Darby Mulligan
12.3.2024 Lifestyle
Maybe you’re an avid The Great British Baking Show watcher or simply have to make your grandmother’s gingerbread annually…. either way, it’s no doubt that the holidays are for baking! Even if you’re not a seasoned baker, there’s no better way to celebrate this special time of year than with a homemade treat.
Even better? Making and sharing them with your loved ones. So, no matter your skill level or taste buds, we’ve compiled the ultimate baking ideas for this holiday season. Whether you’re hosting your first annual cookie exchange in your new rental home in Bellevue, WA, baking treats for your neighbors in your apartment in Raleigh, NC, or having your extended family over for a holiday gingerbread competition at your home in St. Louis, MO, we’ve got you covered!
After all, as Celebrations In The Kitchen’s owner Mike Marretta says, “Holiday baking not only fills the home with delightful aromas, but also fills the heart with love and joy. So, this holiday season, gather your loved ones, don your aprons, and create sweet, unforgettable memories together.”
Holiday baking ideas: festive activities
Some of us prefer baking alone (it really can be therapeutic), but we have some ideas for making baking more of a social event! Peruse our suggestions, pick your favorite, round up your loved ones, and host the best baking day of the season.
Throw a cookie exchange party
In recent years, cookie exchanges have been all the rage! Here each person brings a batch of homemade cookies (or other baked goods), and each person gets to try and take home several new treats. This is a great way to exchange recipes, bond over baking, and be merry, but Back To My Southern Roots’ Julie Pollitt has an idea to spice up this party.
Decorate holiday cookies with your loved ones
“If you’re planning to have a Christmas cookie exchange party, add some extra fun by giving it a theme, such as Peppermint Wonderland,” suggests Julie. She also recommends “turn[ing] your party into an interactive event by setting up a decorating station.
[Simply] bake a batch of plain sugar cookies before the party, provide icing, sprinkles, and other fun toppings for guests to make their own creations.” Having this interactive element allows people to mingle more and “it’s a great way to keep the party festive, [just] be sure to get those holiday tins out so guests can bring plenty of cookies home,” reminds Julie.
Make baking gift jars
If you want an alternative holiday baking idea to cookies, Alina Zavatsky of Vegan Runner Eats suggests DIY baking gift jars. “Prepare dry ingredients for cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc., and layer them in mason jars. Consider using dairy-free, nut-free, and/or gluten-free ingredients and recipes for vegans or people with allergies,” says Alina. Here’s the time to get your craft and wrapping supplies out as well! “Make the jars look extra festive by decorating them with ribbons, hand-written labels, etc. Remember to include a recipe card with each jar!” adds Alina.
Have a gingerbread competition
Inspired by The Food Network’s holiday baking competitions, we suggest you host your own – gingerbread house style! “Gingerbread artistry is all about combining creativity, competition, flavor, and fun,” says Gingerbread-By-Design’s Loreta Wilson.
“Whether you start with graham crackers, a pre-baked kit, or a custom design, the process of building and decorating is where your imagination comes to life,” continues Loreta. While you can enter a local or online gingerbread competition, why not gather your loved ones and host your own in the comfort of your own home? A little competition never hurts anyone, right? But in all seriousness, “building, decorating, and crafting these edible masterpieces together is a wonderful way to bond, make cherished memories, and maybe even a lasting tradition,” says Loreta.
Host the best baking day
If you’re planning on having guests over for a baking day, here are a few tips to ensure the day goes on without a pinch! “Rather than planning to bake all the faves, three types of cookies is a good place to start,” says Beautiful Ingredient’s Kari. If you’re unsure what to bake, consider The Modern Nonna’s pretzel wreath, easy gingerbread cookies, a puff pastry Christmas tree, or any of the other recipes in the next section.
Similar to Julie’s cookie decorating party, The Modern Nonna suggests “prepar[ing] the dough in advance, and get everyone involved in the decorating process.” If you do want to bake with your guests, Kari reminds us to “consider the role each person would like to play. For example, maybe the artist would rather roll the dough out this time while someone else paints the sugar cookies.”
If you and your guests can’t possibly eat another bite, or you just want to spread some holiday cheer, Gathered At My Table’s Anna Ramiz recommends making cookie boxes for friends and neighbors. Simply package up some of your homemade treats “in a festive box to create holiday cookie samplers,” suggests Anna. “Dropping homemade cookies off with neighbors is also a great way to build community, meet new people, and celebrate the holiday season” adds Anna.
Holiday baking ideas start with tasty, easy treat recipes
“One of my favorite holiday traditions with my girls is to bake a fresh batch of cookies for Santa,” says Ana Martinez of Ana’s Way. Whether you’re baking for Santa or one of your parties this holiday season, we suggest trying Ana’s vegan peanut butter snickerdoodle cookies. “These cookies have simple ingredients, are super easy to make, and are irresistible amongst my followers, family, friends, and, of course, Santa,” says Ana.
Another great treat to make this season is Gr8nola’s gingerbread energy balls. These guilt-free bites are vegan, raw, and don’t even require actual baking! “Each bite is reminiscent of a fresh baked gingerbread house, and is brimming with fragrant chai spices,” adds Gr8nola. Regardless of your holiday gathering, your guests are sure to love this delicious and nourishing option.
Best baking tips
Our first baking tip comes from none other than The Baking Coach! If you’re making cut out cookies like gingerbread, Lisa Basini recommends skipping the flour on your surface. “Instead, place flour in a bowl and lightly coat your dough with it. This will ensure the flour ends up in all the right places as you roll it out, without making your workspace messy,” says Lisa.
Speaking of cut-out cookies, Lisa also recommends placing your metal cookie cutters in a warm oven to dry post-wash. “This will prevent rust and keep your cutters in top shape for many holiday seasons to come,” says Lisa.
Regardless of what recipe you choose, Dreena Burton recommends adding “fresh lemon or orange zest to your holiday baking to enhance the festive flavors.” “Use a kitchen rasp to collect the zest from organic oranges and lemons, and then add to muffins, quick loaves, cakes, or cookies. You can also collect extra zest and store it in the freezer in a small airtight container to have zest at the ready anytime!” says Dreena.
While you can always add sprinkles to your treats, Charlottesville Family’s Jennifer Bryerton recommends crushed candy canes for some more holiday cheer. “Try adding a festive touch of crushed candy canes for a peppermint crunch like in our ultimate Christmas cookie recipe,” suggests Jennifer.
If you’re looking to make your holiday treats healthier, Emily Dawn Yoga and Wellness recommends swapping out traditional ingredients for healthier alternatives. For example, consider using “low-gluten flours such as rye or spelt or Greek yogurt in place of butter,” suggests Emily.
Additionally, “Creative alternatives such as using natural sweeteners or fruit purees can add a unique twist to traditional recipes,” adds The Diabetic Pastry Chef’s Stacey Harris. “Incorporating fiber and reducing sugar can help lighten the load — without sacrificing flavor,” notes Stacey. “Sharing these treats with friends and loved ones fosters a sense of togetherness while promoting a healthier lifestyle. Embracing this approach not only satisfies sweet cravings but also encourages a spirit of inclusivity during the holiday season,” says Stacey.
Whether you’re trying a new recipe this season, staying a family classic, swapping or adding new ingredients, or hosting a baking party, we hope we’ve provided you with some inspiration for this holiday season. After all, as Lisa says, “Baking for the holidays is like receiving a warm hug from loved ones and it’s no surprise that baking cookies is a favorite holiday tradition for so many.”
Darby works as a Content Marketing Coordinator on Redfin’s impressive Content Marketing team. Her experience includes media advertising, graphic design, and a B.A. in business leadership with a concentration in marketing and communication studies. She currently resides in Seattle, WA, and can be found crafting with her friends and sipping on a chai latte at Gasworks Park. Her dream home is either a cream cottage in Madrona, WA, or a brownstone in the West Village.
This article can be found on https://rent.com/blog
