One of the best parts of the holiday season is creating festive treats with the kids! Our fun Christmas food ideas include cookies, candies, snack mixes and more.
31 Fun Christmas Recipes to Make with Kids
Updated on Sep. 16, 2024
Santa Claus Cookies
Store-bought peanut butter sandwich cookies become jolly Santas with white chocolate, colored sugar, mini chips and red-hot candies. —Mary Kaufenberg, Shakopee, Minnesota
1/31
2/31
Reindeer Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
32 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Gather 'round the tree on Christmas Eve and feast on these adorable reindeer cookies. If you listen closely, you might heard reindeer hoofs on the roof! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 182 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 111mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
3/31
Homemade Marshmallow Pops
Total Time
55 min
Servings
15 marshmallows
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade marshmallows are fun to eat on a stick or to stir into your favorite hot chocolate. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture appeals to the young and the young at heart. —Jennifer Andrzejewski, Grizzly Flats, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 marshmallow: 82 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
4/31
Buddy the Elf Bark
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 1 pound
From the Recipe Creator:
Drawing inspiration from one of our favorite holiday movies, this Buddy the Elf dessert incorporates ramen noodles with chocolate, candy and everyone’s favorite—marshmallows. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 ounce: 150 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
5/31
Chocolate, Peanut & Pretzel Toffee Crisps
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
My "crispers" are the ultimate combination of salty and sweet. They never last long because—trust me—they're addictive! Make the recipe the way it's written or sprinkle on any treats you like. —Jennifer Butka, Livonia, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 ounce: 146 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 99mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
6/31
Thumbprint Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These buttery little rounds add beautiful color to a platter of treats. Fill the thumbprint in the center with any fruit preserves you like. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 75 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
7/31
Tootsie Roll Fudge
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband came home with 50 pounds of Tootsie Rolls he bought at a discount store, I had to figure out a way to use them—so I came up with this Tootsie Roll fudge recipe! A red or green M&M’s candy atop each piece makes them extra jolly. —Carolyn McDill, Ohatchee, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 67 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 11mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
8/31
White Chocolate Chex Mix
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
You won't be able to stop eating this irresistible white chocolate party mix. The light, sweet coating is great over cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M's. —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 547 calories, 27g fat (10g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
9/31
Easy Reindeer Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
One year my son wanted to buy everyone in his class a present. I suggested we bake them a treat instead. We made these festive cookies using a cookie mix, pretzels, chocolate chips and Red M&M’s. —Gretchen Vandenberghe, Toledo, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 129 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 134mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/31
Holiday Ribbon Gelatin
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Layers of red and green make this festive salad a favorite during the Christmas season. Kids are sure to find it fun to eat, and adults will enjoy the combination of sweet-tart flavors.
—Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
—Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 236 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
11/31
Banana Pancake Snowmen
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 snowmen
From the Recipe Creator:
Both kids and adults will love these yummy pancakes. Invite your little ones to help decorate their snowmen and they'll jump out of bed in a hurry! —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 snowman (calculated without decorations): 133 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 417mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch.
12/31
Oreos and Candy Cane Chocolate Bark
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 lbs
From the Recipe Creator:
There are incredible surprises in this festive bark, including dark chocolate, candy canes and cream-filled cookies. We keep a big supply ready for gift-giving. —Robin Turner, Lake Elsinore, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 ounce: 158 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
13/31
Peanut Butter Christmas Mice
Total Time
45 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With their black licorice tails, candy noses and peanut ears, these chewy "mice" were always a hit at classroom parties. My children are in their teens now, but they still ask me to make these cookies for the holidays. —Nancy Rowse, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 65 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
14/31
Stacked Christmas Tree Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Using prepared cookie dough gives you a nice head start to your own little forest of Christmas trees. Get the kids involved in this holiday craft to keep them busy making memories.—Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 Christmas tree (calculated without decorations): 466 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 278mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
15/31
Ornament Popcorn Balls
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These gooey-sweet treats are great for dressing up the tree with a little more than the classic popcorn string. And they're yummier and fun for the family too. — Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 popcorn ball (calculated without decorations): 162 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 184mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
16/31
Easy Truffles
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our smooth, creamy bonbons are so divine you may be tempted to save this recipe for a special occasion. But with just a few ingredients, they're easy to make anytime. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 truffle: 52 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
17/31
Coconut Yule Trees
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
People say they love my coconut macaroon-like Christmas trees because they look so festive. Once decorated, these trees light up a room—just like the real thing. —Michelle Retterer, Marysville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 130 calories, 7g fat (6g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
18/31
Coconut Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
32 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These chewy cookies are my husband's favorite, so he requests them often. I like to make the macaroons on cold winter days and keep them in an airtight bowl on the kitchen counter. They never last long! —Peggy Key, Grant, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 83 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
19/31
Christmas Brownies
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My son, Jeremy, is 36 but acts as if he's 5 when he sees these brownies—I've been making them for more than 30 years! My daughter, Jayme, and my four grandchildren love them, too. If you're short on time, a boxed mix works just fine. —Jeannine Schneider, Fremont, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 353 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 243mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
20/31
Jelly-Topped Sugar Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
On busy days, I appreciate this quick-to-make jelly-topped cookie. Top each sugar cookie with your favorite flavor of jam or jelly. —June Quinn, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 97 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 58mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
21/31
Gingerbread Buddies
Total Time
55 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies were ideal for a winter get-together I hosted. I like to share these crunchy treats on the way home from cutting our fresh Christmas tree.—Shelly Rynearson, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 149 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 97mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
22/31
Yummy Cracker Snacks
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These treats are my family’s favorite. In fact, it seems no matter how many I make, they always disappear too soon! —D. Weaver, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cracker sandwich: 170 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
23/31
Cranberry Shortbread Stars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves shortbread and I love cranberries, so I decided to put the two together to make cranberry shortbread cookies. The star shape is a festive addition to my holiday cookie tray. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 87 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
24/31
Eggnog Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This cookie's flavor fits right into the holiday spirit—pick your favorite cookie cutter shapes to make them even more festive! —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 71 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
25/31
Touch-of-Gold Christmas Trees
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You can decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don't have the gold dust. The filling alone makes the cookies special and so delicious! —Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich cookie: 90 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
26/31
Potato Chip Clusters
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 cluster: 63 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
27/31
Peppermint Meltaways
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I put these peppermint cookies in bright holiday containers to give to family and friends. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 126 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 56mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
28/31
Gingerbread Sandwich Trees
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Fun and festive, these cookie sandwich trees will be a huge hit with kids of all ages. They're a super-cute holiday treat! —Steve Foy, Kirkwood, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich cookie: 230 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 176mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
29/31
Andes Mint Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Transform your favorite candy into a baked treat! These Andes mint cookies are better than any after-dinner mint. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 155 calories, 8g fat (6g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
30/31
Chocolate-Strawberry Pretzel Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Every year I come up with a new recipe, and this is one that's been requested over and over. Who would ever guess how good pretzels are in cookies? —Isabel Minunni, Poughkeepsie, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich cookie: 245 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
31/31
Reindeer Chow
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Rudolph and his pals will be dashing, dancing and prancing to gobble up this savory snack mix. Humans also will enjoy the buttery, perfectly seasoned and wonderfully crunchy combination. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 239 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 331mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
