The Best Christmas Treats to Make as a Family
There’s something magical about gathering in the kitchen during the holidays, flour on the counters, Christmas music playing, and everyone pitching in to create something sweet. If you’re looking for the perfect treats to make together this season, here are some of the best Christmas recipes that bring families closer and fill the house with amazing smells!
1. Classic Sugar Cookies With Homemade Icing
You can’t go wrong with sugar cookies. Kids love using cookie cutters, stars, trees, snowflakes, gingerbread people, and decorating is a whole activity on its own.
Why they’re great: They’re simple, customizable, and make for adorable gifts or cookie-swap stars.
2. Peppermint Bark
This treat is super easy and always a hit. Just melt chocolate, layer it, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top, and let it chill.
Why families love it: No baking required, and kids get to smash the candy canes, which is always fun.
3. Gingerbread Men (or a Full Gingerbread House!)
Baking gingerbread fills the house with cozy spice smells. Decorating gingerbread men is fun, but building a house as a family is a full holiday memory.
Bonus tip: Use extra icing as “glue” to keep the house sturdy.
4. Hot Chocolate Spoons
Dip plastic or wooden spoons in melted chocolate and add toppings like marshmallows, crushed peppermint, or caramel bits. Once they harden, stir them into hot milk for instant fancy cocoa.
Why they’re special: They make perfect DIY gifts and look super cute wrapped in cellophane.
5. Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
Make classic Rice Krispie treats, cut into rectangles, and decorate with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M nose.
Kid favorite: Easy assembly, no oven, and they look adorable.
6. Christmas Tree Brownies
Bake a sheet of brownies, cut them into triangles, and decorate with green icing and sprinkles. Add a small candy cane at the bottom as a “tree trunk.”
Why they’re perfect: Fast, festive, and practically foolproof.
7. Cinnamon Roll Snowflakes
Use canned cinnamon roll dough, cut slits around the edges, twist into “snowflake” shapes, and bake. Top with icing and powdered sugar.
Cozy bonus: They’re ideal for Christmas morning breakfast.
8. Holiday Puppy Chow (Reindeer Chow)
A mix of Chex cereal, chocolate, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and holiday M&M’s.
Why families love it: Everyone can measure, shake, or mix something. It’s messy in the best way.
9. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
Dip pretzel rods in chocolate, then swirl them with red/green drizzle or roll in sprinkles.
Great for all ages: No baking and tons of creative freedom.
10. Shortbread Snowflake Cookies
Simple, buttery, and delicate. Use snowflake cutters and dust with powdered sugar or drizzle white chocolate for a snowy finish.
Why they feel festive: They’re elegant but super easy and taste amazing.
Make the Kitchen Part of Your Christmas Tradition
Holiday treats aren’t just about sweets, they’re about laughter, teamwork, and memories that stick long after the break is over. Whether you’re building a gingerbread house or dipping pretzels in chocolate, the best recipes are the ones you make together.
