No-Bake Christmas Treats

My mom made Buckeye Balls every Christmas season, and they’re still my favorite no-bake Christmas treats. The oven stays free for the ham and cookies, and the candy tray fills up fast!

No-bake treats are a lifesaver during the holiday season, because the oven is busy with everything else. Some of these melt in the microwave, some boil for a few minutes on the stove and some just chill in the fridge.

My top picks are Buckeye Balls, Original Fantasy Fudge, Cornflake Cookies and Easy Peanut Butter Pie. Below are 14 easy no-bake recipes, sorted into fudge, candy, cookies and chilled desserts, plus how long each kind keeps.

Easy Christmas Fudge

Fudge is the heart of our Christmas candy tray. My grandma called Fantasy Fudge her special marshmallow fudge, and it’s still a holiday favorite at our house.

These three take a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, from old-fashioned stovetop fudge to a vanilla fudge that tastes like sugar cookies.

Christmas Candy and Truffles

From chocolate truffles to buckeyes, this no-bake candy looks like it came from a sweet shop. If you love peanut butter cups, Buckeye Balls will be your new favorite.

The candied nuts even cook in the slow cooker, so they’re hands-off. Buckeyes are a big deal here in Ohio!

No-Bake Christmas Cookies

Old-fashioned no-bake cookie recipes cook on the stovetop for just a couple of minutes, then set up on wax paper. They’re sturdy, easy to stack and great for dessert trays, a cookie plate for the neighbors or a cookie swap.

Chilled Christmas Desserts

These no-bake Christmas desserts set up in the fridge, so you can make them the day before Christmas dinner. The cake dip is fun for kids to stir together, and it looks so cute on a holiday dessert table.

How Long Do No-Bake Christmas Treats Last?

Each recipe card has its own storage notes, but here’s a quick guide so you can plan your holiday baking day.

Fudge. Fantasy Fudge and Easy Peanut Butter Fudge keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Meanwhile, Sugar Cookie Fudge keeps for a couple of days on the counter, or longer in the fridge.

If your fudge has been in the fridge, let it sit out for a few minutes before serving for the best texture.

Candy and cookies. Pecan pralines and peanut butter no-bakes last about a week at room temperature. On the other hand, chocolate no-bakes are best within three days on the counter or a week in the fridge, and Cornflake Cookies keep three to four days.

Buckeyes and truffles. Keep Buckeye Balls and Cookie Dough Truffles in the fridge with wax paper between the layers. The truffles stay fresh for up to a week.

Chilled desserts. No-bake pies like peanut butter pie and berry cheesecake stay in the fridge, along with the cake dip and ambrosia. The dip lasts up to four days, and ambrosia is best within three.

Freezer. The fudge, buckeyes, truffles and no-bake cookies freeze well for two to three months. Pralines, the cake dip and ambrosia don’t freeze well, so make those closer to Christmas. That means most of the rest can be made before the Christmas shopping rush.

My Best Tips

Set a timer. For no-bake cookies and stovetop fudge, the boil time is everything, and a timer is the best way to get it right. If it’s too short, they won’t set. If it’s too long, they turn dry and crumbly.

Melt chocolate slowly. Melted chocolate can scorch fast. In the microwave, heat chocolate chips in 30-second bursts and stir after each one. On the stove, keep the heat low and stir often.

Line your pan. Line the pan with foil or parchment paper. That way, you can lift out the whole block of fudge and cut neat squares.

Let the kids help. For example, rolling buckeyes and stirring the cake dip are great jobs for kids of all ages. However, a grown-up should handle anything boiling on the stove.

No-Bake Christmas Treats FAQs

What is the easiest no-bake Christmas treat to make?

Christmas Tree Cake Dip is the easiest. You stir snack cakes, cream cheese and whipped topping together, so it’s ready in about 15 minutes for a quick sweet treat.

Which of these have no chocolate?

Try Old-Fashioned Pecan Pralines, Crock Pot Candied Nuts, Easy Peanut Butter Fudge or Ambrosia Salad with its mandarin oranges and maraschino cherries. Cornflake Cookies and Easy Peanut Butter Pie are chocolate-free, too.

Which of these make the best homemade gifts?

Fudge, Buckeye Balls, Cookie Dough Truffles and candied nuts are no-bake goodies that pack nicely into tins or jars for holiday parties. At Christmas time, I love giving Fantasy Fudge in vintage tins to friends and family.

Can I make no-bake Christmas cookies the night before a party?

Yes! Cornflake Cookies have saved me the night before a class party more than once. They set up in about 40 minutes, so you can make them after dinner and pack them up before bed.

I hope these easy no-bake Christmas treats fill your holiday cookie tray without heating up the kitchen. For a cookie swap, my Cookie Exchange Recipes list pairs well with any of these.

Find more sweets in my dessert recipes, and save this list to Pinterest for your next baking day!

More Easy Christmas Baking Recipes

• Snowball Christmas Cookies
• Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
• Holiday Spritz Cookies
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookies