From reindeer cookies with pretzel antlers to homemade holiday marshmallows, kids and their grown-ups will love making these festive Christmas treats.
44 Easy Christmas Treats for Kids of All Ages
Updated on Oct. 05, 2024
1/44
Santa Claus Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
32 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Store-bought peanut butter sandwich cookies become jolly Santas with white chocolate, colored sugar, mini chips and red-hot candies. —Mary Kaufenberg, Shakopee, Minnesota
Turn Nutter Butter cookies into the jolly man himself with this easy craft project. The kids will have a blast creating santa.
2/44
No-Bake Christmas Wreath Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet, no-bake Christmas wreath cookies. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they’re a pretty addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
They’re sticky, gooey and tons of fun for kids of all ages to make—big kids like you included. If you can make Rice Krispies treats, whipping up these festive wreaths will be a breeze.
3/44
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
You’ll only need five ingredients and about 15 minutes to make this magical bark, so it’s perfect for smaller kids with shorter attention spans. They’ll love crushing the candy canes with a rolling pin and licking the bowl.
4/44
Frosty Polar Bears
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love spending time in the kitchen with my nieces. This is the perfect recipe to make with the little ones. Dang cute, easy and portable! —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These can also be dipped in milk or dark chocolate for a whole forest of tasty bear friends. If you don’t have peanut butter on hand, use Nutella or cookie butter for equally delicious results.
5/44
Holiday 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
The chocolate coating for these adorable treats is melted in the microwave, so kids can help with almost every step. They’ll love using M&M’s or Red Hots to decorate Rudolph’s nose.
6/44
No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate kisses in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana
You’ll only need four ingredients to create these ridiculously easy no-bake cookies. Just heat the cookie spread and corn syrup in a saucepan, stir in the rice cereal and press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
7/44
Snowman Oreo Balls
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Get the kids involved with making these adorable snowman Oreo balls. They can help roll, dip and decorate! A small box of these cuties makes a delicious food gift during the holidays. —Carla Giorgio, New York City, New York
Kids will love transforming their favorite cookie into Oreo balls. The cookies are crushed in a food processor, then mixed with cream cheese and dipped in melted candy coating. A mini Oreo and a Rolo candy create the snowman’s adorable top hat.
8/44
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 pretzels
From the Recipe Creator:
These chocolate-covered pretzels came from my grandma, who loves to make candy and treats for my students. I have followed in her footsteps and make these for people at work and for other family members. —Aimee Worth, Fair Oaks, California
Sure, you could spend a fortune buying pre-made chocolate-covered pretzels at the bakery—or you could create your own with just four ingredients. Experiment with different types of chocolate, like white, milk and dark, to create an elevated snack spread.
9/44
Cream Cheese Candies
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These homemade mints make a perfect last-minute addition to holiday treat trays. Pretty much everyone in my neighborhood has this recipe now! —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
Be warned: These irresistible cream cheese candies tend to disappear quickly. The recipe calls for peppermint or almond extract, but you can add any flavor you like, such as cherry or lemon.
10/44
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
Santa deserves an extra special treat on his plate this year, and these sweet peanut butter mice are just the ticket. Kids will love attaching the licorice tails and peanut ears.
11/44
Cinnamon Almond Brittle
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
It simply wouldn't be Christmas at our house without this old-time favorite twist on peanut brittle. No one believes how easy it is to make! —Lynette Kleinschmidt, Litchfield, Minnesota
Grown-ups need to pay close attention to the candy’s temperature while it cooks. Once the brittle cools and hardens, kids will love breaking it apart.
12/44
Peanut Butter Penguins
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
32 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Could these be any more adorable? To treat your guests to this chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness, just cover Nutter Butter cookies with chocolate and decorate! They’re a lot of fun to make and even more fun to eat. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Store-bought Nutter Butter cookies are dipped in dark chocolate candy coating and adorned with M&M’s, candy eyes and more. The result is a gang of penguins that are almost too cute to eat.
13/44
Holiday Cornflake Cookies
Total Time
15 min
Servings
16 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I can't seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths around the holidays. The cookies firm up quickly, so you'll need to place the Red Hots right away. —Kathleen Hedger, Fairview Heights, Illinois
These cute little wreaths require only three ingredients: butter, marshmallows and frosted cornflakes. Decorate them with Red Hot candies, sprinkles and whatever else your heart desires.
14/44
Homemade Holiday Marshmallows
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 9-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was my grandpa’s favorite. Every year, he would busy himself by making Christmas marshmallows for his family
and friends. —Diana Byron, New London, Ohio
Make homemade marshmallows at the beginning of December and they’ll last all the way until New Year’s. Store them in an airtight cookie storage container in a cool dry place for up to four weeks.
15/44
Chocolate Caramel Wafers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
7 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
To keep my holiday cooking quick, I've come to rely on fast recipes like this one. The crunchy-chewy tidbits are our youngster's favorite.
Little bakers will love breaking the chocolate into squares—and eating a few—before placing one on each vanilla wafer cookie. If you don’t have an icing spatula, a butter or cheese knife will do the trick.
16/44
Snowman Treats
Total Time
20 min
Servings
17 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter, Hannah, and I came up with this recipe on Christmas Eve when she wanted to make treats for Santa. Building a real snowman is fun, but we think coating one in candy is even cooler! —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
The color of the snowmen’s earmuffs are up to you. Opt for green, red, blue or yellow M&M’s and then use any leftover candy corn from Halloween to create the nose.
17/44
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
These treats are super customizable. If you don’t have a bag of potato chips lying around, you could also try Fritos or shoestring potatoes to achieve a similar salty crunch. For a peanut buttery twist, try 4 cups of peanut butter chips and 2 cups milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate. Swap 3 cups dry roasted peanuts for pecans, then make the clusters as directed.
18/44
Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 dozen (2-1/2-inch cookies)
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich and buttery Christmas cutout cookies like these never last long at a party. They're one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri
A holiday classic for a reason, these simple and beautiful cookies make great gifts. Don’t skip the important step of chilling the dough: It helps the butter and other fats solidify, giving the cookies a deep flavor and chewy texture.
19/44
Snowman Doughnuts
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 snowman
From the Recipe Creator:
No need to bundle up to build this snowman—you construct it in the kitchen out of doughnuts and candy! These snowmen would be fun at a get-together, especially if you set out the "supplies" so guests can create their own. Snowman doughnuts would also be a wonderful wintertime project for the whole family. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
If baking isn’t your thing, this is the recipe for you. There’s no actual cooking involved, just assembly, making it a fantastic rainy-day project for kids. But if you want extra credit, you could also make homemade doughnuts.
20/44
Church Window Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These church window cookies are a hit with kids—the little ones just love the colored marshmallows! —Emmilie Gaston, Wabash, Indiana
Cake pops are fun to eat, but if you’re a beginner, making them can sometimes get complicated. Thanks to store-bought cake mix, prepared frosting and confectioners’ candy coatings, these cake pops are a breeze, even for kids.
22/44
Reindeer 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
If you’re short on time, use a boxed brownie mix to keep things simple. Then, the fun starts: Kids will love spreading on the chocolate frosting, adding candy eyes and red candy noses.
23/44
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These peppermint hot chocolate cookies are a variation of the cookies my mother made when I was growing up. Now my 13-year-old daughter and I bake them together. They’re always a huge hit! The taste is like rich hot chocolate baked into a scrumptious cookie. —Larry Piklor, Johnsburg, Illinois
If you’re not sure when company will be stopping by, it’s possible to freeze these cookies for later. After baking and cooling them, arrange them on a single layer on a baking sheet, then put them in the freezer for 30 minutes, or until the cookies are frozen solid. Then, layer the frozen cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper separating the layers. They’ll last in the freezer for up to three months!
24/44
Gingerbread Men Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread men cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Royal icing is a great decorating choice for gingerbread men because it’s opaque and will dry hard to make the cookies easier to handle. Use gel or paste food coloring to achieve deep colors, like red or green, and liquid food coloring for pastel pinks and yellows.
25/44
Christmas M&M’s Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These M&M Christmas cookies make any cookie platter feel festive. Swap in pastel M&M's for Easter and orange and brown for Halloween. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Simple cookies call for one simple trick: Chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking so they retain a nice round shape and don’t turn out too flat. Once you’ve mastered this cheery take on chocolate chip cookies, use any leftover M&M’s for M&M Cookie Bars—the red and green coating will make the bars look festive too.
26/44
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
This dessert based on your kid’s favorite Christmas movie—OK, yours, too—couldn’t be more fun to make. The unexpected addition of crunchy ramen noodles makes this treat a blast to create and even more fun to eat.
27/44
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 8 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my all-time favorite Christmas sugar cookie recipe. The addition of sour cream makes them extra moist. To dress them up, I drizzle or dip the cookies in tinted white chocolate, then sprinkle them with crushed candy canes. —Lisa MacLean, Winslow, Arizona
Keep the cookies fresh and soft by sealing them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag, when you aren’t munching them. If they’re starting to get too hard or crispy, soften cookies by adding a slice of white bread to the bag. The cookies will absorb the moisture, making the bread harder and the cookies softer.
28/44
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids of all ages enjoy making and eating these fun treats. The decorated pretzels are a pretty gift in a cellophane bag or a glass jar. —Kay Waters, Benld, Illinois
Cookies shouldn’t have all the fun on Christmas. Shake things up with these fun chocolate-dipped pretzels, which kids will love dipping in all sorts of colorful sprinkles.
29/44
Christmas Candy Cane Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cookies were a holiday tradition in my family since I was a young child. Now my own family requests them before any others at Christmas. —Pat Schmeling, Germantown, Wisconsin
The only thing better than a candy cane is one of these creative Christmas cookies, which feature a crushed peppermint candy topping. Let the kids assist with the candy crushing and the dough twisting.
30/44
Peppermint Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother encouraged me to enter these mint brownies in the county fair some years ago—and they earned top honors! They're a delicious treat to serve during the holidays. —Marcy Greenblatt, Redding, California
If you have extra crushed peppermint candies from the previous recipe, whip up a batch of these peppermint brownies. Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to make them extra minty.
31/44
Cherry Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
With a tall glass of ice-cold milk, a couple of these cherry cookies really hit the spot for dessert or a snack. The coconut and bits of cherries provide a fun look and texture. —Judy Clark, Elkhart, Indiana
While maraschino cherries are recommended in the recipe, you can substitute another type of cherry if desired. We suggest candied cherries or dried cherries for best results.
32/44
Peanut Butter Snowballs
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy treats are a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combination. I once prepared them for a bake sale at my granddaughter's school, and I've also put them in gift boxes to share with neighbors at Christmas. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, Michigan
These five-ingredient confections require only 15 minutes of prep time; plus they’re frozen, not baked, so kids can help from start to finish. There’s no chopping if you use candy coating disks instead of bars.
33/44
Microwave Fudge
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 2-1/3 pounds (81 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
You’re moments away from a pan of creamy fudge. Just microwave, stir and spread. This easy homemade fudge recipe is the best. —Sue Tucker, Edgemoor, South Carolina
If you thought fudge was an all-day event that required double boilers, fancy thermometers and endless stirring, think again. You’re five ingredients and about 10 minutes away from dessert nirvana.
34/44
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's proof that peanut butter and chocolate just belong together. These peanut butter blossom cookies are an easy family favorite and never fails to make my children smile. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Peanut butter cookies of all sorts are always a hit, but it’s just not Christmas without these quintessential holiday cookies. For an extra special touch, make your own peanut butter for this recipe.
35/44
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Here’s how these cookies get their crinkle: As they transform from dough balls to flat cookies in the oven, the powdered sugar begins to dry out, creating a cracked effect. Store any extra cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to five days.
36/44
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
Tip: You can melt Tootsie Rolls in the microwave! Heat the unwrapped candies in 10 to 15 second intervals, then stir and repeat until the mixture melts.
37/44
Nutty Rice Krispie Cookies
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom and I used to prepare these Rice Krispie cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they're super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, Florida
If you don’t have Rice Krispies on hand, you can use any kind of breakfast cereal to create these crunchy cookies. We love Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Chex and Corn Flakes.
38/44
Easy Mint Thins
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My friends often try to guess the ingredients, but I never tell them how simple they are to make. They taste just like the Girl Scout cookie, and they're perfect for Christmas and bake sales. —Jennifer Setser, Morgantown, Indiana
If you’re a fan of Girl Scout cookies, you’ll love these semi-homemade treats. Here, Ritz crackers are dipped and drizzled with chocolate, then decorated with assorted minty toppings.
39/44
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
Once again, Ritz crackers to the rescue! They get a makeover with peanut butter, marshmallow cream, milk chocolate candy coating and a generous dusting of sprinkles.
40/44
Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Because so many people seem to love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I came up with this no-bake cookie recipe.—Geraldine Sliwa, Elgin, Illinois
It doesn’t get easier or tastier than this three-ingredient recipe. Kids will love spreading peanut butter on the graham crackers, then dipping them in melted chocolate—and, of course, licking the chocolatey spoon.
41/44
Miniature Peanut Butter Treats
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is one of my family's favorites, and I make the treats a lot, especially at Christmas. I have three children and eight grandchildren, and every one of them loves those "peanut butter thingies," as the grandchildren call them! —Jodie McCoy, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tiny peanut butter cups are the star of these decadent cookies, which are pressed into the dough after it’s been baked. This one-bowl recipe is so easy and straightforward, kids will be able to follow along and help.
42/44
Elf Cookies
Total Time
55 min
Servings
28 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
A sweet frosting glaze, colorful candies and well-placed almond slices turn these sugar cookie diamonds into a big batch of Santa’s helpers. TIP: Bake a batch of the adorable elves as a classroom treat or use a few to brighten each of your cookie trays. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The dough is store-bought, so you can focus on the most important part: the decorations! Encourage the kids to get creative with sprinkles, as well as almond slivers for ears.
43/44
Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my daughter years ago. I've taken these chewy filled treats—and the treasured recipe—to many cookie exchanges. —Bertha Bratt, Lynden, Washington
To make these cookies even more festive, separate the filling into two bowls, then use food coloring to dye one bowl red and the other bowl green. Fill half of the cookies with the green cream and half with the red cream.
44/44
Cherry Surprise Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I tuck a rich chocolate surprise into each of these cute bites. Candied cherries add a colorful finishing touch. —Gloria McBride, Payson, Utah
You’ll need to master our basic cookie dough recipe to make these cherry-topped delights. Next, try chocolate mallow cookies and jelly sandwich cookies, which use the same cookie dough base and will add flair to any Christmas dessert spread.
