They make the cutest homemade gifts!
Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Nothing spreads holiday cheer faster than an adorable Christmas treat. Whether it's a gingerbread house covered in frosting and candy or a tin full of Christmas cookies, there are so many sweet Christmas desserts to whip up this holiday season. That's why we've rounded up our favorite Christmas treats to make this the sweetest holiday yet. Pull out your treat boxes and ribbon—these festive sweets make the best homemade Christmas food gifts for family and friends. But they're also the perfect addition to your dessert spread on Christmas day!
With nostalgic Christmas candies, the cutest cookies of all time, festive fudge, and even Ree Drummond's adored cinnamon roll recipe, you'll find plenty of inspiration here. Looking for a recipe with classic holiday flavor? You've come to the right place! There are tons of peppermint treats, chocolate desserts, gingerbread cookies, and fruit cake ahead. There's also seasonal snacks such as candied pecans and Christmas chex to fuel all your Christmas movie marathons! Many of these sweets are great to make with kids, so get the family involved for a fun Christmas activity. Of course, you can wash all these treats down with Ree's white hot chocolate. Just don't forget to the homemade marshmallows!
1
Sugar Cookie Fudge
Amidst the holiday rush, there's hardly anything better than no-bake desserts. This delightful fudge recipe is just that! It has a super-simple base of sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate chips, sugar cookie mix, and butter. Plus, there's real crushed shortbread cookies folded in. Just don't forget an abundance of sprinkles!
Get the Sugar Cookie Fudge recipe.
2
Snickerdoodle Bars
Just when you thought the classic cookie couldn't get any better! Insert: Ree's snickerdoodle bars. They take all the soft, chewy deliciousness you know and love, then transform them into an easy, bite-sized treat—covered with cinnamon-sugar!
Get Ree's Snickerdoodle Bars recipe.
3
Christmas Cracker Candy
This salty-sweet and oh-so-festive dessert will stay fresh for over a week, making it perfect for gifting! It's made with a crisp base of saltine crackers that are smothered in homemade toffee and Nutella. To finish it off, get creative with a variety of toppings from toasted nuts and chopped candy to sprinkles!
Get the Christmas Cracker Candy recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Nutella Thumbprints
The kiddos will love getting to stick their thumbs into each ball of cocoa powder dough to make an indentation that will hold a dollop of creamy Nutella! After that's done, you can also play around with all kinds of sprinkles!
Get Ree's Nutella Thumbprints recipe.
5
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
The star shape of these treats is just the beginning of what makes them so great! A terrific twist on classic gingerbread cookies, this recipe sticks two cookies together with cream cheese filling between them. Talk about double the goodness!
Get Ree's Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies recipe.
6
Crock-Pot Candy
Homemade chocolate candy made right in your slow cooker? Yes, please! Loaded with peanuts, potato chips, pretzels, and topped with colorful candies and sprinkles, this recipe makes a wonderful homemade gift.
Get the Crock-Pot Candy recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Homemade Marshmallows
These pillowy, sweet marshmallows are begging to be dunked in a mug full of hot cocoa! They make an especially cute food gift alongside some homemade hot chocolate mix.
Get the Homemade Marshmallows recipe.
8
Brittle
A nostalgic Christmas classic that's just as good as you remember, this buttery brittle is filled with cashews, peanuts, and pecans.
Get the Brittle recipe.
9
Christmas Chex Mix
This sweet and salty snack is drizzled with white chocolate and loaded with Christmas M&M's so it's full of festive colors and holiday flavor. Your kids will love it and so will you!
Get the Christmas Chex Mix recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Oreo Truffles
Forget the fancy store-bought chocolates and make your own truffles instead. They're so easy to make and you don't even need to turn on the oven!
Get the Oreo Truffles recipe.
11
Ree's Favorite Christmas Cookies
If nostalgic treats are what you're after, try these Christmas cookies from Ree's childhood. They're fun to decorate and even more fun to eat!
Get Ree's Favorite Christmas Cookies recipe.
12
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
Fluffy cream cheese frosting sandwiched between soft, red-velvet cookies—these treats are the best decision you could make this holiday season.
Get Ree's Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Candied Pecans
This sweet and crunchy snack is made in the oven so it couldn't be easier to whip up a big batch. Wrap them in bags with ribbon for the sweetest DIY Christmas gift.
Get the Candied Pecans recipe.
14
Cinnamon Rolls
Ree makes these cinnamon rolls every Christmas to give out to friends and neighbors. The holiday tradition has made her the "most popular person in town."
Get Ree's Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
15
Peppermint Meringues
These pretty swirled treats will look stunning on your Christmas cookie plate. Plus, they're full of peppermint holiday flavor!
Get Ree's Peppermint Meringues recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies
Any cowboy or cowgirl will appreciate these adorable western boot cookies. Get creative with the designs to make them your own!
Get Ree's Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies recipe.
17
Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels
The combination of rich dark chocolate and salty, crunchy pretzels is a match made in heaven! Add festive sprinkles to make these treats ready for Christmas.
Get the Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels recipe.
18
Candy Cane Cookies
These treats start with a classic shortbread cookie dough which is surprisingly easy to make. Add a bit of peppermint extract before twisting them up into candy cane shapes.
Get the Candy Cane Cookies recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Peanut Butter Fudge
If you've never tried making your own homemade fudge before, now is a great time to start! The fun project is easier than you might think but it's completely impressive when gifted to friends.
Get the Peanut Butter Fudge recipe.
20
White Hot Chocolate
Get cozy this season with a sweet treat that will warm you right up. This hot chocolate is made with white chocolate chips and vanilla extract so it's perfectly sweet.
Get Ree's White Hot Chocolate recipe.