Merry Christmas!
Christmas is almost here — can you feel the excitement? The kids are likely counting down the hours until they can peek under the tree. My children were thrilled to receive a holiday package from their aunt this weekend. Those little moments make wonderful memories.
One of my favorite parts of the season is baking. If you enjoy cooking, the holidays are a joyful excuse to spend time in the kitchen. I absolutely love baking and creating treats for family and friends. If calories weren’t a concern, I’d probably be in the kitchen all day long!
I’ll admit I don’t always chase every “Christmas-flavored” trend. For a long time my holiday desserts were just slight variations on Thanksgiving favorites — with more candy and fewer pecan pies. Still, it’s fun to try new recipes when the season calls for something special.
If you need ideas for holiday baking, here’s a curated list of dessert recipes from the blog that work perfectly for the season.
Pie Recipes
- Best Gluten-Free Pie Crust Recipe — a reliable, tender crust that’s become my go-to.
- Quick and Easy Pie Crust — almost as good as the rolled crust but much faster to prepare.
- Gluten-Free “Graham Cracker” Pie Crust Recipe — simple and delicious for cheesecakes and cream pies.
- The Best Ever Apple Pie Recipe — a classic favorite, passed down from friends and always a hit.
- Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie — light enough for breakfast and full of holiday flavor.
Cheesecake
- Honey-Sweetened Cheesecake — a delightful sugar-free option that still tastes indulgent.
- Sugar-Free Pumpkin Cheesecake — perfectly spiced and satisfying without the extra sugar.
Cookies
- Gluten-Free Gingersnaps — soft, warmly spiced cookies that fill the kitchen with holiday aroma.
- Gluten-Free Buckwheat Cookies — a hearty, whole-grain flavor that stands out among gluten-free treats.
- Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies — an Amish-inspired favorite that disappears fast, especially warm from the oven.
- Pumpkin Spice No-Bake Cookies — an easy seasonal treat that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
- Healthy No-Bake Cookies — a popular, forgiving recipe that yields satisfying, guilt-light bites.
Fudge
Because what’s Christmas without fudge?
- Old Fashioned Fudge from Scratch — homemade fudge is easier than you think and wonderfully rich.
- Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Fudge — cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger combined with chocolate create a truly festive treat.
Miscellaneous
- Peanut Butter Cheese Ball — a crowd-pleasing dessert cheese ball that pairs perfectly with apple slices.
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake — molten chocolate cake made easy in the crockpot.
- Peanut Butter Popcorn — rich and festive, ideal for special occasions like Christmas.
- Homemade, Corn Syrup-Free Marshmallows — fun to make and perfect when flavored with peppermint for hot chocolate.
Reading this list is making my mouth water. I plan to indulge over Christmas and New Year’s, then take a break: my husband Gabriel and I have agreed to a sugar-free January. It’ll be a challenge, but for now I’m enjoying every recipe and the joy of holiday baking.