This festive time of year always inspires me to bake, although I don’t do so nearly as much as I used to. Still, there’s something about making some of the recipes that my kids love (or classics like fruitcake that they despise) that just puts me in the holiday spirit. In my case, the holiday is Christmas. Whether you celebrate it or something else, you might be interested in this holiday baking roundup of 15 recipes from the Urban Cottage kitchen (which, as you’ll see on many of the photos, was formerly Life Through the Kitchen Window). I hope this post inspires you to get baking, even if just a single batch of cookies! (And there’s one no-bake recipe here, in case you plan not to turn on the oven.)
Cookies and Bars
This list is a mix of old favourites and new for my family. I’ve been making some of these recipes since I was a teenager, and others I’ve just discovered or created in the last few years.
- Butter Horns (oh, these take me back to Mom’s kitchen on snowy December days)
- Shortbread Cookies (top these with sprinkles or coarse sugar for a festive touch)
- Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies (try these with tart dried cranberries sweetened only with apple juice)
- Sultry Gingersnaps for Leonard (okay, Leonard Cohen has yet to drop by for one of these)
- Elfin Brownie Bites (these say “Christmas” at my house)
- Cherry Coconut Bars (sweet and festive, and the only time I still use maraschino cherries)
- Ginger & Sour Cherry Puffs (elegant bites with the heat of ginger and tang of sour cherry)
- Chocolate Peanut Mounds (I used to make these no-bake treats with my son every year)
Meringues
Meringues are so easy to make and they can add such flair to a festive gathering. Here are two of my recipes best suited to the Christmas season.
- Peppermint Meringues (red and green sugar makes these look holiday-perfect)
- Pomegranate Coconut Meringue Bark (a different take on the traditional merginues!)
Cheesecake
Cheesecake always says special occasion to me, and this recipe is no exception.
- Cranberry Cheesecake (rich and tangy)
Sweet Rolls and Coffee Cake
Most years I have my family over for a holiday brunch, and one of these recipes is usually on the menu. This is also a time when people drop by for visits, and there’s nothing like a slice of coffee cake along with good conversation.
- Pecan Cinnamon Rolls (I let these rise in the fridge overnight, so there’s little effort to serve them warm for brunch the next day)
- Pecan Coffee Cake with Cranberry Pecan Topping (cranberries add a festive touch as well as tanginess)
- Apple Cranberry Coffee Cake (what can I say, this recipe is like apple pie on cake)
- Orange Cardamom Coffee Cake (lots of orange flavour married with exotic cardamom)
Happy Holiday Baking!
Wishing you happy times in the kitchen during this festive season! Please leave a comment letting me know what’s your favourite thing to bake for the holidays.
