Baking Christmas cookies is a beloved family tradition during the holidays, but sometimes you just have too many items on your to-do list to find the time. These no-bake cookie recipes will save you time — without compromising on flavor!
We’ve gathered up 10 of the gooiest, tastiest and most fun-to-make no-bake Christmas cookies. There’s no need to heat up the oven when you’re making these — which is especially helpful for those days when your oven is otherwise occupied.! They’re fun for all ages to make, and kids will especially enjoy helping you create these treats. These cookies are also great for gifting — and with the time you save, you can make several varieties to enjoy and share with loved ones.
Whether creamy, crunchy, chocolaty or nutty, something’s here to please every palate.
1. No-bake chocolate chip cookie dough bars
Everyone loves nibbling on cookie dough, and these no-egg, No-bake chocolate chip cookie dough bars from The View From Great Island let you safely indulge in some gooey dough.
Each little square is studded with lots of chocolate chips and then topped with a thick layer of chocolate frosting. When served chilled, they have a rich, dense consistency. If you prefer them a little softer, warm them to room temperature.
Go ahead and experiment with your favorite flavored chips or nuts to create your own custom cookie dough bars.
2. No-bake s’mores peanut butter bars
Few recipes are quite as simple and delicious as the classic summer camp favorite, the s’more. These No-bake s’mores peanut butter bars from Crazy for Crust contain just six simple ingredients, but they are full of flavor. The result: Like s’mores met peanut butter and created a creamy, crunchy taste explosion.
This recipe uses Ritz crackers for a nice combo of salty and sweet, but you also can use graham crackers, pretzels or your favorite cookies. For those with peanut allergies, you can adapt this by using almond butter or your favorite nut butter. So easy, so good, they are sure to have your family and friends asking for — you got it — s’more.
3. No-bake Nutella bars
Nutella, the delectable European cousin of peanut butter, is a perfect, indulgent blend of creamy intense chocolate flavors and hazelnuts. These No-bake Nutella cookie bars from The Gunny Sack have a buttery graham cracker and chocolate base with lots of creamy Nutella frosting on top.
Apart from the simple ingredients, all you need is a bowl, microwave and spoon to create this indulgent treat — and your friends never have to know just how easy they were to make.
4. Easy no-bake peanut butter balls
Peanut butter balls, also known as buckeyes, are a well-known holiday treat. Nicknamed for their resemblance to actual buckeye nut (an inedible seed pod from the Buckeye tree, which is mainly found found in the east-central US) , these little balls are packed with nutty peanut flavor.
Kids will love helping you roll the dough into little balls and dipping them into lots of melted chocolate. You can get creative and add your own coatings of white or dark chocolate or other flavored chips, or add nuts or Rice Krispies to the filling. As a bonus, there’s no waiting for these babies to bake: Just dip, chill and enjoy!
5. No-bake peanut butter pudding bars
These layered No-bake peanut butter pudding bars from Amanda’s Cookin’ combine three dessert favorites in one rich and indulgent bar.
The base is created with delicious peanut-butter-Rice Krispies bars. The next layer is made with creamy vanilla pudding, and the topping is a thick layer of melted chocolate. It’s a fantabulous combination of sweet and salty, crispy and creamy, delicious and delightful. Your family is sure to love each and every layer of this dessert!
6. No-bake pecan pie toffee bark
The flavors of pecan pie and toffee meet in a gorgeous No-bake pecan pie toffee bark from A Dash of Sanity. You can create this crispy, nutty delight in just 20 minutes, and you don’t even need a candy thermometer!
With just a few simple ingredients — pecans, brown sugar, butter, chocolate and saltines — you can create a sweet and salty combo that tastes like it took hours to make.
These are particularly great to make as gifts, for cookie exchanges and for holiday potlucks, because they don’t have to be stored in the fridge.
7. No-bake stained glass cookies
Sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious. These No-bake stained glass cookies from The Frugal Farm Wife are the perfect example. With just three simple ingredients and a handy-dandy microwave, you can create a log of fudgy, marshmallow goodness.
Just add butter, chocolate chips and marshmallows to a bowl, and voilà: in minutes, you will have a rocky road treat that’s as pretty to look at as it is fun to eat. Give it a little extra flair with butterscotch- or vanilla-flavored chips, nuts, raisins or other dried fruits.
8. No-bake avalanche cookies
Peanut butter, white chocolate, marshmallows and Rice Krispies combine to create an avalanche of flavor in these No-bake avalanche cookies from Cookies and Cups.
These crispy little treats are both crunchy and creamy… and highly addictive! Add your own favorite ingredients such as chocolate chips, nuts or melted chocolate to drizzle on top.
9. Coconut praline no-bake cookies
Pralines are a classic holiday candy, but they’re time consuming to make. These Coconut praline no-bake cookies from McCormick give you the delicious flavors of a coconut praline without all the effort. Sweetened condensed milk, butter, pecans, coconut and a hint of cinnamon combine to give you that golden-brown caramel flavor that almost everyone loves.
There is no need for refrigeration with these. Just whip them up, let them cool, and they are ready to enjoy.
10. Brown butter no-bake peanut Chex bars
The Brown butter no-bake peanut Chex bars from Betty Crocker combine the crunchy goodness of cereal with the sweet flavors of chocolate and marshmallows.
This recipe calls for peanuts, but you can use any variety of your favorite nuts, or omit them altogether. These bars also have a delicious drizzle of melted chocolate, though you can add your own flavor twist by experimenting with butterscotch or peanut butter chips.
Sprinkled with a little sea salt, they are the perfect combination of sweet, salty and crunchy. Bonus: Seven of the eight varieties of Chex cereal are gluten-free!
