It's getting cooler outside, which makes this time of year the right time to crank up the heat in the kitchen. Most of the recipes included in this post can be prepped in less than half an hour, which will leave plenty of time to eat, drink and be merry.

I'm an Amazon Associate and I hope you enjoy the products I recommend. I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you. Thank you if you use my links, I really appreciate it!

Snow-Topped Holiday Sugar Cookies

This recipe is the perfect one if you want to save on prep time as it calls for using store bought refrigerated sugar cookie dough. Here's a quick tip to make the prep and clean up even easier, place your cookie dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll it out. These holiday cookie cutters by Wilton yield festive Christmas themed shapes and are easy to grip, so kids can have fun in helping with the baking fun.

Brownie Bark

Peppermint and brownie combine to make this delectable holiday bark. Once you've added the peppermint drizzle to the entire sheet of the brownie bark, be sure to top it off with these vibrant Christmas sprinkles for some holiday flair of pizzazz.

Caribbean-Style Rum Cake

This adults only treat perfectly combines buttery golden cake with rum, but if you're looking to make this appropriate for all ages, omit the rum and use a non-alcoholic rum substitute. Bake your cake in this party Bundt pan by Nordic Ware for a show stopping elegant design that will yield 20 evenly portioned slices.

Peppermint Bark Mocha

Some desserts are meant to be slowly sipped & savored. This winter classic delivers a rich experience to the tastebuds as the combination of espresso, chocolate and peppermint meld into the ultimate cup of cocoa. Serve up and enjoy in these elegant holiday mugs.

Caramel Apple Pie

This recipes oozes deliciousness and will likely be one you make on several occasions as you can use a pre-made pie crust, which will cut down on prep time. The slight tartness from the Granny Smith apples perfectly balances the sweetness from the caramel pecan crunch topping. Bake this lip smackin' pie in this sturdy ceramic pie plate as the ruffled edges add a festive touch perfect for holiday celebrations.

Christmas Cupcakes

These snowman cupcakes are almost too adorable to eat. The made from scratch recipe is easy to follow; however, you can take the quicker route by using your favorite flavor boxed cake mix and container of frosting as either path will lead to a sweet experience. This sturdy aluminum cupcake pan by Amazon yields evenly baked cupcakes and stores them in place as it includes a high domed lid to keep your decorated treats fresh. Let the kids get in on the fun with decorating and set out a decorating station with marshmallow, mini chocolate chips, colored sugar sprinkles and mixed candies for Frosty’s eyes and nose.

Dipped Peppermint Sticks

These portable treats make for a festive holiday party favor when wrapped in these perfectly sized candy bags that come with an array of twist ties.

Brownie Holiday Pops

If you think cake pops are delicious, these brownie pops set the bar even higher on the taste-o-meter as they combine cake and fudgy richness on a stick. This disher by Vollrath makes the final prep of this recipe a breeze as it scoops and shapes evenly portioned brownie pops. You can also use it to scoop drop cookie dough. Check out my browned butter chocolate chip cookie recipe for some bake-spiration.

Eggnog

Yes, you can take the direct route and pick up a carton of store bought eggnog, but trust me when I tell you that this easy recipe is well worth the 25 minutes it takes to prep and cook up a batch of this velvety ’liquid gold’. Serve in these stylish double walled glass mugs that keep the temperature of liquid hot for a longer period of time while the outer glass wall remains comfortable to the touch.

Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This made from scratch recipe yields a moist and warmly spiced cake that’s ideal for winter holiday gatherings. Show off your baking skills and display your cake on this Victorian style ceramic cake stand with floral embossed design.

Gingerbread-Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie combined with the fragrant warm spices of gingerbread yields for this tasty pie, which will be the new winter holiday favorite dessert in your household. Accentuate your pie by adding leaves made from pie dough using this 4 piece leaf pie cutter set. Christmas Tree Rice Krispy Treats

This classic Rice Krispies treat makes its winter debut decorated as vibrantly colored Christmas trees. This is another time saving recipe that can easily be made into a family/kid friendly activity by setting out an assortment of candies to use as tree ornaments and lights, mini candy cane sticks for the base of the tree and red icing to pipe out creative designs.

Classic Pizzelle

I learned of these delicious Italian cookies when I first moved to my adopted hometown, Philadephia, as they are quite ubiquitous in the Italian-American parts of the city. This modified recipe uses a hint of vanilla extract instead of the traditional flavor of anise extract, so I recommend that you experiment with both to determine which one wins over your flavor palette. Either way, you’re in for a sweet treat. This non-stick pizzelle maker cranks out two, 5 inch cookies at a time & I can almost guarantee that the irresistible aroma will have you noshing on them before they’ve cooled down.

Slow Cooker Pear Cider

This hot cider recipe deviates from the classic apple version as pears take center stage. The toughest part about this recipe is practicing patience as it cooks for a little over 8 hours in a slow cooker. One sip of this comforting libation and you’ll know it’s well worth the wait.

Candied Almond Cranberry Bark

This bark has it all, fruity notes of citrus and cranberry, almond crunch & the creaminess of rich white chocolate. Once it cools and sets into its solid state, break apart the bark and package them in these adorable Christmas treat bags (twist ties included) To gift out to loved ones.

Christmas Tree Cookie Bars

Sweet & salty come together in this scrumptious sugar cookie bar, which will delight all ages. No cookie cutters required here as your standard chef’s knife can quickly cut triangle shaped Christmas trees that can be adorned with red and green sugar sprinkles, green cookie icing and gold star shaped sprinkles as an extra special tree topper.

Chocolate-Topped Marshmallow Sticks

Here’s another kid friendly recipe to keep your kitchen elves occupied while you’re preparing holiday meals or entertaining party guests. Set up a decorating station including assorted nonpareils, colored sugars, small or crushed candies and flaked coconut to name a few and accessorize each marshmallow pop with these Christmas theme lollipop sticks.

Eggnog Praline Torte

Get ready to roll up your sleeves as the recipe for this stunning four layer luscious cake incorporates slightly advanced baking and candy making skills. Traditional holiday flavors of eggnog combined with almond praline crunch will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Go ahead, I won't tell if you decide to indulge in a slice of this scrumptious pie for breakfast as cinnamon roll and apple pie make for the dynamic duo in this surprisingly easy made from scratch recipe. Bake and serve in this elegant fluted pie plate by Emile Henry available in an array of colors to chose from.

Angel’s Delight Cocktail

I purposely saved this cocktail recipe as the best for last as this creamy martini is the ideal liquid dessert for adults as the subtle hint of juniper berry from the gin and the fruity citrus notes from the triple sec combine perfectly to make this a go-to holiday libation. Shake and serve in these stylishly designed martini glasses. Cheers and may your holiday season be a sweet one!

Enjoyed this post? Tell me which recipe you used by letting me know in the comments below.

But if you don't see anything in this post that you like and you live in the Philadelphia area, feel free to take a look at our menu for the perfect treat delivered right to your door.