With the busy schedules that occur during the holiday season, not everyone has the time (or patience) for hours of baking.
That’s where no-bake cookies shine.
From creamy peanut butter crackers to chocolate cookie mint truffles and chocolate oatmeal clusters, these simple sweets bring big flavor without turning on the oven.
They’re perfect for beginners, fun for kids to make, and always a hit at holiday parties or cookie exchanges.
Why You’ll Love These No-Bake Cookies
- No oven needed: Perfect for busy days or perfect all year long when you don't want to warm up the kitchen.
- Quick & easy: A lifesaver for busy schedules since most recipes take under 20 minutes to make. Festive flavors: From chocolate to peppermint, these adaptable cookies are filled with the taste of Christmas!
- Kid-friendly: Great for little helpers in the kitchen to learn and make memories to last a lifetime.
- Perfect for gifting: Package them in pretty tins or boxes with colorful, bright ribbon for hard-to-buy folks with these homemade, easy cookies.
Tips for Making the Best No-Bake Cookies
- Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies: Boil the sugar and cocoa mixture for exactly one minute. This is a very important step: use a timer. This is a must for them to set properly. Use quick oats for a chewy texture. Add a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet touch or top with colorful candied sprinkles before they set.
- Coconut Snowballs: Chill the mixture slightly before rolling to make shaping easier and the cheese great stiff. Roll in extra coconut or powdered sugar for a snowy finish, or some toasted coconut tinted. Add a drop of almond or rum extract for a festive flavor twist.
- Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches: Use buttery round crackers for the perfect sweet-salty balance. Dip in melted white or dark chocolate and top with holiday sprinkles or crushed nuts. Store in a cool place so the chocolate stays firm and glossy.
- Butterscotch Cornflake Clusters. Melt the butterscotch chips and peanut butter slowly; if the heat is too high, it can harden and seize the mixture. Fold in the cornflakes to keep them crunchy. Add mini marshmallows or peanuts for extra flavor and texture.
- Chocolate Cookie Mint Truffle: Crush cookies finely for a smooth truffle texture. Chill the mixture before dipping it in melted chocolate for easier coating. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, holiday sprinkles, or colored sugar, or drizzle with white or dark chocolate for a festive look.
Why These Make Perfect Holiday Gifts
- Homemade with Love: There’s something extra special about a treat that’s made by hand. Easy to Package: Layer them in clear bags or tins tied with ribbon, most found at economical dollar stores for inexpensive holiday magic!
- Longer Shelf Life: No-bake cookies tend to stay fresh for days, great for mailing and shipping, and gifting early.
- Great for Cookie Exchange and Swaps: They travel well and stand out from traditional baked cookies. No-bake cookies don’t need any fancy equipment, and you won't spend hours in the kitchen to make something special.
- They’re festive, foolproof, and filled with the joy of homemade goodness. These are the perfect holiday treat to share, gift, or make together as a family.
Pin Holiday Candy Cookies for Later
5 No-Bake Holiday Candy Cookies Everyone Will Love
Perfect for cookie exchanges, last-minute guests, or a fun activity with kids, these recipes bring all the sweetness of the season without the stress.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
- Coconut Snowball Cookie
- 2 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 can (14 ounces in size) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for garnishing
- Peanut Butter Cracker Cookies
- 1 sleeve of round buttery any brand crackers
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening, melted in with the chocolate chips ( this will create a smoother coating)
- Chocolate Cookie Mint Truffles
- 1 package chocolate cream-filled cookies
- 1 (8 ounces in size) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup white chocolate chips ( use a good-grade chocolate)
- crushed candy canes or chopped mint-flavored chocolates for garnish
- Butterscotch Cornflake Clusters
- 1 (11-ounce) bag butterscotch chips
- 1 cup smooth creamy peanut butter
- 4 cups cornflakes cereal
Instructions
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Directions
- In a medium heavy-duty-sized saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt until evenly blended.
- Quickly add the oats to evenly coat them.
- Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper or use a cookie scoop and let them set for about 30 minutes.
- Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use dark cocoa powder. For a fall spice, add some cinnamon to the oats step.
- If the cookies don’t set, the mixture may need to boil a little longer next time.
- Coconut Snowball Cookie Directions
- In a large bowl, mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla.
- Roll into 1-inch balls, then roll each one in powdered sugar.
- Chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator on a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet. Store leftovers in the refrigerator until ready to serve or freeze up to 3 months.
- Tips:
- Add a few drops of almond extract for extra holiday flavor and green food paste coloring to tint the coconut if desired.
- Roll in shredded coconut for a “snowy” look!
- Peanut Butter Cracker Directions
- Place a pair of crackers on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Fill each paired cracker with peanut butter to make sandwiches.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips with shortening in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Using two forks, dip each peanut butter-filled cracker sandwich in the chocolate.
- Drip them over the bowl to catch the excess.
- Place them back on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and chill until set.
- Tips:
- Add holiday sprinkles, colorful sugars, crushed candy canes, or sea salt on top before the chocolate sets for a festive variety.
- Use white chocolate for a substitution or butterscotch chips.
- Chocolate Cookie Mint Truffle Directions
- Add the cookies to a zip-lock bag and crush with a rolling pin into fine crumbs.
- Blend in the crumbs with the softened cream cheese until evenly blended.
- Roll into small balls and chill for 30 to 40 minutes until firm.
- Melt white chocolate and dip each ball to coat evenly.
- Quickly sprinkle with the garnish of choice while the coating is still wet and chill again.
- Tips:
- Use two forks for dipping to keep your hands clean.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze up to 3 months.
- Butterscotch Cornflake Clusters Directions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butterscotch chips with the peanut butter over low heat, stirring to combine evenly.
- Fold in the cornflakes until coated.
- Drop spoonfuls or use a cookie scoop onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Air dry for around an hour until the set.
- Tips:
- Add mini marshmallows or chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
- Chill for faster setting and firmer cookies.
Notes
Tips for Making the Best No-Bake Cookies
- Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies: Boil the sugar and cocoa mixture for exactly one minute. This is a very important step: use a timer. This is a must for them to set properly. Use quick oats for a chewy texture. Add a sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet touch or top with colorful candied sprinkles before they set.
- Coconut Snowballs: Chill the mixture slightly before rolling to make shaping easier and the cheese great stiff. Roll in extra coconut or powdered sugar for a snowy finish, or some toasted coconut tinted. Add a drop of almond or rum extract for a festive flavor twist.
- Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches: Use buttery round crackers for the perfect sweet-salty balance. Dip in melted white or dark chocolate and top with holiday sprinkles or crushed nuts. Store in a cool place so the chocolate stays firm and glossy.
- Butterscotch Cornflake Clusters. Melt the butterscotch chips and peanut butter slowly; if the heat is too high, it can harden and seize the mixture. Fold in the cornflakes to keep them crunchy. Add mini marshmallows or peanuts for extra flavor and texture.
- Chocolate Cookie Mint Truffle: Crush cookies finely for a smooth truffle texture. Chill the mixture before dipping it in melted chocolate for easier coating. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, holiday sprinkles, or colored sugar, or drizzle with white or dark chocolate for a festive look.
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Try Some Of Our Other Favorite Holiday Recipes
Peanut Brittle
Baked Caramel Corn
Irish Potato Candy
No-Bake Rum Balls
Easy Fudge Recipe
Salted Caramel Bites
