Deck the kitchen with easy and festive treats to make with kids from one to ninety-two.

Story By Sheila Paz

For many locals the holidays mean opening their homes to family and young children, filling every corner with laughter, love and generations of joyful chaos. For those with little ones in tow, it’s the perfect time to turn festive moments into cherished memories. So roll up your sleeves, don those cheerful aprons and dive into some grandbaby-approved holiday magic! These recipes aren’t just delicious — they’re opportunities to bond, laugh and craft festive treats together. From decorating Christmas tree pizzas to transforming pretzels into reindeer, you can count on flour-dusted counters, giggles echoing through the kitchen and a house brimming with holiday cheer. Let the mess and memories begin!

Pretzel reindeer sticks

Move over, Rudolph! These sweet-and-salty reindeer are here to guide the sleigh straight to snack time. Complete with candy eyes and a red nose, these treats will have everyone grinning from antler to antler.

Ingredients

Large pretzel rods

Milk or dark chocolate chips (or chocolate melting wafers)

Mini pretzel twists (for antlers)

Candy eyes

Red candy-coated chocolates (for noses) 

Directions

[1] Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to place the reindeer pretzels after dipping. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips or wafers in 15-30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and fully melted. [2] Dip the top half of each pretzel rod into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to help coat it evenly, if needed. Let any excess chocolate drip off. Before the chocolate hardens, press two mini pretzel twists onto each side of the chocolate-dipped pretzel rod to resemble antlers. [3] Place two candy eyes just below the antlers on the chocolate-covered section of the pretzel rod. Below the eyes, add a red candy-coated chocolate to create the nose. [4] Place the completed reindeer pretzel rods on the prepared baking sheet, and allow the chocolate to set. You can place them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up the process. 

Christmas tree brownies

Who says trees can’t be chocolate? These brownie trees come with holiday straws for trunks and frosting decorations that let kids decorate as wild as they want. Just be prepared for a sprinkle storm.

Ingredients

Brownie mix (or use your favorite brownie recipe)

Green icing (store-bought or homemade)

Small star-shaped sprinkles 

Assorted holiday sprinkles 

Paper straws or candy canes (for tree stems)

Directions

[1] Heat your oven and prepare a brownie mix according to the package instructions, or make a homemade batch. Pour the batter into a rectangular baking pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal. Bake the brownies as directed. Once baked, let them cool completely in the pan. [2] Once the brownies are fully cooled, carefully lift them from the pan using the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut the brownies into triangular shapes to resemble Christmas trees. [3] Insert a small piece of a paper straw or a candy cane into the base of each triangle to serve as the tree “stem.” Using green icing, pipe a zig-zag pattern across each brownie triangle. While the icing is still soft, decorate with small star-shaped and assorted holiday sprinkles.

Strawberry Santa cheesecake bites

Add a little holiday cheer to your dessert table with these adorable Santas. Combining fresh strawberries with a creamy mascarpone cheesecake filling, these treats are as easy to make as they are delightful to eat. Perfect for a festive snack or a quick holiday dessert, they’ll be the jolly hit of your gathering. 

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries 

1 cup mascarpone cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons heavy cream 

Mini chocolate chips or black icing (for eyes)

Directions

[1] Wash and dry the strawberries thoroughly. Cut off the green tops to create a flat base. Then, slice off the tip of each strawberry to form Santa’s hat. Set the hats aside. [2] In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a little heavy cream to reach your desired consistency. [3] Use a piping bag or a spoon to dollop the mascarpone mixture onto the flat base of each strawberry. Place the hat back on top, leaving a gap for the filling to peek out as Santa’s face. [4] Pipe small dots of mascarpone onto the front of the strawberry to create buttons. Use mini chocolate chips or black icing to form eyes on the cheesecake filling. Add a tiny dollop of mascarpone on the top of each hat to mimic a pom-pom. Serve immediately, or chill them in the refrigerator for up to two hours before serving.

Melting snowman cookies

Add some humor to your holiday table with these adorable (and slightly tragic) snowman cookies. These easy-to-make treats combine soft sugar cookies, fluffy marshmallows and a dash of creativity. Perfect for kids to decorate, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. 

Ingredients

12 sugar cookies (store-bought or homemade)

12 large marshmallows

1 cup white icing (store-bought or homemade)

Black, orange, and blue gel icing (for faces and details)

Sprinkles or colored candies for extra decoration

Directions

[1] If baking your own sugar cookies, let them cool completely before decorating. Store-bought cookies work just as well for a quick option. [2] Spread a thin layer of white icing on the top of each cookie, letting it drip slightly over the edges to resemble melted snow. [3] Microwave the marshmallows for about 10-15 seconds, just until they soften slightly (be careful not to overheat). Place one softened marshmallow on each cookie to represent the snowman’s head. [4] Use black gel icing or edible markers to draw eyes, a mouth and stick arms on the icing around the marshmallow. Add an orange nose for the snowman using gel icing or a small candy piece. Draw on scarves, buttons or bow ties with blue gel icing, or add candy sprinkles for a touch of extra personality. [5] Allow the icing to set for about 10 minutes before serving, or refrigerate briefly to speed up the process.

Kiwi pomegranate Christmas tree

Add a touch of health and whimsy to your holiday spread with this delightful tree. Perfect as a festive centerpiece or a refreshing snack, this easy-to-make creation is as vibrant as it is delicious. With juicy kiwi slices stacked to resemble a tree and sparkling pomegranate seeds as ornaments, it’s a treat that will light up your holiday table.

Ingredients

5 ripe kiwis

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

1 small star-shaped slice of pear, apple or pineapple (for the tree topper)

Directions

[1] Peel the kiwis and slice them into thin, round pieces. [2] On a serving platter, stack the kiwi slices in a circular, layered pattern, starting with the largest slices at the base. Gradually use smaller slices as you build upwards to form a cone shape resembling a Christmas tree. [3] Scatter pomegranate seeds across the kiwi layers, tucking them into the “branches” to mimic tree ornaments. Place the star-shaped fruit slice at the very top of the tree for a festive finishing touch. Serve immediately as a healthy snack or a decorative addition to your holiday table.

Snowy almond pinecones

Bring a touch of winter magic to your holiday table with these enchanting “pinecones.” Perfectly crisp and golden on the outside with a sweet almond filling at their core, these little treats are as delicious as they are beautiful. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or creating a memorable baking project with the kids, these edible pinecones are sure to be a showstopper. Best of all, they add a whimsical touch of “snow” to our mild weather — no winter chill required!

Ingredients

1 package of puff pastry sheets, thawed

1/2 cup almond paste or marzipan

1/4 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for dusting)

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

2 tablespoons sliced almonds 

Directions

[1] Heat your oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface, and cut them into small diamond or square shapes, approximately 1 inch in size. [2] In a small bowl, mix the almond paste, powdered sugar and almond extract until smooth. [3] Take one puff pastry square, and add a tiny dollop of almond filling in the center. Stack another puff pastry piece on top at a slight angle, so the corners don’t align, to create a layered look. Continue layering until you achieve a pyramid or “pinecone” shape. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and filling. [4] Gently brush the tops and sides of each pinecone stack with the beaten egg to give them a golden finish during baking. Press a few sliced almonds into the layers for texture. [5] Place the assembled pinecones on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Allow the pinecones to cool slightly, then generously dust with powdered sugar to create the “snowy” effect.

Holday tree mini pizzas

Nothing says “happy holidays” like a mini pizza dressed up as a tree. These easy-to-assemble treats give kids a chance to get creative — and you a chance to practice the patience of a saint when they decide to pile on all the cheese.

Ingredients

Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)

Pizza sauce

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Green bell pepper, sliced thinly (for branches)

Red bell pepper, sliced thinly (for garland)

Yellow bell pepper, cut into small stars (for tree toppers)

Olive oil, for brushing

Directions

[1] Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. Use a knife or pizza cutter to shape the dough into small Christmas tree shapes. [2] Place the tree-shaped dough on the prepared baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each tree, leaving a small border along the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. [3] Lay green bell pepper slices in a zig-zag pattern on each tree to resemble branches. Add red bell pepper slices diagonally to resemble a garland. Place a small yellow bell pepper star at the top of each tree. [4] Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil for a golden crust. Bake the mini pizzas in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Remove the mini pizzas from the oven, let them cool slightly and serve warm.