21 Christmas Cookies & Holiday Treats to Bake

Christmas baking season is here! Whether you are filling cookie boxes, building a gingerbread house with the kids or making edible gifts for friends, this is our collection of favourite festive recipes from the Pastry Online kitchen – all tested, with step-by-step instructions and full recipe cards.

Scroll through the list or jump straight to the section you need: Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, edible gifts, and festive cakes and breakfast treats.

Christmas Cookies

1. Christmas Thumbprint Cookies – Two Ways

Two variations of the classic thumbprint cookie – soft, buttery and filled, made for sharing on Christmas Eve. Get the recipe →

2. Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

A chocolate version of the classic thumbprint – so good that our own holiday stash was gone by day three. Get the recipe →

3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Fudgy chocolate cookies rolled in powdered sugar that crack beautifully in the oven – a festive classic. Get the recipe →

4. Walnut Kipferl – German Walnut Cookies

German crescent cookies with walnuts, rolled in sugar while still warm – buttery and melt-in-the-mouth. Get the recipe →

5. Cream Cheese Orange Spritz Cookies

Piped spritz cookies made tender with cream cheese and brightened with orange – pretty enough for any cookie box. Get the recipe →

6. Marbled Vanilla Chocolate Butter Cookies – Christmas Cookies

Crumbly slice-and-bake butter cookies marbled with vanilla, chocolate and orange zest – perfect for Christmas cookie boxes. Get the recipe →

7. Citrus Wafer Cookies

Thin, crisp cookies with fresh citrus flavour – a light, bright contrast to the richer holiday treats. Get the recipe →

8. Ghoriba – Moroccan Cookies

Traditional Moroccan cookies with their signature crackled tops – something a little different for your Christmas table. Get the recipe →

9. Homemade Petit Beurre Biscuits

Homemade petit beurre biscuits that are ideal for decorating with royal icing – they were a hit the first Christmas I made them. Get the recipe →

10. Gingerbread Men

Spiced gingerbread men, sturdy enough to decorate – a family tradition worth starting this year. Get the recipe →

11. Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Tender lavender shortbread with easy swaps if you prefer citrus or vanilla – shortbread keeps beautifully, so bake it ahead. Get the recipe →

Gingerbread Houses

12. Gingerbread House

A step-by-step guide to baking and building a gingerbread house – a perfect weekend project for the whole family. Get the recipe →

13. Honey Gingerbread House

A fragrant honey gingerbread house – a showstopper centrepiece for the holidays. Get the recipe →

Edible Christmas Gifts

14. Homemade Salted Caramels

Soft homemade salted caramels made with a candy thermometer – wrap them in wax paper for a thoughtful homemade gift. Get the recipe →

15. Dark rhum chocolate truffles

Rich dark chocolate truffles with a hint of rum – an elegant little gift for every chocoholic. Get the recipe →

16. Hot Chocolate Mix

A homemade hot chocolate mix to keep in a jar – ready for cold evenings and lovely as a gift. Get the recipe →

17. Hot Chocolate Lollipops

Chocolate lollipops made for stirring into warm milk – fun to make and even more fun to give. Get the recipe →

18. Homemade Speculoos Cookie Butter (Biscoff Spread) – 3 Ingredients

Speculoos (Biscoff) cookie butter with just three ingredients, ready in minutes – pour it into jars for an easy edible gift. Get the recipe →

Christmas Cakes & Festive Breakfast

19. Christmas Tree Bento Cake with Gingerbread and Salted Caramel

A small Christmas tree cake with gingerbread sponge, orange cream cheese frosting and salted caramel – with assembly tips. Get the recipe →

20. Apple Gingerbread Cake

A moist, spiced layer cake with apple and gingerbread – a cosy alternative to the traditional Christmas cake. Get the recipe →

21. Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Speculoos Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft pumpkin cinnamon rolls with an overnight dough and Speculoos cream cheese frosting – made for a slow Christmas morning. Get the recipe →

Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Baking

Start with the cookies that keep well. Butter cookies, shortbread and gingerbread stay fresh for one to two weeks in an airtight tin, so you can bake them early.
Freeze the dough. Most butter-based cookie doughs freeze well – shape them into logs or discs, wrap tightly and bake straight from the freezer when you need them.
Weigh your ingredients. A digital scale gives you consistent results batch after batch, especially with delicate doughs and caramel.
Plan your gifts. Caramels, truffles, cookie butter and hot chocolate mix can all be made a few days ahead and packed in jars or boxes.

Which one will you bake first? Save this list for later and come back to it all season long. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!