The unforgettable scent of holiday cookies baking in the oven is a seasonal tradition, but this year, that warm, sugary goodness comes with a slightly higher price tag. Whether it’s homemade gingerbread, classic sugar cookies, or a box of store-bought chocolate crinkles, the cost of baking or buying sweet treats has increased. On average, baking holiday cookies is up 8%, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).¹

For context, the average American eats 26 cookies over the holiday season, making the price increase a small but noticeable addition to the cost of celebrating.²

Baking basics see bigger price tags 

Home bakers are seeing increases in key ingredients:

• Eggs are the standout, soaring 37.5% from November 2023. Supply chain disruptions earlier in the year have kept egg prices stubbornly high. Recipes that rely on eggs are getting more expensive.

• Butter is up 3.6%, reflecting ongoing demand and supply challenges in the dairy market. Buttery spritz cookies and flaky thumbprints aren’t immune to the rising cost.

• Spices are down 2.4%, so making snickerdoodles and other cinnamon-dusted cookies will be less pricey.

• Sugar and sugar substitutes have also edged up 2.6% year over year, adding to the cost of icing-covered sugar cookies and peppermint pinwheels.

• Milk, the classic companion to a plate of holiday cookies, climbed 2.2% compared to last year. For bakers, milk remains a key ingredient for doughs and glazes, making it a double hit.

• Electricity costs to bake those cookies have also increased, up 3.1% from November 2023.

• Chocolate wholesale prices have increased 6% in a year, with cocoa supplies strained globally. Those indulgent brownies will be even more decadent.³

Read more: Ringing in the holidays? You might spend up to 30% more this year

Store-bought cookies see a bump, too 

For those who prefer to skip the oven, store-bought cookies come with a slightly higher price, with costs rising 2.5% compared to last year. That festive tin of treats costs more, but for many, the convenience is a worthwhile trade-off, especially given the rising cost of baking ingredients. With Americans valuing their time at an average of $240 an hour, the time saved may more than justify the price.

Keeping it simple 

With ingredient costs climbing, many bakers are getting creative to keep the holiday spirit alive without straining the budget. Simpler recipes with fewer eggs or less butter, like classic shortbread or oatmeal cookies, may take center stage this season. For others, store-bought cookies are a practical choice, particularly at a time when schedules are as tight as some budgets.

But for the 56% of Americans that see sweet treats as integral to the wonder of the holidays, it doesn’t matter how much butter, sugar, or chocolate costs.⁴

Read more: The cost of a cup of Joe is up 14%

Baking traditions hold strong 

Despite the rising costs, the joy of baking and sharing holiday cookies is a staple of the season, with 11% of Americans saying they like to participate in cookie swaps. While inflation may have added a few dollars to the grocery bill, holiday spirit doesn’t come with a price tag.