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  5. Christmas Recipes Full of Kid-Friendly Fun

Christmas Recipes Full of Kid-Friendly Fun

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated April 06, 2022
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Christmas Tree Brownies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

'Tis the season for baking up some memories. Time spent in the kitchen with family is a holiday treat—a time you'll treasure for years to come. But any activity involving little hands, sugar, flour, frosting, and sprinkles can also easily be a recipe for disaster. While a little mess is to be expected when baking with the kiddos, a little planning can also go a long way in making sure your Christmas sweets come out as planned. 

First, consider what recipes and steps might be most age appropriate for your little bakers. Once you've landed on the perfect recipe, do a little prep work. Gather your ingredients, prepare parchment-lined decorating stations, brush up on some tricks for making decorating cookies with kids easier—anything you can do in advance that will help make the process smooth and memorable. 

To help get you started, we've rounded up a batch of kid-friendly baking recipes full of holiday spirit. We've broken it all down, step by step, so you can make more than a mess in the kitchen with the kids this holiday season. 

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Sprinkle Stocking Cookies

sprinkle stocking cookies
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Sprinkle Stocking Cookies

This recipe is a great baking and decorating project for kids of all ages. The young ones may make a bit of a mess with the sprinkles, but hey, it's all part of the fun. These cookies pair beautifully with our Painted Shortbread Cookies too.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Sprinkle Stocking Cookies with Kids

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Santa's Kitchen-Sink Cookies

Santa's Kitchen-Sink Cookies
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Santa's Kitchen-Sink Cookies

Santa's Kitchen Sink Cookies are chock full of goodies. We're talking red and green M&Ms, mini pretzel twists, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Santa's Kitchen-Sink Cookies with Kids

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Reindeer Brownies

Reindeer Brownies
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Reindeer Brownies

These aren't just any run-of-the-mill bake sale brownies. That's right: Rudolph is officially in town. Not only do these Reindeer Brownies look downright adorable, but they're also extremely easy to bake with the kids' help. 

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Reindeer Brownies with Kids

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Cathedral Window Cookies

Cathedral Window Cookies
Credit: Zoe Denenberg, Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Cathedral Window Cookies

The best treats are the ones made with family, and these Cathedral Window Cookies can be baked with kids of all ages, especially the youngest of the bunch.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Cathedral Window Cookies with Kids

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Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookie Bites

Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookie Bites
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookie Bites

Made from dough shaped into two long cylindrical logs, kids can help roll the dough in sprinkles before you slice and bake. The result? Perfectly round miniature cookies with a speckled, crunchy edge.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookies Bites with Kids

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Christmas Tree Brownies

Christmas Tree Brownies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Christmas Tree Brownies

We've found the perfect way to add a little holiday pizazz to your everyday brownies. Easy enough for any little helper, our Christmas Tree Brownies recipe offers the perfect mix of simple baking and fun decorating.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Christmas Tree Brownies with Kids

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Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Reindeer Pops

Reindeer Marshmallow Pops
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Reindeer Pops

This holiday "baking" recipe doesn't actually require any baking at all. It's a festive recipe that requires minimal supplies, occupies the kids for the afternoon, and leaves your oven free for those beloved cakes and casseroles.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Pops with Kids

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Painted Shortbread Cookies

Painted Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Painted Shortbread Cookies

The best part about these Painted Shortbread Cookies? Once you've got the base made, there are absolutely no rules. The kids can go wild with decorations, painting any design they'd like.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Painted Shortbread Cookies with Kids

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Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies

Wreath Cookie
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies

In this family-friendly recipe, a simple box of cereal and a bag of marshmallows completely transform into sweet, colorful Christmas treats that add a touch of whimsy to any holiday dessert spread. 

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies with Kids

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Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Recognized far and wide as one of the most beloved Christmas cookies of all time, the nostalgic flavor of Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies make them a must in our holiday baking repertoire. Unlike more involved Christmas baking projects, the simplicity of this cookie makes it the ideal recipe to involve the whole family in, especially the little ones.

Learn More: All The Tips You Need to Bake Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies with Kids

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    1 of 10 Sprinkle Stocking Cookies
    2 of 10 Santa's Kitchen-Sink Cookies
    3 of 10 Reindeer Brownies
    4 of 10 Cathedral Window Cookies
    5 of 10 Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookie Bites
    6 of 10 Christmas Tree Brownies
    7 of 10 Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Reindeer Pops
    8 of 10 Painted Shortbread Cookies
    9 of 10 Cornflake Wreath Christmas Cookies
    10 of 10 Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

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