A Festive Basket of Holiday Treats to Bake and Share

When the weather dips and your cozy meter hits full blast, nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like whipping up a batch of homemade treats. And if you’re building a gift basket? Let’s upgrade it with holiday treats that bring spice, chocolate, warmth, and a dash of personality.

We’re skipping the basic sugar cookies and heading straight into seasonal greatness — think cinnamon, Mexican chocolate, molasses, marshmallows, and all the vibes that make your kitchen smell like a hug wrapped in nostalgia. Grab your mixing bowls, sprinkle some holiday sparkle, and get ready to bake treats worthy of their own jingle.

Snowy & Spicy Chocolate Cake: Mexican Chocolate Snowman Cake

What you need (ingredients): 1 box of Devil’s Food Cake mix; 3 eggs; ½ cup corn oil; 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons ground Mexican chocolate bar; 1 tablespoon powdered cinnamon; for the fondant: 16 oz mini-marshmallows + 2 lbs powdered sugar.

How we bake it (step-by-step):

Preheat your oven and grease two 6-inch round cake pans. Mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, water, ground Mexican chocolate, and cinnamon until fully combined.
Pour the batter into the pans and bake for about 30–35 minutes at 325°F. Once it’s done, let the cakes cool.
Meanwhile, make the fondant: melt the mini marshmallows with a bit of water (about 3 tbsp) in the microwave (≈2 minutes), stirring until smooth — but be gentle, don’t overcook.
On a surface dusted with powdered sugar, knead the melted marshmallows together with the powdered sugar until you get a smooth, pliable fondant. If it’s sticky, add more powdered sugar little by little.
Use that fondant to sculpt or cover your cake — shape it into a snowman if you want full festive vibes. (Yes: snow + chocolate = winter magic.)

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Fun tip: you can whip up a simple filling by mixing whipping cream with a little ground Mexican chocolate, to spread between cake layers or inside, for extra indulgence.

Read the full recipe here: https://wearecocina.com/blog/mexican-chocolate-snowman-cake

Spice-Kissed Cookies: Gingerbread Molasses Cookies

What you need (ingredients): 1 ¼ cups brown sugar; ½ cup vegetable shortening; 1 ½ tsp baking soda; 1 ½ tsp cinnamon; 1 ½ tsp vanilla; 1 ½ cups molasses; 1 egg; ½ cup milk; 4 cups all-purpose flour.

How we mix holiday magic (step-by-step):

Preheat your oven to 350°F (≈175 °C). In a large mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, shortening, baking soda, cinnamon, and vanilla until you get a firm paste.
Then add the molasses, egg, and milk — mixing after each addition so everything blends smoothly.
Gradually add the flour until the dough forms. Turn it out onto a floured surface, roll it to about ¼-inch thick, and cut shapes with a large cookie cutter (gingerbread men, stars — you know the drill). Place the cut cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Lightly beat another egg in a small bowl and brush it over the tops of the cookies (for that nice sheen and help them brown evenly).
Bake for 15–17 minutes or until the edges brown slightly. Let them cool (if you can wait — but they’re best fresh).

Pro tip: These cookies are perfect dunked in a warm mug of hot cocoa — especially if you go with a spiced Latin-style chocolate drink.

Read the full recipe here: https://wearecocina.com/blog/gingerbread-molasses-cookies

Why These Treats Are Perfect for Your Holiday Basket

The Mexican Chocolate Snowman Cake and Gingerbread Molasses Cookies hit that sweet spot between cozy, nostalgic, and festive. One brings warm cinnamon-chocolate magic, the other brings classic holiday spice. Together, they’re easy to bake, easy to gift, and guaranteed to impress.

Whether you grew up baking every December or you’re just starting your own holiday tradition, this combo gives you both comfort and creativity in one delicious gift basket.

Let’s Wrap It Up (with a bow of powdered sugar)

If you want to give holiday cheer that actually tastes like warmth and nostalgia, this little DIY gift basket of holiday treats has you covered. The Gingerbread Molasses Cookies bring spice, crunch, and cozy vibes; the Mexican Chocolate Snowman Cake — with its chocolatey richness and fun marshmallow fondant — brings charm, sweetness, and a bit of show-off flair. Bake both, package them in festive boxes or jars, maybe tie a ribbon, add a handwritten note, and voilà: instant holiday hero status.

Whether you share with family, friends, classmates, or just treat yourself after a long day — these treats turn your kitchen into holiday headquarters. So get mixing, get baking, and get ready to gift some serious joy. Your future self — and whoever gets that basket — will thank you.

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