Pinterest’s Most Popular Holiday Cookie Recipes Will Get You in the Spirit of the Season
Nov 26, 2018
Find more ideas to spark your holiday spirit on Pinterest.
Find more ideas to spark your holiday spirit on Pinterest.
Desserts make Christmas go around, but it can be hard to find time to bake with countless holiday parties to attend. If you're feeling a little oven-shy or wonder why those cookie recipes you try to bake come out looking gooey, maybe it's time for a different approach.
Because we've been there before, we put together a list of 35 stellar “no-bake" recipes that will satisfy everyone's preferences and dietary restrictions! If you're still craving something sweet after reading about these delectable treats try making our No-Bake Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie or our adorable No-Bake Grammy Bon Bons!
Half Baked Harvest
It's hard to believe this stunning dessert is no bake! Buttery Ritz crackers are the secret with homemade vanilla custard, mixed berries, and sweet honey. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Clean Cuisine
Love the little something green on your holiday dessert table and this healthy twist on traditional key limes is sure to please! (via Clean Cuisine)
Vikalinka
It's all in the name and it's all absolutely delicious. (via Vikalinka)
Averie Cooks
Not a lot of time? This no-bake dessert infused with espresso, Kahlua, a luscious creamy filling is decadent and so easy! (via Averie Cooks)
Hello Little Home
Give your cheesecake a taste of fall with this delightful holiday dessert. (via Hello Little Home)
Kathryn's Kitchen
These no bake bars are a crowd pleaser and make great last-minute gifts! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)
Woman Scribbles
Add a hint of coffee flavor to your cheesecake dessert. (via Woman Scribbles)
A staple around the holidays, these cookies require one pot and a stove top. These cookies contain dangerously delicious amounts of peanut butter and chocolate, and for a different texture, try making them with Crunchy peanut butter. (via Foodista)
The Real Food Dietitians
Whip up these egg-free brownies in only 20 minutes! (via The Real Food Dietitians)
Vanilla and Bean
These bite-size desserts are gluten free and incredible delicious. Bet you can't eat just one! (via Vanilla and Bean)
Completely Delicious
This three-ingredient dessert is so simple and requires no oven! (via Completely Delicious)
This classic from Buns in My Ovenis always welcome at large gatherings. Added bonus, you can make a whole pan of these treats in one batch making it a low stress contribution. (via Buns in My Oven)
The name alone makes us hungry. Anything with that much chocolate has to be delicious. (via Food 52)
Another large group friendly recipe, these Peanut Butter Bars from Our Best Bitesare sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, think a giant Reese’s cup. (via Our Best Bites)
Yes these amazing looking fudge bars are vegan! That means none of your friends and family have to miss out on the holiday goodies. (via Lunch Box Bunch)
How do dense and delicious little Oreo truffles sound to you? We’re certainly excited about this finger friendly truffle. (via Bakerella)
No no-bake list would be complete without a mention of mousse. So here is a fabulous chocolate mousse for your palate’s pleasure. (via Food Network)
Looking for a sweet gift for that candy lover in your life or maybe just trying to find an easy item to contribute to that holiday party? Look no further! (via Sprinkle Bakes)
This super simple fudge has color in all the right places. Not to mention the sweet crushed candy cane on top that makes this dessert undeniably festive. (via Shugary Sweets)
Dreaming about Girl Scout Cookies? Satisfy your crunchy, minty craving by making your own thin mints and if you’re feeling generous, give some as gifts! (via Everyday Reading )
What makes the delectable powdered sugary goodness of puppy chow (or muddy buddies) even better? Some mint! (via Shugary Sweets)
Okay maybe we’re a little Girl Scout focused but if Thin Mints aren’t your thing why not make Samoa Bars! (via Babble)
These very red and white little cheesecakes would add the perfect festive touch to any meal and will wow friends and family! (via Sprinkle Bakes)
Ready to wow the folks at your Holiday table? Knock their socks off with this stunning and simple Cheesecake! (via Just a Taste)
Oreos, cheesecake, and gingerbread all in one? I think I just died and went to no-bake dessert heaven. (via My Baking Addiction)
We can’t get over how sweet these little desserts are, both visually and to eat! These individual desserts would be a perfect addition to a small dinner party. (Image via A Pretty Life in the Suburbs)
If you tried our S’More pie and loved it, you’ll love this version as well! It does take longer to make but maybe you could whip up both and have a blind tasting… (via Brown Eyed Baker)
To satisfy, dare we say it, the non-chocoholics in the room. This classy pie will be refreshing and sweet. (via Joy the Baker)
And the peanut butter just keeps coming! This light and fluffy peanut butter pie will keep Grandpa coming back for seconds. (via One Ordinary Day)
A vegan take on a Holiday classic. This pie is the best of both worlds! (via Lunch Box Bunch)
This elegant dessert requires absolutely no oven and looks amazing in a delicate glass. Make sure the glasses allow easy access for large spoons! (via Inspired Edibles)
Chaos is key to a gorgeous candy cane bark. Throw everything together and voila! A dessert that’s ready to be gifted. (via Babble)
Cool whip and chocolate pudding, nothings better! This low maintenance dessert is perfect for the dessert maker that prefers to keep things simple. (via Brown Eyed Baker)
Just in case you’re looking for something a tiny bit old fashioned for a family dinner, give these a try! They are a delicious new take on a sweet classic. (via Just a Taste )
If massive amounts of sugar and butter make you squirm, there’s no need to miss out on all the dessert fun. Try these slightly sweet and healthy granola bites! (via Joy the Baker)
Which no-bake holiday dessert recipe will you try before the end of 2024?
Lead image via My Baking Addiction
Yellowstone might be coming to an end, but good news! There are plenty of TV shows you can binge watch before the new Yellowstone spinoff, and they all have the drama and relationship dynamics you love about the OG show. Here are the best series to press play on after you finish the Yellowstone finale! (Although fair warning: they don't have Bella Hadid ;)).
Emerson Miller/Paramount+
You didn't think I could start this list without the Yellowstone prequels did you? This gripping and emotional TV show follows the Duttons in the year 1883 as they move from Texas to Montana.
Stream 1883 on Paramount+. The show stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, Eric Nelsen, and James Landry Hébert.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+
The second Yellowstone prequel finds the next generation of Duttons scattered around the world — and 1923 season 2 (coming February 23, 2025) will see Spencer and Alex fighting to get back home.
1923 is on Paramount+ and stars Julia Schlaepfer, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Brandon Sklenar, Michelle Randolph, Darren Mann, Jerome Flynn, Aminah Nieves, and Isabel May.
Ursula Coyote/Netflix
Godless is a super cool show because it takes the cowboy narrative so many of us grew up on and flips it on its head. When a gang of outlaws tracks a supposed traitor named Roy to La Belle, they realize the town is governed mainly by women...and they're notorious.
Godless is on Netflix and stars Jack O'Connell, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merritt Wever, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+
This TV show takes us down south, to West Texas. Tommy Norris, a crisis exec, tries to secure his company's spot in the oil business during a fuel boom in this addicting show.
Landman is on Paramount+ and stars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Jacob Lofland, Kayla Wallace, James Jordan, Mark Collie, Paulina Chávez, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Andy Garcia, and Michael Peña.
Claudette Barius/HBO
If you can't get enough of the family drama, then you'll definitely want to start Succession. This Emmy-winning series follows Logan Roy as he (and his four kids) tries to figure out what the heck to do with the future of his company. Trust me, you'll want to binge watch this one.
Succession is on Max. The show stars Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Brain Cox, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Mcfadyen, Alan Ruck, and J. Smith-Cameron.
Emerson Miller/Paramount+
Another Paramount pick! Lawmen: Bass Reeves follows the titular Bass, who was one of the first Black deputy U.S. marshals on the west side of the Mississippi.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is Paramount+ and stars David Oyelowo, Barry Pepper, Demi Singleton, Dennis Quaid, Donald Sutherland, Forrest Goodluck, and Lauren E. Banks.
Chris Large/EPIX Entertainment LLC.
Billy The Kid is definitely for the Yellowstone fans who love the Western vibes of it all. This show follows a younger Billy as he falls in love, experiences different kinds of heartbreak, and becomes the outlaw we know all too well.
Stream Billy The Kid on MGM+ and see Tom Blyth, Eileen O'Higgins, Daniel Webber, and Alex Roe.
Chris Large/History Channel
This series is also a great option for any history buff, and revolves around the true feud between the Hatfield family and the McCoys in Kentucky and West Virginia, respectively. To think it (almost) all started because of a stolen pig...
Hatfields & McCoys is on Amazon Prime and stars Kevin Costner. Bill Paxton, Tom Berenger, Mare Winningham, Jena Malone, Boyd Holbrook, and Powers Boothe.
Diego Lopez Calvin/Prime Video
Need even more girl power? Turn on The English, which sees Emily Blunt's character out for revenge on the man she blames for her son's death.
The English is on Prime Video and stars Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, and Stephen Rea.
Netflix
This family drama follows the Byrdes, who hightail it to the Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme gone wrong sends a Mexican drug lord after them.
Ozark is on Netflix and stars Jason Bateman, Julia Garner, Laura Linney, Skylar Gaertner, and Charlie Tahan.
Lewis Jacobs/Netflix
Longmire is another modern Western like Yellowstone, and follows Walt Longmire, a widowed sheriff trying to put his life back together and protect Absaroka County at the same time.
Longmire is on Netflix. The show stars Robert Taylor, Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips, Cassidy Freeman, and Adam Bartley.
Robert Viglasky/Caryn Mandabach Productions
If you love the Yellowstone drama more than the aesthetic, swap the West for Ireland with Peaky Blinders, which follows Tommy Shelby as he leads a 20th Century gangster family.
Prime Video
Outer Range combines Western storytelling with sci-fi elements so while this is technically a Western, it's definitely something you've never seen before. The story follows the Abbotts, who are trying to deal with their daughter-in-law's disappearance and protecting their ranch...then a black void appears.
Outer Range is on Prime Video and stars Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, Noah Reid, and Imogen Poots.
FX
Tensions run high in this TV show for Yellowstone fans, which follows a biker who can't reconcile his new role as a father with his place in an outlaw motorcycle club.
Sons of Anarchy is on Hulu and stars Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, and Tommy Flanagan.
Greg Gayne/Netflix
If you need a laugh, turn on The Ranch, which offers a different (read: fun!) perspective on ranch life. Listen, I get it — sometimes dramas can get you down!
The Ranch is on Netflix and stars Ashton Kutcher, Sam Elliott, and Debra Winger.
Saeed Adyani/Netflix
Family secrets are everywhere in this show, which deals with the fallout of the family's "black sheep" finally returning home.
Bloodline is on Netflix and stars Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Sissy Spacek, Norbert Leo Butz, and Jacinda Barrett.
HBO
Want to keep up the drama after the Yellowstone finale? Tune into Deadwood, which takes place at the end of the 1800s and examines all the lawless corruption going on in Deadwood, South Dakota. (Spoiler: there's a lot).
Deadwood is on Max and stars Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, and Brad Dourif.
Which TV show like Yellowstone is your fave? Let us know on Facebook!
Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit quite like baking easy Christmas cookies (and making a mess in the kitchen with sugar, flour, and *all* the sprinkles). Thankfully, you don't have to be a trained pastry chef to create the best holiday cookies for Santa. Christmas cookie decorating doesn't necessarily mean sitting down with fancy candy topping and buckets of royal icing. It could be as simple as throwing together some easy Christmas cookie recipes with few ingredients or hacking cake mix to make the dough. Now that you have the confidence to get started, check out these easy Christmas recipes and get to baking!
Real Food Dieticians
With marshmallow and chocolate chunks and a pinch of cayenne pepper, these cookies are the sweet delicious kick we want in our holiday cookie. (via Real Food Dietitians)
Clean Cuisine
Here's a healthy but just-as-delicious take on the classic Gingerbread cookie. Gingerbread cookie recipe is delicious and healthy. It’s also gluten free and dairy free with a fresh taste of ginger and molasses. (via Clean Cuisine)
Kathryn's Kitchen
This no-bake cookie recipe is so easy and clever! Simply use Oreo cookies dipped in melted chocolate and then decorated with more chocolate, festive sprinkles and a Rolo candy to look like your ornament topper. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)
Julia Frey of Vikalinka
Turn your holiday candy canes into these chocolate cookies, dipped into melted chocolate, for a festive cookie everyone will love. (via Julia Frey of Vikalinka)
Completely Delicious
Drizzle your cookies with white chocolate and sprinkle sparkling sugar for a cookie party favorite. (via Completely Delicious)
You can make the cookie dough in this recipe ahead of time and freeze it to save you time during the Christmas rush. When you're ready for this baking recipe, just take them out of the freezer and arrange on a baking sheet. Fourteen minutes later, you'll be enjoying one of the best Christmas cookie recipes: warm cranberry white chocolate chunk cookies — filled with melty chocolate chips. (via Brit + Co)
Is all that red and green cramping your style? Give typical holiday colors a break with these pink pastel ornament Christmas cookie idea, complete with crushed candy cane sprinkles. Eloise would definitely approve. (via Brit + Co)
The Original Dish
These almond-flavored shortbread cookie sandwiches with raspberry jam and milk chocolate will be on your holiday cookie rotation for years to come. (via The Original Dish)
Kathryn's Kitchen
Soft and chewy and reminiscent of a cinnamon roll. OMG good! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)
This warmly spiced gingerbread cookie dough can act as a base for your favorite holiday shapes and decorations. Personally, we're suckers for this making snuggly sweaters with this easy Christmas cookie recipe. (via Brit + Co)
Need a cup-shaped cookie to go with your steaming cup of hot cocoa? Try this frosted, easy holiday cookie recipe, made with store-bought ingredients. (via Brit + Co)
This Wife Cooks
Top these peppermint-infused sugar cookies with Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses for your next cookie exchange! (via This Wife Cooks)
Pink Owl Kitchen
Perfect with a cup of hot cocoa, these cardamom cookies are melt in your mouth! (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Vanilla and Bean
These classic no-bake cookies are super simple and make tasty food gifts! (via Vanilla and Bean)
Woman Scribbles
These buttery cookies with coffee caramel and topped with chocolate are a sweet tooth's dream. (via Woman Scribbles)
Feel Good Foodie
These cookies are infused with anise seeds and topped with colorful sprinkles for extra festive fun. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Two Peas and Their Pod
These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies with tart dried cranberries, a hint of fresh orange, and creamy white chocolate are a classic crowd pleaser! (via Two Peas and Their Pod)
Barley & Sage
Add a coffee-flavored twist on classic chocolate crinkles! (via Barley & Sage)
Simon Bajada
This recipe from the new cookbook Crumbs: Cookies & Sweets from Around the World by food writer Ben Mims was inspired by a cookie recipe from Poland.
These crunchy, delicate, heart-shaped cookies come together with puff pastry, cream cheese, and a cinnamon sugar coating. (via Brit + Co)
This lightly pink holiday cookie idea is homemade, but in a pinch, just stock up at a Chinese restaurant and dip in white chocolate and crushed candy canes at home. (via Brit + Co)
These fun Christmas cookies are sure to wow all your holiday guests, including Santa himself. Plus, it's awesome to add a twist to the Christmas cookie game with zero baking. (via Brit + Co)
Express those fond holiday emotions not with words but with a custom-made emoji expression. (via Brit + Co)
The holidays can be nutty, but baking Christmas cookies definitely makes things better. These goodies can be rolled out, cut, and decorated to your liking. Plus it makes for a fun date night or girls' day activity. (via Brit + Co)
Though there aren't any animal crackers in the actual recipe, the addition of honey and oat flour will make you think otherwise. Use the dough for all of your fave rolled or cut cookies. (via Brit + Co)
Though you can make any cut-and-bake cookies with the chocolate dough, we're partial to using it for these edible hot cocoa mugs. They are finished off with a sprinkle rim, Rudolph face, and candy cane handle. They're so cute they can almost pass for the real thing! (via Brit + Co)
Who needs store-bought Oreos when you can impress your friends with the homemade version? We also think that the scalloped edges are the perfect finishing touch. (via Brit + Co)
These Christmas cookies can also double as cute decor, at least until they're all gobbled up. Add some powdered sugar before serving or add peppercorn eyes and buttons and bake until all the moisture is gone (around 10 minutes) to display them through the holiday. (via Calico and Twine)
Not only are these cookies tasty but they're extra cute. The hearts are perfect for Valentine's Day but for the holiday season swap your cookie cutters for some Classic Holiday Cookie Cutters. (via Two Spoons)
It's just not the holiday season without frosted sugar Christmas cookies. Ditch the idea of a perfect cookie and instead, top yours with a fluffy buttercream and whimsical decorations. The messier the better! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Why choose between cookies and brownies if you don't have to? This hybrid is the best of both worlds, with a luscious peppermint frosting on top. It's the thing of our candy cane dreams! It's oh-so-tempting to serve these warm with ice cream in lieu of the frosting! (via Cooking Classy)
Buttery toffee, smooth white chocolate, and rich macadamia nuts make these homemade Christmas cookies a natural pairing with hot chocolate. (via Lovely Little Kitchen)
Any combo of cinnamon and sugar tastes like the holidays to us. This easy Christmas cookie is great for all kinds of gatherings and is plain enough that even picky eaters will want one. (via Cozy Cravings)
Just when you thought mini Reese's cups couldn't get any better, they make impressively convincing snowmen hats on these unique Christmas cookies. Don't forget to save a couple cups to snack on later! (via Half Baked Harvest)
The trick in these cute Christmas cookies is making a depression in the cookies with the bottom of a glass before sticking them in the oven, so you can fill each one with as much icing as you like. Load 'em up! (via The View from Great Island)
These cookies are made with healthier ingredients (like coconut sugar, cinnamon, and almonds) and are also grain-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. That means you can gift them to pretty much everyone on your list. (via Cotter Crunch)
If you're going to give your kids a cookie, you might as well hide a strawberry on top to balance it out. Dip the strawberry in green candy melts, add sprinkle ornaments, and let it fully harden before attaching it to the cookie with a blanket of white frosting snow. (via Lovely Little Kitchen)
Gingerbread cookies are a mainstay of the easy holiday cookie table. This recipe is made healthier with dried apples, then drizzled with a paleo-friendly caramel sauce. (via Food Faith Fitness)
Turn your favorite cup of cocoa into a festive + easy Christmas cookie with this recipe. This is definitely for the chocolate lovers out there — it's got double the chocolate and a cocoa powder topping for good measure. (via Amanda Wilens)
If you don't usually love eggnog, give this recipe a try before you write it off completely. There's only a touch of spice, but it's just enough to keep things interesting. (via Half Full)
If you love cookies but dread rolling out the dough and meticulously decorating them, use this recipe. The dough doesn't need to be rolled out before you form the cookies, and since the sprinkles go directly into the dough, the decorations are already done. (via Averie Cooks)
Soft and chewy molasses cookies are a hallmark of the holidays. And unlike some, these don't need to be chilled before baking, so they can go from the bowl to the oven to your mouth in record time. (via A Cookie Named Desire)
Chocolate, caramel, and nuts form the traditional turtle cookie — but these are a deliciously gluten-free version. (via The Skinny Fork)
If you're more of a visual learner, follow along with the easiest Christmas cookie recipe of all, the whipped shortbread cookie.
Check out our online baking classes for more easy Christmas cookie recipe ideas and inspiration and follow us on Pinterest for more recipes!
Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston and Sara Cagle
This post has been updated.
Lead image via Half Baked Harvest
Girl dinner lovers, it's time to listen up. Trader Joe’s just dropped a delicious $4 item that’s worthy of upgrading all your snacky meals, and shoppers are literally drooling over it – myself included.
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s brand-new Caesar Salad Dip features everything you love about Caesar salad, but, of course, in dip form: Caesar-seasoned sour cream, mayonnaise, anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, and finely shredded Romaine lettuce are included in the mix. Cravings hitting yet? Mine surely are!
Tj’s fan account @trader_joes_treasure_hunt recently shared the Caesar Salad Dip with their followers, and they immediately swarmed to the comment section to sound off about its sheer greatness.
“Yessss please!!!” someone commented. “Cannot wait!👏”
"I just bought and tried👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 ," one commenter wrote. "10/10 perfect dip for veggies or even in a wrap! tzatziki consistency with the PERFECT caesar flavor.😩"
“Sheeeeesh,” another exclaimed. “It’s like they made this for me.”
“This with a fry and Diet Coke??” one more person said. “THE girl dinner. 👏🏻”
Trader Joe's
This “satisfyingly savory, captivatingly creamy, and remarkably rich” Trader Joe’s dip is the perfect pairing for chicken nuggets, lunch wraps, grinder sandwiches, crackers, and everything in between. Trader Joe's even noted that it's a "game-changer" for game days and cocktail parties. Time to dip in!
Aside from your personal girl dinner needs, the Caesar Salad Dip is the ideal creamy snack to share during the holiday season – include it in your next charcuterie spread!
The Trader Joe’s Caesar Salad Dip goes for just $3.69 at your local TJ's grocery store. You can find it amongst my other dippable faves like their Truffle Dip and Buffalo Chicken Dip! If you're a Caesar fanatic, you've absolutely got to give it a try before it sells out.
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Need a good winter outfit for all the upcoming holiday activities at the last minute? Look no further than these Amazon winter dresses. There are thousands of amazing styles, but these 15 frocks are particularly perfect for the season and are downright flattering. They'll arrive just in time for that dinner party you're planning or the New Year's excursion you just can't wait to go on!
This adorable baby doll dress would look stunning with some tall black boots and a hair bow!
Velvet is oh-so cozy for the season. Layer it up with some matching tights and a statement jacket!
This get-up is super sweet, thanks to the bows running down the front.
We adore sweater dresses over here. This one will keep you warm through it all!
This body-hugging sweater dress will flatter your figure like no other. The button-up design and collar add a nice sophisticated feel!
This is the ultimate party dress. Get ready to snap all the Instagram pics at this season's New Year's function.
The off-the-shoulder shape on this maxi dress gives it such a sultry vibe, which will pair wonderfully with a statement necklace and some elegant ballet flats or slingback heels.
This dress emphasizes your waistline to make you look snatched as ever. Plus, it comes in so many different colors to suit your personal style!
Skims dress dupe, anyone? This extremely soft long dress shapes you up quite nicely for any occasion.
The tied waistline on this pretty pick will help pull in your waist and supply a flattering hourglass shape! Wear it with some brown boots and a denim jacket for a low-key winter 'fit.
Bows, bows, and bows! This tie-front dress is truly everything. We'd rock it with some black tights and heels for a Christmas party.
The drop waist design on this maxi will help elongate your figure and make you feel uber-confident for your next winter get-together.
The scrunchy ties on the sides of this marvelous mini infuse it with a flirty feel. We're absolutely snagging this style for our New Year's plans!
You're gonna feel like a total princess in this pick, thanks to the larger-than-life puff sleeves. Accessorize with a sparkly headband and some ballet flats, and boom – your Christmas outfit is sorted.
Velvet is just the material for winter since it's so cozy. This pick comes in a ton of colors so you can find the perfect hue for your closet.
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