53 Holiday Treats to Make This Season
53 Holiday Treats to Make This Season
Read Time: 19 mins
53 Holiday Treats to Make This Season
I’ll always remember making these with him
min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My son Levi was only 2 years old when he helped me create this delicious recipe, and it was the first time he told me I love you! I’ll always remember making these with him. —Emily Butler, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania 3/53 Mini Pumpkin Spice Trifles 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Mini Pumpkin Spice Trifles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These miniature trifles are so fun for fall holiday parties! The assembly takes a little
longer than making one big trifle, but it’s worth it to see everyone’s reaction to getting their own! —Rhiannon Brownell, Newport News, Virginia 4/53 Santa’s Stuffed Belly Cookies Test Kitchen Approved Santa’s Stuffed Belly Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 6 stuffed cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have been seeing “surprise inside cookies” for a few years and really wanted to come up with my own version. After a little brainstorming, I came up with the idea of making Santa’s belly cookies and filling them with miniature cookies.
I create them using a pizzelle iron
These are so much fun to give as gifts—just wrap in colored cellophane and tie with a festive ribbon. You can exchange the mini cookies for candy or anything you’d like; if desired, you can color the cookie dough red, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado 5/53 Pizzelle Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pizzelle Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci,
Luckily, they’re really easy to make—no oven needed
Rockledge, Florida 6/53 Coconut Christmas Mice 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Coconut Christmas Mice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Off-the-charts cuteness makes it nearly impossible for guests to resist these fluffy, coconutty treats. Luckily, they’re really easy to make—no oven needed. Merry Christ-mouse to you! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 7/53 Snow Globe Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Snow Globe Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings About 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe
What a fun way to shake up your cookie tray!
Creator: A love of snow globes as a child inspired Theresa Ravencraft of Marysville, Ohio, to create a Christmas cookie with a similar look. When she shared the photo with Taste of Home, our team members were eager to try their hands at the design. What a fun way to shake up your cookie tray! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 8/53 Fudgy Layered Irish Mocha Brownies 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour Servings 16 servings. Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I are big fans of Irish
cream, so I wanted to incorporate it into a brownie
cream, so I wanted to incorporate it into a brownie. I started with my mom’s brownie recipe, then added frosting and ganache. These decadent treats are the result, and we really enjoy them! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 9/53 Mini Cream Puffs Test Kitchen Approved Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream Puffs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is quick and easy to whip up, and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as
a snack for family game night
a snack for family game night. I guarantee you can’t eat just one—they are so addictive and perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 10/53 Spiced Rum Fruitcake 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Rum Fruitcake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 40 min Servings 1 loaf (16 pieces) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This fruitcake not only can be made weeks ahead, it tastes better that way! You can substitute Brazil nuts, pecans and hazelnuts for the walnuts—or use a combination of nuts. —Jason Boor, Manchester, New York
My family loves Hostess Zingers, especially the raspberry flavor coated
11/53 Sparkly Meringue Snowmen Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 50 min Servings About 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For my son’s first Christmas home from Iraq, I wanted everything to feel magical. He loves meringue cookies, so I made a big batch of minty snowmen and snowflakes. —Patricia Lindsay, Independence, Kansas 12/53 Raspberry Coconut Balls 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Raspberry Coconut Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves Hostess Zingers, especially the raspberry flavor coated
with coconut, inspiring this treat to make for school bake sales
with coconut, inspiring this treat to make for school bake sales. We can make about four dozen in 30 minutes, and they sell out fast! —Pam Clark, Wheaton, Illinois 13/53 Frosty Polar Bears 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love spending time in the kitchen with my nieces. This is the perfect recipe to make with the little ones. Dang cute, easy and portable! —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 14/53 Drizzled Gingerbread Biscotti 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Drizzled Gingerbread Biscotti Recipe photo by Taste of Home
This recipe will win over
Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After stumbling across a community recipe for gingerbread biscotti, I made several batches and tweaked it to our tastes. These became an instant obsession at our house.—Susan Board, Palmer, Alaska 15/53 Mincemeat Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Old-Fashioned Mincemeat Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Shh! Don’t reveal the secret ingredient in this tender, chewy, old-time cookie until after they take a taste. This recipe will win over
They’re one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies
even those who think they don’t like mincemeat.—Lucie Fitzgerald, Spring Hill, Florida. 16/53 Christmas Cutout Cookies 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Christmas Cutout Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 dozen (2-1/2-inch cookies) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Rich and buttery Christmas cutout cookies like these never last long at a party. They’re one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri 17/53 Mini Fruitcakes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Mini Fruitcakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55
These keep well in the freezer in an airtight container
min Servings 2.5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Fruitcake always looked so festive to me but I did not like the hard citron fruit so I came up with my own recipe using dried fruits and nuts. I place these in Christmas themed petit fours paper cups and give them to neighbors and friends along with the many other cookies and candies I bake. These keep well in the freezer in an airtight container. Just thaw to room temperature and they taste fresh baked and moist. —Lisa McDermith, Highland, California 18/53 Anise Gumdrops Test Kitchen Approved Anise
Gumdrops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 1 pound Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With their bright color and frosty sugared look, these homemade gumdrops are irresistible. They’re softer than the store-bought kind and have tongue-tingling anise flavor. —Richard Bunt, Painted Post, New York 19/53 Peppermint Cheesecake 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The Best Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 55 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: People are thrilled when they see me coming with this rich, smooth cheesecake—it’s always a
crowd pleaser
crowd pleaser. Not only does it look sensational, but it is so scrumptious. —Carrie Price, Ottawa, Illinois 20/53 Coconut-Rum Cake Pops 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Coconut-Rum Cake Pops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Plan your own tropical escape with these surprisingly light-tasting pops. Angel food cake is a nice change of pace. 21/53 Tangerine Chocolate Semifreddo Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Joanne Adams, Bath, Maine 33/53 Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Abigail Vandersaul, Saint Paul, Missouri 39/53 Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo Sticks 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 20 sticks Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a little something special to share with friends or family?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Wendy Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota 45/53 Peanut Butter Penguins 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter Penguins Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 32 cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Could these be any more adorable?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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