Looking for recipes for Christmas party food or homemade Christmas food gifts? Or maybe you just want some fun, festive recipes to make with the kids this year? From Rudolph buns to fancy Christmas canes, here are 15 easy Christmas recipes that everyone will love.
One of the best things about Christmas is the food — the baking, the sauces, the mulled drinks, all of it. Here are 15 tried-and-tested recipes that are genuinely easy to make, whether you’re baking with little ones or putting together a few homemade gifts.
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15 Easy Christmas Recipes That Everyone Will Love
#1. Christmas Star Biscuits
These Christmas star biscuits, shared by MyKidsTime parent Deirdre C, are easy to make and would make lovely handmade presents from the kids for a teacher or grandparent.
Depending on the cookie cutters you have, these can be shaped into any festive design you like — the kids will love getting creative with the icing and decorations.
You might also enjoy reading 10 Easy Christmas Cookies Recipes
#2. Chocolate Tree Decorations
What could be better than making your own Christmas tree decorations? This recipe for Chocolate Tree Decorations is perfect for baking with the kids — they’ll love helping with the icing, and each child can decorate their own.
Fair warning: these rarely last long on the tree once everyone knows they’re edible!
You might also enjoy reading 8 Homemade Christmas Decorations You Can Eat
#3. Rudolph Buns
We love these Rudolph Buns, sent in by MyKidsTime parent Finnuala W. The kids will love decorating them, and they’re perfect if you’re hosting a Christmas party.
Even if you’re not hosting anything, these are guaranteed to go down a treat with the family.
You might also enjoy reading 12 Kid-Friendly Christmas Recipes That Are Super Easy to Make
#4. Fantasy Christmas Canes
These Fantasy Christmas Canes were such a hit at a party hosted by MyKidsTime parent Aileen R that she had to ask a Canadian guest for the recipe! Unlike their candy cane cousins, these melt in the mouth.
They’re a Canadian tradition, which is why the recipe is measured in cups rather than grams — well worth the conversion.
#5. Cranberry & White Chocolate Chip Cookies
For some festive cheer, try baking these Cranberry & White Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’re easy to make and would make a lovely gift if you’re visiting relatives and friends over the holidays.
Or just treat yourself to a well-deserved cuppa and one of these cookies in the busy run-up to Christmas.
Lots more festive fun in our Christmas section
#6. Chocolate Christmas Cake
If you fancy a change from a traditional fruit Christmas cake, this Chocolate Christmas Cake recipe is easy to make — and even easier to eat. The chocolate hit comes from dark chocolate and chocolate chips.
Get as creative as you like with the icing and decorating. Kids will love helping out here, as this recipe uses roll-out icing, which makes it simple to cut shapes and decorations.
You might also enjoy reading 10 Yummy Christmas Brunch Ideas
#7. Gingerbread Men and Women
Gingerbread men and women are fun to make, decorate and eat — and they make the house smell wonderfully Christmassy too, so there’s really no excuse not to give them a go.
Here’s a very easy Gingerbread Recipe to enjoy making with the kids.
You might also enjoy Bake a Stunning Gingerbread Village
#8. Hot Mulled Cider
There’s something deliciously festive about a hot mulled drink over the holidays, but so often they’re only for the adults.
This recipe for Hot Mulled Cider, adapted from Rachel’s Favourite Food for Friends by Rachel Allen, is a non-alcoholic drink the whole family can enjoy together at Christmas.
You might also enjoy reading 12 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks
#9. Cranberry & Orange Sauce
Fresh cranberries tend to appear in shops in the run-up to Christmas, so it’s worth grabbing a few bags and freezing them for holiday cooking and baking.
This Cranberry & Orange Sauce is very easy to make, and it will fill the house with a wonderfully festive smell while it cooks.
#10. Mince Pies & Mulled Wine
Is there anything more seasonal than mince pies and mulled wine? They taste all the better homemade. The mincemeat is genuinely easy to put together and will keep in the fridge for weeks.
This mulled wine is one for the adults — but that’s fine, grown-ups deserve a little luxury of their own at this busy time of year.
#11. Mincemeat and Almond Shortbread
This recipe for Mincemeat & Almond Shortbread, adapted from Rachel’s Favourite Food for Friends by Rachel Allen, is perfect at Christmas with a cuppa, or wrapped up as a gift.
#12. Food Gifts
Many of the recipes on this list would make lovely presents, and kids love giving something they’ve made and decorated themselves.
From lemon bars to flavoured oils to peanut butter fudge, here are 10 Easy Homemade Food Gifts That Kids Can Make at Christmas.
#13. Santa Strawberries
Image courtesy of Leanne Bakes
How cute are these Santa Strawberries, by Leanne Bakes? Almost too cute to eat — and so easy to make that the kids can help with these too.
You can use cream, mascarpone or marshmallows for the filling, with chocolate sprinkles for the eyes. Fair warning: you probably won’t be able to resist eating a few yourself.
#14. Reindeer Poop!
This one isn’t really a recipe, but if you’re after a novelty gift to make with the kids this Christmas, here’s a fun idea from a MyKidsTime parent: Reindeer or Snowman Poop!
Kids love making this gag gift, and it’s guaranteed a laugh from whoever receives it.
#15. Christmas Cake
And finally, Christmas cake — it wouldn’t be a proper Christmas recipe list without one. This is a very special Christmas Cake recipe, brought to you by a MyKidsTime mum. Grab a cuppa and get baking!
Over to you — do you have a favourite easy Christmas recipe? Share it with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these recipes are best for baking with young kids?
The Christmas Star Biscuits, Chocolate Tree Decorations and Rudolph Buns are all great starting points for younger children, since most of the fun is in the decorating rather than complicated techniques. Reindeer Poop is also a big hit with kids, since it’s more of a fun gift-making activity than a bake.
Can I make any of these ahead of time?
Yes — shortbread, gingerbread, Christmas cake and mincemeat all keep well and can be made days or even weeks ahead. Iced biscuits and decorated treats are best made a day or two before you plan to serve or gift them, so the icing has time to set.
Which recipes work well as homemade gifts?
Mincemeat and Almond Shortbread, Christmas Star Biscuits and the ideas in our food gifts roundup are all easy to package up and give as presents. Anything the kids have helped decorate themselves tends to mean a little bit more to the person receiving it.
Are any of these recipes non-alcoholic?
Yes — the Hot Mulled Cider is a lovely non-alcoholic option the whole family can enjoy together, while the Mulled Wine is intended for the adults.
You Might Also Enjoy
- 10 Easy Christmas Cookies Recipes
- 8 Homemade Christmas Decorations You Can Eat
- 12 Kid-Friendly Christmas Recipes That Are Super Easy to Make
- 10 Easy Homemade Food Gifts Kids Can Make
- 12 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks
Loved this list? Bookmark this page so you have it handy for your Christmas baking sessions, or browse our Christmas section for more festive ideas to try with the kids.
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