Three Viral Holiday Treats to Make Together This Season
Festive, family-friendly desserts everyone will love — perfect for your holiday gatherings.
The holidays are about slowing down, coming together, and creating the little moments that become lasting memories. Whether you’re visiting aging parents, gathering with siblings, or hosting loved ones at home, a simple dessert you can make together is a wonderful way to spark connection.
These festive desserts are perfect examples of a Holiday Treat that can bring everyone together this season.
This season, three recipes have taken over the internet — each with its own nostalgic charm and delicious payoff. They’re fun, budget-friendly, and easy enough for the whole family to help with (even if “helping” mostly looks like taste-testing).
Here are the treats everyone is talking about — and why they’re worth adding to your holiday lineup.
🍫 1. Gooey Nutella Lava Cookies
Soft, warm, melt-in-your-mouth magic.
If TikTok has taught us anything this year, it’s that people love a good, gooey cookie — and these Nutella Lava Cookies deliver exactly that. The secret?
Freeze small dollops of Nutella, wrap them inside rich cocoa cookie dough, and watch them transform in the oven into a warm, molten centre.
Why everyone loves them:
- Only a handful of ingredients
- Easy enough to make with kids or older adults
- Perfect warm out of the oven
How to make them:
- Scoop spoonfuls of Nutella onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
- Mix a simple cocoa-based cookie dough.
- Wrap each Nutella dollop inside the dough.
- Bake until set on the outside but gooey in the centre.
Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar — or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling festive.
🍬 2. Christmas Toffee Bark
The sweet–salty classic that never stops trending.
Christmas Toffee Bark has gone viral every holiday season for a reason: it’s unbelievably easy, ridiculously addictive, and impossible not to share.
This treat layers salty crackers, buttery toffee, and melted chocolate into a crunchy, caramelized sheet you crack apart by hand.
Why it’s a holiday favourite:
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Uses pantry staples
- Perfect for gifting or snacking
How to make it:
- Line a baking sheet with saltine crackers.
- Melt butter and brown sugar until thick and bubbling.
- Pour over the crackers and bake briefly.
- Scatter chocolate chips on top, letting them melt, then spread into a smooth layer.
- Add toppings (nuts, crushed candy canes, sea salt).
- Chill, crack, and enjoy.
It’s nearly impossible to stop at one piece — consider yourself warned.
☕️ 3. The Viral Hot Chocolate That “Broke the Internet”
The creamiest, dreamiest hot cocoa you’ve ever tasted — guaranteed.
Last year, TikTok creator Tini (Tineke Younger) became the unofficial queen of comfort food, and her now-famous hot chocolate recipe has earned more than 14 million views. After testing it, experts agree: it’s rich, nostalgic, and way better than anything that comes from a packet.
What makes it viral:
- Thick, velvety texture
- Real chocolate (not mix)
- Tastes like something out of a Christmas movie
How to make it:
- Gently heat 1½ cups whole milk + ½ cup heavy cream (don’t boil).
- Stir in 3 tbsp cocoa powder + 3 tbsp sugar until dissolved.
- Add 2 oz chopped dark chocolate (70% cocoa), letting it melt slowly.
- Finish with a splash of vanilla and let it thicken for 2 minutes.
- Top with peppermint whipped cream:
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a few drops of peppermint extract
The result? A creamy, old-fashioned cup of hot chocolate that feels like pure holiday magic.
❄️ A Sweet Way to Celebrate the Season
Whether you’re baking with older parents, hosting family, or enjoying a cozy afternoon indoors, these viral treats offer more than a delicious dessert — they’re a way to slow down, connect, and share something special.
And if you’re visiting aging parents this season, remember: moments like these are also a chance to gently check in on how they’re doing at home.
Until then, happy baking — and happy holidays.