There’s nothing quite like the smell of Christmas treats to make your home feel festive, is there? Every December, my kitchen transforms into a flour-dusted wonderland, just like my grandmother’s did when I was little. I still remember standing on a stool next to her, stealing bites of cookie dough while she pretended not to notice. That’s the magic of holiday baking—it’s not just about delicious Christmas treats to make, but about creating moments you’ll cherish forever.
These simple, buttery cookies have been my go-to for years because they come together in minutes yet feel special enough for Santa himself. The chocolate chips melt into perfect little pools of joy, and that hint of vanilla? Pure holiday magic. Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting to neighbors, or just treating yourself (no judgment here!), these are the Christmas treats to make when you want that warm, cozy feeling in every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Treats to Make
Trust me, these aren’t just any holiday cookies—they’re the kind that disappear faster than you can say “Santa’s coming!” Here’s why they’ve been my Christmas staple for years:
Quick and Easy
You’ll have dough ready before the oven finishes preheating. No fancy techniques here—just mix, scoop, and bake. Even my nephew can help (and he’s more interested in eating the chocolate chips than baking).
Perfect for Sharing
I stack these in cellophane bags with red ribbon for neighbors, pile them on dessert platters at parties, and—okay fine—hide a few in my pajama drawer for midnight snacks. They travel beautifully and always get compliments.
Customizable
Swap chocolate chips for crushed peppermint, throw in dried cranberries, or go nuts (literally). Last year I added orange zest and it tasted like Christmas morning in every bite. The dough is your holiday playground!
Ingredients for Christmas Treats to Make
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up these holiday favorites. I’ve learned through many Christmases that quality ingredients make all the difference – no skimping on that butter!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it, don’t scoop! Or use gluten-free flour blend for dietary needs
- 1 cup granulated sugar – The sweet foundation of our treats
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – Leave it out for 30 minutes until it gives slightly when pressed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – Pure vanilla, not imitation – trust me on this
- 1/2 tsp baking powder – The lift that makes them perfectly puffy
- 1/4 tsp salt – Balances all that sweetness
- 1 egg – Room temperature blends better
- 1/2 cup milk – Whole milk makes them richest, but any kind works
- 1 cup chocolate chips – I use semi-sweet, but milk or dark work too
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) – Walnuts or pecans add crunch if you’re into that
See? Nothing too fancy – just good, honest ingredients that come together to create magic. The best part? You probably have most of this in your pantry already!
Equipment Needed
You won’t need any fancy gadgets for these Christmas treats—just the basics every baker has. I always use my trusty large mixing bowl for the dough, along with a wooden spoon (though a hand mixer works if you’re feeling lazy). Don’t forget measuring cups and spoons—accuracy counts! A baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat makes cleanup a breeze, and a cookie scoop helps create perfectly even treats. That’s it—now let’s get baking!
How to Make Christmas Treats to Make
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning these simple ingredients into holiday magic! I’ve made this recipe so many Christmases now that I could probably do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step so yours turn out perfect too.
Preparing the Dough
First things first – preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a big bowl. I like to give it about 30 whisks to make sure everything’s evenly distributed.
In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and egg until it’s smooth and slightly fluffy. This is where a wooden spoon becomes your best friend – just pretend you’re mad at the dough and beat it good! Mix in the vanilla and milk until everything looks like a happy little puddle.
Now, here’s the key – add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually. I do it in about 3 batches, mixing just until combined each time. Overmixing makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that! Finally, gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts if you’re using them.
Baking the Treats
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper (trust me, it’s worth it). Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and space them about 2 inches apart – they’ll spread like happy little Christmas puddles in the oven.
Bake on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn that perfect golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake!
Let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This waiting period is torture, I know, but it prevents them from falling apart. And hey – that’s the perfect time to “test” one or three for quality control!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Treats to Make
After burning more batches than I’d like to admit over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that guarantee perfect Christmas treats every time. First – room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and a chilly egg can make your dough separate. I leave everything out for this if baking first thing in the morning!
Parchment paper is my holiday baking hero – no sticking, even burning, and cleanup takes seconds. And here’s my secret weapon: bake one test cookie first to check your oven’s temperament. Some run hot, some run cold, and that 2-minute difference can make or break your batch!
Variations for Your Christmas Treats to Make
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can dress it up for different holiday moods! Over the years, I’ve played around with so many versions – here are my absolute favorites that always get requested:
- Peppermint Bliss: Swap chocolate chips for crushed candy canes and add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract. The red and white flecks look so festive!
- Winter Spice: Add 1 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the dry ingredients. Feels like Christmas in cookie form.
- Nut-Free Joy: Skip the nuts and use dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots instead. My niece’s favorite version!
- Double Chocolate: Replace 1/4 cup flour with cocoa powder and use dark chocolate chips. For serious chocolate lovers only.
- Orange Dreamsicle: Add 1 tbsp orange zest + white chocolate chips. Tastes like those chocolate oranges we all unwrap on Christmas morning.
The best part? You can mix and match these ideas! Last year I did half a batch with cinnamon chips and half with peppermint – the cookie tin looked like Santa’s workshop exploded (in the best way). Don’t be afraid to get creative – that’s what holiday baking is all about!
Storage and Reheating
Now, let’s talk about keeping these Christmas treats fresh – because let’s be honest, they rarely last more than a day in my house! For maximum freshness, store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I like to layer them between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They’ll stay perfect for about 3 days this way – if you can resist eating them all at once!
Want that just-baked crispness days later? Here’s my trick: pop them in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes to revive them. The heat brings back that wonderful aroma too – bonus! Just watch them closely so they don’t over-brown.
For longer storage, these freeze beautifully. I always make a double batch around December 1st and freeze half for last-minute holiday needs. Just wrap cooled cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months frozen. Thaw at room temperature or give them that quick oven warm-up I mentioned earlier.
Pro tip from my many cookie experiments: freeze the dough too! Scoop balls onto a baking sheet, freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When holiday guests surprise you, just bake straight from frozen – add 1-2 minutes to the baking time. Fresh cookies in minutes with zero holiday stress!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about these Christmas treats – and I’ve probably asked them all myself at some point too! Here are the answers to the ones that pop up most often:
Can I freeze the cookie dough for later?
Absolutely! In fact, I always keep a batch of dough balls in my freezer during the holidays. Just scoop them onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to a freezer bag. When cookie cravings strike, bake straight from frozen – just add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
How can I make these Christmas treats vegan?
Easy swaps make this recipe plant-based in a snap! Use vegan butter (I like the sticks better than tubs for baking), flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), and your favorite non-dairy milk. The chocolate chips are the trickiest part – just check labels to ensure they’re dairy-free.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Oh honey, we’ve all been there! Usually it’s one of three things: butter was too soft (should be cool to the touch but indent slightly when pressed), oven wasn’t hot enough (get an oven thermometer – they’re game changers!), or the dough was too warm before baking. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes fixes most spreading issues.
Can I use this dough for cookie cutters?
While you can, this dough works better as drop cookies. The baking powder gives them a lovely puff that makes cut-out shapes lose their definition. If you’re set on cutouts, reduce the baking powder to 1/4 tsp and chill the rolled dough for at least an hour before cutting.
What’s the secret to soft, chewy cookies?
Two words: underbake slightly. Take them out when the edges are golden but centers still look underdone – they’ll finish setting as they cool. Also, brown sugar makes chewier cookies than white, so you could try replacing half the granulated sugar with packed brown sugar for extra chew!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist – I’m just a cookie lover who happens to know her way around a mixing bowl! Keep in mind that all nutritional values for these Christmas treats are estimates that can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. Did you use dark chocolate instead of milk? That’ll change things. Skip the nuts? Different numbers again. I always say if you’re counting calories at Christmas, you’re doing the holidays wrong anyway!
The important thing is that these homemade treats are made with real ingredients you can pronounce – no mystery preservatives here. And isn’t that what holiday baking is all about? Sharing love through food, not stressing over numbers. Now go enjoy that cookie (or three) guilt-free – it’s Christmas!
Share Your Holiday Creations
Nothing makes me happier than seeing your versions of these Christmas treats come to life in kitchens across the world! Did you try the peppermint variation? Get creative with fun new mix-ins? I want to hear all about it – drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram so I can see your holiday masterpieces.
Every year, I’m amazed by the gorgeous cookie plates, clever packaging ideas, and sweet family baking moments you share. That photo of your kiddos decorating these with red and green sprinkles last year? Absolutely made my December. Your creations inspire me to keep experimenting with new flavors too! Baking is always better when shared.
And if you run into any questions along the way – maybe the dough feels too sticky or you’re not sure about a substitution – just ask! Our little community of holiday bakers is always happy to help troubleshoot. After all, that’s what makes Christmas baking so special – sharing the love, one cookie at a time.
Print
Irresistible Christmas Treats to Make in Just 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 27 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious homemade Christmas treats to enjoy during the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add softened butter, egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix well.
- Fold in chocolate chips and nuts.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Substitute nuts with dried fruit if preferred.
- Double the recipe for larger gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, holiday treats, homemade desserts