Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies are delicious and so versatile. They can be filled with anything and decorated in so many ways!
Every year we hide something different inside for Christmas morning. The kids decorated them, they just didn’t know what was going to be put inside them! Most families leave cookies for Santa and we left him one of these!
We actually make these baskets all year ’round. We use our It’s All Good Cookie Dough, my go to cookie dough, and make these Adorable Easter Egg Cookie Nests for Easter but don’t forget about Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween and oh so many more!
Frankly, any excuse will do and you can stuff or fill these baskets with anything your heart desires! You will be surprised at what will fit inside, a personal favorite is a scoop of ice cream and some chocolate or caramel sauce. You get the idea!
Those of you that are looking for a gluten free basket or baskets of another kind, check out our Easy Rice Krispie Baskets. They can also be used for every occasion and are delicious in their own right! I haven’t met anyone yet that doesn’t have a special place in their heart for the rice krispie square!
Ingredients in Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies
- flour
- sugar
- brown sugar
- baking soda
- baking powder
- salt
- vanilla
- eggs
- butter
- candy, nuts or dried fruit
- cocoa powder (optional)
Decorations and Filling
- your favorite candies
- sprinkles
- icing tubes
How to make Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies
In a large bowl (ideally with an electric mixer) cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed until combined.
Blend in the eggs and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Next with the mixer on low speed, add the flour, baking soda and baking powder until combined. The cookie batter will become very thick.
You can either bake immediately or cover and refrigerate at least an hour, up to overnight. I prefer baking with chilled dough but it is not necessary with this dough.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Split your dough into 3 equal pieces, approximately.
Next combine 2 of the pieces into one. Now you have a large piece and a small piece.
Prepare a regular sized muffin pan (holds 12 muffins) with cooking spray.
Using the larger piece of dough press each cookie basket into each cup so it lines the bottom and sides of the tin. You have to press the dough as thin as possible into the sides and bottom of each muffin cup.
Bake for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown and the bottom of the cup looks somewhat cooked. The dough will fall slightly to the center of each muffin while baking. This is ok.
Remove from oven and cool in the muffin tin for at least 5 minutes.
Once cups are cool fill them with anything you want!
Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
Grab your remaining small piece of dough.
Using a rolling pin lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out flat, about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Using a glass or a cup that is about the same size as the opening as your muffin tin, press into your dough and make as many round cookies as needed to cover or become the top of each of your cookie baskets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Allow to cool and then decorate the tops with icing and/or sprinkles as well.
Decorate and then place a flat cookie on top of each basket.
Serve and enjoy!
Easy Easter Desserts
Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Holiday Desserts to Try
Easy Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies
Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle Bites
Grandma’s Chocolate Eggnog Pudding Cake
Grandma’s Chocolate Orange Cake
Holiday Chocolate Dream Stuffed Cookie Cups
Stovetop Raisin Almond Rice Pudding
Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies Video
Holiday Surprise Basket Cookies
Equipment
- muffin pan
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- cup candy, nuts or dried fruit - or more if desired
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (optional)
Decorations and Filling
- your favorite candies
- sprinkles
- icing tubes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, ideally with a handheld or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed until combined.
- Blend in the eggs and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Next with the mixer on low speed, add the flour, baking soda and baking powder until combined. The cookie batter will become very thick.
- You can either bake immediately or cover and refrigerate at least an hour, up to overnight. I prefer baking with chilled dough but it is not necessary with this dough.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Split your dough into 3 equal pieces, approximately.
- Next combine 2 of the pieces into one. Now you have a large piece and a small piece.
- Prepare a regular sized muffin pan (holds 12 muffins) with cooking spray.
- Using the larger piece of dough press each cookie basket into each cup so it lines the bottom and sides of the tin. You have to press the dough as thin as possible into the sides and bottom of each muffin cup.
- Bake for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown and the bottom of the cup looks somewhat cooked. The dough will fall slightly to the center of each muffin while baking. This is ok.
- Remove from oven and cool in the muffin tin for at least 5 minutes.
- Once cups are cool fill them with anything you want!
- Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
- Grab your remaining small piece of dough. Using a rolling pin lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out flat, about 1/4 of an inch thick.
- Using a glass or a cup that is about the same size as the opening as your muffin tin, press into your dough and make as many round cookies as needed to cover or become the top of each of your cookie baskets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Allow to cool and then decorate the tops with icing and/or sprinkles as well. Decorate and then place a flat cookie on top of each basket.
- Serve and enjoy!
One of the earliest recipes I published on this site and this was the one photo that went up. I didn’t have the heart to remove it and I probably never will! Thank you for being with me on my food journey!
These taste great and look great too. So easy and perfect for kids and adults too I think my husband ate half of them while they were filled with treats lol
My husband does the exact same thing. I’m so happy to hear you liked the cookies. They’re a different way to serve treats that is forsure! Take care and be well. Karin
Congratulations on such a wonderful website.!!!
I often use your recipes, they are obviously homemade and instructions are very clear.
I am now in a wheelchair and enjoy reading your recipes. This one is terrific!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.
I can’t thank you enough for the kind words. Of course I remember you! Please send me a friend request and/or a message on messenger. I would love to catch up! Take care and be well. Karin
How fun! You could hide all types of goodies inside.
Have a great time with the family.
These are so freaking cute! Such a great kids craft, you can put anything you want in them!
Fabulous concept, delicious and so much fun to eat 🙂
I love this creation! How fun is it that the kids get to decorate them, but still end up being surprised in the end?! My daughter is going to love these.
These are the cutest! And you have made skills with the icing sugar decorations too!
This is a super cute idea and a great way to get the little ones involved in the kitchen! Happy Holidays!
What a fun recipe! I bet you could fill the “baskets” with really anything small- candy coated sunflower seeds, anyone? 🙂 Great idea!
Great idea ! My daughter would love them ! It’s perfect for kids’ party ! Thanks for sharing !
You are welcome. This recipe is perfect for a kids birthday party! I have done it. It was a lot of fun. Take care and all the best. Karin
What a cute idea. I bet the kids would LOVE these, especially with m&m’s (but no blue one’s please). They are all over anything that has a surprise inside.
You are correct. Kids love these. The baking, decorating, surprise and eating. All of it. We hope you give them a try! Take care and all the best. Karin