25 Best Christmas Desserts for a Sweet Holiday Season

Baking for Christmas can feel like a challenge. But with these Christmas Desserts easy recipes, you’ll be ready to impress. There are classic favorites, like gingerbread and holiday pies, or new treats to try. Christmas wouldn’t be complete without cookies. You’ll find plenty here—candy cane cookies, festive pinwheels, and Ree Drummond’s beloved sugar cookies.

25 Best Christmas Desserts for a Sweet Holiday Season

Some desserts also make great gifts, like boozy rum balls and homemade marshmallows. Classics like yule logs are featured, along with new surprises such as eggnog ice cream and pecan pie cheesecake. For something festive, try the Crock-Pot candy or sugar cookie fudge. These recipes are simple enough for beginners, and kids will love helping with them. It’s the perfect way to create a fun family tradition.

 Best Christmas Desserts for a Sweet Holiday Season

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

Chocolate and mint together are a holiday dream. Add crushed peppermint candies for decoration. It’s an easy dessert that everyone will love.

Get Ree’s Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting recipe.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting
Danielle Daly

Brittle

Crunchy and nutty, with a buttery base, this brittle satisfies any sweet tooth. Wrap it in a tin, and you’ve got a thoughtful gift.

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Brittle
Caitlin Bensel

S’mores Pie

This cozy chocolate pie, topped with toasty marshmallows, is a twist on a classic. It’s best enjoyed by a warm fireplace.

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S'mores Pie
C.W. Newell

Eggnog Bread Pudding

Creamy eggnog, rum, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg come together in this bread pudding. Make it ahead for a simple, delicious dessert.

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Eggnog Bread Pudding
Caitlin Bensel

Reindeer Pops

Kids will adore these chocolate-covered reindeer pops. It’s a fun project that’s perfect for the holidays.

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Reindeer Pops
Will Dickey

Spiced Pecan Pie Bars

These spiced pecan bars are easier to share than a whole pie. Just 10 minutes of active prep and you’ll have 32 servings of a holiday favorite.

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Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Peppermint Bark

With a few ingredients, you can make your own peppermint bark. It’s a perfect gift or addition to cookie tins and dessert trays.

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Peppermint Bark
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fruitcake

Some people love fruitcake, and they wait all year for it. This recipe makes multiple loaves, and after one bite, you’ll understand why.

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Fruitcake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The Redbird Cake

This twist on Hummingbird Cake adds cherries. Named after the beloved redbird, it’s simple to make but holds special meaning for many.

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The Redbird Cake
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Vanilla Chiffon Trifle

Vanilla might sound basic, but this trifle proves otherwise. Vanilla cake, custard, and whipped cream come together for a rich holiday treat.

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Vanilla Chiffon Trifle
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Bûche de Noël

This French holiday cake, known as Bûche de Noël, is a showstopper. After rolling and filling, you can top it with ganache or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

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Bûche de Noël
kaolinite

Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake

This chocolate cake is decadent and elegant with no need for extra toppings. A touch of espresso enhances the richness of the chocolate.

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Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake
Allrecipes Community

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Layers of crumbled gingerbread, pumpkin pie pudding, whipped cream, and gingersnap cookies make this a gingerbread lover’s dream.

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Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
Meredith

Black Forest Cake

This recipe has won over many hearts. A moist chocolate cake paired with cherries, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve with whipped cream.

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Black Forest Cake
misheclark

Brandied Cherry Clafouti

Clafoutis is like a fancy pancake. This version includes brandy-soaked cherries, giving fruitcake some competition this year.

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Brandied Cherry Clafouti
lutzflcat

Christmas Yule Log

For a festive showstopper, try this yule log filled with Baileys cream and topped with hazelnut brittle.

Recipe: Christmas Yule log

Christmas Yule Log
Image Credit: olivemagazine.com

Christmas Crumble

Use leftover mincemeat for this delicious Christmas crumble. It’s a comforting dessert with a festive twist.

Recipe: Christmas crumble

Christmas Crumble
Image Credit: olivemagazine.com

Baileys Ice Cream

This no-churn ice cream needs just four ingredients. It’s a great accompaniment for any holiday dessert.

Recipe: Baileys ice cream

Baileys Ice Cream
Image Credit: olivemagazine.com

Gingerbread Cupcakes

These spiced cupcakes are fun for the whole family, and you can bake and enjoy them during the holidays. In fact, they’re perfect for creating memories together. Furthermore, their delicious aroma will fill your kitchen with festive cheer.

Recipe: Gingerbread cupcakes

Gingerbread Cupcakes
Image Credit: olivemagazine.com

Rum Truffles

Get into the holiday spirit with these homemade rum truffles. Not only do they taste amazing, but rum truffles also make thoughtful last-minute gifts. Moreover, they’re easy to decorate by hand.

Recipe: Rum truffles

Rum Truffles
Image Credit: olivemagazine.com

Pavlova with Caramelized White Chocolate Bark

This pavlova wreath combines fruit, white chocolate bark, freeze-dried raspberries, and pistachios for a colorful, festive dessert.

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Pavlova with Caramelized White Chocolate Bark
Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Ginger Spice Cake

This moist ginger cake has a beautiful deep-brown color and a light whipped cream topping. The spicy sweetness shines through.

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Ginger Spice Cake
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Chocolate Whoopie Pies

These whoopie pies are filled with vanilla cream cheese fluff. Rolling the edges in crushed candy canes adds a festive touch.

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Chocolate Whoopie Pies
© Christina Holmes

Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

These gingerbread cookies have hints of cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. Molasses adds the perfect wintry touch.

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Spiced Gingerbread Cookies
© Christina Holmes

Gingerbread Roll with Cinnamon Cream

A ginger cake rolled with cream cheese makes this spiced log a holiday favorite.

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Gingerbread Roll with Cinnamon Cream
© Tina Rupp

More Recipes Ideas:

30 Thanksgiving Recipes to Make Your Holiday Unforgettable
31 Delicious Fall Dessert Recipes to Warm Up Your Season
Easy Fall Desserts: 30 Delicious Recipes for the Season
Easy Fall Desserts: 30 Irresistible Treats to Sweeten Your Season

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