These 8 Adorable Holiday Treats Will Keep Your Kids Smiling All Season Long

The holiday season is the perfect time to make memories with your kids in the kitchen! From festive cupcakes to creative cookies, these kid-friendly recipes are not only fun to bake but also easy to package and share using disposable pans and containers. Let’s dive into eight holiday treats your family will love, along with the perfect tools to make them.

Elf on the Shelf-Inspired Mischief Munch

Ingredients:

• 4 cups popcorn (plain or lightly salted)
• 2 cups pretzels
• 1 cup chocolate candies (like M&Ms)
• 1/2 cup festive sprinkles
• 1/2 cup melted white chocolate (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine popcorn, pretzels, and chocolate candies.
2. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the mix (optional) and toss gently.
3. Sprinkle festive sprinkles evenly and toss again.
4. Transfer the mix into the half size steam table pan, secure the lid, and enjoy!

Snowman Cupcake

Bring Frosty to life with adorable snowman cupcakes! Use the 4 ounce aluminum ramekins with a high dome lid that comes in festive colors. It’s perfectly sized for cupcakes, keeping them fresh and ready for gifting or serving at your holiday party. 

Ingredients:

• 12 pre-baked cupcakes
• Vanilla frosting
• Marshmallows
• Mini chocolate chips
• Orange candy pieces (for noses)

Instructions:

1. Frost the cupcakes with vanilla frosting.
2. Place a marshmallow on top of each cupcake for the snowman’s head.
3. Use mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, and orange candy pieces for the nose.
4. Store in the 4 ounce colored aluminum ramekins to keep them fresh and festive.

Hot Chocolate Fudge

Rich and creamy hot chocolate fudge is always a holiday favorite. Use the quarter-size foil sheet cake pan for the perfect thickness and easy serving. 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• Mini marshmallows (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and cocoa powder.
2. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
3. Pour into the quarter-size foil sheet cake pan and top with mini marshmallows if desired.
4. Cover with the cake pan lid for freshness.

Gingerbread Cookies

Decorating gingerbread cookies is a timeless holiday activity kids love. Bake and store a dozen cookies in the plastic hinge bakery container or use the 5" square plastic hinge deli container for smaller batches. These containers also make wonderful gifting options for teachers, neighbors, or friends.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses.
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a dough forms.
5. Roll out dough and cut into shapes.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes and let cool before decorating.
7. Pack in a plastic container for gifting.

Stained Glass Cookies

Stained glass cookies, made with sugar cookie dough and colorful Jolly Ranchers, are as stunning as they are tasty. Use the 8"x5" entrée pan to store and gift these eye-catching cookies. The container keeps them fresh and showcases their vibrant colors beautifully.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Assorted Jolly Rancher candies, crushed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
5. Roll out dough and cut shapes with cookie cutters. Use smaller cutters to create "windows."
6. Fill window areas with crushed Jolly Ranchers.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes and cool completely.
8. Store in the 8"x5" entrée pan for freshness and gifting.

Christmas Light Cupcakes

Add some sparkle to your holiday with Christmas light-themed cupcakes! Bake and gift them using our 6-count plastic cupcake container or our 12-count plastic cupcake container. These carriers make it easy to transport your festive creations to holiday gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 12 pre-baked cupcakes
• Vanilla or chocolate frosting
• Assorted mini candy-coated chocolates (like M&Ms)
• Black licorice strings

Instructions:

1. Frost the cupcakes.
2. Arrange licorice strings on each cupcake to resemble light strings.
3. Add candy-coated chocolates as "lights."
4. Package in 6-count plastic cupcake container or our 12-count plastic cupcake container for gifting.

Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites

Delightful and bite-sized, Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites are a showstopper. Use the 2 ounce red foil cups in to add a pop of festive color resembling Santa’s suit. These foil cups are perfect for individual servings and are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whipped cream
• Fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 batch of graham cracker crust (optional)

Instructions:

1. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.
2. Spoon mixture into 2 ounce red foil cups.
3. Top each bite with a strawberry to resemble a Santa hat.
4. Chill before serving.

Hot Chocolate Bombs

Hot chocolate bombs are a holiday must-have! Use the 2 ounce foil cups with a high dome lid for individual packaging. If making a dozen, the 12-compartment plastic mini cupcake container is perfect for showcasing a variety of flavors. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, melted
• Hot cocoa mix
• Mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Pour melted chocolate into silicone molds, coating evenly. Let set.
2. Fill half of the molds with cocoa mix and marshmallows.
3. Seal by placing another chocolate shell on top, using melted chocolate as glue.
4. Package individually in 2 ounce foil cups with a high dome lid or arrange in 12-compartment plastic mini cupcake container.

Bonus Tip: Display Your Creations

Looking for a way to showcase all your holiday treats? Our catering tray is perfect for displaying cookies, cupcakes, and other desserts. Use it as the centerpiece for your holiday table or to present an assortment of treats at a festive gathering.

Making holiday treats with your kids is a fun way to create lasting memories. With these recipes and the right disposable pans and containers, you’ll have no trouble baking, storing, and gifting your creations this season. Happy holidays and happy baking!