No-Fail Easy Holiday Baking Recipes

The holiday season is a time of celebration, and what better way to add to the festivities than with some delicious baked goods? Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these no-fail easy holiday baking recipes are sure to bring joy to your taste buds and make your holiday even more special.

Let’s start with a classic favorite: Christmas Sugar Cookies. These buttery, sweet cookies are perfect for decorating with colorful icing and making them extra festive.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, and mix well.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown.
6. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating with icing.

Next, we have a mouthwatering treat that combines the flavors of chocolate and peppermint: Peppermint Brownies. These fudgy brownies are topped with a creamy peppermint frosting, making them a perfect holiday indulgence.

Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup peppermint extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips together, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir well. Fold in the flour.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
5. Let the brownies cool completely. In a small bowl, mix the peppermint extract and powdered sugar until smooth. Frost the brownies with the peppermint frosting and let it set.

If you’re looking for a lighter option, these Gingerbread Blondies are a delicious choice. Loaded with warm spices and molasses, they offer a unique twist on traditional gingerbread.

Gingerbread Blondies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses. Add the egg and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Let the blondies cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

For a festive and colorful treat, these Rainbow Cupcakes are sure to be a hit. With layers of colorful cake and a creamy frosting, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.

Rainbow Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple)
• 1 can frosting of your choice

Steps:

1. Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. Divide the batter into six separate bowls.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl, one color per bowl, to create the rainbow colors.
3. Spoon the colored batter into a muffin tin, alternating colors to create a rainbow effect.
4. Bake the cupcakes according to the package instructions. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
5. Frost the cupcakes with your favorite frosting and decorate as desired.

Last but not least, we have a holiday classic that’s perfect for sharing: Fruitcake. This easy fruitcake recipe is loaded with dried fruits and nuts, and brushed with a rum glaze for an extra indulgent touch.

Fruitcake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, cherries, and apricots)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (such as pecans, almonds, or walnuts)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup rum or orange juice

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine the dried fruits and nuts. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. Fold in the dried fruit and nut mixture.
5. Pour the batter into a greased and lined 9×5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 325°F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. While the cake is still warm, brush it with the rum or orange juice glaze.

These no-fail easy holiday baking recipes are perfect for getting into the spirit of the season. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, giving gifts, or simply enjoying some cozy treats at home, these recipes are sure to bring smiles and joy. So, gather your ingredients, get baking, and savor the delicious flavors of the holidays!