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Looking for quick homemade baked goods to gift or to serve this Christmas? These easy holiday baking recipes come together quickly, using simple ingredients, minimal prep, and no special equipment. Whether you're planning ahead or baking at the last minute, each one delivers festive results without a big time commitment.
From cakes to enjoy with tea to shareable cookies and sweets that make thoughtful edible gifts, this collection has something for every holiday occasion. They're simple, seasonal, and sure to be enjoyed all December long.
Spiced Snacking Cake
Not the usual gingerbread, this lighter-spiced snacking cake includes spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
Apple Pandowdy
A pandowdy is the perfect alternative to a cobbler or crumble if you're looking for something a bit different for the holidays. This one-pan recipe is just as easy as those other apple desserts, but the delicious cut-crust topping is what really sets it apart.
No-Bake Chocolate Eggnog Crème Brûlée
You'll need to make these easy custards ahead of time, so they can chill and set—the payoff is that you won't be tempted to leave everything to the last minute!
Butter-Pecan Cookies
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These melt-in-your-mouth cookies use little more than a handful of ingredients and don't require any complicated shaping techniques. They're a great holiday recipe to make with kids since they will be able to help with pressing the cookie dough into discs.
Martha's Sugar Buns
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Martha’s sugar buns are made with enriched dough and tons of cinnamon sugar before and after being baked—sweet and nostalgic, these are a great choice for a brunch dessert or afternoon snack with a warming cup of tea.
Strawberry-Shortcake Sundaes
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This dessert combines all of our favorite treat textures (jammy, creamy, crunchy, etc.) into one delicious, easy serving. Basically, you only need store-bought ingredients and it's so versatile, you can swap the strawberries for any seasonal fruit.
Martha's Plum Skillet Cake
Looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert for a cozy dinner? Try this Plum Skillet Cake. If you can't find plums, use apples or pears for this simple cake that's baked in a cast-iron skillet.
Rustic Apple Tart
The base for this elegant dessert is made from frozen puff pastry. All that's needed from you is a few turns with a rolling pin and you'll have the perfect foundation for layering sliced apples on top.
Pound-Cake Tiramisu
It isn't just easy—this decadent dessert is also make-ahead. Carve out just 15 minutes to assemble the tiramisu-flavored layers of store-bought pound cake, coffee, a light cream-cheese mixture, and a touch of rum. Then refrigerate—you can enjoy it up to a week later.
Easy Fudge Bites
These one-bite wonders are a cinch to make and yield enough for a whole neighborhood's worth of edible gifts. Decorate with an array of festive toppings like crushed peppermints, chopped pistachios, and shredded coconut.
Miniature Golden Fruitcakes
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This recipe is very versatile; you can use whatever dried fruits and nuts you like. Plus, it can be made up to a week ahead, and simply brush them with apricot jam before heating up and serving.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Cereal Bars
Easy and fun to make, rice cereal forms the base for these crunchy and creamy dessert bars.
Cranberry-Swirl Cheesecake
Simple cheesecake gets decked out for the holidays with a ruby red cranberry sauce. Make it extra festive by adorning the cake with sugared cranberries.
Granola Bark
Skip the chocolate bark this year and gift your loved ones a healthier treat that can be eaten all day long. This granola is specially designed to break apart into large clumps (so it's easier to grab a handful as you pass by the jar, of course.)
Lemon-Ginger Bundt Cake
Bundt cakes may look hard to make, but they aren't. They're as easy as a basic sheet cake and way easier than a layer cake. The intricate Bundt pan creates a pretty presentation, no decorating needed. All that will be left for you to do is dust a thin layer of powdered sugar over the top before serving.
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