Adding baking to the list of things to do this festive season might seem like a step too far. Like you don't have enough on your plate what with planning who to buy Christmas gifts for and choosing a turkey recipe for the big day and wondering whether to bother making a Christmas pudding or not.
But before you discount the idea completely, consider our plea on behalf of Christmas cookies and biscuits. You see, these recipes are all all really easy, and all come with a scent of spice and warmth and festivity guaranteed to fill your home with welcoming aromas. Taking just minutes to prepare, these easy baking ideas can easily be slotted in to an afternoon spent listening to carols and waiting for online deliveries to plop through the door.
So take your lead from the Scandinavian style of cinnamon biscuit and get some hygge on the go, or perhaps try some Santa Claus cake pops. Or some biscotti, glinting with cranberries, perhaps, an ideal edible gift to give the person you think has everything. Because who doesn’t enjoy a cookie at any time of year, especially at Christmas. Your festive edition of Great British Bake Off starts here.
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1
Lebkuchen
These traditional German Christmas cookies will really get you in the festive mood. Sprinkle edible glitter and silver balls over the top for an impressive finish and add to a Christmas hamper for that personal touch.
Try this lebkuchen recipe
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2
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pie Pops
Make these delicious peanut butter piepops even more indulgent by finishing them with a creamy chocolate coating.
Try this chocolate and peanut butter pie pops recipe
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3
Cranberry & Pistachio Biscotti
Who better to go to for foodie gift advice than the domestic goddess herself, Nigella Lawson. Deliciously crunchy, these tasty treats are best eaten dipped in espresso or presented in a glass jar and tied with a festive ribbon.
Try Nigella Lawson’s cranberry and pistachio biscotti recipe
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4
Beautiful Baubles Biscuits
This is a quirky alternative to glass baubles. Hungry guests might mean they disappear from the tree very quickly though.
Try Lindy Smith's beautiful baubles recipe
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5
Mulled Wine Stars
This simple yet delicious biscuit recipe from baker-to-the-stars Peggy Porschen is the perfect Christmas comfort food. Enjoy with a glass of mulled wine. Alternatively, these treats can be flavoured with spiced orange marmalade.
Try this mulled wine stars recipe
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6
Gingerbread Men and House
These cute cookies are not only tasty, but make a great table decoration as well. The kids will love decorating them too.
Try Lindy Smith's gingerbead scene recipe
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7
Lisa Faulkner's Christmas Biscuits recipe from 'Recipes From My Mother To My Daughter'
Children will love helping to make these biscuits, particularly cutting out the star shapes and decorating them with white icing. The perfect baking project, they will look beautiful hung from Christmas trees.
Try Lisa Faulkner’s Christmas biscuits recipe
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8
Star Of Wonder Biscuits
These sparkly chocolate bites will make perfect treats for the family. Tie together with ribbon as a classy gift.
Try Lindy Smith's star of wonder recipe
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9
Cinnamon Cookies
The cinnamon sprinkled on these crisp cookies gives them a wonderfully festive taste. Stack them in a glass jar decorated with ribbon for a lovely homemade food gift.
Try this crisp cinnamon cookies recipe
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10
Snowflake Cookie
These sparkly cookies will make a lovely table centrepiece hanging off some Christmassy twigs or will look just as nice on your Christmas tree.
Try Lindy Smith's snowflake cookie recipe
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11
Elderflower Lime Biscuits
Perfect for the Christmas festivities, these delicious biscuits are tangy, fragrant and incredibly moreish.
Try this elderflower and lime shortbread stars recipe
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12
Santa Cookies on Sticks
These adorable Santa biscuits are the perfect Christmas treat to bake with your children on those cold nights in.
Try this delicious Santa cookie recipe
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13
Chocolate, Orange and Cranberry Biscotti recipe, from 'The Hairy Dieters Eat For Life'
Chocolate, orange and cranberry are the perfect festive food combination. These deliciously crunchy biscotti biscuits are a wonderful treat to serve alongside a festive afternoon cuppa. You can also use orange-flavoured chocolate instead of the orange zest too.
Try this chocolate orange and cranberry biscotti recipe
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14
Shortbread
What could be better than a crumbly, buttery shortbread biscuit on a cold December afternoon? Alternatively, cut into thin fingers and serve as an after-dinner treat.
Try this shortbread recipe
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15
Ginger Snapdragon Cookies
Fed up with gingerbread in the shape of snowmen? Swap your usual Christmas treat with these delicious ginger cookies and decorate with a sophisticated edible gold leaf for a festive touch.
Try this gingerbread snapdragon cookie recipe
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16
Plate of Cookies
These delicious cookies infused with vanilla not only make a great snack, but can also double as a Christmas food gift. Use festive cutters for added effect.
Try this vanilla sugar cookie recipe
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17
Cranberry Cookies
The cranberry and almond in this cookie give it a wonderfully Christmassy taste. Stack and tie with a bow for a lovely gift idea.
Try this delicious cranberry and almond cookie recipe
