Get into the holiday spirit with these fun “This or That” Christmas baking questions! Let's spark conversations, and explore festive favorites in the 25 days leading up to Christmas!
Decisions, Decisions!
At Out of the Box Baking, I’ve spent years creating recipes, teaching baking techniques, and engaging with a community of home bakers who love sharing their kitchen traditions.
This festive “This or That” round-up is inspired by the conversations we have every holiday season—those nostalgic, joy-filled debates about cookies, candies, flavors, and family favorites.
With hundreds of Christmas recipes tested in my own kitchen and featured on the blog, I’m thrilled to guide you through these fun comparisons and help you discover which treats your friends and family members are reaching for this season.
Ready for some fun over the next 25 days? Let's go!
DAY ONE: Gingerbread or Sugar Cookies?
Click the links to find recipes for both!
TEAM GINGERBREAD:
- Gingerbread Man Cookies
- Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
- Soft Gingerbread Cookies
- Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes
TEAM SUGAR COOKIES:
DAY TWO: Peppermint Treats or Caramel Treats?
What flavor wins December? We've got so many choices to tempt your palate! Click the links to discover amazing recipes!
TEAM PEPPERMINT:
- Soft Christmas Peppermints
- Delicious Peppermint Bark
- Double Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Pink Peppermint Angel Food Cake
- Peppermint Bark Meringues
TEAM CARAMEL:
- Caramel from Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
DAY THREE: Fudge: With nuts or without?
Where do you Stand?
Check out our amazing fudge recipes below. Just click the links to learn more.
DAY FOUR: Snickerdoodles or Molasses Cookies?
It's a cozy cookie showdown today!
TEAM SNICKERDOODLES:
TEAM MOLASSES:
DAY FIVE: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies or Brownies?
Pick your favorite bite! Click the links to discover great recipes!
TEAM CRINKLE COOKIES:
TEAM BROWNIES:
- Perfect Easy Brownies from Scratch
- Easy Cake Mix Brownies
- Grasshopper Brownies
- Simple Sourdough Brownies
DAY SIX: Hot Cocoa: Marshmallows or Whipped Cream?
What’s in your cup?
I'm team MARSHMALLOW. What about you?
If you like hot cocoa, you're sure to love these hot cocoa treats from Out of the Box Baking:
DAY SEVEN: Red Velvet Cake or Chocolate Cake?
Classic vs. decadent! What's your pick? I'm equally as fascinated by both, which is why I have so many wonderful recipes celebrating them!
TEAM RED VELVET:
I've got some great red velvet recipes! Just follow the links to discover cakes, cookies, bars, and more!
- Classic Red Velvet Cake
- Easy Red Velvet Truffles
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
- Red Velvet Cookies from Scratch
TEAM CHOCOLATE:
You betcha! I'm crazy about chocolate and have some terrific recipes to share!
- Ultimate Chocolate Cake
- Doctored Chocolate Cake Mix Recipes
- 4-Ingredient Chocolate Cake
- German Chocolate Pound Cake
DAY EIGHT: Sugar Cookies: Frosted or Plain?
How do you like yours? I'm a fan of all sugar cookies, frosted or not. That's why I've got a plethora of sugar cookie recipes, perfect for the Holiday Season:
FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES:
UNFROSTED SUGAR COOKIES:
DAY NINE: Pecan Pie or Apple Pie?
It's a holiday pie battle and I've got you covered, no matter your favorite. Check out the recipes below!
PECAN PIE RECIPES:
- Fudgy Pecan Pie
- Simple Pecan Pie Bars
- Pecan Pie Dump Cake
- Easy Pecan Pie Cookies
- Pecan Pie Puff Pastry
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
APPLE PIE FAVORITES:
- Easy Apple Pie with Homemade Crust
- Puff Pastry Apple Pies
- Apple Pie Bread Pudding
- Apple Pie Monkey Bread
- Apple Pie Sopapilla Bars
DAY TEN: Peppermint Bark: White Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?
Which one disappears first at your house?
I've got an amazing recipe for Peppermint Bark you're sure to love!
DAY ELEVEN: Cupcakes: Buttercream or Cream Cheese Frosting?
What’s your swirl? I've got you covered, no matter which one you choose!
BUTTERCREAMS:
- Creamy, Dreamy Buttercream
- Ultimate White Chocolate Buttercream
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Coffee Buttercream
- Churro Frosting
CREAM CHEESE FROSTINGS:
DAY TWELVE: Brownies: With Nuts or Without?
Classic debate… where do you fall?
I've got some great brownie recipes to enjoy this holiday season! Feel free to stir in pecans, walnuts or other yummy nuts. . .or not! Your preference!
- Perfect Easy Brownies
- Simple Sourdough Brownies
- Grasshopper Brownies
- Easy German Chocolate Brownies
- Easy Cake Mix Brownies
DAY THIRTEEN: Scones: Sweet or Savory?
Which tray are you reaching for?
I've got lots of great scone recipes to make you happy this holiday season:
SWEET SCONES:
- Strawberry Lemon Creme Scones
- Simple Chocolate Chip Scones
- Classic Lemon Blueberry Scones
- Easy Cake Mix Scones
- Easy Buttermilk Scones
SAVORY SCONES:
DAY FOURTEEN: Cinnamon Rolls: Icing or No Icing?
Be honest… are you team gooey?
No matter your preference, we've got great cinnamon roll recipes guaranteed to bring a smile to your face this holiday season.
- Easy Cinnamon Rolls from Canned Biscuits
- Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Easy Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- Bananas Foster Cinnamon Rolls
- Flaky Pie Crust Cinnamon Rolls
DAY FIFTEEN: Cookies for Santa: Classic Chocolate Chip or Something Fun?
What would YOU leave out?
Find the Best Cookies for Santa Here!
- Easy Cookie Exchange Recipes
- The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Collection
- Best Holiday Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Fruitcake Cookies
DAY SIXTEEN: Cake Mix: Chocolate or Vanilla Base?
Your go-to starting point?
WHITE CAKE RECIPES:
- The Most Delicious White Cake Mix from a Box
- Simple White Cake Mix from Scratch
- 20 White Cake Mix Recipes
CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES:
DAY SEVENTEEN: Christmas Breakfast: Sweet or Savory?
What starts your day?
I've got great breakfast recipes, perfect for the holiday season!
SWEET BREAKFAST TREATS:
- Canned Biscuit Donuts
- Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls Casserole
- Banana Blueberry Loaf
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Monkey Bread with Canned Biscuits
- Easy Cinnamon Rolls from Canned Biscuits
- French Toast with Orange Glaze
SAVORY BREAKFAST RECIPES:
- Simple Hash Brown Casserole
- Sourdough Discard Waffles
- Same Day Sourdough English Muffins
- Simple 2-Ingredient Biscuits
- Ham & Cheese Stuffed French Toast
- Ham & Cheese Grits Casserole
- Most Delicious Breakfast Enchiladas
DAY EIGHTEEN: Cupcakes: Sprinkles or No Sprinkles?
Team sparkle or team simple?
No matter your preference I've got cupcakes to suit your fancy this holiday season. Choose from any of the recipes below!
- Easy Christmas Cupcakes to Decorate with Kids
- Easy Grinch Cupcakes
- Cookie Butter Cupcakes
- Snowflake Pull-Apart Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- Apple Spice Cupcakes with Apple Juice Reduction
DAY NINETEEN: Cheesecake: Baked or No-Bake?
Which one wins at your table?
No worries! I've got you covered on both!
BAKED CHEESECAKE:
NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE:
DAY TWENTY: