Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes 30+ Christmas Treats for the Holidays By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall The holidays are filled with sweet memories, gatherings, gifts, and of course, sweet Christmas treats. There are countless occasions when you'll need to prepare something sweet for the holidays, and we've got you covered for all of them. Make these easy recipes for kids to decorate on a cold Sunday afternoon. Prepare a batch of sweets as gifts for neighbors, teachers, and holiday guests. Need hostess gifts or homemade party favors? Look no further than our favorite recipes. With delicious ideas for chocolate lovers, lemon fanatics, salty-sweet cravers, and everyone in between, our Christmas confection ideas are the best. If you're looking for a simple dessert that the kids can help out with, we've got plenty of crafty ideas that your little elves will love. From cookies to bars and trifles to truffles, these are the best Christmas recipes to make your holiday the sweetest yet. 01 of 37 Snowy Tree Cookies Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Snowy Tree Cookies Use a set of star-shape cookie cutters to make these special cookies. 02 of 37 Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls This recipe makes about two dozen bourbon balls, so you'll have plenty to send home with guests after the party. 03 of 37 Basic Butter Cookie Dough Laurey W. Glenn Ellender Mills of Raleigh, North Carolina, sent in this recipe, which ran in December, 1995. 04 of 37 Potato Candy Photo: Alison Miksch Recipe: Potato Candy Get nostalgic this Christmas with one of our favorite vintage recipes. 05 of 37 Reindeer Marshmallow Pops Southern Living Recipe: Reindeer Marshmallow Pops These adorable treats are the perfect afternoon activity for your little ones. 06 of 37 Christmas Bulb Sugar Cookies Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall String several of these cookies together for the cutest party favor. 07 of 37 Pecan Bourbon Balls Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pecan Bourbon Balls Spiced toasted pecans add a hint of saltiness to these sweet bites. 08 of 37 White Chocolate-Peppermint Blondies Iain Bagwell Recipe: White Chocolate-Peppermint Blondies The creamy mint icing on these Christmas-y blondies will steal the holiday show. 09 of 37 Cherry Chocolates Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Cherry Chocolates Mold this butter cookie dough around a chocolate candy, top with half of a candied cherry, and bake. 10 of 37 No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars Iain Bagwell Recipe: No-Bake Fudge Toffee Bars If you're in a pinch this holiday season, no-bake is the way to go. 11 of 37 Dark Chocolate Sablés Iain Bagwell Recipe: Dark Chocolate Sablés These French butter cookies are elegant for dinner parties. 12 of 37 Soft Sugar Cookie Trees Iain Bagwell The dough for these cookies can be made up to two days in advance, so plan a decorating party ahead. 13 of 37 Cracker Toffee Abbi Wilt Recipe: Cracker Toffee This five-ingredient toffee recipe starts with a sleeve of Saltines. 14 of 37 Molasses Crinkles Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Molasses Crinkles These cookies were sent in by Ms. Alice Rhodes from Harrisonburg, Virginia, and published in our November 1992 issue. They're bursting with every flavor you love about the holidays. 15 of 37 Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling Torie Cox Recipe: Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes No artificial coloring here! These sweet treats get their red hue from beets. 16 of 37 Brown Butter-Maple-Pecan Blondies Linda Pugliese Recipe: Brown Butter-Maple-Pecan Blondies Move over, brownies. These blondies, made with 100 percent pure maple syrup, will get all of the attention at the dessert table. 17 of 37 Cake Ball Ornaments Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cake Ball Ornaments Although we used these ornaments to top the Snowy Vanilla Cake from our December 2017 cover, they can be enjoyed on their own and make a beautiful addition to any dessert spread. 18 of 37 Molten Red Velvet Cakes HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ Recipe: Molten Red Velvet Cakes These mini cakes are absolutely decadent for the holidays. 19 of 37 Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Southern Living Recipe: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Brighten up your holiday dessert table with a touch of lemon. 20 of 37 Rum Balls Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Rum Balls Reader Lela H. Coggins from Brevard, North Carolina, sent us this recipe, which was published in our December 1993 issue. This six-ingredient stunner still holds up today. 21 of 37 Key Lime Tassies Iain Bagwell Recipe: Key Lime Tassies Tart Key lime pie in one bite. 22 of 37 Red Velvet Fudge Alison Miksch Recipe: Red Velvet Fudge Add a little holiday cheer to your usual fudge recipe. 23 of 37 Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle Iain Bagwell Recipe: Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle This trifle might look impressive on the dessert table, but it's extremely easy to put together. 24 of 37 Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls Christmas treats aren't just for dessert. Start the day on a sweet note with homemade cinnamon rolls. 25 of 37 Hummingbird Oatmeal Cookies Hector Sanchez Recipe: Hummingbird Oatmeal Cookies These cookies are a more portable way to enjoy our most popular recipe of all tlime—the Hummingbird Cake. 26 of 37 Red Velvet Souffles with Whipped Sour Cream Jennifer Davick Recipe: Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream These soufflés are a great choice for an elegant Christmas dinner party. 27 of 37 Mrs. Floyd's Divinity Southern Living Recipe: Mrs. Floyd's Divinity This classic holiday dessert lives up to its divine name. 28 of 37 Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites Jennifer Davick Recipe: Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites With just seven ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on time, you can serve these delightful bits of pecan pie. 29 of 37 Belgian Spice Cookies Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Belgian Spice Cookies These cozy cookies, also known as Speculoos, will delight guests young and old. 30 of 37 Praline Cream-Beignet Tower Photo: Linda Pugliese Recipe: Praline Cream Beignet Tower This brunch or dessert recipe is truly a show-stopper. 31 of 37 Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread Hector Sanchez Recipe: Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread These cheerful cookies are ideal for a holiday luncheon. 32 of 37 Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks Delight chocolate lovers with mini desserts that are easier to serve than slicing cake. 33 of 37 Our Best Homemade Marshmallows Hector Sanchez Recipe: Our Best Homemade Marshmallows For a holiday spin on classic homemade marshmallows, this recipe gives directions to make peppermint and bourbon-caramel variations. Pair with hot chocolate and a Christmas movie. 34 of 37 Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts Photo: Alison Miksch Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts Consider this a warning: You'll want to devour all five dozen of the tarts this easy recipe makes. 35 of 37 Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies We think Santa would eat every last one of these crackle cookies on Christmas Eve. 36 of 37 Ambrosia Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Ambrosia Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust You'll never want to eat traditional ambrosia after you try it in bar form. 37 of 37 5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: 5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Let the kids get creative decorating half of these cookies, and decorate the other half for your own dinner guests. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit