Holiday Baking

Christmas cookies, candy, bars, and desserts for sharing and gifting.

Kaleb Wyse wearing a black shirt standing in front of a taupe background.

All About Holiday Baking

Christmas baking is one of my favorite parts of the year. It’s delicious, full of nostalgia, and one of the easiest ways to make the season feel special. This page is your “start here” guide for holiday baking, whether youโ€™re baking to fill a cookie tin, building a cookie tray, or just want one great dessert for a holiday gathering.

Pick a section below and choose one recipe to start. Then come back and build your holiday lineup from there.

Christmas Candy | Christmas Cookies | Bars & Brownies | Desserts for a Crowd | Gifting & Cookie Trays

Christmas sugar cookies after being decorated.

Start Here (Biggest Holiday Favorites)

These are the recipes I suggest you make first if you want the biggest payoff with the least stress. If you’re making gifts, start with one candy, one cookie, and one bar so you get some variety without doubling up on the work.

Bars

Pumpkin Bars

Moist pumpkin bars with smooth cream cheese frosting.

Christmas Candy

Homemade candy feels impressive, but much of it is simpler than it looks. These are the recipes that are perfect for gifting and sharing!

Tip โ€“ Candy stores best when it’s packed in airtight containers, and it’s great to make it ahead because you can knock it out early.

Candy

English Toffee

Buttery crisp toffee topped with chocolate and chopped pecans.

Candy

Peco Candy

Light, airy candy with peanuts and flakes of coconut.

Candy

Chow Mein Candy

Crunchy chocolate candy with peanuts, noodles, and butterscotch.

Christmas Cookies

Cookies are the heart of holiday baking! Whether you love soft and chewy or crisp and classic, cookies are the easiest way to build a tray that looks abundant.

Tip โ€“ If you’re baking multiple cookies in one day, choose doughs with similar bake temperatures to keep the flow easy.

Bars & Brownies

Bars are the best shortcut when it comes to holiday baking. They feed a crowd, travel well, and they’re perfect for cookie trays because they add variety.

Tip โ€“ Bars are your make-ahead secret. Bake, cool completely, then slice and store in airtight containers for super easy gifting.

Bars

Pumpkin Bars

Moist pumpkin bars with smooth cream cheese frosting.

Desserts for a Crowd

When you need one showstopper, these are the recipes. They’re perfect to serve after holiday meals, gatherings, and the nights when you want a dessert that feels extra special.

Tip โ€“ For gatherings, pick desserts that hold well. Cheesecakes, bars, and chilled desserts tend to travel better than anything that needs last-minute assembly. Plus, you can avoid the stress that comes with making something right before serving.

Cake

Sticky Date Cake

Rich, old-fashioned sweet cake that’s perfect for the holidays.

Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Pudding Pie

A different type of pie when you’re getting tired of the classic verison.

If you want your baking to feel organized (and not like an eggnog-fueled tornado), here’s the plan.

A simple cookie tray formula (choose 6 of the following):

  • 2 cookies (different textures)
  • 2 candies (one chocolate, one crunchy)
  • 1 bar
  • 1 wildcard recipe (but something festive or nostalgic)

My making/baking order:

  1. Make the candy first.
  2. Bake the bars next.
  3. Bake the cookies last (freshness and texture are best this way).

Tip โ€“ If you want to keep it simple, repeat the same 6 recipes every year. You know how much I love traditions, and repeating the same ones quickly becomes your own tradition!

Snacks

Glazed Party Mix

A sweet, crunchy treat that’s perfect for holiday snacking.

Browse More Holiday Recipes

If you want to keep scrolling, explore all of my holiday recipes โ†’