55 Holiday Baking Recipes for Christmas and Thanksgiving

It’s holiday baking season, and it’s a great time to make cookies, brownies, fudge, and other sweet treats for Thanksgiving and Christmas. These 55 holiday baking recipes are easy Christmas treats and Thanksgiving desserts you can make at home.

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You can choose a few recipes for Thanksgiving, try some decorated cookies for Christmas, and save no-bake treats for busy days. These 55 holiday baking recipes give you plenty of ideas for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, dessert tables, and homemade gifts.

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

These cinnamon sugar cookies are made with cinnamon and sugar. They’re a nice addition to a fall cookie tray or an easy baking project to make with the kids. Serve them with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies

These brown butter pumpkin cookies are a fall baking recipe made with pumpkin and brown butter for a cookie with warm seasonal flavor. They are a nice choice for an afternoon snack, a Thanksgiving dessert tray, or a batch of cookies to share with family.

Pecan Pie Brownies

These pecan pie brownies are a good option when you want to serve something different from a traditional pie. Cut them into squares for Thanksgiving dessert tables, holiday parties, or family gatherings.

Old-Fashioned Pecan Pie Bars

These old-fashioned pecan pie bars are an easy-to-serve bar dessert and useful when you need several servings for a Thanksgiving meal or holiday potluck. Cut them into small squares and arrange them on a dessert platter.

Buttery Pecan Pie Cookies

These buttery pecan pie cookies are a cookie version of the classic pecan pie dessert. Add them to a fall cookie box or serve them after Thanksgiving dinner.

Chai Latte Blondies

These chai latte blondies are a bar dessert inspired by the flavors of chai tea. Slice them into squares for a weekend treat, a coffee break, or a holiday dessert spread.

Soft Pumpkin S’mores Cookies

These soft pumpkin s’mores cookies are a fun option for fall parties that pairs well with hot chocolate or milk for an easy seasonal snack.

Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars

These pumpkin spice gooey bars are a fall dessert made with pumpkin spice flavors in a bar-style treat. They are easy to portion for a party and fit right in with other Thanksgiving desserts. Serve them on their own or with a cup of coffee after a family meal.

Pumpkin S’mores Bars

These pumpkin s’mores bars are a good choice for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or a weekend baking day. Cut them into small portions so everyone can enjoy a piece.

Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies

These pumpkin white chocolate chip cookies are made with pumpkin and sweet white chocolate chips. The combination works well for fall cookie trays and Thanksgiving treats.

Pecan Pie Fudge Bites

These pecan pie fudge bites bring pecan pie-inspired flavor into small fudge treats. Their bite-sized treats make them useful for dessert platters and homemade holiday gift boxes. They are also a nice option to add variety alongside cookies and brownies.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

These soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting are a fall cookie recipe made with pumpkin and a creamy topping. They are a nice addition to Thanksgiving dessert tables or fall bake sales.

Warm, Gooey Apple Pie Cookies

These warm, gooey apple pie cookies are a good choice for autumn gatherings, especially when apples are part of your seasonal baking plans. Serve them with tea or warm cider for a simple fall treat.

Soft and Spiced Apple Blondies

These soft and spiced apple blondies are made with apple flavors and warm spices. They are easy to cut and serve, making them useful for Thanksgiving potlucks or weekend get-togethers. Add them to a dessert tray with pumpkin cookies and pecan bars.

Turkey Sugar Cookies

These turkey sugar cookies are a Thanksgiving cookie idea decorated to look like little turkeys. Serve them at a Thanksgiving party or package them as small treats for guests.

Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles

These dark chocolate pumpkin truffles are a good option for holiday dessert platters when you want something different from cookies and bars. Arrange them in mini paper cups for serving or gifting.

Pumpkin Brownies

These pumpkin brownies are a good choice for chocolate lovers who also enjoy fall baking. Cut them into squares for a Thanksgiving dessert tray or bring a batch to a fall gathering.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars

These pumpkin cream cheese bars are a creamy cheese layer in a bar-style dessert. They are a nice fit for Thanksgiving meals, fall parties, or a weekend treat to share at home. Slice them into individual portions before serving.

Avalanche Christmas Cookies

These no-bake avalanche Christmas cookies are a simple holiday treat for days when you don’t want to turn on the oven. They are a good choice for busy baking schedules, Christmas parties, or making sweets with the kids. Add them to a holiday treat box alongside baked cookies and fudge.

Butterfinger Peanut Butter Balls

These Butterfinger peanut butter balls are a good addition to holiday candy trays and homemade treat boxes. Make them when you want a no-bake option to go with your baked cookies and brownies.

Melted Snowman Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies

These melted snowman peanut butter Christmas cookies are a fun option for family baking days and Christmas parties. Arrange them on a platter for a dessert table that kids and adults can enjoy.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

These peanut butter reindeer cookies are Christmas cookies decorated with reindeer faces. They are a fun project to make with children. Serve them at holiday parties or wrap a few in clear bags for small homemade gifts.

Chewy Maple Bacon Fudge

This Maple Bacon Fudge is a creamy, no-bake dessert recipe that’s great for holiday treats and a perfect addition to your dessert tables.

Soft Snickerdoodle Truffles

These soft snickerdoodle truffles are a nice choice for Christmas dessert boxes or a tray of small sweets. Serve them with other truffles and fudge for a mix of flavors and textures.

Chocolate-Dipped Pecan Pie Balls

These chocolate-dipped pecan pie balls are easy to share at Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, or family gatherings. Arrange them in mini paper cups to keep the dessert platter neat.

Hershey’s Hugs Gingerbread Cookies

These Hershey’s Hugs gingerbread cookies are a nice choice for anyone who enjoys traditional Christmas spices and chocolate together. Add them to a Christmas cookie platter or serve them with hot cocoa.

Christmas Butterfinger Balls

These Christmas Butterfinger balls are bite-sized treats made with Butterfinger-inspired candy flavor and a chocolate coating. They are a good addition to holiday dessert platters and homemade gift boxes.

White Chocolate Christmas Fudge

This white chocolate Christmas fudge is a holiday candy recipe made with white chocolate and festive decorations. Cut it into small squares for Christmas parties, cookie boxes, or gifts for friends and family.

Layered Christmas Chocolate Fudge

This layered Christmas chocolate fudge is a no-bake dessert with layers of chocolate and a festive holiday look. It is a good option for anyone who wants to add homemade candy to the Christmas dessert table.

Pecan Snowball Cookies

These pecan snowball cookies are small cookies made with pecans and finished with powdered sugar. Their round, snowy appearance makes them a familiar choice for Christmas cookie trays. They are also easy to package in small boxes for friends and neighbors.

Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

These melted snowman sugar cookies are decorated to look like snowmen melting on a plate. Pair them with other decorated cookies for a festive platter.

Christmas Snowman Brownies

These Christmas snowman brownies are a good choice for family baking days, school parties, or a Christmas dessert table. The decorations also make them easy to group with other themed treats.

Christmas Dessert Lasagna

This Christmas dessert lasagna is a layered dessert made for sharing during the holidays. It is a good choice when you need a larger dessert for a family gathering or Christmas dinner.

Holiday Reindeer Cookies

These holiday reindeer cookies are festive cookies decorated with reindeer details. They are a good choice for Christmas cookie exchanges, school parties, or a family baking activity. Make them part of a themed cookie box with snowman and Christmas tree cookies.

Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These Christmas kitchen sink cookies are made with a mix of sweet add-ins. They are useful when you want a cookie with different textures and flavors in each bite. Serve them at Christmas gatherings or bake a batch to share with friends.

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies

These gingerbread whoopie pies are a holiday dessert made with gingerbread-style cookies and a filling between them. Serve them at Christmas parties or wrap them individually for homemade gifts.

Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies

These peppermint cheesecake cookies are a nice addition to Christmas cookie boxes, especially for anyone who enjoys mint and cream cheese flavors. Serve them with coffee or hot chocolate during the holidays.

Gingerbread House Macarons

These gingerbread house macarons are festive macarons inspired by gingerbread houses. It’s a good choice for a Christmas dessert table or a special holiday baking project. They can also add variety to a platter filled with brownies, fudge, and cookies.

Christmas Rudolph Brownies

These Christmas Rudolph brownies are brownies decorated to look like Rudolph the reindeer. Cut and decorate them for a festive tray of Christmas sweets.

Christmas Wreath Sugar Cookies

These Christmas wreath sugar cookies are sugar cookies decorated to look like little holiday wreaths. They are a good choice for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and baking with kids. Arrange them on a platter or place them in individual treat bags for guests.

Snowman Truffle Brownies

These snowman truffle brownies combine a brownie dessert with a snowman-inspired design. They are a nice option for Christmas parties and holiday baking with children. Serve them with other decorated brownies and cookies for a themed dessert table.

Christmas Tree Cookies

These Christmas tree cookies are festive cookies shaped or decorated to look like Christmas trees. They are a simple way to add a holiday theme to your cookie tray. Let the kids help with the icing and sprinkles for a fun family baking activity.

Snowman Cake Pops

These snowman cake pops are small cake treats decorated to look like snowmen. Arrange them upright in a stand or wrap them individually for guests.

Santa Claus Meringue Cookies

These Santa Claus meringue cookies are a fun choice for Christmas dessert tables, cookie exchanges, and holiday parties. Their festive appearance also makes them a nice addition to a tray of decorated Christmas cookies.

Gooey Coconut Popcorn Marshmallow Snowball Bites

These gooey coconut popcorn marshmallow snowball bites are a fun choice when you want something different from the usual holiday cookies. Serve them at a Christmas party or make them as a family-friendly holiday snack.

Christmas Edible Chocolate Pine Cones

These Christmas edible chocolate pine cones are decorative chocolate treats shaped to look like pine cones. Arrange them on a platter with a little powdered sugar for a winter-inspired display.

No Bake Mini Turtle Cheesecakes

These no-bake mini turtle cheesecakes are individual cheesecake desserts for parties and holiday dinners. Prepare them ahead according to the recipe instructions and keep them chilled until serving.

Creamy White Chocolate Caramel Tarts

These creamy white chocolate caramel tarts are small desserts made with white chocolate and caramel flavors. They are a good option for a holiday dessert table when you want individual treats instead of one large cake.

S’more Cookies

These s’more cookies are a nice option for chocolate lovers and can be served at holiday gatherings or casual family get-togethers. Pair them with hot chocolate for a simple winter snack.

Brookies Bliss

These brookies are a good choice when you can’t decide between baking brownies or cookies for your holiday gathering. Cut them into squares or bars and add them to a mixed dessert platter.

Decadent Eggnog Fudge

This eggnog fudge is a Christmas candy recipe and a good choice for holiday dessert platters and homemade gifts. Cut it into small squares so guests can try a piece along with other Christmas sweets.

Marshmallow Cocoa Puff Brownies

These marshmallow Cocoa Puff brownies are a dessert bar for casual holiday parties and family gatherings. Serve them when you want a dessert that mixes chocolate with a little crunch.

Espresso Swirl Bars

These espresso swirl bars are a nice option for a holiday coffee break or an after-dinner treat for guests who enjoy coffee desserts. Cut them into small portions and serve them with a warm drink.

Fresh Berry Pink Sugar Cookies

These fresh berry pink sugar cookies are a colorful cookie option that can add variety to a holiday dessert tray, especially when you want something different from the usual red, green, and brown treats. They are also suitable for winter parties and homemade cookie boxes.