipes are so easy that they can be tackled by novice bakers. These recipes can even get your kids involved as a fun family holiday tradition. What are you waiting for? There are many sweet suggestions.
1.Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Give the holiday a cowgirl spin with these placating star and horse-riding cookies. The royal icing is fairly simple to work with, and you can let your imagination run wild on different designs.
2.Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie
Take those cinnamon rolls that Ree made famous and turn them into a pie, apple style! It couldn’t be easier with these tubes of refrigerated cinnamon roll dough. And yes, it has glaze, just for you!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cans of pre-made cinnamon roll dough (with icing)
For the Filling:
- 6 cups apples, peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for a richer flavor)
3.Gingerbread Truffles
You only need 5 ingredients to make this no-bake treat. The spiced gingerbread flavor, sweet white chocolate, and decorative sprinkles make it a holiday favorite.
Ingredients
For the Truffle Base:
1 ½ cups (180g) gingerbread cookies (or gingersnap cookies), finely crushed
4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Coating:
8 oz (225g) white chocolate or white candy melts
Optional: sprinkles, crushed gingerbread cookies, or cinnamon for garnish
4.Fruitcake Cookies
These cookies are filled with delicious bits and pieces of candied fruit and nuts, then drizzled with a sweet brandy glaze. Even fruitcake skeptics will fall in love!
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened;
1 cup granulated sugar;
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar;
2 large eggs;
2 tablespoons milk;
2 teaspoons vanilla extract;
2 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour;
1 teaspoon baking powder;
1/2 teaspoon baking soda;
1/2 teaspoon salt;
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon;
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg;
The following are the mix-ins:
1 1/2 cups chopped candied fruits (i.e. cherries, pineapples);
1 cup chopped nuts (pecan, walnut, almond);
1/2 cup raisins or golden raisins;
1/2 cup currants, optional;
2 tablespoons orange zest, optional but brightens up the mix.
5.Holiday Haystacks
Ingredients:
2 cups chow mein noodles (dry and crisp)
1 cup butterscotch chips (or white chocolate chips for a play of taste)
½ cup peanut butter (whatever you prefer, chunky or creamy)
½ cup peanuts or almonds (optional)
¼ cup holiday sprinkles or colored candies (red, green, or white for that holiday look)
6.Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
To make the Peppermint Frosting, use the following:
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup cream (or milk)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Few drops of red food coloring, optional
Candy canes or peppermint candies for sprinkling
7.Pecan Tassies
If you are a lover of pecan pie, you’ll love these one-bite treats. They have a nutty flavor, a flaky crust, and they can feed a crowd.
Ingredients
Dough:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
Filling:
1 large egg
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
A pinch of salt
8.Cranberry Apple Crumb Pie
Pop of color and a sweet tart from the home-baked pie is bound to make it your favorite, not to mention its buttery and cinnamon crumble topping.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
3 cups apples, peeled and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp will work best)
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Crumb Topping:
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats
⅓ cup brown sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the Pie Crust:
You can get away with a store-bought 9” pie crust, or you can make a homemade one.
9.Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Ree used snowflake cookie cutters, white icing, and a dusting of sanding sugar to turn these chocolate cookies into gorgeous winter snowflakes. What’s needed to complete the look: a glass of milk for dipping!
Ingredients
Filling:
3 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are both good)
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Crumb Topping:
½ cup of all-purpose flour
½ cup of rolled oats
⅓ cup of brown sugar
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cubed
Pie Crust:
One unbaked or pre-bought 9-inch pie crust
10.Bourbon Balls
Calling all bourbon lovers! This homemade candy is absolutely scrumptious, for sure. You may decorate them creatively using cocoa powder or powdered sugar, sprinklings of nonpareils or chopped nuts.
11.Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
When making your Christmas cookie plate, you like to have an assortment of colors and flavors. And, lucky for you, these red velvet thumbprints will do the trick!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon red food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
12.Watergate Salad
This is a retro favorite of a dessert made with pistachio pudding, marshmallows, and pineapple. Topping it off with a bright red cherry really hits the classic Christmas colors
Ingredients:
1 package (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple (with juice, do not drain)
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Maraschino cherries (optional, for garnish)
13.Butterscotch Pudding Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 (3.4 oz) package instant butterscotch pudding mix (dry)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips (or chocolate chips if preferred)
14.Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting
Anything chocolaty or minty is the best dessert for holidays. When put together, these flavors are absolute heaven! Just add some crushed peppermint candies as toppings and everyone will be a happy person.
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup boiling water
For the Peppermint Frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
1 tsp peppermint extract
1-2 tbsp crushed peppermint candies (optional, for garnish)
15.Eggnog Bread Pudding
Creamy eggnog is the star ingredient in this make-ahead bread pudding. The custard also has extra rum, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg to really drive home the cozy flavors.
Ingredients:
4 cups cubed day-old bread, preferably brioche or challah
2 cups eggnog
3 large eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup butter, melted
1 cup raisins or chopped pecans (optional)
Powdered sugar, for serving (optional)
16.Red Velvet Brownies
This treat is like three desserts in one. It’s everything you love about rich chocolate brownies with the festive red velvet color and the creamy cheesecake swirl.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 cup (120g) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract for the cream cheese frosting