My annual holiday baking roundup is back, with some new additions from the past year in the Urban Cottage kitchen.

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 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 roundup of 21 recipes from the Urban Cottage kitchen (formerly Life Through the Kitchen Window, as you can see from the watermarks on many of the photos).

I hope this holiday baking roundup inspires you to get baking, even if just a single batch of cookies! (And there’s one no-bake recipe here, in case you don’t want 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

• 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 — I first published this recipe in homage to Leonard Cohen; I’ll continue think of him every time I make these cookies now that he’s gone
• Elfin Brownie Bites — These say “Christmas” at my house

Cherry Coconut Squares

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

• 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

• Dark Chocolate Sour Cherry Cookies — I might have made these for Valentine’s Day originally, but their rich chocolate flavour with the zing of sour cherries would be welcome on the holiday cookie tray
• Sour Cherry Macaroons — Seasonally festive, these treats also happen to be gluten free
• Date Squares — Old-fashioned date squares, also known as Matrimonial Squares, bring a touch of tradition to the dessert table

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 — A sprinkling of 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, and pretty too!

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.

I set the plate of rolls on the table as a centrepiece, reminding everyone of what was coming after breakfast.

• 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
• Cinnamon Loaf Coffee Cake  — A basic coffee cake that’s welcome at any occasion
• Applesauce Spice Cake — I’ll be serving this Martha Stewart recipe again this year at my annual holiday coffee mingle

Fruitcake

• Fruity, Boozy Fruitcake — Some love it, some hate it … I’m in the loving camp, and fruitcake is a special addition to my holiday gatherings

Happy Holiday Baking!

Wishing you happy times in the kitchen during this festive season! Please leave a comment letting me know what you most like to bake for the holidays.