Christmas Baking RecipesTo Delight Your Family This Holiday Season

Christmas is the perfect time to fill your home with the sweet aroma of baked goodies. Whether you’re hosting or simply craving festive treats, these five delightful recipes will bring holiday cheer to your table. Let’s dive into the joy of baking and create memories your family will cherish!

1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground cloves

½ tsp salt

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup molasses

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.

In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla; mix well.

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until dough forms.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut out shapes.

Bake on a parchment-lined tray for 8-10 minutes. Cool before decorating.

Helpful Note:

Use royal icing and candy decorations for festive flair!

2. Peppermint Chocolate Bark

Ingredients:

12 oz dark chocolate, melted

6 oz white chocolate, melted

½ cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

Spread melted dark chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Drizzle melted white chocolate on top and swirl with a toothpick.

Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies evenly over the surface.

Let the bark set in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Break into pieces.

Helpful Note: 

Package these in holiday-themed bags for a thoughtful homemade gift.

3. Cinnamon Sugar Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

3 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.

Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

Roll dough into balls, coat in cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place on baking sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden.

Helpful Note:

 Enjoy warm for an extra soft, chewy experience!

4. Festive Cranberry Orange Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

¾ cup sugar

2 large eggs

½ cup milk

⅓ cup orange juice

2 tbsp orange zest

1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.

In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, beat sugar and eggs until fluffy. Add milk, orange juice, and zest.

Combine wet and dry ingredients, folding in cranberries last.

Pour batter into the pan and bake for 50-60 minutes.

Helpful Note: 

Serve with a glaze made of powdered sugar and orange juice for extra sweetness.

5. Christmas Tree Brownie Bites

Ingredients:

1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients as listed on the package)

Green frosting

Sprinkles for decoration

Candy canes (cut into 1-inch pieces)

Instructions:

Bake brownies according to package instructions. Let cool completely.

Cut brownies into triangles.

Pipe green frosting onto each triangle to resemble a Christmas tree.

Add sprinkles as ornaments and a candy cane piece for the trunk.

Helpful Note: 

Use a star-shaped candy at the top for the perfect finishing touch!

These five recipes bring holiday magic straight to your kitchen. Gather your loved ones and enjoy the sweet rewards of baking together. Which recipe will you try first? Let the holiday baking begin!