Looking for the best holiday baking recipes to make this season? To make things easy, I rounded up 14 of my top-rated holiday baking ideas, from cozy pumpkin pie and apple crisp to Hanukkah desserts, Christmas cookies, and festive treats for every celebration through the new year.
Best of all, every recipe here is a reader favorite and made with simple, wholesome ingredients like almond flour, dates, tahini, and dark chocolate. Many are gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan, and plenty can be made ahead, so you can actually enjoy your own party.
Whether you need cookies for a holiday cookie exchange, a sweet ending for your Hanukkah dinner, or bars and cakes for your Christmas dessert table, you’ll find something to love. Meanwhile, if you’re planning the rest of the menu, try my healthy holiday cookies, healthier holiday desserts, or Hanukkah recipes.
Why You’ll Love These Holiday Baking Recipes
Baking for every holiday. Hanukkah desserts, Thanksgiving, Christmas cookies, cozy winter bakes, New Year’s chocolate and spring carrot cake are all in one place.
Healthier holiday baking. These healthy desserts use naturally sweet ingredients like Medjool dates and maple, plus almond flour, spelt flour, and tahini for flavor and texture.
Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options. Most recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free, and several are vegan, so everyone at the table can have a slice.
Make-ahead holiday baking. Bark, date rolls, tarts, and cakes can all be prepped ahead, which keeps your holiday hosting stress-free.
Easy dessert recipes. Plus, from one-bowl cookies to simple fruit crisps, these easy holiday dessert recipes don’t need fancy equipment.
The 14 Best Holiday Baking Recipes
Cozy Fall and Winter Baking
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
This gluten-free pumpkin pie is a cozy classic for any holiday table. It has a grain-free crust made from almond flour and cassava flour and a creamy, dairy-free pumpkin filling with all the classic spices. Best of all, it’s an easy holiday pie that everyone will love.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
Soft, moist gluten-free pumpkin bread finished with a maple cream cheese glaze. It’s a cozy fall dessert that doubles as a holiday breakfast treat and, even better, makes a great holiday gift.
Gluten-Free Walnut Apple Crisp
Nothing says fall like a warm apple crisp. This gluten-free walnut apple crisp has tender cinnamon apples under a crunchy oat and walnut topping. Plus, it’s one of the easiest holiday desserts to throw together, and it’s wonderful with vanilla ice cream.
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Apple Crumb Cake
This apple crumb cake is soft and moist, with fresh chunks of apple in every bite and a sweet crumb topping. Because it’s gluten-free and dairy-free, it’s a perfect holiday dessert for guests with dietary needs.
Hanukkah Desserts and Sweet Treats
Puff Pastry Apple Pie with Dates
Honeycrisp apples, cinnamon and Medjool dates are tucked into crisp, flaky puff pastry for a Hanukkah dessert that feels indulgent but comes together easily. It’s also a great easy apple pie for Christmas and winter gatherings.
Tahini Date and Nut Rolls
These date rolls are made with Medjool dates, tahini and a mix of nuts. They’re naturally sweetened and ready in about 20 minutes, so they’re a lovely Hanukkah treat that slices beautifully for a dessert platter.
Chocolate Chunk Tahini Date Cookies
Soft-baked cookies loaded with dark chocolate chunks and gooey dates. Tahini makes them rich and chewy, so they’re perfect for a Hanukkah cookie tray or any holiday cookie exchange.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Date Bark
Sweet and salty peanut butter pretzel date bark gets swirls of blue and white chocolate for a festive Hanukkah dessert. Keep it in the freezer for an easy make-ahead holiday treat.
Christmas Cookies, Bars and Winter Holiday Desserts
Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of my most popular healthy cookie recipes! These almond flour chocolate chip cookies are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, with crisp edges and soft centers. That’s why they’re a must for any Christmas cookie platter.
Fudgy Almond Butter Brownies
These dairy-free, gluten-free brownies are made with almond butter and are incredibly fudgy. They’re also an easy holiday dessert that’s great for parties, gifting and dessert tables.
Gluten-Free Brookie Pie
Can’t decide between brownies and cookies? This gluten-free brookie pie has a fudgy brownie layer topped with a chocolate chip cookie layer. The result is a showstopping holiday dessert for a crowd.
Vegan Caramel Candy Bars
Think homemade Twix. A shortbread crust is topped with nut butter caramel and then coated in dark chocolate. As a bonus, these vegan candy bars are a fun, giftable treat for holiday cookie boxes.
Vegan Chocolate Tart with a Walnut Crust
A rich, silky vegan chocolate tart with a crunchy walnut crust. As a bonus, it’s an elegant make-ahead dessert for New Year’s Eve, Christmas dinner or Valentine’s Day.
Spelt Flour Carrot Cake
Lightly sweetened and perfectly fluffy, this spelt flour carrot cake is a lovely healthy dessert for Easter brunch or any spring holiday table.
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Tag Me in Your Holiday Dessert Recipes
I hope you love these holiday desserts as much as my family does! If you make any of them, tag me on Instagram and leave a star rating on the recipe so I know how it turned out. Happy holidays and happy baking!
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