7 Christmas Baking Dishes To Make This Season

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the spirit than with some delicious Christmas baking? The aroma of sweet treats wafting from the oven, the joy of sharing homemade goodies with loved ones, and the satisfaction of creating something truly special – it's a holiday tradition like no other. In this article, we'll explore seven Christmas baking dishes to make this season, from classic cookies to show-stopping desserts.

1. Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing

A classic Christmas treat that's easy to make and fun to decorate, sugar cookie cutouts are a holiday staple. This recipe uses a simple sugar cookie dough that can be cut into any shape you like, from stars and trees to bells and snowmen. The royal icing is a great way to add a professional touch to your cookies, and can be colored to match your holiday theme.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Royal icing (recipe below)

Royal Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp meringue powder
• 2 Tbsp water
• Food coloring (optional)

Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies

• Use a combination of granulated and powdered sugar for the best flavor and texture.
• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies retain their shape.
• Use a light touch when rolling out the dough to avoid overworking it.
• Decorate the cookies immediately after baking, while the royal icing is still wet.

2. Gingerbread Men with Molasses and Spices

Gingerbread men are a classic Christmas treat that's perfect for decorating with the kids. This recipe uses a combination of molasses and spices to give the cookies a rich, warm flavor. You can also customize the recipe with your favorite mix-ins, such as chopped nuts or dried cranberries.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 Tbsp molasses
• Decorations (optional)

Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Men

• Use a combination of white and brown sugar for the best flavor.
• Don't overmix the dough, as this can cause the cookies to spread too much.
• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies retain their shape.
• Use a cookie cutter to cut out the gingerbread men, and decorate immediately after baking.

3. Peppermint Bark with Dark Chocolate and Crushed Candy Canes

Peppermint bark is a simple and elegant dessert that's perfect for the holiday season. This recipe uses dark chocolate and crushed candy canes to give the bark a festive flavor and texture. You can also customize the recipe with your favorite mix-ins, such as chopped nuts or dried cranberries.

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Optional mix-ins (chopped nuts, dried cranberries, etc.)

Tips for Perfect Peppermint Bark

• Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
• Don't overmix the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize up.
• Chill the bark for at least 30 minutes to help it set properly.
• Break the bark into pieces immediately after chilling, and serve.

4. Eggnog Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce and Pecans

Eggnog cheesecake is a creamy and rich dessert that's perfect for the holiday season. This recipe uses a combination of cream cheese, eggs, and eggnog to give the cheesecake a smooth and creamy texture. The caramel sauce and pecans add a nice crunch and flavor to the dish.

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 pounds cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Caramel sauce (recipe below)
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp unsalted butter

Tips for Perfect Eggnog Cheesecake

• Use a water bath to help the cheesecake cook evenly and prevent cracking.
• Don't overmix the batter, as this can cause the cheesecake to puff up too much.
• Chill the cheesecake for at least 4 hours to help it set properly.
• Serve the cheesecake with caramel sauce and pecans for the best flavor and texture.

5. Cranberry Orange Scones with White Chocolate Glaze

Cranberry orange scones are a delicious and festive breakfast treat that's perfect for the holiday season. This recipe uses a combination of fresh cranberries, orange zest, and white chocolate to give the scones a sweet and tangy flavor.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 tsp orange zest
• White chocolate glaze (recipe below)

White Chocolate Glaze:

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 tsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp heavy cream

Tips for Perfect Cranberry Orange Scones

• Use cold ingredients, including cold butter and cream, to help the scones rise properly.
• Don't overmix the dough, as this can cause the scones to become tough.
• Chill the scones for at least 30 minutes to help them retain their shape.
• Serve the scones with white chocolate glaze for the best flavor and texture.

6. Chocolate Yule Log with Buttercream Frosting and Holly Sprigs

Chocolate yule log is a classic Christmas dessert that's perfect for the holiday season. This recipe uses a combination of dark chocolate and buttercream frosting to give the log a rich and creamy flavor. The holly sprigs add a nice touch of festive flair to the dish.

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Holly sprigs (fresh or artificial)

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Yule Log

• Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
• Don't overmix the batter, as this can cause the log to become dense.
• Chill the log for at least 30 minutes to help it set properly.
• Serve the log with buttercream frosting and holly sprigs for the best flavor and texture.

7. Snowball Fight Truffles with Powdered Sugar and Coconut Flakes

Snowball fight truffles are a fun and playful dessert that's perfect for the holiday season. This recipe uses a combination of powdered sugar, coconut flakes, and cream cheese to give the truffles a sweet and tangy flavor.

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Tips for Perfect Snowball Fight Truffles

• Use high-quality cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Don't overmix the batter, as this can cause the truffles to become dense.
• Chill the truffles for at least 30 minutes to help them set properly.
• Roll the truffles in powdered sugar and coconut flakes for the best flavor and texture.

We hope these seven Christmas baking dishes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen this holiday season. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, there's something on this list for everyone. So go ahead, grab your apron, and get baking!