Christmas is the season of sweetness, warmth, and togetherness. The joy of baking or preparing festive treats is just as important as sharing them.
From cookies to candies, every little bite holds a piece of holiday cheer.
Below are thirteen delightful Christmas treat ideas you can make at home. Each one is simple, delicious, and guaranteed to bring smiles to your family and friends.
13 Christmas Treat Ideas
1. Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
These cookies are rich and fudgy on the inside with a snowy sugar coating on the outside. The peppermint adds a refreshing holiday twist.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. In another bowl, beat sugar, eggs, and peppermint extract until smooth. Combine wet and dry ingredients to form dough. Chill for about an hour to make handling easier. Roll dough into small balls, coat each generously in powdered sugar, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake until the tops crack and the cookies are set. Let them cool before serving.
2. Gingerbread Oatmeal Cream Pies
Soft and chewy gingerbread cookies filled with a creamy spiced center. The oats add texture, while ginger and cinnamon bring warmth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup butter (for filling)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Mix oats, flour, baking soda, and spices in a bowl. Cream butter and sugar, then beat in the egg. Slowly add the dry mix to form a dough. Chill slightly before rolling. Cut into rounds and bake until golden. For the filling, beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. Spread a thick layer of filling between two cooled cookies to create sandwiches.
3. Divinity Candy
This old-fashioned candy is airy and melt-in-your-mouth sweet. It looks like fluffy clouds and makes a beautiful holiday gift.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ½ cup water
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
Boil sugar, corn syrup, and water until it reaches the soft-ball stage. Meanwhile, beat egg whites to soft peaks. Slowly pour the hot syrup into the egg whites while mixing constantly. Add vanilla and nuts if desired. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper and let them cool completely. The candy will firm up as it sits.
4. Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist, chocolatey brownies with a festive red hue, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 4 oz chocolate, melted
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Melt butter and chocolate together until smooth. Stir in sugar, then whisk in eggs, vanilla, and food coloring. Fold in flour and cocoa until just combined. Pour batter into a baking pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. While cooling, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar into a thick frosting. Spread evenly over cooled brownies and slice into squares.
5. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
A holiday staple with a soft, brownie-like center and a snowy powdered sugar crust.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
Mix flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder in one bowl. In another bowl, beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the mixtures to form dough. Chill until firm enough to handle. Roll into small balls, coat in powdered sugar, and place on a lined tray. Bake until tops crack and the edges are slightly crisp.
6. Christmas Bark
A fun and versatile treat with layers of chocolate and festive toppings. It’s easy to make in big batches.
Ingredients
- 12 oz dark chocolate
- 8 oz white chocolate
- Crushed candy canes
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
Melt dark chocolate and spread it evenly on parchment paper. Let it set slightly. Melt white chocolate and drizzle it over the top. Sprinkle crushed candy canes and sprinkles while still warm. Refrigerate until firm, then break into jagged pieces.
7. Cornflake Wreaths
Shaped like tiny holiday wreaths, these are crunchy, colorful, and fun to decorate.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cornflakes
- 1 bag of marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Green food coloring
- Red candies for berries
Instructions
Melt butter and marshmallows together until smooth. Stir in green food coloring until you get the desired shade. Fold in cornflakes until coated. Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper and shape into wreaths with your hands. Decorate with red candies to mimic holly berries. Allow to set before serving.
8. Holiday Haystacks
Simple clusters made with chocolate and mix-ins. No baking required.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips or butterscotch chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 cups chow mein noodles or oats
- ½ cup chopped nuts or coconut
Instructions
Melt the chocolate and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in chow mein noodles, nuts, or coconut until coated. Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper. Let them cool and harden before storing.
9. Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
A soft sugar cookie base topped with glaze and candy cane crunch.
Ingredients
- Sugar cookie dough
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Crushed candy canes
Instructions
Spread sugar cookie dough in a baking pan and bake until golden. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract into a glaze. Once cookies cool, spread glaze evenly. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Slice into bars for serving.
10. Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)
A crunchy snack mix coated in chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Melt chocolate, peanut butter, and butter together. Pour over cereal and mix gently until coated. Place the mixture into a large bag with powdered sugar. Shake well until every piece is covered. Spread on parchment to cool before storing.
11. Candy Cane Cookies
Twisted red-and-white cookies shaped like candy canes. A playful and festive favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar cookie dough
- Red food coloring
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Divide the cookie dough into two halves. Color one half red. Roll each color into ropes, twist together, and curve into cane shapes. Bake until edges turn lightly golden. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
12. Reindeer Berry Snacks
Healthy and adorable, these treats turn strawberries into fun reindeer faces.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries
- Melted chocolate
- Mini pretzels
- Candy eyes
- Red M&Ms
Instructions
Dip the tops of strawberries into melted chocolate. Stick pretzel pieces into the chocolate for antlers. Place candy eyes on the front with chocolate as glue. Add a red M&M as the nose. Let it set until firm.
13. Mini No-Bake Gingerbread Icebox Cakes
Layers of gingersnap cookies and cream create a spiced, chilled dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups gingersnap cookies
- 2 cups whipped cream or sweetened cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice blend
Instructions
Place a layer of cookies in a small glass or jar. Spread whipped cream over the cookies. Repeat layering until full. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight so the cookies soften. Serve cold with a sprinkle of spice on top.
Conclusion
Christmas treats are more than just desserts. They’re a way to celebrate love, family, and tradition. Whether you prefer baking cookies, whipping up no-bake snacks, or crafting fun shapes, there’s something here for everyone. Share them with friends, give them as gifts, or simply enjoy them by the fire. This holiday, let sweetness be at the center of your celebrations.