it’s the holidays: let’s get baking

ChristmasBaking
Written By Lisa Hemmerle

Every December, my kitchen turns into a little holiday bakery—flour on the counters, butter softening on the stovetop, Christmas music humming somewhere in the background. It’s a simple tradition, but one I look forward to all year. As soon as I start mixing that first batch of dough, I feel myself settling into the rhythm of the season. The glow of the oven light, the scent of warm vanilla, the quiet satisfaction of filling the cooling racks—there’s something timeless and grounding about it all.

Baking cookies has become my way to slow down in a very busy month and share a bit of joy with the people I love. Whether I’m rolling dough late at night or packaging up little bundles for neighbors, friends, and family, each cookie feels like a small, heartfelt reminder of what this season is really about: generosity, connection, and the sweetness of giving something made with care.

Just love the look of these cookies!

🍪 Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Why I love these
I adore the buttery, classic sugar-cookie flavor, the crisp “snap” from the sprinkles, and — of course — the red-and-white spiral design that screams festive holidays.

Recipe link
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies – Spaceships & Laser Beams

What makes them extra special

  • The swirl-pattern looks festive and impressive, but the dough and process are surprisingly simple — perfect for a homemade holiday batch with minimal stress. Spaceships and Laser Beams

  • The buttery sugar-cookie base melts in your mouth, while sprinkles add playful crunch and a burst of color, making the cookies as fun to give as they are to eat. Spaceships and Laser Beams

  • You can freeze the unbaked cookie logs — so you can bake some now and save some for later, which makes holiday gifting easier to manage. Spaceships and Laser Beams

Quick overview

At-a-glance ingredients
Sugar, salted butter, vanilla, one egg, all-purpose flour, baking powder, red food coloring (for festive swirl), plus optional sprinkles (for extra holiday cheer). Spaceships and Laser Beams

 

This recipe makes so many cookies which is good, because a lot of them don’t make it to a box.

🍪 Homemade Gingerbread Men

Why I love these
The flavor is unbeatable — warm molasses and cozy holiday spices swirl together with rich brown sugar and butter. Plus I love that each year we make all kinds of shapes (gingerbread people — of course! — but also little houses, stars, and more), which makes decorating and gifting extra fun and festive.

Recipe link
Homemade Gingerbread Men – Bigger Bolder Baking

What makes them extra special

  • The dough is loaded with classic holiday warmth: ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses — full, cozy flavor in every bite.Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

  • Because the dough chills and firms up before baking, you can cut out fun shapes without losing definition — which is perfect whether you’re doing gingerbread people, trees, or wintery stars.Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

  • These cookies are easy to make and go a long way — one batch stretches to gift-enough cookies for friends, family, and neighbors.Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

Quick overview

At-a-glance ingredients
Butter, packed brown sugar, molasses (or treacle), egg, all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, salt.Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

 

Getting boxed up in the top middle of the pic above.

🍪 Monster Cookies

Why I love these
These are my husband’s absolute favorite - a 4-way cookie mash up! I love how Monster Cookies mash together everything you crave: the warm peanut-butter richness, the chewy oats, gooey chocolate chips, and bright M&Ms — basically giving you a little bit of every favorite cookie in one bite. They’re fun, colorful, and perfect for sharing with friends, family, or neighbors who love a good chocolate-peanut butter treat.

Recipe link
Big Giant Monster Cookies – Sally’s Baking Addiction

What makes them extra special

  • The cookie is like a mash-up: peanut butter cookie meets oatmeal cookie meets chocolate chip & candy cookie — so each bite is a flavor and texture explosion. Sally's Baking+1

  • They bake up thick, soft in the center with a slightly crisp edge, and the oats give them a hearty chew that stands up to all the mix-ins. Sally's Baking+1

  • No one gets bored — every cookie is different because of the random mix of chocolate chips, M&Ms, and oats scattered throughout.

Quick overview

  • Prep & Bake Time: ~20 min prep + ~14–16 min bake per batch (after chilling dough) Sally's Baking

  • Yield: Roughly 24–25 extra-large cookies (or more if you make smaller ones) per batch. Sally's Baking

At-a-glance ingredients
Flour, unsalted butter, peanut butter (creamy), granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, rolled oats, baking soda/powder, salt, semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini M&Ms (or regular M&Ms) — plus extra chips or candies to press on top before baking for that bakery look. Sally's Baking

 

The snowball cookies are in the top, middle of the photo. They are delectable.

🍪 Snowball Cookies

Why I love these
My son asks for these every year — and I don’t blame him. They’re melt-in-your-mouth magical: buttery, nutty, and covered in snow-white powdered sugar.

Recipe link
Classic Snowball Cookies – Bigger Bolder Baking

What makes them extra special

  • The dough is rich with butter and finely ground pecans (or other nuts), giving a deeply nutty, almost melt-away-in-your-mouth crumb. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

  • After baking, each cookie gets two generous rolls in powdered sugar — once while warm, and again after cooling — creating a soft, delicate “snowball” exterior that feels festive and classic. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking+1

  • With simple ingredients and an easy mixing method, these cookies are quick to make, yet feel timeless and special — perfect for gifting or holiday platters. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

Quick overview

At-a-glance ingredients
Butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, salt, all-purpose flour, finely ground pecans (or another nut), and a generous amount of powdered sugar for coating. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking+1

 

Can’t wait for these delicious treats, year after year.

🍪 Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Why I love these
My son asks for these every year — and I don’t blame him. They taste like fudgy brownie-cookies: rich, chocolatey, cozy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Recipe link
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Bigger Bolder Baking

What makes them extra special

  • The dough is deeply chocolatey (cocoa + oil + sugar), giving a fudgy, brownie-like interior that stays soft even after baking. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking+1

  • Rolled in powdered sugar before baking, they emerge from the oven with that signature “crinkle” — a cracked, snowy exterior that makes them feel festive and gift-worthy. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking+1

  • They bake quickly (about 10–12 minutes) and stay chewy for days — ideal for baking once and sharing throughout the season. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking+1

Quick overview

At-a-glance ingredients
Cocoa powder, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt — and powdered sugar to coat. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking+1

 

Boxed up front and center, these really are the best ever!

🍪 Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Why I love these
By far the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever eaten — the rich, bittersweet chopped chocolate gives a deep, sophisticated chocolate flavor, and the texture is dreamy: slightly crisp on the outside, soft and gooey inside. These are the cookies everyone remembers long after the holidays.

Recipe link
Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies – Bigger Bolder Baking

What makes them extra special

  • The recipe calls for chopped bittersweet chocolate (not pre-made chips), which melts into pockets of rich, deep chocolate in every bite — far more luxurious than run-of-the-mill chocolate chips. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

  • You chill the dough before baking, which helps the cookies bake up with crispy edges and a soft, chewy, almost gooey center — that slightly under-done middle is part of the magic. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

  • Because the dough is forgiving (and even freeze-friendly), it’s a great recipe to double — perfect when you want to bake once and gift to many friends, family, or neighbors over the holidays. Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

Quick overview

At-a-glance ingredients
All-purpose flour, salt, baking soda; melted butter; brown sugar + granulated sugar; eggs; vanilla; chopped bittersweet chocolate (63–72% cocoa). Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking

 

🌲 Christmas Tree Brownie Treats

Why I love these
They combine rich, fudgy chocolate goodness with a festive twist — cut into triangles, decorated like tiny Christmas trees, and perfect for gifting or holiday tables. The brownie mix keeps it simple, but the finished treats feel special and fun.

Recipe / Base Mix
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix (18-oz box)

What makes them extra special

  • The brownie mix gives a deeply chocolatey, fudgy base that’s quick and easy — no complicated dough required. One Little Project+2Eating on a Dime+2

  • Once baked and cooled, you cut the brownies into triangles (like little trees) and use a “trunk” — e.g., a candy cane piece or pretzel stick — plus icing and sprinkles to make them look festive and fun. One Little Project+1

  • They’re easily transportable and gift-ready — great for holiday parties, neighbor treats, or cookie boxes when you want something different from classic cookies. Eating on a Dime+1

Quick overview

  • Bake: According to brownie-mix directions — typically 8–12 minutes (or as box instructs, often around 20–30 min for a full pan) then cool completely. Betty Crocker - Latin America+1

  • Cutting: Once brownies are fully cooled, remove from pan and slice into triangles — usually by cutting into even rows first, then slicing diagonally. One Little Project+1

  • Decorate: Use candy-cane pieces or pretzels for “trunks,” pipe frosting/icing in zig-zag “garlands,” add sprinkles or candy “ornaments,” and maybe a star candy on top. One Little Project+1

At-a-glance ingredients (simple mix-based version)

  • 1 box Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix (dry mix)

  • Ingredients required by the box (eggs, oil, water, etc.) per package instructions

  • Optional: candies, sprinkles, frosting/icing, candy-cane or pretzel “trunks”

Tips for best results

  • Let brownies cool completely before cutting — this gives clean edges and avoids crumbling. Eating on a Dime+1

  • Use a plastic knife or serrated knife (or a lightly greased blade) for cleaner cuts and neater triangles. Betty Crocker - Latin America+1

  • Decorate just before serving or gifting so icing and sprinkles stay fresh.

 

🍫 Marshmallow Fluff “Never-Fail” Fudge

Why I love this fudge
This fudge is rich, creamy, and nostalgic — a perfect holiday treat that feels timeless and comforting. The combination of melted semi-sweet chocolate and marshmallow-fluff gives it a smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s just as irresistible whether you’re snacking by the fire or gifting a box to friends and neighbors.

Recipe link
[Never-Fail Fudge – Marshmallow Fluff

What makes it extra special

  • The base uses marshmallow-fluff plus sugar, butter, evaporated milk and a touch of salt for a buttery, creamy fudge interior that stays soft and smooth. Marshmallow Fluff+1

  • Once melted chocolate is stirred in, the texture becomes dense and chocolatey — fudge that’s decadent but still light enough to pop more than one piece. Marshmallow Fluff+1

  • It’s straightforward and forgiving — you don’t need fancy tools or decades of candy-making experience. That “never-fail” name isn’t just for show. Marshmallow Fluff+1

Quick overview

  • Prep & Cook Time: About 10–15 minutes of active cooking. Food.com+1

  • Yield: Roughly 2½ pounds of fudge per batch — enough to share widely during the holidays. Marshmallow Fluff

  • Set Time: Cool and let set completely before cutting into squares (can chill if you prefer firmer fudge).

At-a-glance ingredients

Tips for best result

  • Stir constantly: once the sugar, milk, butter and fluff mixture hits a full boil, stir for 3½–5 minutes to reach the “soft-ball” stage, then remove from heat. Marshmallow Fluff+1

  • Use good-quality semi-sweet chocolate — it makes a big difference in richness and depth.

  • Line your pan with parchment or foil (lightly greased) for easy removal and clean-cut squares.

  • For gifting: cut into even squares, wrap in wax or parchment paper, and tie with a ribbon — fudge makes a cozy, luxurious neighbor or friend gift.

 

Source Sally’s Baking Addiction

🍪 Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

A new one to try
I’ve been looking for a cookie bar recipe and this looks as delicious and ready to make “Christmasy” as any! Sally has never steered me wrong. I think I’ll try red or green frosting and sprinkles!

Recipe link
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars – Sally’s Baking Addiction

What makes them extra special

  • The dough bakes up soft and chewy — thanks to a little cornstarch — so you get that “fresh-baked cookie” feeling, but in a big tray that’s easier to slice and share. Sally's Baking+1

  • A generous layer of vanilla buttercream frosting on top adds creamy sweetness and lets you get festive with sprinkles, colored sugar, or holiday-themed toppings. Boston Girl Bakes+1

  • Because they bake in a pan, not individually, they’re great when you want to make large quantities for gifts, parties, or cookie exchanges — perfect for holiday cookie platters.

Quick overview

  • Prep: Cream butter + sugar, mix in egg + yolk + vanilla, stir in dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, salt), fold in sprinkles. Sally's Baking+1

  • Bake: Press dough into an 8×8 or 9×9 (or larger) pan; bake ~25 minutes at 350 °F (until top is lightly golden). Tangled Up In Food+1

  • Frost: Once fully cooled, spread on vanilla buttercream frosting — optionally tint frosting with food coloring, then add more sprinkles or festive decorative touches. Sally's Baking+1

  • Yield: Roughly 16 bars (depending on pan size / serving size) when cut into squares. Diamonds for Dessert+1

At-a-glance ingredients

  • Unsalted butter (room temp)

  • Granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk

  • Vanilla extract

  • All-purpose flour

  • Baking powder, baking soda, salt

  • Cornstarch (for soft, thick texture) Sally's Baking+1

  • Rainbow sprinkles (mixed into dough) Sally's Baking

  • Vanilla buttercream: butter, powdered sugar, cream (or milk), vanilla — optionally tinted food coloring + extra sprinkles for decorating. Tangled Up In Food+1

 

Source: Unknown

🍫 Nuttella Muddy Buddies

Why I am trying this
I was inspired to try this by Mrs. Brown’s Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram. She turns the standard muddy buddy/puppy chow on its he'd by adding Nutella and peanut butter - favorites in our household. I can’t find the same Cinamon Toast Crunch, so we’re subbing Golden Grahams and Chocolate Chex. Can’t wait to share this with friends and family this year!

“Recipe link / inspiration”
I’ve been following Mrs. Brown’s Kitchen for a bit and just love her recipes and her fun, happy attitude. You can also find this recipe on Facebook.

What makes them extra special

  • The mix of Golden Graham + Chocolate-Chex provides a fun contrast — sweet and nostalgic cereal paired with crunchy, chocolate-ready Chex for texture and depth.

  • Using Nutella (or chocolate-hazelnut spread) and peanut butter creates a rich, creamy chocolate coating that clings to each piece of cereal for maximum indulgence.

  • Coating the mixture in powdered sugar (or a dusting of sugar & cocoa/vanilla-sugar blend) gives that “holiday treat” snow-dusting look and makes the mix easy to snack on by the handful — ideal for gift bags, cookie platters, or neighbor tins. Chelsea's Messy Apron+1

  • Because it’s no-bake and mixes up fast (mix → melt → stir → shake → done), it’s a great “last-minute” bake-season rescue when you need treats quick but still want something homemade and special.

Quick overview / rough method

  • Combine Golden Graham cereal + Chocolate Chex cereal in a large bowl.

  • In a microwave-safe bowl: melt 1 cup of Nutella and 1/2 cup peanut butter), stir until smooth.

  • Pour melted chocolate mixture over the cereals → stir gently until evenly coated (taking care to not crush the cereal pieces).

  • Add 2 cups of powdered sugar (or sugar-cocoa blend), seal bowl, and shake until everything is well coated.

  • Add M&Ms or other candy pieces to your liking. Spread on parchment or waxed paper to cool/dry a bit, then transfer to an airtight container or gift bags.

At-a-glance “ingredients list (snack-mix style)”

  • Golden Graham cereal

  • Corn or Rice Chex (or Chocolate Chex) cereal

  • Nutella

  • Peanut butter

  • Powdered sugar (for coating)

  • Optional add-ins: mini marshmallows, candy pieces, chopped nuts, festive sprinkles, pretzels — for extra texture or holiday flair.

Tips / Notes

  • Use a very large bowl with a lid: when coating cereal with chocolate + sugar, you don’t want it too crowded — this helps ensure even coating without crushing the cereals.

  • Be gentle when stirring — the cereal needs to stay light and crunchy, so treat it gently to avoid breaking.

  • For holidays: consider mixing in red/green sprinkles or mini M&Ms after coating (before sugar-dusting) for festive color and bonus fun.

  • This snack stores well in an airtight container at room temp — and makes a delightful, unexpected addition to your usual cookie boxes or holiday dessert platters.

 

🎁 How I Package My Cookie Gifts

One of my favorite parts of holiday baking is packaging everything up into sweet little gift boxes. Over the years, I’ve learned that presentation doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive — in fact, some of my favorite cookie boxes start with things I already have at home.

✨ Up-cycled Takeout Boxes, or Boxes from Last Year

I love giving old takeout containers or previous year’s received cookie containers a second life. The trick is to choose boxes that are clean, sturdy, and still in good shape. I line them with food-safe parchment sheets (like these) to give a fresh, crisp base layer and to make sure nothing absorbs oils or flavors.
It’s eco-friendly, adorable, and feels a little bit like a secret baking hack.

✨ Kraft Bakery Boxes

For a more polished look, I use Kraft window bakery boxes like these. They’re lightweight but sturdy, stack beautifully, and the little peek-through window makes your cookies look extra tempting. I add a sheet of food-safe paper to keep everything neat and help the cookies stay fresh.

✨ What You Put Inside Each Box

  • A mix of textures (soft cookies, crunchy cookies, bars, a piece of fudge)

  • A pop of festive color — sprinkles, powdered sugar, or a Christmas-tree brownie

  • A small note or tag with the cookie list (or a little “Made with love” message)

✨ Easy Finishing Touches

  • Tie the box with ribbon, twine, or even a strip of leftover wrapping paper

  • Add a sprig of pine, rosemary, or a mini candy cane on top

  • Use a metallic Sharpie to write the recipient’s name directly on the box

✨ Why This Method Works So Well

It’s budget-friendly, sustainable, easy to batch-prep, and it turns your homemade cookies into a heartfelt gift that feels curated and intentional. Plus — the boxes stack perfectly, which makes neighbor deliveries and teacher gifts a thousand times easier.

 
Lisa Hemmerle
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it’s the hoidays: decorate with intention (with what you have and without clutter)