15 Festive Christmas Treat Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday Season

15 Festive Christmas Treat Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday Season
Christmas is all about good food and festive fun, and these 15 treat ideas are perfect for the season. Whether you’re baking with the kids, sharing with friends, or just craving something sweet, there’s something here to make your holidays extra special. Let’s get started!
1. White Christmas
A no-bake classic that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups rice bubbles
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (sultanas, cherries, apricots)
- 200g white chocolate, melted
Instructions:
1.Combine rice bubbles, coconut, and dried fruit in a large bowl.
2.Melt white chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
3.Pour the melted chocolate over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
4.Press the mixture into a lined baking tray and smooth the top with a spatula.
5.Refrigerate for 1–2 hours or until set. Slice into squares to serve.
Tips: Add sprinkles for a pop of colour or substitute dried fruit with mini marshmallows for a twist.
2. Christmas Crack
A sweet and salty treat that’s incredibly addictive!
Ingredients:
- 1 packet of salted crackers (e.g., Salada or Saltines)
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- Festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes
Instructions:
1.Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with greased foil.
2.Arrange crackers in a single layer on the tray.
3.Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan, stirring until caramelised (3–4 minutes).
4.Pour the caramel over the crackers and spread evenly.
5.Bake for 5 minutes, then remove and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit until the chocolate melts, then spread it evenly.
6.Add sprinkles or crushed candy canes on top. Cool completely before breaking into pieces.
Tips: Line the tray well to avoid sticking, and work quickly to spread the caramel.
3. Christmas Bark
Customisable, colourful, and great for gifting!
Ingredients:
- 500g - 700g chocolate (white, milk, or dark or a mix of all!)
- Toppings: dried cranberries, pistachios, sprinkles, crushed peppermint candies or any depending on your liking like m and m's etc.
Instructions:
1.Melt chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave or over a double boiler.
2.Spread the melted chocolate onto a lined tray.
3.Sprinkle your favourite toppings evenly over the chocolate.
4.Chill in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours until set. Break into pieces to serve.
Tips: Swirl two different chocolates together for a marbled effect before adding toppings.
4. Christmas Slice
A no-bake favourite packed with festive flavours.
Ingredients:
- 250g crushed biscuits (e.g., Marie or Digestive)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- ½ cup glacé cherries, chopped
- 200g white chocolate (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
1.Mix crushed biscuits, coconut, and cherries in a large bowl.
2.Add condensed milk and combine until the mixture holds together.
3.Press into a lined tin and smooth the surface.
4.(Optional) Melt white chocolate and pour over the slice.
5.Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Slice into squares.
Tips: Swap glacé cherries for dried cranberries to add a tangy twist.
5. Christmas Popcorn Balls
A whimsical treat kids will love!
Ingredients:
- 10 cups plain popcorn (freshly popped)
- 1 packet mini marshmallows
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ cup red and green M&Ms
Instructions:
1.In a large pot, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring constantly.
2.Pour the mixture over popcorn, mixing to coat.
3.Add M&Ms and gently stir.
4.Shape the popcorn into balls using greased hands. Let set on a lined tray.
Tips: Use food-safe gloves to make shaping easier and less sticky.
6. Christmas Cake Pops
Festive and fun treats for everyone!
Ingredients:
- 1 baked cake (any flavour)
- 1 tub frosting (vanilla or chocolate)
- 2 cups chocolate melts (white, milk, or dark)
- Sprinkles
Instructions:
1.Crumble the cake into fine crumbs.
2.Add frosting a spoonful at a time until the mixture holds together.
3.Roll into balls and chill for 1 hour.
4.Dip a lollipop stick into melted chocolate and insert into each ball.
5.Dip the cake pops into chocolate, coat evenly, and decorate with sprinkles.
Tips: Keep the balls small to prevent falling off the sticks.
7. Gingerbread Men
A Christmas classic for decorating and eating!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 125g butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup golden syrup
- 1 egg
Instructions:
1.Sift dry ingredients into a bowl and rub in butter until crumbly.
2.Add sugar, syrup, and egg, and mix to form a dough. Chill for 30 minutes.
3.Roll out dough, cut with cookie cutters, and bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes.
4.Cool completely before decorating with icing.
Tips: Use chilled dough for easier cutting and sharper shapes.
8. Peppermint Brownies
A minty twist on a chocolate classic.
Ingredients:
- 1 batch brownie mix (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
- 100g white chocolate (optional, for drizzle)
Instructions:
1.Prepare brownie batter and fold in half the crushed candy canes.
2.Bake according to recipe instructions and cool completely.
3.Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top and sprinkle with remaining candy canes.
Tips: Avoid overbaking for fudgy brownies.
9. Rudolph Pretzel Rods
Adorably festive and fun to make with kids!
Ingredients:
- Pretzel rods
- 2 cups milk or dark chocolate melts
- Mini pretzels
- Red candies (e.g., M&Ms)
- Edible candy eyes
Instructions:
1.Melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler.
2.Dip the top half of each pretzel rod into melted chocolate.
3.Attach two mini pretzels as antlers, candy eyes, and a red candy for Rudolph’s nose while the chocolate is still soft.
4.Place on a lined tray and let set until firm.
Tips: Use a spoon to help attach decorations neatly.
10. Snowball Cookies
These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats are a holiday classic!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups plain flour
- ½ cup finely chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions:
1.Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla.
2.Gradually add flour and nuts, mixing until dough forms.
3.Roll dough into small balls and place on a lined baking tray.
4.Bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes.
5.While still warm, roll cookies in powdered sugar. Cool and roll again for a snowy finish.
Tips: Double-coat the cookies in powdered sugar for a festive look.
11. Candy Cane Fudge
Rich, creamy fudge with a peppermint crunch.
Ingredients:
- 400g sweetened condensed milk
- 500g white chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
1.Combine condensed milk and white chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted and smooth.
2.Stir in peppermint extract and pour the mixture into a lined square tin.
3.Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
4.Chill in the refrigerator for 3–4 hours or until firm. Slice into squares.
Tips: Add food colouring for a festive green or red layer.
12. Fruit Mince Pies
A traditional Christmas treat filled with spiced fruit goodness.
Ingredients:
- 2 sheets of shortcrust pastry
- 1 cup fruit mince
- 1 egg (for brushing)
- Icing sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
1.Preheat oven to 200°C and grease a muffin tin.
2.Cut pastry into circles and line the muffin tin.
3.Fill each with a spoonful of fruit mince.
4.Cut smaller pastry circles or shapes for the tops, sealing the edges.
5.Brush with beaten egg and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.
6.Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Tips: Add a dash of brandy to the fruit mince for extra flavour.
13. Santa Hat Cupcakes
Bright and cheerful cupcakes for the holidays!
Ingredients:
- 12 cupcakes (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups red frosting
- ½ cup white frosting
- Marshmallows
Instructions:
1.Frost cupcakes with red frosting, shaping it into a pointed hat.
2.Pipe white frosting around the base of the hat and add a marshmallow at the top.
3.Serve and watch them disappear!
Tips: Use chocolate cupcakes for contrast against the red and white decorations.
14. Christmas Trifle
A stunning layered dessert to impress your guests.
Ingredients:
- 1 sponge cake, cut into cubes
- 2 packets of jelly (red and green), prepared and set
- 2 cups custard
- 2 cups whipped cream
- Fresh fruit (e.g., berries) for garnish
Instructions:
1.In a trifle dish, layer sponge cake, jelly, custard, and whipped cream.
2.Repeat layers until the dish is full, ending with whipped cream.
3.Top with fresh fruit and festive sprinkles.
4.Chill for 1–2 hours before serving.
Tips: Drizzle sponge cake layers with sherry or fruit juice for added moisture.
15. Holiday Rocky Road
An easy-to-make treat bursting with texture and flavour.
Ingredients:
- 500g milk or dark chocolate
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- ½ cup red and green jelly lollies
Instructions:
1.Melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler.
2.Mix marshmallows, nuts, and lollies into the melted chocolate.
3.Pour into a lined tin and smooth the surface.
4.Refrigerate until firm, then slice into squares.
Tips: For a festive twist, use white chocolate and dried cranberries instead of lollies.
With these 15 festive recipes, your Christmas celebrations will be sweeter than ever. Whether you’re gifting, entertaining, or treating yourself, there’s something for everyone on this list. Happy holidays and happy baking!