The (Totally Easy) Holiday Baking Issue

Holiday baking doesn't have to involve a lot of time and effort.

My kids are finally at the age where helping in the kitchen is actually helpful. The cracked egg lands safely in the bowl (not the counter), no one ends up covered in flour, and the salt cellar doesn’t get knocked over … again. So, we’ve been baking nonstop these past several months. Nothing fancy, just straightforward, nostalgia-tinged recipes even my kids can pull off (with a bit of guidance), like chocolate chip cookies for school bake sales and boxed vanilla cake topped with whipped cream for a special after-dinner treat.

Now that the holidays are here, there’s no doubt our kitchen will turn into a holiday bakeshop. My helpers and I will need lots of fun, festive recipes that require minimal effort, tools, time, and skill. And we will be turning to Simply Recipes’ The (Totally Easy) Holiday Baking Issue—a treasure trove of easy baking recipes—for all of our baking needs.

For this issue, the editors gathered their favorite festive yet hassle-free cookie recipes and revealed magical ways to turn store-bought sugar cookie dough into something impressive. And if you’re planning for guests during the holidays, we have the most delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole recipes that will make your mornings less hectic. Whether you’re new to baking, just don’t have a lot of time, or want to invite your kids into the kitchen, there’s something here for you to try.

Happy (totally easy) baking!

— Myo Quinn, Associate Editorial Director

The Party Starts Here: Homemade Snack Mixes

With a handful of pantry staples, you can easily toss together a crunchy, salty, sweet, or spicy snack mix that your friends and family will eat by the handful. Best of all, these can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week so you can check it off your holiday get-together prep list early.

• Nutella Puppy Chow
• Honey Popcorn
• Sugared Pecans
• Sriracha Honey Chex Mix
• Classic Mixed Nuts

Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles

Feeding a crowd on busy holiday mornings is far easier when you have a make-ahead recipe in your back pocket.

• Spinach Florentine Breakfast Casserole
• French Toast Casserole
• Easy Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
• Everything Bagel Sandwich Casserole
• Monte Cristo Croissant Casserole
• Blueberry Maple Breakfast Bake
• Huevos Rancheros Casserole

Our Editors’ Favorite No-Fuss Holiday Cookies

Among the holiday potlucks and cookie swaps, it may be tempting to bake a special cookie for each occasion. But with so much to do during this busy season, picking one signature cookie is the secret to saving you precious time and effort. These are the cookie recipes our editors picked to make this holiday season. They’re delightfully easy and full of holiday cheer.

• Emma Christensen, General Manager: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
• Myo Quinn, Associate Editorial Director: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Laurel Randolph, Senior Editor: Smash Sugar Cookies
• Meg Scott, Senior Editor: Ginger Molasses Cookies
• Sara Bir, Senior Editor: Mexican Wedding Cookies

Store-Bought Sugar Cookie Magic

Cookies made with store-bought sugar cookie dough are delicious and incredibly convenient to boot. But the holidays call for something a bit more special. With some candy, spices, or nuts, you can easily doctor up store-bought sugar cookie dough into a unique holiday treat. Try one or all of these three ideas!

Read the Story: 3 Holiday Desserts With Store-Bought Cookie Dough

Best Store-Bought Sugar Cookie Dough

Recipe developer Robin Asbell uses Pillsbury Sugar Refrigerated Cookie Dough, but you use any brand you like. If you need gluten-free cookies, try King Arthur Baking Company.

Easy Bar Cookies

Bar cookies are a busy baker’s superpower. They allow you to make dozens of cookies in one go. They offer crunchy bases, gooey fillings, or creamy toppings that add up to festive appeal. Plus, bar cookies are more space-efficient for packing and shipping or stowing in tins. In this case, it’s hip to be square.

• Gingerbread Cookie Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Magic Bars
• Oh Henry Bars
• Monster Cookie Bars
• Lemon Bars
• Marble Blondies

Bake With What You've Got

Do you have boxed brownie mix in the pantry, extra candy canes laying around in a bowl, a jar of berry (any kind!) jam, or a pack of Oreo cookies? It’s your lucky day, because here are a bunch of fun recipes for you to try using any one of these staples.

If you have Boxed Brownie Mix, make:

• Brownie Cookies
• Mint Brownies
• Caramel Swirl Brownies

If you have Candy Canes, make:

• Truffles With Peppermint
• Peppermint Bark
• Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

If you have Berry Jam, make:

• Easy Jam Cake
• Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Cornflake Tart

If you have Oreos, make:

• Easy Dirt Cake
• No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
• Grasshopper Pie

Credits:
Photography by Julia Gartland, Fred Hardy, and Ciara Kehoe.
Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne and Jennifer Wendorf.
Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower.