Top 5 Holiday Baking Recipes to Do with Your Kids

Easy Holiday Baking Recipes for Kids

‘Tis the season for holiday baking traditions! This holiday season looks a little different for many of us this year, so spread some festive cheer by baking with the kids. You can also dial-in family or friends with a video call, so they can join the fun too.

Here are five of our favorite kid-friendly holiday baking recipes that are easy enough for the smallest bakers and delicious enough to be enjoyed by everyone in your home!

Sugar Snowflakes

This recipe is an edible version of the classic paper snowflake craft! Little ones can cut their own tortilla snowflakes into any pattern they like—with adult supervision, of course.

Ingredients

8 Flour tortillas

½ Stick melted butter

Festive sugar sprinkles

Yogurt, whipped cream, or other sweet treat for dipping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
2. Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds to soften.
3. One at a time, fold the tortillas into quarters or eighths. Use clean scissors to cut out shapes and unfold.
4. Place tortillas flat on a foil-lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until tortillas are golden brown around the edges.
6. Cool completely before handling and enjoy!

PB Blossoms

Fine motor skills get a workout as little ones help unwrap the chocolate kisses to prep for this recipe. They’ll also learn a lesson in patience as the cookies bake! Mini chefs can finish each cookie by placing the kisses in the center when they’re ready.

Ingredients

1 Cup peanut butter

1 Cup sugar

1 Egg, room temperature

1 ½ Teaspoons vanilla extract

About 30 milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
2. Beat peanut butter and sugar together with a hand mixer until fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Roll dough into 1 ¼-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake until cookie tops are slightly cracked, about 10-12 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and immediately press an unwrapped chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
7. Let the cookies cool for at least 5 minutes before moving from cookie sheet to wire rack to finish cooling.

Mini Shortbread Sweeties

Get the kids involved by having them help knead the dough and roll it out. You can also ask them to count the cookies out for gift bags to share holiday cheer with friends or neighbors.

Ingredients

1 ¼ Cup flour

3 Tablespoons powdered sugar

¼ Teaspoon salt

¼ Teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Stick butter, softened

1 ½ Tablespoons festive sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
2. Pulse flour, sugar, salt, vanilla, and butter in a food processor until combined.
3. Transfer dough to a bowl and knead until it comes together. Add sprinkles and knead to combine.
4. Roll dough into a ½-inch-thick square on waxed paper. Freeze dough for 15 minutes.
5. Cut dough into ½-inch squares. Transfer each mini cookie to a large baking sheet.
6. Bake until golden brown, about 18-20 minutes.
7. Let cool and enjoy!

Holiday Mint No-Bakes

No-bake cookies are a great option for little ones to get involved without the worry of a hot oven. These minty cookies require lots of mixing and scooping, which is perfect for kids to help out!

Cookie Ingredients

½ Cup butter

2 Cups sugar

½ Cup cocoa powder

½ Cup milk

1 ½ Teaspoons vanilla extract

½ Teaspoon salt

3 ½ Cups oats

2 ½ Cups shredded unsweetened coconut (Note: if not using coconut, add 2 ½ cups more oats to the mixture)

Mint Frosting Ingredients

½ Cup butter, room temperature

1 ½ Cups powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon milk

½ Teaspoon mint extract

Green food coloring

Instructions

1. Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper.
2. In a large pot, combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, and boil 1-2 minutes.
3. Stir in vanilla and salt. Add oats and coconut and stir to combine.
4. Drop 24 spoonfuls of the mixture onto the wax paper, flattening out slightly with the back of a spoon. Refrigerate until set.
5. Once the cookies are set, spread each one with frosting and return to fridge to set completely.

Frosting Instructions

1. In a stand mixer (or bowl if using a hand mixer), add butter, powdered sugar, and milk. Beat until creamy and blended.
2. Add in mint extract and food coloring.
3. If necessary, add an extra tablespoon of milk or powdered sugar to achieve a creamy consistency—watch out for the frosting being too runny or too dry!

Classic Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are a versatile treat for little ones to customize! Get creative with the cookie shapes and toppings to make your holiday baking session fun and memorable for everyone.

Ingredients

3 Cups flour

1 Teaspoon baking powder

½ Teaspoon salt

1 Cup butter, softened

1 Cup sugar

1 Egg

1 ¼ Teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon milk

Assorted sprinkles, candies, etc. for topping (optional)

Frosting Ingredients

1 ½ Cups butter, softened

4 Cups powdered sugar

¼ Cup heavy cream

½ Teaspoon almond extract (or sub for vanilla extract)

¼ Teaspoon salt

Food coloring

Cookie Instructions

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy and pale in color. Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until combined. Add flour mixture gradually until totally combined.
3. Shape dough into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll out dough to 1/8 inches thick.
5. Cut out shapes with holiday cookie cutters and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Freeze for 10 minutes.
6. While cookies freeze, make frosting.
7. Bake cookies until edges are golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
8. Let cookies cool and decorate.

Frosting Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain.
3. Add heavy cream, almond (or vanilla) extract, and salt. Beat until combined.
4. Split the frosting into separate bowls to add different food coloring to each.

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What are some favorite holiday baking traditions you do with your kids? Sound off in the comments below!

For more easy, kid-friendly recipes, check out our recipe roundups on the Step2 blog. Get inspired by our pumpkin spice recipes and Thanksgiving-themed recipes.