Delicious Examples of Festive Holiday Baked Goods to Try This Season

Cozy, Crowd‑Pleasing Examples of Festive Holiday Baked Goods to Try

Let’s start with the fun part: actual bakes you can make this year. When people search for examples of festive holiday baked goods to try, they’re usually looking for treats that check three boxes: nostalgic, sharable, and not too fussy. Here are some of the best examples that hit that sweet spot.

Classic Cookies: The Heart of Holiday Baking

If there were a global vote on the best examples of festive holiday baked goods to try, holiday cookies would win by a landslide. They’re portable, freezer‑friendly, and perfect for gifting.

Sugar cookies with royal icing are a classic example of a festive holiday baked good that looks far more complicated than it is. Roll chilled dough, cut into trees, stars, or snowflakes, and bake until the edges are just barely golden. Once cool, decorate with royal icing and sprinkles. These are ideal for cookie decorating parties and kids’ baking days.

Gingerbread cookies are another timeless example of holiday baking. Use molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves for that deep, wintry flavor. Chill the dough well so your gingerbread people and snowflakes keep their shape. If you want softer gingerbread, bake just until set in the center, not crisp.

Thumbprint cookies filled with jam or caramel are one of the most forgiving examples of festive holiday baked goods to try. A simple buttery dough is rolled into balls, pressed with your thumb, and filled with raspberry jam, lemon curd, or salted caramel. They look polished on a cookie tray but come together quickly.

And then there are peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies. The dough gets rolled in powdered sugar before baking, creating that dramatic crackled look. A little crushed candy cane on top adds crunch and a hit of peppermint that screams December.

Cakes and Loaves: Easy Showstoppers for Holiday Tables

When you think of examples of festive holiday baked goods to try for a dinner party or special gathering, a cake or loaf often feels more impressive than a cookie.

A cranberry orange loaf cake is one of the best examples of a holiday bake that works for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Fresh or frozen cranberries bring tartness, while orange zest and juice add brightness. Finish with a simple orange glaze and a sprinkle of orange zest. It keeps well and even tastes better the next day.

For chocolate lovers, a yule log (bûche de Noël) is a classic example of a festive holiday baked good that doubles as a centerpiece. It’s essentially a chocolate sponge cake rolled with whipped cream or buttercream, then frosted to look like a log. You can keep it simple with cocoa powder and powdered sugar, or go all out with meringue mushrooms and sugared cranberries.

Another low‑stress option is a spiced applesauce bundt cake. Applesauce keeps it moist, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice bring cozy flavor. Drizzle with maple glaze and you’ve got a dessert that feels fancy without a lot of decorating.

International Examples of Festive Holiday Baked Goods to Try

Holiday baking is a global sport, and some of the most interesting examples of festive holiday baked goods to try come from outside the standard American cookie box.

Panettone from Italy is a tall, airy bread studded with dried fruit and sometimes chocolate. While traditional panettone can be a project, many home bakers are now making panettone‑inspired bundt cakes or overnight panettone rolls that capture the flavor without the multi‑day process.

From Germany, stollen is a dense, buttery bread filled with dried fruit, nuts, and often marzipan. It’s dusted heavily with powdered sugar and meant to be sliced and shared over several days. Wrapped well, it keeps beautifully and is a great make‑ahead option.

In Eastern European and Jewish baking, chocolate babka has become one of the trendiest examples of festive holiday baked goods to try in 2024–2025. The enriched dough is swirled with chocolate (or cinnamon), twisted into a loaf, and baked until glossy. It’s a showpiece that works for brunch or dessert.

From Mexico, polvorones (Mexican wedding cookies) — tender, nutty cookies rolled in powdered sugar — are a perfect example of a simple, festive holiday baked good to add to your cookie tray. They use pantry staples and can be made with pecans, almonds, or walnuts.

Trendy 2024–2025 Holiday Bakes Worth Trying

Baking trends shift every year, and the latest examples of festive holiday baked goods to try lean heavily into nostalgia with a twist.

One big trend is brown butter everything. Brown butter chocolate chip cookies with holiday add‑ins — think toffee bits, chopped pecans, or crushed peppermint — are a modern example of a holiday baked good that feels familiar but elevated. Browning the butter adds a nutty, toasty flavor that pairs beautifully with winter spices.

Another trend: small‑batch and single‑serve bakes. Instead of a huge tray of brownies, people are making mini skillet cookies, individual gingerbread cakes, or personal pumpkin spice cheesecakes. These are perfect examples of festive holiday baked goods to try if you’re baking for a small household or don’t want a week’s worth of leftovers.

You’ll also see more gluten‑free and dairy‑free options that don’t feel like second‑tier desserts. Almond flour shortbread, flourless chocolate torte, and coconut oil ginger cookies are all real examples of festive holiday baked goods to try that just happen to fit different dietary needs.

For more on food trends and healthier ingredient swaps, you can explore general nutrition guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture at https://www.nal.usda.gov.

Easy Holiday Bars and Squares for Busy Schedules

If you’re short on time, bar cookies are some of the best examples of festive holiday baked goods to try. You bake once, cut into squares, and suddenly you have enough to feed the entire office.

Peppermint brownie bars are a holiday upgrade to classic brownies. Use your favorite fudgy brownie base, then top with a thin layer of peppermint frosting and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes. They slice cleanly, travel well, and look instantly festive.

Seven‑layer bars (magic bars) are another example of a low‑effort, high‑reward holiday bake. A graham cracker crust is topped with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, nuts, and sweetened condensed milk. They’re rich, sweet, and wildly popular at potlucks.

Cranberry crumble bars might be one of the most underrated examples of festive holiday baked goods to try. A simple buttery dough does double duty as both the crust and the crumble topping, sandwiching a layer of tart cranberry filling. They’re less fussy than pie but deliver the same flavor profile.

Savory Holiday Bakes: Not Everything Has to Be Sweet

Not all examples of festive holiday baked goods to try are sugary. Savory bakes are perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, and snack boards.

Herb and cheese pull‑apart bread is a fun, hands‑on example of a savory holiday bake. Balls of dough are rolled in garlic butter, herbs, and shredded cheese, then packed into a pan and baked until golden. Set it in the middle of the table and let everyone tear off pieces.

Savory scones — think cheddar and chive, or feta and roasted red pepper — are another example of a baked good that feels cozy and festive without any frosting in sight. Serve them warm with butter alongside soup or salad.

For brunch, a spinach and feta puff pastry wreath looks impressive but relies on store‑bought puff pastry. Fill with a simple spinach‑cheese mixture, form into a ring, and bake. It’s one of those examples of festive holiday baked goods to try when you want something that looks like it took all day but really didn’t.

If you’re watching sodium or saturated fat intake while still enjoying holiday foods, resources like the American Heart Association’s guidance at https://www.heart.org can help you make ingredient swaps and portion decisions.

Lighter and Allergy‑Friendly Holiday Baking Ideas

Holiday baking doesn’t have to mean ignoring every dietary need at the table. More and more bakers are looking for examples of festive holiday baked goods to try that are lighter, allergy‑friendly, or both.

Oatmeal cranberry cookies sweetened partly with maple syrup or honey are a good example of a treat that feels wholesome but still festive. Add orange zest and chopped pistachios for color and crunch.

For a gluten‑free option, almond flour orange cardamom cookies are tender, fragrant, and naturally grain‑free. They’re an example of a holiday baked good that feels special without relying on a long list of substitutes.

If you need dairy‑free, olive oil citrus cake is a beautiful solution. Olive oil keeps the cake moist, and citrus (lemon, orange, or grapefruit) brightens the flavor. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with pomegranate arils for color.

For people with food allergies, it’s always wise to check labels carefully and communicate ingredients clearly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers helpful information about major food allergens at https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergies.

How to Choose Which Holiday Baked Goods to Make

With so many examples of festive holiday baked goods to try, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up baking nothing at all. A simple way to choose:

Think about who you’re baking for. Kids usually love decorated sugar cookies, brownies, and anything with sprinkles. Adults might appreciate a fragrant loaf cake, babka, or a sophisticated citrus tart.

Consider your schedule. If you only have an hour, go for bar cookies, thumbprints, or drop cookies. If you love a project and have a free afternoon, try a yule log, stollen, or babka.

Look at your kitchen gear. No stand mixer? Stick to simple cookie doughs, loaf cakes, and bar cookies. Limited oven space? Bake ahead and freeze; many of the examples of festive holiday baked goods to try here — especially cookies and some cakes — freeze very well.

Finally, pick at least one bake that’s purely for fun. Maybe it’s a slightly over‑the‑top cookie, or a trendy dessert you saw online. Holiday baking should feel joyful, not like a performance review.

FAQ: Real Examples of Festive Holiday Baked Goods to Try

Q: What are some easy examples of festive holiday baked goods to try for beginners?
For beginners, start with drop cookies like chocolate chip or peppermint chocolate crinkle cookies, simple sugar cookies, cranberry orange loaf cake, and seven‑layer bars. These are forgiving, use basic equipment, and still feel very holiday‑ready.

Q: What is a good example of a festive holiday baked good to bring to a potluck?
Bar cookies (peppermint brownie bars, cranberry crumble bars), bundt cakes, and pull‑apart breads travel well and serve a crowd. They’re sturdy, slice cleanly, and don’t require last‑minute decorating.

Q: Are there examples of festive holiday baked goods to try that are gluten‑free or dairy‑free?
Yes. Almond flour cookies, flourless chocolate cake, coconut macaroons, and olive oil citrus cake are all good examples. Many brownies and bar cookies can also be adapted using gluten‑free flour blends and dairy‑free butter or oil.

Q: What are some examples of festive holiday baked goods to try that can be made ahead and frozen?
Most cookies (sugar, gingerbread, thumbprints, oatmeal, chocolate crinkle) freeze well either as dough balls or fully baked. Loaf cakes like cranberry orange or spiced applesauce cake also freeze nicely when wrapped tightly in plastic and foil.

Q: How can I make healthier versions of classic holiday baked goods?
Try reducing sugar slightly, using whole‑wheat pastry flour for part of the flour, swapping some butter for neutral oil or applesauce in cakes, and adding nuts or oats for texture. For general healthy eating guidelines that still leave room for treats, the National Institutes of Health offers resources at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/eat/calories.htm.