Nothing says Christmas like the smell of freshly baked sweets wafting through the house! These easy Christmas sweets have been my go-to holiday treat for years – simple enough that even my kids can help make them, but so delicious that no one can resist sneaking just one more. I remember my grandma teaching me this recipe when I was barely tall enough to reach the counter, flour dusting my nose as we mixed the dough together.
What I love most about these festive cookies is how effortlessly they come together. With just basic pantry staples and about 20 minutes from start to finish, you’ll have a batch of warm, chocolate-studded holiday treats that fill your kitchen with that magical Christmas aroma. They’re perfect for last-minute gifts, cookie exchanges, or just keeping Santa happy on his big night!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Sweets Recipe
Trust me, once you try these festive cookies, they’ll become your new holiday tradition! Here’s why everyone goes crazy for them:
- Almost no prep time – You’re just 10 minutes away from cookie dough that bakes while you wrap presents
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – No fancy shopping trips needed, just basics you probably already have
- Total crowd-pleaser – The perfect balance of buttery dough and melty chocolate makes these disappear fast
- Endlessly customizable – Swap in whatever mix-ins you love (I’m partial to crushed candy canes this time of year!)
- Kid-approved helpers – Little hands love stirring in sprinkles and “testing” the chocolate chips
Seriously, these might just be the easiest – and most addictive – holiday treats you’ll make this season!
Ingredients for Easy Christmas Sweets
Grab these simple ingredients – I bet you’ve got most in your pantry already! The magic happens with just:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled – don’t pack it!)
- 1/2 cup sugar (granulated works best for that perfect crunch)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes – trust me, it makes all the difference)
- 1 large egg (room temperature blends smoother)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff, not imitation!)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (check it’s fresh for good rise)
- 1/4 tsp salt (balances all that sweetness perfectly)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or swap for chopped nuts or dried cranberries)
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional but so festive – use holiday colors!)
See? Nothing fancy – just honest ingredients that turn into pure holiday magic!
How to Make Easy Christmas Sweets
Okay, let’s get baking! These cookies come together so fast you’ll be nibbling warm treats before you know it. Here’s exactly how I make them – with all my little tricks for perfect results every time.
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a big bowl. Now here’s my secret – take your softened butter and rub it into the dry ingredients with your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs. Sounds weird, but it makes the texture amazing! Then stir in the egg and vanilla just until combined – don’t overmix or your cookies will be tough!
Step 2: Bake to Perfection
Now the fun part – fold in those chocolate chips and sprinkles! I use two spoons to drop little mounds of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet (they spread just enough). Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn that perfect golden brown. Pro tip: pull them out when they still look slightly underdone in the center – they’ll firm up as they cool!
Let them rest on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Try not to eat them all straight away – though I won’t judge if you sneak one warm cookie with a glass of milk!
Tips for the Best Easy Christmas Sweets
After making these holiday treats more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make them extra special:
- Chill sticky dough – If the mixture feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Makes scooping so much easier!
- Parchment paper is your friend – No sticking, easy cleanup, and perfectly golden bottoms every time
- Go wild with sprinkles – Mix red and green for Christmas, or try edible glitter for magical sparkle
- Underbake slightly – They’ll keep cooking on the pan for that perfect chewy center
- Double the batch – Trust me, you’ll want extras for gifting (and midnight snacking!)
These little tweaks take already-amazing cookies to holiday superstar status!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up! Here are some delicious twists I’ve tried over the years:
- Chocolate swaps: White chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped peppermint bark for a festive twist
- Fruity options: Dried cranberries or chopped candied orange peel add holiday cheer
- Nutty goodness: Toasted pecans or walnuts give wonderful crunch (my aunt’s favorite version)
- Flavor boosters: Swap vanilla for almond extract or add a pinch of cinnamon
- Gluten-free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend – they turn out just as tasty!
The possibilities are endless – make these treats your own holiday signature!
Serving & Storing Your Holiday Treats
Nothing beats enjoying these warm Christmas sweets fresh from the oven with a cold glass of milk – just like Grandma used to serve them! For gifting, I love packing them in festive tins lined with parchment paper – they make the sweetest homemade presents.
Store leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The cookies stay surprisingly fresh, though I won’t tell if you sneak one for breakfast with your coffee – it’s the holidays after all!
Easy Christmas Sweets Recipe FAQs
I get so many questions about these holiday treats – here are the answers to everything you might wonder:
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Just scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag. They’ll keep for 3 months – bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.
How long do these Christmas cookies stay fresh?
In an airtight container, they’re delicious for up to 5 days (if they last that long!). The texture stays perfect – slightly crisp outside, chewy inside.
Can I make these without chocolate chips?
Of course! Swap in anything festive – crushed candy canes, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries all work beautifully. That’s the magic of this easy recipe!
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Usually means your butter was too soft. Next time, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking – solves it every time!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on these holiday treats – each cookie comes in at about 80 calories. Remember, these are just estimates and will change based on your specific ingredients and how big you make your cookies! The sprinkles and chocolate chips add extra sweetness, but hey – it’s Christmas, we’re allowed a little indulgence! Indulgence is key!
Share Your Festive Creations
I’d love to see your holiday cookie masterpieces! Snap a photo of your Christmas sweets and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing families baking together. Leave a comment sharing your favorite mix-ins or any clever twists you tried! Happy baking, friends!
Print
10-Minute Easy Christmas Sweets Recipe for Magical Holiday Treats
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious recipe for easy Christmas sweets that everyone will love. Perfect for holiday gatherings and festive treats.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and sprinkles.
- 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 up to 5 days.
- You can substitute chocolate chips with nuts or dried fruit.
- For a festive touch, drizzle melted white chocolate on top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: easy Christmas sweets, holiday treats, festive cookies, simple dessert