29 Holiday Baking Recipes That Won’t Take Up Your Whole Day

The holidays are busy enough without spending hours in the kitchen. That’s why I love baking recipes that deliver big on flavor without eating up your entire day. These quick and festive treats make it easy to enjoy the season without sacrificing time or energy.

A close-up of a hand holding a half-eaten chocolate brownie with visible melted chocolate chips. — Brownie Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!

Strawberry Poke Cake

This cake comes together quickly and features vibrant flavors that are perfect for festive gatherings. The strawberry topping adds a burst of color and taste, ideal for holiday cheer. It’s simple to prepare, making it a practical choice for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake

Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes with Sprinkle Filling

A strawberry cupcake with pink frosting and a sliced strawberry on top, in a pink wrapper. Two similar cupcakes are in the background. — Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes with Sprinkle Filling. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

These cupcakes combine moist cake mix cupcakes with a fun sprinkle surprise inside, making them stand out on any dessert table. Their straightforward recipe ensures you’ll have time for other holiday tasks. They’re a cheerful addition to your seasonal baking lineup.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes with Sprinkle Filling

Cream Cheese Danish

A pastry with berry filling and white drizzle on a white plate is accompanied by strawberry slices. A red and white checkered cloth, blueberries, and a bowl of strawberries are nearby. — Cream Cheese Danish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This easy Danish brings bakery-level treats to your home without the long prep time. Its creamy filling and flaky layers are great for sharing during festive mornings. It’s a practical yet indulgent option for holiday breakfasts or desserts.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Danish

Strawberry Pound Cake Mini Loaf

Slices of strawberry pound cake on a white plate, with visible chunks of strawberry and a golden-brown crust. — Strawberry Pound Cake Mini Loaf. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These mini loaves are packed with fresh strawberry flavor and bake quickly compared to traditional pound cakes. Their size makes them perfect for gifting or serving at gatherings. You’ll appreciate how easily they fit into your holiday baking schedule.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pound Cake Mini Loaf

Easy Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Lemon ricotta cookies on rack with icing bowl. — Easy Lemon Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cookies are light, soft, and full of lemon flavor, offering a fresh take on holiday treats. They’re quick to prepare and bake, ideal for fitting into a busy holiday week. Their unique taste will impress guests without adding stress.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies

A person dipping a peanut butter cookie into a glass of milk, with more stacked cookies on a plate in the background. — Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Peanut butter cookies are a classic, and this eggless version keeps things simple while delivering rich flavor. They’re quick to mix and bake, making them a great option when you need a last-minute treat. Perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or casual snacking.
Get the Recipe: Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies

Soufflé Cheesecake

A ramekin of creamy, smooth cheesecake with a spoon resting beside it, taking out a scoop on a white background. — Soufflé Cheesecake. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This light and fluffy cheesecake looks impressive but requires minimal effort. Its delicate texture and subtle sweetness make it a hit at holiday gatherings. It’s a time-saving choice for a dessert that feels fancy but fits into a busy schedule.
Get the Recipe: Soufflé Cheesecake

Healthier Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

A large chocolate chip cookie with a piece broken off, next to a glass of milk and a bowl of chocolate chips on a white surface. — Healthier Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A single-serve dessert is perfect for quiet holiday nights when you need a quick treat. This cookie is simple to prepare and delivers all the comfort of chocolate chip cookies. It’s a great way to enjoy holiday baking without leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Healthier Single-Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

Cinnamon Roll Cookies

These cookies bring the warm, spiced flavors of cinnamon rolls in a compact, easy-to-bake form. They’re a hit for holiday mornings or dessert tables and save time compared to traditional rolls. A delightful twist on seasonal favorites.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Mini Pound Cake

This smaller take on a classic pound cake is great for quick baking and personal-sized servings. Its buttery richness makes it perfect for gifting or holiday snacking. With its simple preparation, it’s a practical choice for festive baking.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pound Cake

Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Cookies

A stack of chocolate chip cookies on a white plate, with one cookie broken in half to show the chocolate chips inside. — Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cookies combine the familiar comfort of chocolate chips with a slightly nutty twist from coconut flour. They’re easy to bake and have a short ingredient list, saving you time and effort. Great for adding variety to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Cookies

3-Ingredient Almond Butter Cookies

A stack of round cookies on a plate with one cookie partially eaten. A glass of milk is in the background. — 3-Ingredient Almond Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Simple yet full of flavor, these cookies are perfect for busy holiday schedules. With just three ingredients, they’re fast to whip up while still feeling festive. Their nutty, rich taste makes them a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Almond Butter Cookies

Apple Pie Cookies

These cookies capture the cozy flavors of apple pie in a handheld, easy-to-make treat. They’re ideal for adding variety to your holiday dessert table without taking up too much time. A fun twist on a seasonal favorite.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Cookies

Gluten-Free Keto Pecan Pie Bars

A piece of pecan bar on a white plate, with a fork resting on the side. The bar has a nutty topping and a crumbly base, partially eaten. Two forks are in the background. — Gluten-Free Keto Pecan Pie Bars. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These bars bring the classic pecan pie taste in a quicker, easier format. Their small size makes them great for sharing during holiday gatherings. They’re an efficient way to enjoy a holiday staple without a full pie.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Keto Pecan Pie Bars

Small-Batch Sugar Cookies

A plate of sugar cookies with a mug of milk and a gray cloth in the background. — Small-Batch Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

When you don’t need a full batch, these cookies are the perfect solution for quick holiday baking. Their simple recipe makes them easy to decorate, adding festive flair. A practical choice for smaller celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Sugar Cookies

Filipino Leche Flan

Leche flan caramel creme brulee on a plate with a spoon. — Filipino Leche Flan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This creamy and smooth dessert is a great addition to any holiday spread, offering a unique twist on traditional treats. Its straightforward preparation lets you focus on other festivities. A rich and elegant dessert without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Filipino Leche Flan

Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate oatmeal cookies on a white plate, one broken in half, showing a soft interior, with loose chocolate chips scattered around on a white surface. — Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cookies combine hearty oats and melty chocolate for a comforting treat that’s easy to prepare. Perfect for smaller gatherings or quiet holiday evenings. Their simple recipe fits well into a busy holiday routine.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Single-Serve Apple Pie

Mini apple pie on cutting board. — Single-Serve Apple Pie. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This dessert is perfect for when you want a quick, seasonal treat without the fuss of a full pie. It’s easy to prepare and offers all the warmth and flavor of apple pie. Ideal for quiet evenings or intimate holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Single-Serve Apple Pie

Chocolate Puff Pastry

Close-up of a flaky pastry cut open to reveal a filling of chocolate, with a visible crispy golden crust. — Chocolate Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This pastry is quick to prepare and brings a luxurious feel to any holiday dessert table. Its flaky layers and rich chocolate filling are crowd-pleasers. A simple yet impressive treat for festive occasions.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Puff Pastry

Almond Biscotti

Perfect for pairing with coffee or tea, these biscotti are great for holiday mornings or gifting. They’re straightforward to make and store well, making them practical for busy weeks. Their nutty flavor adds warmth to seasonal celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Almond Biscotti

Mini Pavlova Nests

These delicate meringue nests are a showstopper on any holiday table, and their small size makes them quick to bake. Fill them with seasonal fruits or cream for a festive touch. A light and easy dessert that’s perfect for entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pavlova Nests

Brown Sugar Cookies

These cookies have a deep caramel flavor that stands out in any cookie spread. They’re quick to prepare and bake, saving you time during the holiday rush. A simple but effective addition to your seasonal baking lineup.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

No-bake cookies save time without sacrificing flavor, and this version combines chocolate and oats for a comforting treat. Great for busy holiday weeks when the oven is full. Perfect for sharing or enjoying as a quick snack.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Mini Vegan Cheesecake

A hand holds a mini cheesecake topped with two blueberries, with more cheesecakes and berries on a plate in the background. — Mini Vegan Cheesecake. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These individual cheesecakes are quick to prepare and cater to various dietary preferences. Their creamy texture and customizable toppings make them great for holiday gatherings. A thoughtful option for inclusive festive baking.
Get the Recipe: Mini Vegan Cheesecake

Vegan and Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies

Two oatmeal cookies on a white plate, with a crumbly texture and visible oats, displayed on a light-colored tablecloth. — Vegan and Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cookies are easy to make and bring a chewy, comforting texture to your holiday lineup. Perfect for diverse gatherings, they’re a reliable addition to your baking routine. Quick to bake and great for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Vegan and Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies

Brownie Bites

Close-up of a hand holding a half-eaten chocolate brownie with gooey chocolate chunks, with another partial brownie blurred in the background. — Brownie Bites. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These bite-sized treats pack all the richness of brownies in a fraction of the time. Their small size makes them perfect for holiday parties or quick snacking. A convenient option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Brownie Bites

Small-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

A plate with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, one cookie is broken in half to show the soft inside. — Small-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Perfect for a cozy night or small gathering, this recipe delivers the classic taste of chocolate chip cookies without making a large batch. Quick to bake and always a hit. A timeless choice that fits into your busy holiday schedule.
Get the Recipe: Small-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Healthy Breakfast Cookies

Seed and nut butter cookies on plate served with coffee. — Healthy Breakfast Cookies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These cookies are an excellent option for busy mornings during the holidays. Easy to bake and full of nourishing ingredients, they’re perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts. A practical way to add something homemade to your day.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Breakfast Cookies

Mini Pecan Pies

Two pecan pie tarts placed on a striped cloth with scattered pecans around them. — Mini Pecan Pies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These bite-sized pies are easier and faster to prepare than a full pecan pie. Their rich filling and flaky crust make them a hit at holiday gatherings. A convenient option for adding a classic dessert to your spread.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pecan Pies