A holiday-worthy collection of my popular no bake Christmas treats and desserts! From caramels and brittle to truffles and marshmallows, custard desserts, dessert drinks, and so much more.
These are full of festive flavor, many of them are tailor-made for gift-giving, and they are easy and no bake.
As strange as it sounds, we all know that the holidays can sometimes be anything but that. Busy, stressful, overwhelming, guests to be entertained, gifts to be gifted, memories to be made.
For times like that, I like to dip into my bag of no bake Christmas treats to whip up something quick, easy, no bake, but still full of festive cheer and flavor!
This roundup features 36 of my favorite no bake Christmas treats and desserts that are perfect for gift-giving, last minute entertaining, and rounding out your holiday spread with some crowd-favorite treats!
No bake candy
This list features some of my childhood-favorites! So much so that it doesn’t even feel like Christmas anymore without some crunchy, chewy, sweet no bake candy to indulge in during the holidays.
These delightful Christmas candy recipes are easy, perfect for gift-giving, and they routinely make their way into my cookie-boxes every year.
1. Peanut brittle
Homemade peanut brittle
Packed with peanuts, this crunchy, caramel smothered peanut brittle is really easy to make, and perfect for gift giving!
Honeycomb toffee, sponge toffee, cinder toffee, seafoam candy, hokey pokey… no matter what you call these, these are one-of-a-kind!Crunchy, light, sweet toffee pieces (optionally coated in chocolate), these are guaranteed to take you right back to your childhood!
These were the rice krispie treats I grew up with. Rice krispies mixed with melted Mars bars, for a gooey caramel base, and topped with a layer of chocolate!Caramel, nougat, chocolate, and rice krispies… what's not to love?!
Easy to make, soft and chewy, bittersweet chocolate caramels are just a quintessential holiday treat! The deep, dark chocolate flavor perfectly balances the sweetness of the caramel.
It doesn't get much easier than a ball of peanut butter fudge that’s partially (or fully) dipped in chocolate. Super easy, fun, no bake treats for both kids and adults alike!
These rice krispie treats made with homemade marshmallows and brown butter are infinitely better than store-bought!No corn syrup, no preservatives, just gooey, buttery, and all round delicious!
These are ridiculously fun! No bake cookie truffles (cookie balls) decorated as Christmas baubles, Christmas trees, hot chocolate mugs, and even as pine cones using sliced almonds!
Chocolate truffles are the very first confection I learned to make as a kid. And if there’s ever a time for chocolate truffles, it’s Christmas.
If you’re looking for the perfect bite-sized, super easy, decadent holiday treat to make for Christmas, you just can’t go wrong with these! And they are so versatile, it’s a breeze to change up the flavors.
8. Chocolate truffles
Homemade chocolate truffles
The most deliciously creamy and smooth truffles you'll ever taste! Learn all the ways to make this classic chocolate confection from the easiest version to the more advanced. And pair with different toppings for lots of flavor variations.
These intensely boozy, fudgy chocolate rum balls are not for the faint of heart!Easy, vegan-friendly, dairy free-friendly, and these indulgent treats are perfect for gift-giving too.
Melt-in-your-mouth creamy, delicious, refreshing, and easy to make. You can coat these with cocoa powder for a simple version or with tempered chocolate for a more advanced version.
If those boring gingersnap cookies aren't doing it for you, then turn those cookies into delicious bite-sized bourbon gingerbread truffles that taste absolutely divine.The chocolate coating is topped with some desiccated coconut and a sprinkling of cinnamon and ginger for another fantastic layer of flavor.
Melt-in-your-mouth soft, velvety, decadent, fruity truffles dusted with cocoa powder and gold luster dust for a touch of extravagance.So easy and less messy to make with no rolling, scooping, or shaping involved.
Delectable chocolate truffles covered in sweet, crunchy, beer-soaked pretzel praline!Surprisingly easy to make and perfect no bake, bite-sized treats for the holidays.
No ifs and buts, these are my absolute favorite no bake Christmas treats to make, every year.
I first learned to make these from my grandmother as a wee little girl. She was such a pro at it, she whipped up perfect, fluffy marshmallows every time without mixers or candy thermometers or any newfangled gadgets.
It’s that knowledge of the basics that has helped me whip up batch after batch of different flavors and variations of marshmallows, ever since.
14. Vanilla marshmallows
Vanilla marshmallows
My popular, foolproof recipe and guide for making sweet, soft, springy, fluffy perfect vanilla marshmallows! So much better than store-bought, and I show how to make these with or without corn syrup, and with or without a candy thermometer too.
The only recipe you'll ever need for perfectly soft, fluffy, and deeply chocolatey marshmallows! A couple of these in your hot cocoa would make for the most indulgent holiday drink!
These marshmallows are fluffy as pillows, so delicious, and melt in your mouth soft. And they have the perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing peppermint flavor. A perfect edible gift for Christmas.
Soft, fluffy, buttery, with a hint of salt, these butterscotch marshmallows (or buttered rum marshmallows for adults) are just so decadent! You can also make butterscotch swirl marshmallows for another variation.
These marshmallows have coconut flavor both INSIDE and OUT! I fold untoasted coconut into the marshmallow mixture and then coat the set marshmallows with toasted coconut as well.Nutty, melt in your mouth fluffy, and perfect no bake holiday treat for all the coconut lovers in your life!
These are truly one of my favorite no bake Christmas desserts to make, because they are so much FUN too!These are fruit flavored and colored, and I pipe these marshmallows into ropes and then cut into smaller pieces.
To be honest, custard desserts are probably the most crowd-favorite no bake treats, no matter the occasion.
They always seem to be so popular at dinner parties and holiday gatherings, so here are a few of my personal favorites. You can also check out my article on different types of custard desserts for lots more options.
20. Chocolate mousse
Classic chocolate mousse
Chocolatey, creamy, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth smooth and delicious! PLUS it doesn’t have any raw eggs, and I show how to pasteurize the eggs so that it's safe to eat for anyone.You can also make rosemary infused French chocolate mousse for a flavor variation, or tofu chocolate mousse for a vegan, high protein version.
A classic vanilla pudding is always a winner! Easy, creamy, and perfectly sweet, only a handful of ingredients, and so much better than store-bought.Honestly, no holiday party, dinner, or potluck would be complete without a simple vanilla pudding.
If vanilla pudding is a classic, then chocolate pudding is a necessity for holiday celebrations!Super creamy, very chocolatey, and just as easy, this chocolate pudding made from scratch is an easy treat that both kids and adults will love.
This creamy and luscious chocolate cremeux is a silky smooth, rich dessert made with creme anglaise. Easy and adaptable recipe, and can be paired with other desserts too.
An irresistibly creamy, smooth, foolproof chocolate pie made with a creamy chocolate pudding filling and an Oreo cookie crust, with a surprise popping element in the crust!And topped with a simple whipped cream topping for another crowd-favorite, easy holiday dessert.
This one’s a Christmas tradition in our home. No holiday potluck or gathering is complete without a boozy dessert drink.
Cozy, delicious, festive, no baking required, perfect way to truly unwind and enjoy the holidays.
26. Lemon meringue pie cocktail
Lemon meringue pie cocktail
One of my favorite drinks ever! A dessert and a cocktail in one glass. And a lemon meringue pie in cocktail form. Ultra creamy and tangy and topped with a pillowy, glossy Swiss meringue. Feel free to skip the oatmeal lace cookies to keep this drink fully no bake.
If you enjoy store-bought white chocolate liqueur for the holidays, you'll LOVE this homemade version.Surprisingly easy to make and tastes deliciously creamy without being too sweet, and makes for an excellent gift too.
A boozy white hot chocolate that's perfectly creamy and not too sweet either.The minty freshness from the peppermint is really quite striking in this warm, indulgent drink!
This authentic Parisian hot chocolate is unlike any other. An intensely thick and luscious hot chocolate drink, made with 3 simple ingredients.This versatile recipe can be easily adapted, doubled, and made ahead of time too.
Can't ever go wrong with the PB and chocolate flavor combo! Made with semisweet chocolate and cocoa powder, so it’s not too sweet.A thick hot chocolate that's so satisfying to drink, with a lovely PB flavor that's not overpowering.
These jams and spreads are full of festive flavor, and they are very popular during the holidays. No baking, minimal ingredients, and perfect for gift-giving in jars.
31. Pistachio paste
Sweet pistachio butter
Smooth, sweet, deliciously nutty, and vibrantly flavored! Fantastic on its own as a spread or to pair with other desserts.Cheaper than store-bought. I often use this as a filling in pastries or mix it in with custards for a flavor variation.
This classic Filipino purple yam jam is super popular for the holidays. A vibrantly purple, sweet, rich, creamy jam, it can be served on its own as a pudding (topped with latik!), or use it as a filling (like these ube bread rolls) or paired with other desserts too.
Softened apple cooked in caramel and spices for a delightfully fruity, sweet, and spicy filling. Perfect topping or filling for any dessert, or serve with some spiced yeasted waffles for Christmas brunch. Great for gifting too.
Spiced, flavorful, centerpiece no bake Christmas desserts for your holiday spread! And poached pears are always such an elegant and decadent, yet simple dessert.
34. Red wine poached pears
Red wine poached pears
Enhance the natural sweetness of pears with delicious red wine and beautiful spices.Serve with some mascarpone cheese, or whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple, elegant, no bake centerpiece dessert for the holidays.
A non-alcoholic variation to wine poached pears, these are just as easy to make and are strikingly impressive.Spiced with cardamom, orange juice, orange peel, vanilla and sweetened with honey, these are perfect for holiday entertaining too!
Made with layers of deliciously soft chocolate crepes, and a creamy but light salted caramel diplomat cream in between! This crepe cake is a riot of flavors, and a truly showstopping no bake dessert for the festive season.
Dini Kodippili is a professional food writer, recipe developer, food photographer, cookbook author, and baker. Dini has been featured on HuffPost, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Delish, Food & Wine and more. Learn More
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Hi! I’m Dini, a third culture kid by upbringing and a food-geek by nature. I was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in New Zealand and lived in Australia, and then the US, before moving to and settling down in Canada. My food is a reflection of those amazing experiences!
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