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:
TEAM FROSTED SUGAR COOKIES:
TEAM 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!
TEAM PECAN PIE:
- Fudgy Pecan Pie
- Simple Pecan Pie Bars
- Pecan Pie Dump Cake
- Easy Pecan Pie Cookies
- Pecan Pie Puff Pastry
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
TEAM APPLE PIE:
- 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!
TEAM BUTTERCREAM:
- Creamy, Dreamy Buttercream
- Ultimate White Chocolate Buttercream
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Coffee Buttercream
- Churro Frosting
TEAM CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
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:
TEAM SWEET SCONES:
- Strawberry Lemon Creme Scones
- Simple Chocolate Chip Scones
- Classic Lemon Blueberry Scones
- Easy Cake Mix Scones
- Easy Buttermilk Scones
TEAM 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?
TEAM WHITE CAKE:
- The Most Delicious White Cake Mix from a Box
- Simple White Cake Mix from Scratch
- 20 White Cake Mix Recipes
TEAM CHOCOLATE CAKE:
DAY SEVENTEEN: Christmas Breakfast: Sweet or Savory?
What starts your day?
I've got great breakfast recipes, perfect for the holiday season!
TEAM 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
TEAM 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!
TEAM BAKED CHEESECAKE:
TEAM NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE:
DAY TWENTY: Muffins: Blueberry or Banana Nut?
Your favorite comfort muffin?
No matter your choice, I've got you covered!
TEAM BLUEBERRY:
- Traditional Blueberry Muffins
- Blueberry Bread (Use it to make muffins. Yum!)
TEAM BANANA:
If banana's your thing I've got recipes galore that will work as breads and muffins:
- Traditional Banana Nut Muffins
- Easy Cake Mix Banana Muffins
- Bisquick Banana Muffins
- Southern Living Cream Cheese Banana Bread (perfect for muffins)
DAY TWENTY-ONE: Cookie Texture: Soft & Chewy or Crisp & Crunchy?
What do you love most?
TEAM SUPER SOFT COOKIES:
- Soft Sugar Cookies
- Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Cinnamon Glaze
- Dolly Parton Coconut Cookies with Lemon Glaze
- Lemon High Tea Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls
- Strawberry Fluffies
- Easy Carrot Cake Cookies
TEAM TRADITIONAL CRISP COOKIES:
- Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies
- French Butter Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Shortbread Cookies
- Almond Shortbread with Almond Glaze
- Easy Almond Joy Cookies
DAY TWENTY-TWO: Cake Decorating: Buttercream or Fondant?
Which style speaks to you?
I've got recipes and tutorials for both, so take your pick!
TEAM FONDANT:
TEAM BUTTERCREAM TECHNIQUES:
DAY TWENTY-THREE: Flavor Profile: Citrus or Chocolate?
I've got you covered, no matter your choice!
TEAM CITRUS:
- Luscious Lemon Custard Bars
- Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
- Poppyseed Cake with Orange Glaze
- Orange Cranberry Cookies
TEAM CHOCOLATE:
DAY TWENTY-FOUR: Cupcake Size: Mini or Regular?
What’s best for holiday parties?
If you're a cupcake fan, I've got you covered with fun recipes and designs. Check them out!
Favorite Cupcake and Muffin Recipes:
DAY TWENTY-FIVE: Cinnamon: Heavy or Light?
How bold do you go?
That, my friends, is completely up to you! I've got a ton of cinnamon-infused recipes that you can play around with. Add as little or as much cinnamon as you like to make them your own!
DAY TWENTY-SIX: Toppings: Pecans or Walnuts?
Pick your crunch!
I'm nuts about nuts, so I've got recipes galore to choose from!
TEAM WALNUTS:
TEAM PECANS:
- Easy Candied Pecans
- Cranberry Pecan Sourdough
- Simple Coconut Pecan Pound Cake
- The Ultimate Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
DAY TWENTY-SEVEN: Holiday Candy: Peanut Brittle or Fudge?
What disappears faster at your house?
I'm team peanut brittle, but I do love chocolate candies, too! Here are some of my favorites:
TEAM BRITTLES:
TEAM CHOCOLATE CANDIES:
- Simple Crockpot Candies
- Copycat Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
- Copycat York Peppermint Patties
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
DAY TWENTY-EIGHT: Cookies: Rolled Dough or Drop Cookies?
Which one do you enjoy making?
I'm a fan of both, honestly! And I have plenty of recipes to share!
TEAM ROLLED DOUGH COOKIES:
TEAM DROP COOKIES:
DAY TWENTY-NINE: Sweet Breads: Banana or Pumpkin?
What's your seasonal favorite? I'm happy to share some personal faves!
TEAM BANANA BREAD:
- Old-Fashioned Banana Bread with Mayonnaise
- Classic Banana Bread with Walnuts
- Brown Butter Banana Bread
- Sour Cream Banana Bread
- Starter Discard Banana Bread
TEAM PUMPKIN BREAD:
DAY THIRTY: Favorite Desserts: Cookies or Cake?
Check out my favorites for this year!
DAY THIRTY-ONE: New Year’s Eve Treat: Something Chocolatey or Something Fruity?
What ends your year on a sweet note?
Closing out the year with one of of my personal favorite desserts, Mint Oreo Trifle!
That's it for this post, friends. I hope you enjoy these fun recipes. If you do, please feel free to share a review!
Thanks for stopping by. . .and Merry Christmas!