These 5 ingredient holiday treats use just a handful of ingredients, yet still pack a whole lot of joy into every bite. Here are 12+ easy 5-ingredient holiday treats perfect for cookie trays, homemade gifts, snacking, and every merry moment in between. With recipes like peppermint bark, candied pecans, and chocolate-covered pretzels on the list, you’ll definitely want to try more than just one!
We often associate holiday treats with intricately decorated Christmas sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, or a show-stopping Yule log, but festive desserts do not have to be complicated. You don’t need a long ingredient list (or hours in the kitchen!) to make something delicious and celebratory.
Seasonal 5 Ingredient Treats
My team and I gathered 12+ quick, easy 5-ingredient holiday treats to keep in your back pocket this season. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute cookie exchange recipe, an easy no-bake option, or a simple homemade gift, this collection has you covered.
Many of these recipes are no-bake—something we can all appreciate when the oven is already busy baking Christmas cookies. Two favorites include candied pecans and peppermint bark: festive, snackable, and perfect for gifting.
Peanut butter fudge, Oreo balls, and Rice Krispie treats also fit the bill for quick no-bake holiday treats.
If it’s cookies that you’re after, snowball cookies are a classic. Just 5 ingredients and 1 mixing bowl stand between you and these irresistible crumbly bite-sized shortbread cookies. Chocolate swirled meringue cookies, coconut macaroons, and cinnamon spice palmiers (using store-bought puff pastry) are also cookie platter favorites.
Every recipe on the following list uses just 5 ingredients or fewer, requires minimal prep, and delivers big holiday flavor. I hope you’ll find a few new favorites from this collection!
More Holiday Baking Resources
- 20 Christmas Breakfast Ideas
- 75+ Christmas Cookie Recipes (including a free shopping list printable)
- How to Host a Cookie Decorating Day
- 150+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Bakers
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
A timeless favorite, homemade chocolate-covered pretzels are always a crowd pleaser.
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
This is my dangerously good (and easy!) creamy, smooth peanut butter fudge that comes together in just a few easy steps without a candy thermometer or stove.
Chocolate Swirled Meringue Cookies (GF)
Delightfully crisp on the outside with a melt-in-your-mouth texture inside, these naturally gluten-free chocolate meringues are absolutely irresistible.
Easy Candied Pecans
Whipping up a batch of easy cinnamon-sugar candied pecans takes around 1 hour… and they make for a great homemade holiday gift!
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are some of the easiest Christmas cookies you could make (only 1 bowl needed!) and a must-have on every cookie tray.
Peppermint Bark Recipe (GF)
This simple recipe features 3 layers of white and dark chocolate flavored with peppermint extract, plus crushed candy canes for garnish. Great for gifting.
How to Make Oreo Balls (Truffles)
Oreo balls are a simple no-bake treat that everyone loves! Choose regular, golden, mint, or another flavor of Oreo cookies, and white or dark chocolate for coating these easy Oreo truffles.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
These incredibly decadent no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars taste just like peanut butter cups and are the first treat to fly off my family’s dessert platter every Christmas.
Chocolate-Covered Date & Almond Truffles (GF)
These chocolate-covered date and almond truffles are made quickly and easily from just a few whole, natural ingredients… but still taste perfectly indulgent. They’re a great make-ahead treat, too.
Coconut Macaroons (GF & DF)
These naturally gluten-free and dairy-free coconut macaroons are sweet, moist, and chewy on the inside with a perfectly crisp exterior. Bonus: no dough chilling required, so they come together in a snap.
White Chocolate Caramel Cashew Clusters (GF)
My easy no-bake recipe for white chocolate caramel cashew clusters produces homemade holiday candies that are altogether creamy, chewy, crunchy, and buttery.
Cinnamon & Spice Palmiers
If you need holiday cookies and don’t have much time, use store-bought puff pastry and follow my directions for beautiful, buttery, crisp cinnamon and spice palmiers in a flash.
Peppermint Crunch Puppy Chow
A sweet and festive holiday snack mix made from just Chex cereal, white chocolate, candy canes, and confectioners’ sugar. Kids love helping with the shaking step (and the eating step!!).
Favorite Rice Krispie Treats
For extra gooey and buttery rice krispie treats, use this recipe. The addition of a little extra butter and marshmallow, plus a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, makes all the difference.
We hope this list helps make your season a little sweeter. If you’re looking for more festive ideas, be sure to browse my full collection of Christmas cookie ideas, no-bake desserts, and a simple recipe for homemade hot chocolate.
