The holidays are a time for gathering, sharing, and indulging in flavors that warm the heart and spark joy. From classic cookies to inventive treats, baking during this season is more than a tradition, it’s a way to create memories that last long after the last crumb disappears. Whether you’re hosting a festive party or cozying up by the fire, these recipes bring together the best of sweet and savory to make your celebrations unforgettable.
This year, we’re showcasing recipes that celebrate the season’s most beloved flavors with a creative twist. From rich peanut butter to smoky bacon and crunchy nuts, these treats combine classic comfort with festive flair. Whether you’re looking for something whimsical, indulgent, or gift-worthy, these six recipes will make your holiday baking both memorable and delicious!
Peanut Butter Chai Cookies
EntertainingIngredients
| Cookies | |
|---|---|
| 1 | cup butter, softened |
| 1 | cup brown sugar |
| ½ | cup SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter |
| 1 | egg |
| 1 | teaspoon vanilla extract |
| 1½ | cups flour |
| 1 | teaspoon baking powder |
| 1 | teaspoon cinnamon |
| ⅜ | teaspoon ginger |
| ½ | teaspoon nutmeg |
| ½ | teaspoon sea salt |
| ¼ | teaspoon ground cardamom |
| ¼ | teaspoon ground cloves |
| ⅛ | teaspoon ground allspice |
| ⅛ | teaspoon black pepper |
| Extra nutmeg for sprinkling glazed cookies |
| Glaze | |
|---|---|
| 1½ | cups powdered sugar |
| 2 | tablespoons SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter |
| 2 | tablespoons whole milk |
Directions
For the Cookies
In bowl of stand mixer, mix together butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, sea salt, cardamom, cloves, allspice, and black pepper. Cover and chill one hour.
Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop dough into two-inch balls. Place on prepared cookie sheets, 2-inches apart. Flatten slightly with hand.
Bake 10 minutes or until cookies are golden brown and firm to touch. Cool on pan.
Glaze cooled cookies. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
For the Glaze
In small bowl, combine ingredients.
Browned Butter Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars
EntertainingIngredients
| ½ | stick butter |
| 3½ | cups flour |
| 2 | teaspoons baking soda |
| 1 | teaspoon salt |
| 1 | cup SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter |
| 1½ | cups brown sugar |
| ½ | cup granulated sugar |
| 2 | teaspoons vanilla |
| 2 | eggs |
| 1½ | cups chocolate chunks |
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until light golden brown. Remove from heat; cool 15 minutes.
In medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
In bowl of stand mixer, combine browned butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks. Press dough into prepared pan.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan. Cut into bars.
Dipped Mixed Nut Cookie Reindeer
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | cup almond flour |
| 1 | cup powdered sugar |
| 1 | (7-ounce) package marzipan |
| 1 | teaspoon vanilla |
| 2 | egg whites, divided |
| 1 | cup chopped PLANTERS® Deluxe Salted Mixed Nuts |
| ½ | cup milk chocolate, melted |
| 30 | candy eyes |
| 15 | red cinnamon candies |
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment. In bowl of food processor, mix almond flour, marzipan, vanilla, powdered sugar and 1 egg white until dough forms and pulls from the sides.
Place chopped mixed nuts into shallow plate. Using a medium sized ice cream scoop, make 15 dough balls. Roll each ball into a log.
Brush each log with remaining egg white and roll in mixed nuts. Bend each log to create “U” shape. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Cool completely. Dip ends of each cookie in melted milk chocolate.
Using chocolate as “glue”, add eyes and cinnamon candy nose to resemble reindeer face. Let set in refrigerator 10 minutes.
Candied Bacon Monster Cookies
EntertainingIngredients
| 2 | cups packed brown sugar |
| 1 | cup butter, softened |
| 1 | cup SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter |
| 2 | eggs |
| 2 | teaspoons vanilla extract |
| 2 | cups all-purpose flour |
| 2 | cups quick-cooking oats |
| 1 | teaspoon baking powder |
| 1 | teaspoon baking soda |
| 1 | teaspoon salt |
| 1 | cup chocolate chips |
| 1 | cup mini candy-coated chocolate pieces |
| 12 | slices Candied Thick Cut Bacon, chopped and dividedHeat oven to 350°F. |
| Candied Thick-Cut Bacon | |
|---|---|
| 1 | (1-pound) package HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Original Thick Cut Bacon |
| 1 | cup maple syrup |
| 2 | cups firmly packed brown sugar |
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, combine brown sugar, butter and peanut butter. Beat at medium speed until well mixed. Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat at low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolate pieces and 1 cup chopped candied bacon pieces.
Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets; flatten balls slightly. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Top each cookie with additional candied bacon pieces. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; transfer to cooling rack. Store in refrigerator.
For the Candied Thick-Cut Bacon
Heat oven to 375°F. Grease wire racks; place on baking sheets. Dip each bacon slice in maple syrup. Sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Arrange in single layer on wire racks. Bake 35-40 minutes or until browned and candied. Let stand on racks to cool.
Dipped Pretzels and Bacon
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | cup semisweet chocolate chips |
| 1 | cup white vanilla flavored melting wafers |
| 1 | (10-ounce) bag pretzel rods (about 28 pretzels) |
| 1 | (16-ounce) package HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Original bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled |
| Chocolate or colored sprinkles and chopped PLANTERS® peanuts, if desired |
Directions
In medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips HIGH (100%), stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth.
In medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave melting wafers HIGH (100%), stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth.
Dip one end of each pretzel in melted chocolate or vanilla; arrange on wax-paper-lined baking sheets.
Decorate with colored sprinkles or peanuts, if desired. Sprinkle each with crumbled bacon.
Refrigerate 15 minutes or let stand at room temperature 30 minutes or until set. Store in refrigerator.
Brittle Nut Medley Candy Clusters
EntertainingIngredients
| 12 | ounces vanilla-flavored candy coating or almond bark, cut into pieces |
| 2½ | cups PLANTERS® Brittle Nut Medley |
| Assorted decors, if desired |
Directions
Line baking sheet with waxed paper. In 2-quart saucepan, melt candy coating over low heat, stirring constantly.
Stir in nut mix. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheet. Sprinkle with decors, if desired. Let stand until set. Store in refrigerator.
SKIPPY® Pretzel PB Bites Snowball Munch
On the GoIngredients
| 8 | cups oven toasted rice cereal |
| 2 | (8-ounce) packages SKIPPY® Pretzel P.B. Bites, divided |
| 1 | cup semisweet chocolate chips |
| ½ | cup SKIPPY® creamy peanut butter |
| ¼ | cup butter |
| 1 | teaspoon vanilla |
| 1½ | cups powdered sugar |
| 1 | cup candy coated chocolate pieces |
Directions
In large bowl, measure cereal and 1½ cup Bites; set aside.
In small microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips and peanut butter and butter on HIGH 45 to 60 seconds, or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla.
Pour mixture over cereal, stirring to coat evenly. Pour into a large resealable food storage bag.
Add powdered sugar to bag, seal and toss to coat. Spread mixture on waxed paper to cool.
Add reserved SKIPPY® Pretzel P.B. Bites and candy-coated chocolate pieces.
Store in airtight container.
Dark Chocolate Bacon Bark
EntertainingIngredients
| 1 | package (10 to 12 ounces) dark chocolate chips |
| 1 | (12-ounce) package Limited Edition* HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH™ Flavored Thick Cut Bacon, or HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Maple Bacon cooked and crumbled, divided (*while supplies last) |
| ½ | cup sweetened wheat and rice cereal, crushed |
Directions
Line a 10 x 15-inch baking sheet with parchment; set aside.
In a double boiler or metal bowl over hot water, melt chips until two-thirds are melted. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Stir in half of the bacon. Spread onto prepared pan; top with remaining bacon. Sprinkle with cereal. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes or until firm. Break or cut into pieces. Store refrigerated.