In this roundup, you’ll find the very best Christmas cookies and treats, from classic sugar cookies and peppermint shortbread to peanut butter balls, homemade caramels, and more. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, gifting homemade treats, or just making memories in the kitchen, this list has something everyone will love.

Growing up, baking Christmas cookies was how we kicked off the holiday season — rolling dough, stealing tastes, decorating cookies, and sharing trays with neighbors and friends. Today I still love carrying on that tradition with recipes that are simple, delicious, and always a hit.

Classic Christmas Cookies

These are the cookies that feel like home — soft sugar cookies, classic gingerbread, and nostalgic favorites that every holiday baking list needs. Perfect for cookie plates, decorating traditions, and sharing with neighbors and friends.

Peppermint & Chocolate Favorites

Rich chocolate meets cool peppermint for the ultimate Christmas flavor combo. These cookies look festive, taste decadent, and always feel like the holidays in every bite.

This is the most deliciously moist Red Velvet Poke Cake recipe! The sweetened condensed milk gets poured all over and the fluffy cream cheese frosting makes it a truly decadent dessert everyone can’t stop eating!

This easy red velvet poke cake is perfect for holidays like Valentine’s Day or Christmas, but it’s just as good for birthdays or “just because” baking days. It’s simple to make, stunning to serve, and always gets rave reviews!

I see red velvet poke cakes everywhere, but they all have a thick pudding on top, and I gotta be honest, that’s not my thing. So, I went back to the basics and started with a simple sweetened condensed milk topping and guess what? I’ll never make it another way! It’s so good!!!

What is a Poke Cake?

A poke cake is a cake that is baked and then poked with holes all over. The holes are then filled with a creamy mixture (like pudding, sweetened condensed milk, caramel, or cream cheese). For this recipe, the red velvet makes it extra festive for Christmas or Valentine’s Day! Red velvet desserts are perfect for the holidays!

What Flavor is Red Velvet Cake?

Red velvet is a perfect blend of both chocolate and vanilla. It has a subtle cocoa flavor and has a lot of red food coloring added to give it the signature red color.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: The base of the cake — gives that signature red velvet flavor, color, and soft texture without extra steps.
• Instant Red Velvet Pudding: Adds rich flavor and extra moisture, keeping the cake soft and tender after baking.
• Sour Cream: Brings tanginess and creaminess while making the cake ultra-moist and fluffy.
• Canola Oil: Adds moisture and tenderness — helps the cake stay soft even after chilling.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide structure, helping the cake rise properly.
• Whole Milk: Adds richness and helps blend everything smoothly for a velvety batter.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Soaks into the holes for that signature creamy sweetness in every bite.

Frosting

• Cream Cheese: Adds tang and depth to the frosting, keeping it from being overly sweet.
• Butter: Gives the frosting richness and a silky, spreadable texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for that smooth, fluffy finish.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors with warm, subtle sweetness.
• Christmas Sprinkles or Mini Chocolate Chips: Add festive color, fun texture, and instant holiday cheer!

How to Make a Red Velvet Poke Cake

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350 ℉ and grease a 9×13″ pan.
2. Combine
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