20+ Favorite Christmas Cookies and Candies

Here is the ultimate list of our family’s tried-and-true favorite Christmas cookies – and candies – that get requested year after year. Most are made with whole grains and some are low sugar, or gluten free, too.

I’m so excited to share with you this list of our family’s favorite Christmas cookies, candies, and other goodies (I’m not sure what to call the caramel corn Moose Munch – is it a candy?).

Why excited?

Because these are the recipes that have all passed our family and friend’s taste test and many of them are holiday staples I make every year.

I don’t make them ALL every year (that would be a LOT, lol), but I do rotate through them so we have them on a semi-regular basis.

Curious about what you’d see in our goodie bags every year?

• Moose Munch for sure, because everybody loves it so much and it’s requested by family.
• Butter mints or the chocolate cream cheese mints.
• Quadruple chocolate brownies.

After that I look through the list and decide what looks good or what I didn’t make the previous year.

On this list of Christmas goodies I’ve also included year-around treats like chocolate chip cookies because they are great to have as a “regular cookie” (as Brian likes to say…) on a cookie plate.

I know, it’s crazy, isn’t it that some people don’t like ooey, gooey, nutty and rich treats? Ha – more for those of us who do, I like to say!

Can’t you just smell the heavenly aromas already? Let the baking begin!

Favorite Christmas Cookies and Candies:

1. Easy Butter Mints

Thought you could only buy butter mints? Nope – and they’re really easy and make a great, inexpensive gift.

2. Whole Grain Cut-Out Cookies

Looking to up the nutrient value of traditional cut-out cookies? Adding oats and whole wheat add a nutty grain flavor that compliments the decorating frosting.

3. Mini Almond Joy Brownies

A brownie base, coconut middle and ganache topping…what’s not to love? Add the almond or not – it’s up to you. But then you should call them Mounds Brownie Bites, right?

4. Peanut Butter Swirl Bars

A cookie bar with a long history in our house – quick, easy and delicious.

5. The Best Chewy Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookie

The standard chocolate chip cookie I make all year long – it really is the best. Why add them to a holiday plate? Because not everyone loves the fancy cookies (as Brian would tell you…).

6. Decadent Quadruple Chocolate Brownies

The ultimate once-a-year treat brownie! Decadent really doesn’t come close to describing them.

7. Easy Honey Caramel Corn (with “Moose Munch” and White Chocolate-Peppermint Variations)

Hands down the favorite treat of any that we give to our family and friends – it’s addictive!

8. Mocha Chip Cookies

A chewy chocolate chip cookie with a hint of coffee that brings the best of two worlds together.

9. Caramel Coconut Shortbread Cookies

Made with a homemade caramel and all real food, these take a bit of extra time, but they are worth it. My late father-in-law’s favorite.

10. Multigrain Snickerdoodle Cookies

The different grains bring a healthy change to the normal snickerdoodle while still tasting great.

11. Chocolate Topped Oatmeal Bars

Reminiscent of a favorite candy bar, but with real food ingredients. This comes together in minutes.

12. Chocolate Drizzled Nut Squares

Caramel, nuts, and chocolate…ok, this really is a homemade candy bar.

13. Fudgy Espresso Truffle Bars

Everything you love about truffles without all the mess of shaping them!

14. Classic Cream Cheese Mints with Dark Chocolate

While you might find cream cheese mints on other’s holiday platters, you probably won’t find them dipped in chocolate! The chocolate makes these amazing.

15. Three Ingredient Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters

I recreated an expensive candy shop chocolate for a fraction of the price in just minutes! This delicious candy is a great gift all on it’s own in a pretty container.

16. Healthier Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

One of our favorite holiday goodies updated with crispy rice and a honey-sweetened center.

17. Flourless Noels Bars – Updated Christmas Classic

This is a childhood recipe I recreated to be flourless and use less sugar – but still maintain that nutty, chewy cookie we always enjoyed.

18. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (Gluten Free, Maple Syrup Sweetened)

Truffle-like cookie dough inside of a dark chocolate coating, these not only taste good, they look good enough to gift all on their own!

19. Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

This is more of a classic truffle, along with the classic easy technique of rolling chilled chocolate dough in nuts or cocoa powder. A quick, popular candy!

20. Espresso Walnut Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

Fun to make (roll into logs and slice!) and delicious to eat with it’s ganache filling, this is another show-stopper cookie for your plate.

21. Honey Sweetened Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups

You won’t miss the sugar in the filling – honey makes a great addition and all you taste in the lovely peanut butter and chocolate combo.

22. Mini Chocolate Truffle Cakes

A snap to make (always good at the holidays!) and so chocolatey and delicious you won’t believe it.

23. Flourless Coconut Almond Bars

Another option for gluten free people, this is reminiscent of macaroons, but super easy in a bar form.

24. Healthy Homemade Chocolate Covered Pecans

What makes these healthy? The homemade maple sweetened chocolate coating! Don’t worry, though, it’s simple to put together and makes a nice, slightly sweet option for people.

What are your favorite goodies to make at the holidays? And which of these will you be adding to your baking?

If you’d like more ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest where I have boards for yummy desserts and an inspiring Christmas Food board!