The Best Holiday Desserts: Bark, Candy & Cookies (10 Easy Recipes)
By Sammi Brondo — November 4, 2026
This roundup has 10 easy recipes for homemade holiday gifts and cookie exchanges, from no-bake chocolate bark and cookies & cream truffles to crispy brownie brittle and a few favorite cookies and bars.
I’m not quiet about the fact that I have a sweet tooth. So it probably won’t surprise you that homemade treats are one of my favorite things to make this time of year.
Food is such a big part of holiday memories. And there’s something really special about handing a friend a little box of something you made, bringing a treat to a party, or showing up to a cookie swap with a big batch.
And here’s the best part: none of these are complicated. (I’m not much of a baker, so trust me on that one.) A lot of them are no-bake, plenty can be made ahead, and many make enough to share.
Pick a few to gift, bring to a party, or keep for yourself. Because yes, you’re allowed to keep some at home for when your sweet tooth hits 🙂
Planning your other holiday menus, too? Check out my ultimate Thanksgiving recipe roundup for even more delicious ideas!
Why You’ll Love These Holiday Bark, Candy & Cookies
- They’re easy. Most are simple to make, and several are no-bake, so they won’t take over your oven.
- They’re great for gifting. Bark, truffles, brittle, and bars all pack up easily into boxes and tins.
- They work for a cookie exchange. Cookie bars and big-batch cookies make it easy to bring plenty to share.
- Many are make-ahead friendly. Several can be made days ahead, and some freeze well.
- They offer a variety. There’s chocolate, fruit, nuts, peppermint, peanut butter, and cookie-dough flavors, so you can build a gift box with something for everyone.
- They’re fun to make with kids. Rolling truffles, decorating with sprinkles, and breaking bark into pieces are all kid-friendly jobs.
- They use simple ingredients. Most use pantry staples, so you won’t need a specialty shopping trip.
If you try any of the recipes, be sure to come back and leave a rating and review!
Cookie Dough Bark (high fiber, higher protein)
An easy no-bake bark with a soft almond flour cookie dough layer and a chocolate topping, finished with flaky salt. Keep it in the fridge or freezer for a sweet treat anytime.
Pistachio Butter Date Bark
Chewy dates layered with homemade pistachio butter, melted chocolate, and crunchy pistachios, finished with flaky salt. It’s a sweet-and-salty no-bake treat that keeps in the fridge for a week.
Chocolate Raspberry Bark
Just three ingredients: chocolate, coconut oil, and raspberries, frozen into a cold, tangy-sweet bark. Break it into pieces and keep it in the freezer.
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Clusters
Crunchy pistachios and puffed rice coated in dark chocolate and chilled until set. These no-bake clusters are easy to make, and they’re great with a sprinkle of flaky salt.
White Chocolate Peppermint Brownie Brittle
Thin, crispy chocolate brownie brittle drizzled with white chocolate and crushed peppermint. It’s festive, snackable, and keeps at room temperature for up to a week.
4-Ingredient Cookies & Cream Truffles
Oreos, cream cheese, and chocolate make these easy no-bake truffles, dipped in chocolate and finished with sprinkles. Use festive sprinkles for the holidays.
Holiday Cookie Bars
Chewy, buttery cookie bars studded with chocolate chunks and festive sprinkles, made in one 9×13 pan. They’re a great fit for cookie exchanges, and they freeze well.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Easy chocolate and peanut butter cookies that come together without turning on the oven. A simple option for gift boxes and cookie swaps.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
A simple, minimal-ingredient cookie that always hits the spot. Great for cookie exchanges and holiday treat boxes.
Banana Chocolate Chip Oaties
Soft oat cookies with banana and chocolate chips. A cozy cookie to add to your holiday spread.
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I hope these holiday bark, candy, and cookie gifts make your gift giving and cookie swapping a little easier and a lot more delicious. If you make any of these, tag me on Instagram at @sammibrondo.rd or leave a star rating and comment on the recipe – I love seeing what you make!
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Looking to create a healthier relationship with food? Check out my course here: Food Freedom for the Whole Family.
Not ready for that yet? Check out any of these free resources below:
How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Food blog
I’m an Intuitive Eating Dietitian and This is What I Do When My Body Image is Bad blog
How to Stop Obsessing About Weight While Working Towards Food Freedom blog
If you’ve made and love this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ rating and comment below!
