The Most Delicious Treats to Bake this Holiday Season
What would December be without a tin of delectable homemade treats on the counter? In this house at least, baking is as synonymous with the holiday season as Christmas trees and Bing Crosby.
Here’s the thing, I adore Christmas baking – both making and eating it. But with all the December tasks and events, not to mention two children under 5, I need recipes that are simple on execution yet don’t sacrifice on flavour.
Over the years I’ve refined my list of must-bake holiday items, and these five are the recipes I make every year, again and again. They are elevated holiday treats, worth every bite and definitely worthy of gifting.
Without further ado here’s my round up of the Chiasson household’s must-bake Christmas treats (click the title or photo for recipe).
Smitten Kitchen’s Linzer Torte
I adore a Linzer cookie. If you haven’t had one before they are this incredible harmony of almonds, raspberry jam and warm-spiced pastry.
Now remember, my rule is delicious but easy. And if you haven’t yet discovered the food blog Smitten Kitchen, Deb is my absolute go-to for all things that fall into this category.
Here she’s taken all the linzer deliciousness and put it in tart form, so they come together quickly, without multiple sheet pans of cookies to bake or assembling of delicious but tedious little sandwich cookies. Her recipe calls for walnuts, I use almonds, and you can’t go wrong with either.
Martha Stewart’s Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies
These cookies hit all the notes of classic holiday baking – think gingerbread but with way better texture. Crisp edges and a soft centre, with a subtle festive look from the sugar coated exterior.
They’re not the fanciest treat in the cookie jar, but they are one you’ll return to over and over.
Almond Roca
Okay, so technically this is candy making, not baking. But don’t let that intimidate you. The recipe is simple, comes together so quickly, and is utterly delicious.
A few musts: toast your almonds and don’t be shy with the amount you put in, and be sure to use the best quality dark chocolate and butter. With so few ingredients the quality of each really affects the final flavour.
Updated to add: The recipe calls for chopped almonds, I skip this step and add the slivered almonds whole. For the top garnish I simply blitz about 1/4 cup of almonds in the blender/food processor to create a coarse powder (make sure the almonds are cool). It’s much quicker, cuts out the annoying task of chopping nuts, and I like the finished look better.
Almond Roca is absolutely my kryptonite. Give it a try, I guarantee you can’t have just one. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Basler Brunsli
I discovered these lovely chocolate almond spice cookies a few years ago while searching for gluten-free holiday treats for a friend. Don’t let the gluten-free label turn you off, these are downright delectable and don’t call for flour substitutes, rather using almond flour as the base.
Almonds, chocolate and warm spices combine into this unique and unforgettable cookie. I knew this recipe would become part of my must-bake holiday repertoire with the first one I ate (ok, devoured).
Ina Garten’s Parmesan-Thyme Crackers
Who says Christmas baking has to be sweet? These are the ultimate addition to a charcuterie board, or a divine evening treat with a glass of wine.
The word “cracker” is almost a disservice to ethereal butteriness these have. They are unquestionably my most favourite savoury treat.
I usually make a few batches to keep in the freezer – this way you can easily slice and bake a batch whenever the occasion calls.
There you have it, my ultimate list of must-bake holiday treats.
I’d love to know, will you be adding any of these to your Christmas baking tin this year?
xo,
