These delightful holiday treats require only 5 ingredients, yet each bite is filled with joyful flavor. Discover over 12 simple 5-ingredient holiday treats that are ideal for cookie platters, homemade gifts, snacking, and all the festive occasions in between. With options like peppermint bark, candied pecans, and chocolate-covered pretzels, you’ll want to indulge in more than just one!
While many of us associate holiday treats with elaborately decorated sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, or grand Yule logs, festive snacks need not be intricate. You can create something delightful and celebratory without an extensive ingredient list or spending hours in the kitchen.
Seasonal 5 Ingredient Treats
My team has curated 12+ quick and simple 5-ingredient holiday treats to keep handy for the season. Whether you need a last-minute cookie exchange idea, a no-bake solution, or a straightforward homemade gift, these selections will meet your needs.
Many of these treats are no-bake—something everyone appreciates when the oven is already occupied with Christmas cookies. Two popular choices include candied pecans and peppermint bark: festive, snackable, and perfect for gifting.
If cookies are what you’re craving, snowball cookies are a classic choice. With just 5 ingredients and 1 mixing bowl, you’ll be on your way to making these delicious crumbly shortbread treats. Other cookie platter favorites include chocolate swirled meringue cookies, coconut macaroons, and cinnamon spice palmiers (using store-bought puff pastry).
Each recipe in the following list contains 5 ingredients or fewer, requires minimal preparation, and brings a burst of holiday flavor. I hope you’ll discover a few new favorites within this collection!
More Holiday Baking Resources
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
A classic favorite, homemade chocolate-covered pretzels always delight crowds.
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
This incredibly easy and dangerously good creamy peanut butter fudge comes together in a few simple steps—no candy thermometer or stovetop needed.
Chocolate Swirled Meringue Cookies (GF)
These delightfully crisp meringue cookies, naturally gluten-free, have a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them absolutely irresistible.
Easy Candied Pecans
Whipping up a batch of these delicious cinnamon-sugar candied pecans takes around an hour and makes for an excellent homemade holiday gift!
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are among the simplest holiday cookies to prepare (requiring just 1 bowl!) and are essential on any cookie platter.
Peppermint Bark Recipe (GF)
This straightforward recipe features 3 layers of chocolate (dark and white) flavored with peppermint extract, topped with crushed candy canes. Perfect for gift-giving!
How to Make Oreo Balls (Truffles)
Oreo balls are a quick no-bake treat that everyone adores! You can choose regular, golden, mint, or any other Oreo flavor, and use either white or dark chocolate for the coating.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
These decadent no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars taste just like peanut butter cups and are always among the first treats to disappear from my family’s dessert table at Christmas.
Chocolate-Covered Date & Almond Truffles (GF)
These truffles that are covered in chocolate are made quickly and easily using a few whole, natural ingredients, yet they taste wonderfully indulgent. They’re great to prepare in advance, too.
Coconut Macaroons (GF & DF)
These naturally gluten-free and dairy-free coconut macaroons are sweet, moist, and chewy inside, with a crispy outer layer. Plus, they come together quickly—no chilling required!
White Chocolate Caramel Cashew Clusters (GF)
My simple no-bake recipe for white chocolate caramel cashew clusters results in homemade holiday candies that are creamy, chewy, crunchy, and buttery all at once.
Cinnamon & Spice Palmiers
If you’re in need of holiday cookies without much time, utilize store-bought puff pastry to create beautifully crisp cinnamon and spice palmiers in no time.
Peppermint Crunch Puppy Chow
A delightful and festive snack mix created from Chex cereal, white chocolate, crushed candy canes, and powdered sugar. Kids love to help with the shaking and, of course, the munching!
Favorite Rice Krispie Treats
For ultra gooey and buttery Rice Krispie treats, follow this recipe. Adding a bit more butter and marshmallow, along with a splash of vanilla and a pinch of salt, makes a world of difference.
We hope this curated list adds sweetness to your season. If you’re in search of more festive ideas, check out my comprehensive collection of Christmas cookie inspirations, no-bake desserts, and a straightforward recipe for homemade hot chocolate.
