Create festive holiday treats without the mess and time of regular baking! Skip right to dessert with these delicious no-bake Christmas cookies and treats.
1/37
Peppermint Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
I make many batches of this minty peppermint fudge to give as Christmas gifts. It's not too sweet, so it appeals to lots of palates. —Sue Schindler, Barnesville, Minnesota
Anyone who’s looking to really impress with dessert this year, sans oven, should make this peppermint fudge. As the person in charge of dessert for every holiday, I always try to get a confection on the table so there’s variety among the pies, cakes and tarts. Plus, the bits of crushed peppermint look so festive on the table.
2/37
Max Nutter Butters
From the Recipe Creator:
These Nutter Butters are transformed into Max the dog from the Grinch with a little help from pretzel antlers, candy eyes, caramel ears and a Red Hot nose! —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This is a wonderful no-bake Christmas cookie to make with kids! Have an adult melt the chocolate, then ask tiny hands to adhere all the decorations on the Nutter Butters. It’s the perfect treat to make before or after watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
3/37
Candy Cane Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
When my college roommate first made this pie, I couldn't get enough! Using a store-bought crust helps save time when you're in the midst of the holidays. —Charlotte Stewart, Mesa, Arizona
A store-bought chocolate graham cracker crust makes this candy cane pie so easy. All there’s left to do is mix up the marshmallow, whipped cream and peppermint filling!
4/37
Grinch Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
A platter of this green-swirled fudge will be a welcome addition to any Grinch-themed gathering. Our recipe calls for marshmallow cream, white chocolate, peppermint extract and plenty of sugar! —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This whimsical Grinch fudge is full of holiday cheer, even if the Grinch is not! It’s the perfect Grinch-green color, and the heart sprinkles are an ode to the movie’s message. Keep in mind, you’ll need a stovetop for this one!
5/37
Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s festive, delicious and easy to make, this is the one for you. Drizzled in hot fudge sauce and loaded with pretty peppermint pieces, this tempting treat will have guests asking for seconds. —Pam Lancaster, Willis, Virginia
So many Christmas desserts are warm, heavy and full of baking spices, so it’s nice to offer something completely different. This peppermint ice cream dessert is just that, bringing a cool, light and refreshing treat for guests to indulge in after a truly rich Christmas feast.
6/37
Christmas Trifle
From the Recipe Creator:
A flavorful blend of cake, pudding, eggnog and fruit will make folks think you really spent a lot of time putting together this fancy but fuss-free dessert. —Esther McCoy, Dillonvale, Ohio
I love making trifles for large gatherings. They are impressive, easy and the perfect dessert to make ahead of time so they’re ready to serve whenever. This Christmas version layers bananas, pineapple, and red and green cherries with chunks of pound cake, whipped cream and eggnog pudding. Yum!
7/37
Rum Balls
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these rum balls for special occasions with my wonderful family and friends. The treats are so easy to make and pack a festive punch. —Diane Duschanek, Council Bluffs, Iowa
These no-bake rum balls are made from vanilla wafers, cocoa powder, walnuts and, of course, rum. Since they’re no-bake and no-cook, the alcohol does not cook out, meaning these are for adults only.
8/37
Mint Sandwich Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Canned frosting, peppermint extract and chocolate candy coating quickly turn crackers into these wonderful little no-bake cookies. My children and I like to assemble them for parties and holidays. I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as we do.
—Melissa Thompson, Anderson, Ohio
—Melissa Thompson, Anderson, Ohio
These chocolate-covered sandwiches have a surprise inside: peppermint frosting! Instead of dying the frosting green, try red to evoke the taste of a Christmas candy cane.
9/37
Peppermint Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
With flecks of mint candy, this peppermint ice cream recipe is perfect for the holidays. —Berneice Metcalf, Leavenworth, Washington
This from-scratch peppermint ice cream is so much better than anything in the freezer aisle. I love serving chocolate syrup or hot fudge on top for something truly decadent.
10/37
No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprints
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, a friend gave me a recipe for chocolate peanut treats that didn't require baking. I thought it was a quick and clever way to whip up a batch of sweet snacks without heating up the kitchen, and I started making different variations. This one includes luscious Nutella and crunchy hazelnuts. Yum! —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Thumbprint cookies are essential for Christmastime. Here’s our no-bake version, combining cream cheese, graham cracker crumbs, melted chocolate chips and Nutella to make the bases. Then, cover them head to toe with hazelnuts.
11/37
Gooey Caramel-Topped Gingersnaps
From the Recipe Creator:
Making these cookies is therapeutic for me. And they are always quite popular at fundraisers. If you’d like, you can make variations by using different nuts.
—Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Here’s a no-bake hack: Buy already-baked cookies, then dress them up to look a little more gourmet! We do that here with store-bought gingersnaps, decorating them with melted caramel, peanuts, chocolate and sprinkles.
12/37
Pecan Logs
From the Recipe Creator:
For decades now, I've turned to this beloved recipe to make candy to give away at Christmas. Of the many types I've tried, the pecan logs continue to be the most popular. —Maxine Ruhl, Fort Scott, Kansas
This southern favorite is very beginner-friendly and super fun to make. You’ll cook the candy mixture (that white center!) from scratch, then roll and coat it in melted caramel and chopped pecans.
13/37
Nutty Rice Krispie Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom and I used to prepare these Rice Krispies cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they're super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, Florida
These cookies are a step above regular Rice Krispies treats thanks to peanuts, peanut butter and a white chocolate coating. There’s room for other mix-ins, too, like Christmas-colored M&M’s!
14/37
Easy Truffles
From the Recipe Creator:
Our smooth, creamy bonbons are so divine that you may be tempted to save this recipe for a special occasion. But with just a few ingredients, they're easy to make anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Absolutely no one has enough willpower to turn down homemade chocolate truffles. Lucky for you, they’re super easy to make and require only a microwave for melting purposes. Of course, roll them in festive Christmas sprinkles or toasted nuts for a pretty decoration.
15/37
Butter Mints
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy butter mints are smooth as silk and melt in your mouth! As a wife and mother of three youngsters, I treasure treats like these that come together quickly but taste terrific. —Bev Schloneger, Dalton, Ohio
Is there any flavor combo more Christmasy than peppermint and butter? Dye these red and green and keep some white for a really pretty Christmas assortment.
16/37
Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
From the Recipe Creator:
Because so many people seem to love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I came up with this no-bake cookie recipe. —Geraldine Sliwa, Elgin, Illinois
These homemade bars are almost like Butterfingers, with their crispy peanut butter inside and milk chocolate coating. It’s a pretty cool move to bring homemade candy bars as a dessert. The best part? No candy thermometer is required!
17/37
Church Window Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These church window cookies are a hit with kids—the little ones just love the colored marshmallows! —Emmilie Gaston, Wabash, Indiana
I love how these pretty cookies look just like stained glass with only five ingredients and zero baking. My only tip is to make sure your chef’s knife is very sharp (but be careful!) so the marshmallows and nuts can look as pretty and intact as possible after slicing.
18/37
Butterscotch-Rum Raisin Treats
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making rum raisin rice pudding around the holidays. Those flavors inspired this recipe. Crispy rice cereal adds crunch, but nuts, toasted coconut or candied pineapple could do the job too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
We might think of butterscotch and rum raisin as old-fashioned flavors, but there’s a reason they’ve endured. We combine the flavors here into these two-bite, crispy, crunchy treats that are so satisfying to eat.
19/37
Candy Cane Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
This fabulous dessert has the magical flavor of candy canes plus the bonus of an Oreo cookie crust. And it looks like a winter wonderland. —Dawn Kreuser, Green Bay, Wisconsin
This candy cane dessert has four gorgeous layers: an Oreo crust, a peppermint cream cheese layer, vanilla pudding and whipped topping to finish, with lots of crushed candy canes for decoration. This recipe is perfect if you need to feed a crowd.
20/37
Holiday Cornflake Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I can't seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths around the holidays. The cookies firm up quickly, so you'll need to place the Red Hots right away. —Kathleen Hedger, Fairview Heights, Illinois
These cornflake cookies are like Rice Krispies shaped into a Christmas wreath, with Red Hots as holly. Feel free to dye the cereal mixture green and use mini red M&M’s to appease younger palates.
21/37
Salted Butterscotch & Pecan No-Bakes
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was deciding what type of cookie to make for a Christmas swap, I opted for something with coconut, pudding mix and salted caramel. Boxed, these could make a great gift as well. I like to drizzle caramel over the tops of the cookies before serving for a special touch. —Stacey Ritz, Sudbury, Ontario
These little treats contain more than meets the eye. Would you believe us if we told you each one contains butterscotch pudding mix and shredded coconut? A chocolate drizzle would be so yummy on these, mimicking the taste of a Samoa cookie.
22/37
Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen—with a surprise inside. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
These little dessert balls hold so much flavor. Gingersnaps, almonds, orange zest and cream cheese accompany chocolate and cherry. Serve each one in a mini cupcake liner for a nice presentation.
23/37
No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
From the Recipe Creator:
Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate kisses in an unforgettable spin on an old favorite. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana
If you’re not allergic to nuts, then you probably love peanut butter blossoms. Here’s our no-bake version, trading peanut butter cookie dough for Rice Krispies and cookie butter.
24/37
Peanut Butter Penguins
From the Recipe Creator:
Could these be any more adorable? To treat your guests to this chocolaty, peanut buttery goodness, just cover Nutter Butter cookies with chocolate and decorate! They’re a lot of fun to make and even more fun to eat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These peanut butter penguins might just be my favorite no-bake Christmas dessert. They’re so easy and a really fun project to do with kids. You’ll probably have to buy a lot of M&M’s to get that many orange ones, but you can always use the rest toward a batch of monster cookies.
25/37
Pine Cone Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Pull out each Goldfish graham and dip it into the soft center to snack on these pine cones. There's nothing more fun or creative on the cookie table this year! —Betty MacArthur, Portland, Oregon
These pine cone cookies are pure genius. A pretzel rod is in the center, surrounded by a no-bake cookie dough. Chocolate graham Goldfish are pushed in, acting as the “needles,” and confectioners’ sugar is the perfect light-snowfall finishing touch.
26/37
Homemade Butterfinger Bites
From the Recipe Creator:
Bent on using up a stash of leftover candy corn, I decided to experiment. Turns out, if you melt it, mix it with peanut butter and coat the balls with chocolate, you get a softer, denser version of a Butterfinger bite. Who knew? They’re delicious! —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hope you held on to your Halloween candy corn—you’ll need it for these no-bake Butterfinger bites! The corn adds sweetness and that “candy” flavor we get from Butterfingers.
27/37
No-Bake Minty Oreo Blossoms
From the Recipe Creator:
My blossoms take the Oreo truffle just a little further—and make it a little fancier. They're dressed up with a candy coating and a kiss of mint. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
If you thought these were just chocolate-covered Oreos, think again! We crush the Oreos and mix them with cream cheese so they’re similar to Oreo truffles, then smoosh them down and enrobe them in dark chocolate. The peppermint kisses and red nonpareils make these perfectly festive for a Christmas table.
28/37
Yummy Cracker Snacks
From the Recipe Creator:
These treats are my family’s favorite. In fact, it seems no matter how many I make, they always disappear too soon! —D. Weaver, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Where are my Fluffernutter fans? These little snacks are basically mini Fluffernutters coated in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles. Simple, easy and no oven required.
29/37
Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
My secret to these rich no-bake bites? Pretzels in the crust! They add a salty crunch to the classic peanut butter and chocolate pairing. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia
Anyone who doesn’t love sweet desserts will definitely grab a few slices of these chocolate-peanut butter pretzel bars. They’re just as sweet as they are savory, soft with just the right amount of crunch and impressive but completely no-bake.
30/37
Chocolate Rum Balls
From the Recipe Creator:
Roll these truffle-like rum balls in crushed Oreos to get just the right amount of crunch. They can be made three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I also tuck some in the freezer! —Dauna Harwood, Elkhart, Indiana
Deep, dark, decadent and boozy, these chocolate rum balls will definitely not return home after the party. Don’t be put off by the instant coffee granules—they make the chocolate stand out more without adding any buzzy java flavor.
31/37
Cookie Butter Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I tasted Biscoff cookie butter at a grocery store one day, and it was so delicious that I decided to create a no-bake pie with it. You can make the pie your own by using peanut butter or another kind of spread and matching toppings instead. —Katrina Adams, Mount Olive, Alabama
This no-bake Christmas dessert is like the holiday version of peanut butter pie. Instead of peanut butter, though, we use cookie butter, which is rich with warming winter spices from gingersnap cookies.
32/37
Chocolate Almond Drops
From the Recipe Creator:
So much rich chocolaty flavor, so little time! My truffle-like cookies are deceptively easy to make and look so elegant on a party tray. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
The secret ingredient in these dessert balls (granola) gives them an irresistible texture. If you’re someone who likes texture on their desserts—think streusel on a muffin or carrot cake with all the inclusions—then you’ll love these!
33/37
Easy Candied Fruit Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Family and friends always want me to have these for Christmas, so I make lots of them. They're easy to handle and store, and they also make nice gifts. —Nan Bush, Morganton, North Carolina
Even if you’re not a fruitcake fan, don’t write these off! The cookie base is made from crushed vanilla wafers and sweetened condensed milk (already a step up from a dense fruitcake), allowing the inclusions to stand out without being overpowered by a sticky alcoholic soak and unctuously sweet corn syrup.
34/37
Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother used to make this haystacks recipe to give to my cousin and me when our parents didn't want us to have any more sweets. —Christine Schwester, Divide, Colorado
Want something truly easy to make? These three-ingredient haystacks are basically fail-proof. My only word of advice: Be careful not to burn the chips in the microwave.
35/37
Cannoli Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves to visit a local Italian restaurant that has a wonderful dessert buffet. The cannoli is among our favorite choices, which means I just had to come up with my own simple version. These sandwiches are best served the same day so the wafers remain nice and crisp. —Nichi Larson, Shawnee, Kansas
Making cannolis from scratch is not for the novice cook, but these cannoli cookies are as easy as sticking two cookie halves together with ricotta in the middle and dipping them in white chocolate. If that’s still too much work for you, whip up our cannoli dip instead.
36/37
No-Bake Ginger Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my favorite desserts in England was a cake featuring chocolate and ginger. When I came home, I tried creating different recipes using these flavors. This is easy to make and tastes fantastic! —Jennifer Warner, Rochester, Minnesota
Simply calling these ginger cookies feels so modest when there’s so much else going on! Sure, there are gingersnaps and ground ginger, but these cookies also have cream cheese, chocolate frosting, cinnamon and chocolate chips.
37/37
Cherry No-Bake Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I always loved my no-bake cookie recipe, but I was never able to place at the fair with it. So I mixed in some maraschino cherries, added almond extract and voila! I won a blue ribbon at the county fair. —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
While cherries are the star here, I’d be remiss not to mention that peanut butter, chocolate, oats and almond extract help make these no-bake cookies so special. Since it’s Christmas, I recommend splurging on Luxardo cherries instead of regular store-bought maraschino cherries.
No-Bake Christmas Cookies and Treats
How long do no-bake Christmas cookies and treats last?
Depending on the ingredients in your no-bake Christmas cookies and treats, they can last up to four days if stored properly and according to the recipe. Some no-bake desserts, like cookies and fudge, can last for up to a week, but no-bake desserts with creamy fillings would really last only up to three days and are best served the day they’re made. Frozen no-bake desserts can last a few weeks or more in the freezer.
Can you freeze no-bake Christmas cookies and treats?
The ability to freeze something completely depends on the type of no-bake dessert. Besides ice cream desserts, use caution when freezing. Most no-bake Christmas cookies can be frozen, but be cautious with chocolate-coated desserts, as the chocolate can bloom, producing white spots. I would also avoid freezing any desserts with a creamy filling, like no-bake pies or anything with whipped topping.
What easy no-bake holiday cookies and treats can my kids help make?
Easy no-bake holiday cookies and treats that kids can help with are our recipes for Max Nutter Butters, peppermint ice cream dessert, Christmas trifle, mint sandwich cookies, nutty Rice Krispies cookies, easy truffles, chocolate peanut butter grahams, peanut butter penguins, Butterfinger bites, cracker snacks and chocolate butterscotch haystacks. These recipes do not require electric tools or any stovetop heating. At most, they’ll have you melt something in the microwave, but an adult can handle that part. That’s it!
Lucy Wang
Lucy is a first-generation Asian American mom and influencer who loves creating fun, approachable recipes.
