Festive Treats for Little Ones: Christmas Recipes for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

The festive season is a lovely time to enjoy food together — and for young children, it’s also a chance to explore new tastes, textures and routines around mealtimes.

While traditional festive treats can be high in sugar and salt, there are plenty of simple alternatives that still feel special and are suitable for little ones at every stage.

Below are easy (& vegetarian) festive treats for little ones you can make together, supporting healthy habits while having festive treats!

Before jumping in, here are a few notes about sugar to keep in mind this Christmas:

• Never give honey to children under 12 months.

• Under 1s should only have natural sugars e.g. from pureed fruit.

• 1-3 year olds should aim for 0 sugar, though a general guideline is 14g or 3tsp per day.

• 4-6 year olds should have a maximum of 19g or 5tsp of sugar per day.

Remember: always supervise meal/snack times and be mindful of choking hazards.

Babies (6-12 months)

Apple & Cinnamon Purée

Makes about 6 portions

Ingredients:

• 6 Apples

• Water

• Pinch of Cinnamon

Method:

1. Peel, wash, core and chop your apples.

2. Steam for about 10 minutes until tender.

3. Blend with cinnamon and add some cooking water for a runnier puree.

4. Store in weaning pots and freeze extras for future use!

Festive Veggie Mash

Makes about 4 portions

Ingredients:

• 2 Carrots

• 2 Parsnips

• 2 Sweet Potatoes

Method:

1. Steam your veggies until soft (about 15 minutes).

2. Blend the cooked veggies and add a splash of milk to thin if needed.

3. Store in weaning pots and freeze extras for future use!

Soft Gingerbread Oat Fingers

Makes about 4 oat fingers

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp Oats

• 3 tablespoon Milk

• Apple puree (click here for a make at home recipe) or mashed bananas.

• Pinch each of festive spices – ginger, cinnamon & nutmeg

Method:

1. Add the oats, milk and additional ingredients.

2. Press the mixture into a small, flat-bottomed dish using the back of a spoon.

3. Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes on high.

4. Cut into fingers while still hot and serve when cooled.

Tip: these can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for later!

Note: Remember to check for lumps or stringy bits in veggies/oats as these can pose a choking hazard.

For toddlers & older (1-3+ years)

Top tip: Give your little one simple tasks like stirring, mashing, or pouring ingredients with supervision, so they can feel part of the magic!

Cheesy Cauliflower Bites

Makes about 9 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets

• 50g shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

• 1 tablespoon Hard Italian cheese

• 20g breadcrumbs (plain or panko)

• Optional: a little olive oil for baking

Method:

1. Preheat oven to about 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Steam or boil the cauliflower until soft (about 10–15 minutes), then drain and cool slightly.

3. Mash the cauliflower in a bowl.

4. Mix in the cheeses and breadcrumbs to make a sticky mixture.

5. Shape into patties and place on the tray.

6. Bake for 10–15 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through.

7. Cool to a safe temperature before serving.

Orange or Clementine Muffins

Makes about 10-12 muffins

Ingredients:

• 200g plain flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 75g sugar (or 55g of honey*)

• Zest of 1 orange or 2 clementines

• 100ml freshly squeezed orange/clementine juice

• 75ml milk

• 75ml vegetable oil

• 1 egg

*Note: Never give honey to children under 12 months.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a muffin tin.

2. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and zest in a bowl.

3. Whisk juice, milk, oil and egg together.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients gently.

5. Spoon into cases and bake for 15–18 minutes until springy.

6. Cool before serving.

Strawberry & Yoghurt Santa Hats

Ingredients:

• Handful of fresh strawberries

• Thick Greek or natural yoghurt

• Optional: banana slices for the base

Method:

1. Hull strawberries and cut in half.

2. Spoon a small dollop of yoghurt onto a plate or banana slice.

3. Place strawberry half on top (cut side down).

4. Add a tiny yoghurt dot to the tip for the bobble.

5. Enjoy!

Be mindful of choking hazards – cut into small pieces if needed.

For Preschoolers and older (3–5+ years)

Top tip: Let your little one decorate, sprinkle, and assemble — it’s a great way to spark creativity and practice fine motor skills while making festive treats.

Festive Apple & Oat Crumble Cups

Makes about 6 cups

Ingredients:

• 2 Apples

• 1 tbsp water

• 3 tbsp oats

• ½ tbsp of butter

• Pinch of Cinnamon

• Squeeze of Honey (optional)*

*Note: Never give honey to children under 12 months

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 175°C and lightly grease muffin pan.

2. Core, peel & dice apples.

3. Cook the diced apples with water and cinnamon until soft.

4. Mix oats & butter till crumbly.

5. Spoon the apple mixture into the muffin cups.

6. Sprinkle the oat crumble mixture evenly over the apples.

7. Bake for 5-10 minutes.

8. Cool slightly before serving.

Star-Shaped Cheesy Scones

Makes about 8 scones

Ingredients:

• 200g plain flour (or wholemeal)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 50g cold butter, cubed

• 50g grated mild cheddar cheese

• 120ml milk (plus extra for brushing)

• Optional: pinch of paprika or herbs for festive flavour

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and optionally herbs.

3. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

4. Stir in the grated cheese.

5. Gradually add the milk to form a soft dough.

6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1cm thick.

7. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out scones. Place on the tray.

8. Brush lightly with milk and bake for 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden.

9. Cool slightly before serving.

Tip: These go great with tomato soup!

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Makes 12 small cookies

Ingredients:

• 150g plain flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground ginger (or less for milder flavour)

• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)

• 50g unsalted butter, softened

• 50g brown sugar

• 1 small egg

• 2–3 tbsp unsweetened apple puree (to help keep soft). Click here for a make at home recipe.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.

4. Add egg and apple sauce, mixing well.

5. Gradually combine dry ingredients into wet mixture to form soft dough.

6. Roll out dough to 0.5 cm thick and use small festive cookie cutters (stars, trees, gingerbread people).

7. Place cookies on the tray.

8. Bake 8–10 minutes until firm but still soft.

9. Cool completely before serving.

Festive Themed Pizzas

Makes 4 mini pizzas

Ingredients:

• 4 small pitta breads or wholemeal breakfast muffins

• 4 tbsp tomato purée

• 50g grated mozzarella or mild cheese

• A choice of diced veggies e.g. diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes, spinach leaves.*

*Be mindful of choking hazards when giving your little one fresh veggies.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Place pitta breads or muffin halves on the tray – optionally use a cookie cutter to make these into a Christmas tree or gingerbread person shape.

3. Spread a thin layer of tomato purée over each base.

4. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly on top.

5. Let your little one decorate their own pizza with diced peppers, tomato, and optional spinach. Encourage festive faces, trees, or snowmen!

6. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and toppings are warmed.

7. Cool slightly before serving.