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Simple Christmas Dessert Treats

July 19, 2022

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If you're looking for some delicious and easy Christmas desserts, look no further than your own kitchen.

With a few basic ingredients, and lots of chocolate, you can make some amazing holiday treats that will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth in minutes.

Peak Frosted Cupcakes

If someone asked me to pick my all time favorite season I would have to say it's a tie.

I mean, hands down, I'm all about summer.

But...

If you count Christmas as an official season? Well, then. I'm stumped.

So it's only natural that this girl jumps on the Christmas in July bandwagon every year. 

For one solid week, I get to dip my toes in the sand, while I listen to carols and sit on my flower filled patio turning my thrift store trash into Christmas crafting treasure.

And no one bats an eye.

Later this week, I'll get to the paint, but today I want to start with the sugar.

Because let's face it, Christmas treats are special. They taste better, they sparkle and you're allowed to eat them breakfast!

Of course, since I'm all about quick and easy DIY, you can be sure that my holiday treats are simple to make.

But they'll still make you look like a pro.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Chocolate Bundt Cake


This one is a showstopper simply because of its shape.

The pan does all the work, all you have to do is bake it and add a bit of confectioners sugar on top. 

Chocolate Bundt Cake on a plate

Plop it on a holiday plate and voila, instant cheer.

We bake ours from scratch with a recipe from the Fanny Farmer cookbook. You can use whatever recipe you like. 

You can also embellish it with crushed candy cane pieces or fresh berries, but we like it plain...with a little homemade whipped cream.

Easy Christmas Treats on a table

Or homemade vanilla ice cream.

Simple yet elegant. 

That a win-win in my book.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

Chocolate covered pretzels are another easy holiday treat and they're ridiculously quick to whip up. 

Wilton Chocolate Melting Pot with melted chocolate inside

I don't use the melts you find the craft stores, although you can, especially if you want colored chocolate.

I just prefer milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips. If I want a color, I usually buy white chocolate chips and color it myself.

I place them in my candy melter (<--- you can peek at it here) rather than the microwave.

I find I have more control over the melting, the chocolate never burns and it stays warm and liquified for as long as the melter is on.

I turn it on low, stir it often and then drop my pretzels in a few at a time.

I use a plastic spatula to flip them in the pot until they're totally covered.

Dipping Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Then I pick them up and place them on a tin foil or wax paper covered cookie sheet.

Once the tray is filled, I pop it in the fridge for a few hours.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels in The Fridge

When they've cooled down and the chocolate has hardened, I put them on a plate.

I prefer them plain, but while they're hot, you can add snowflake sprinkles or drizzle white chocolate over them.

Pretzel rods, covered in hot chocolate, can be rolled in all sorts of confections for a colorful variation.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Lots of possibilities here, but plain or jazzed up, these yummy treats won't last long.

Chocolate Dipped Christmas Cookies 


Along with our gingerbread house construction, Christmas cookie making and decorating has become an annual family tradition. 

Making Christmas Sugar Cookies

Everyone is home on Christmas Eve, the morning is usually free and we spend it elbow deep in sugar cookie dough.

Christmas Cut Out Cookies On Wax Paper

We make it from scratch, roll it out, cut out our shapes, bake and then decorate the cookies with all sorts of frosting, candies and sprinkles.

Best of all, we dip some of them in more of that decadent melted chocolate. And we don't stop at the cut outs.

We dip Oreos, chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, too. 

Sometimes, we even drizzle the chocolate on graham crackers. At Christmas, all cookies are fair game.

Chocolate Dipped Cookies and Pretzels

There are no rules here, folks. If it makes you smile,  dip away. 

Trust me, everything looks...and tastes...better covered in chocolate.


Chocolate Covered Cupcakes 

And I do mean everything. Including cupcakes.

I start by baking up a batch of homemade yellow cupcakes.

Plain Vanilla Cupcake on a plate

Then, with the paper on, I turn the cupcake upside down and dip just the top in the chocolate.

Chocolate Dipped Cupcake

When the chocolate has stopped dripping off the cupcake, I flip it over and put it on a plate to cool.

Easy Chocolate Dipped Cupcake

For a little variety, sometimes, I'll add a drizzle of chocolate to the top with a spoon instead, to only partially cover it. 

I've also layered white chocolate over the milk chocolate for an even prettier design.

Chocolate Drizzled Cupcake

Simple tricks that require no skill at all, but it make me look like a culinary school graduate.


Easy Frosted Cupcakes


Another quick and easy way to make your cupcakes stand out this holiday season is with frosting.

Christmas Cupcake Decorating

We don't use any fancy tools or techniques, just a few metal frosting tips that we picked up in a set and a couple of ziplock baggies.

We make our own frosting, but you can use store bought.

We cut the corner tip off the plastic bag, place the metal frosting tip inside, make sure it's secure and then fill the bag with frosting.

From there, it's all about a few little squeezes to let the frosting out.

Frosting Cupcakes With Bag

Again, not a lot of fussing, just a basic cupcake with frosting and maybe a few sprinkles, but wow.

Peak Frosted Cupcakes

And did I mention that they're delicious?

Christmas Cupcake Decorating

Plus these cupcakes are super fun to make.

And to me, next to cookies for breakfast, that's the best part about preparing holiday treats.

Especially when Christmas falls in July.

Happy {summertime} baking!

Super Simple Christmas Dessert Treats




Kim Signature


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  1. I need to learn more about this candy melter, but everything looks delicious, Kim. Of course I probably gained 5 pounds just reading the post! LOL

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    1. It's a handy little tool to have, Ann! Don't tell, but sometimes I just scoop the chocolate out and eat it off a spoon. Shhh...xo

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  2. I am a summer girl too but I love Christmas time. All of these look so yummy. You had me at chocolate covered pretzels. Yum! I cannot wait to see your crafts for Christmas. Have a good week. Enjoy that pool. So Jealous! xoxo Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! Those pretzels are my weakness…I could eat them all year long. Stay cool! xo

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  3. Merry Christmas! I'm with you - I love Summer and I love Christmas. I need to check out that chocolate melter. It looks like it would make my life easier!

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    1. It's a dangerously delicious little tool, Mari. Merry Christmas! 😉

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  4. Kim, your desserts all look scrumptious and fuss free! I usually hop on the Christmas in July bandwagon too, but the weeks of 100+ degree weather here have kept me from baking. According to the local forecasts, I'm not sure when we can expect our "normal 90s" temps (or lower!) again but I'm ready!

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    1. I hear you, Cecilia! We’ve got some tropical temps here, too. A little Christmas frost would feel very nice right about now!!

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  5. :-) you make me smile. Your treats look delicious, and I learned some tips form you. Thank You!

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    1. Thanks Carla...melted chocolate makes everyone look like a pro!!

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  6. :-) you make me smile. Your treats look delicious and I learned some tips from you! Thank You!

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  7. No fair - I just read this before breakfast, and now I'm thinking about putting away the oatmeal, and whipping up a batch of cupcakes, instead. I never thought of dipping them in chocolate, but, boy, do those look delicious, as does everything else! Merry Christmas in July!

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    1. Those chocolate covered cupcakes are my weakness, too, Amy. The pretzels can give them a run for their money though…hard for oatmeal to compete!

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  8. Such a cute post. I am good with Christmas anytime. yummy treats. My husband loves pretzels. That melting pot is on sale at Michaels for $19.99.

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    1. Thanks Linda, I needed a little cheer this week and Christmas in July and treats were a good way to start. Thanks for the Michael's tip, too. My melting pot is getting a little worn out.

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  9. Yes Kim, Christmas will be here in no time! All of these cookie decorating ideas are great and they all look so yummy!

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  10. Kim,
    My apologies for not coming by sooner...Been working in the Kitchen this week and doing a lot of craft projects to fit in with a new theme for late Summer...everything looks so yummy! I especially love the chocolate covered pretzels...will be saving that idea for this Christmas!! Thanks so much for visiting!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Never apologize, Deb! I am always happy to see your name in the comments.

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