12 Easy Christmas Cookies and Treats to Make This Year

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Christmas baking does not have to be complicated. These are easy cookies, breads, pies and sweet treats from the Bananuts kitchen, with clear steps and ingredients you can find at any grocery store.

Some are classic Christmas cookies for decorating, some are quick no-bake treats, and a few are Indian sweets that work just as well on a holiday dessert plate or in a gift box.

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1. Christmas Sugar Cookies

Soft cut-out cookies that keep their shape in the oven, with an easy 3-ingredient icing. Perfect for stars, trees and snowflakes.

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2. Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Chewy gingerbread with molasses and warm spices. Cut them into gingerbread men and decorate them with the kids.

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3. Christmas Crack (Saltine Toffee)

Saltine crackers, buttery toffee and melted chocolate. Just 5 ingredients, and it breaks into pieces that are easy to gift.

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4. Nankhatai (Eggless Shortbread Cookies)

Eggless Indian shortbread with cardamom and pistachios. Crumbly, buttery and made in one bowl.

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5. Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

Ripe bananas, fresh cranberries and orange zest in one festive loaf. Lovely for Christmas breakfast or as a gift.

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6. Double Chocolate Banana Bread

A rich chocolate loaf made with your ripest bananas. Slice it thick for a holiday dessert board.

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7. Fudgy Chocolate Banana Muffins

Moist, fudgy chocolate muffins built on very ripe bananas. Easy to bake in a batch when guests are coming.

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8. Chai-Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Creamy pumpkin pie spiced like masala chai. Easy with a store-bought crust and best made a day ahead.

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9. Classic Apple Pie

An all-butter flaky crust with cinnamon apples and a lattice top. A classic for any holiday table.

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10. Kaju Katli (Cashew Fudge)

Smooth cashew fudge diamonds made with just 4 ingredients. Pretty in gift boxes and naturally gluten-free.

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11. Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

No oven needed. Oats, peanut butter and cocoa rolled into bites in a few minutes. Good for a quick sweet plate.

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12. Homemade Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy hot chocolate on the stove in 10 minutes, plus ideas for a hot cocoa bar.

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Tips for Easy Christmas Baking

• Bake ahead: cookie dough and pie crusts can be made a day or two early and kept in the fridge.
• Use ripe bananas: the banana breads and muffins work best with very spotty bananas.
• Make a gift box: mix 3 or 4 treats, like sugar cookies, Christmas crack and kaju katli, in a tin lined with parchment.
• Plan a cocoa bar: hot chocolate with toppings turns dessert into an activity for guests.

Hosting a Christmas party? See our easy Christmas party food ideas for appetizers and snacks.