5-Ingredient Christmas Recipes You Can Pull Together at the Last Minute

Credit: Southern Living

While you've probably had most of your holiday menu planned out for a while, if you realize you need another dessert or appetizer at the last minute, there's no need to panic. These 5-ingredient recipes will be the perfect addition to your Christmas celebration. You may even be lucky enough to have all of the ingredients for some of these easy recipes on hand, no grocery-store run needed. There are even 5-ingredient recipes on this list, like Christmas cookies and cheese straws, that will make great food gifts for friends and neighbors. These quick and easy recipes with few ingredients are here to save the day no matter what holiday dilemma is headed your way.

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Orange-Basil Baked Brie

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Orange-Basil Baked Brie

A recipe with a short ingredient list that still yields plenty of flavor is our favorite type of dish.

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Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

A box of cake mix is the not-so-secret ingredient to making impressive cookies with little effort on your part.

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Cinnamon-Sugar Christmas Tree

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cinnamon-Sugar Christmas Tree

This festive treat can pass as a dessert or decadent brunch snack.

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Toasted Pecans

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Toasted Pecans

Keep these out for hungry guests to graze on before the holiday meal.

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Sausage Bread

Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

Recipe: Sausage Bread

Prepared pizza dough helps this recipe come together with just 20 minutes of hands-on time.

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No-Bake Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Stylist: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies

A recipe that requires no baking and just 10 minutes of hands-on time can be a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. Plus, when sugar, butter, chocolate, and oats are on the ingredient list, you know it'll satisfy Santa's sweet tooth.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Straws

This classic snack is great for a last-minute food gift or to keep on hand all season long for drop-in guests.

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Deviled Eggs

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

Recipe: Deviled Eggs

You'll probably want to double this recipe. If not, they might just be gone before everyone takes their seat at the table.

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Cathedral Window Cookies

Credit: Zoe Denenberg, Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Cathedral Window Cookies

This nostalgic treat requires no baking and is a fun way to get the kids in the kitchen.

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Buttermilk Biscuit

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Christmas morning breakfast is worthy of homemade biscuits.

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Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Credit: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

The main dish for Christmas Eve dinner doesn't have to be complicated. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family by letting your slow cooker do most of the work.

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Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Food Styling: Angella Sellers and Vanessa McNiel Rocchio; Prop Styling: Melanie J. Clarke and Sissy Lamerton

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This easy, cheesy dish belongs on every holiday menu.

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Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Credit: Betsy McCallen Lovell

Recipe: Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

You're probably lucky enough to have all of the ingredients for these simple cookies on hand in your kitchen.

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Cherry-Pecan Brie

Credit: Jim Franco

Recipe: Cherry-Pecan Brie

This no-bake appetizer is festive, impressive, and so easy to pull together.

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Credit: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Basic sugar cookie dough requires just five staple ingredients. No decorating is required, just supply the icing and let your guests create their own masterpiece.