There’s something truly magical about baking with kids during the holidays. The smell of cinnamon, the sparkle of sprinkles, and the laughter filling the kitchen make Christmas even more special. Whether you’re planning a family baking day, looking for classroom treats, or want to keep the little ones busy, these Christmas treats are fun to make, adorable to look at, and totally delicious.
Grab your mixing bowls, some festive cookie cutters, and your favorite Christmas playlist. Let’s make some holiday magic!
1. Reindeer Rice Krispies
Make regular Rice Krispies treats, then cut them into rectangles. Add pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M for Rudolph’s nose. Kids will love decorating their own reindeer.
2. Christmas Tree Brownies
Bake your favorite brownie recipe, cut them into triangles, and stick a candy cane at the bottom to look like a tree trunk. Decorate with green icing and sprinkle “ornaments” on top.
3. Snowman Cupcakes
Frost vanilla cupcakes with white icing, add mini chocolate chips for eyes, an orange candy for the nose, and draw a smile with chocolate sauce. They’re simple, adorable, and perfect for small hands to decorate.
4. Peppermint Bark
Melt white and dark chocolate, pour into layers on parchment paper, and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Once it sets, break it into big chunks. It’s a classic sweet kids can help smash and stir.
5. Gingerbread Cookies
Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread. Mix flour, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Let the kids cut out their favorite shapes, bake, and then decorate with icing and sprinkles.
6. Hot Chocolate Spoons
Dip plastic or wooden spoons into melted chocolate and top with marshmallows, crushed peppermint, or sprinkles. Let them harden, then stir into warm milk for a magical hot cocoa moment.
7. Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites
Top mini cheesecake bites with whipped cream and a strawberry. Add a tiny dollop of cream on top of the strawberry to complete the Santa hat look. Cute, easy, and festive.
8. Sugar Cookie Snowflakes
Use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters and colorful icing to decorate. The best part? Kids can make each one unique, just like real snowflakes.
9. Christmas Popcorn Mix
Toss popcorn with melted white chocolate, pretzels, mini marshmallows, and red and green M&Ms. It’s the perfect movie night snack for a Christmas movie marathon.
10. Rudolph Donuts
Use small chocolate donuts, add pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and a red candy nose. These no-bake treats are quick, fun, and picture-perfect.
11. Marshmallow Snowmen
Stack three marshmallows on a stick, add pretzel arms, and use chocolate chips and an orange sprinkle for the face. Let the kids build their snowmen however they like.
12. Christmas Pretzel Hugs
Place a Hershey’s Hug candy on top of each pretzel. Bake for a few minutes until slightly melted, then top with a red or green M&M. Salty, sweet, and super easy.
13. Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes
Dip candy canes in melted chocolate and add crushed peppermint or sprinkles. Kids love dipping and decorating them, and they make great edible gifts too.
14. Rice Krispies Wreaths
Color melted marshmallows green with food coloring, mix with cereal, and shape into small wreaths. Decorate with red M&Ms as berries and a small icing bow.
15. North Pole Cupcakes
Top frosted cupcakes with a candy cane “North Pole” stick and a little sign made of paper. It’s a whimsical treat that doubles as a fun table decoration.
16. Snowball Cookies
These soft, buttery cookies are rolled in powdered sugar to look like tiny snowballs. They melt in your mouth and are fun for kids to help roll.
17. Holiday Jello Cups
Layer red and green Jello in clear cups, and top with whipped cream. It’s bright, wiggly, and festive, and kids love watching the layers come together.
18. Christmas Fudge
Make creamy chocolate fudge, then swirl in red and green sprinkles before it sets. Cut into small squares for the perfect sweet bite.
19. Melted Snowman Cookies
Frost sugar cookies with white icing, then place a marshmallow on top for the head. Use icing to draw little faces and “melting” arms. Messy, cute, and guaranteed to make everyone smile.
20. Candy Cane Brownie Bites
Add crushed candy canes into brownie batter before baking. Once cooled, drizzle with white chocolate and top with more peppermint pieces.
21. Hot Cocoa Bombs
Fill chocolate spheres with hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows, seal the halves, and decorate with icing and sprinkles. Pour warm milk over them and watch the magic happen.
22. Polar Bear Oreos
Dip Oreos in white chocolate, then add mini marshmallow ears and candy eyes. Draw on a little nose with black icing for the cutest polar bear treats.
23. Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Shape peanut butter cookie dough into ovals, bake, and add pretzel antlers, chocolate chip eyes, and a red candy nose while still warm.
24. Grinch Rice Krispies
Tint your marshmallow mixture light green, press into a pan, and cut into squares. Add a red candy heart to each one for that perfect Grinchy touch.
25. Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Pipe green frosting onto cupcakes in a spiral to make it look like a Christmas tree. Decorate with sprinkles and a small candy star on top.
26. White Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Dip pretzels in melted white chocolate and decorate with red and green sprinkles. They’re crunchy, sweet, and super simple for little hands.
27. Snowman Donut Pops
Push cake pop sticks into mini powdered donuts, add a marshmallow head, and decorate with candy eyes and pretzel arms. They look amazing on a dessert table.
Conclusion
Baking with kids is one of the best parts of the holidays. Sure, things might get a little messy, but the laughter, creativity, and joy are worth every sprinkle on the floor. Whether you make one or all twenty-seven, these Christmas treats are guaranteed to fill your home with sweet smells, happy faces, and unforgettable memories.
