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For me, holiday baking is one of the best parts of the season. But let’s be honest, there’s always a little pressure to impress, right? I’ve gathered some show-stopping Christmas desserts to help you out.
This list is full of treats that are guaranteed to “wow” your guests. Think festive cakes and stunning cookies with a fun, modern twist. The best part is that these recipes are simple to follow.
You’ll get a stunning result that leaves everyone craving more. Let’s find your new go-to holiday dessert!
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
I’m always looking for holiday treats that look impressive but are secretly super easy. This Chocolate Peppermint Bark is my number one go-to for precisely that. It’s a fantastic addition to your lineup of Christmas desserts.
It’s the perfect mix of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint. And you truly only need three ingredients: dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermints! The process is so simple that you’ll want to make it always.
Start by melting your dark chocolate and spreading it on a lined baking sheet. Let that set, then melt your white chocolate and spread it on top. Finally, sprinkle on all of those crushed peppermint candies.
After it cools, you break it into big, beautiful pieces. This festive, delicious treat will surely please your guests and is the perfect low-stress recipe for a busy holiday season.
Eggnog Cheesecake
I’ve always loved a classic cheesecake, but want something special for the holidays. This Eggnog Cheesecake is the perfect, delightful twist for your dessert table. It’s one of those Christmas desserts that feels so festive and indulgent.
It combines all the rich, spiced eggnog flavors with a super-smooth cheesecake. The crunchy graham cracker crust is the perfect base for that creamy filling. You’ll need simple ingredients like cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and eggnog to make it.
My favorite part is the classic holiday finishing touch: a little whipped cream and a fresh sprinkle of nutmeg make it feel complete. It looks stunning and tastes incredible. Your guests will love it!
Spiced Apple Tart
For me, the true smell of the holidays is apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. This Spiced Apple Tart is a key part of my Christmas baking. It’s a delightful treat that combines warm spices with the sweetness of fresh apples.
The golden crust with the beautifully arranged apples makes it so stunning. And it’s surprisingly simple to make! You’ll need fresh apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pie crust.
Slice your apples and toss them with the sugar and spices. Then, arrange them in the crust in a pretty spiraling pattern. Bake until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
My favorite way to serve it is warm, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a cozy and impressive dessert that everyone will absolutely love.
Christmas Cookie Platter
Is it even really Christmas without a giant, colorful cookie platter? I think it’s the first thing everyone looks for at a holiday gathering! Seeing all the festive shapes and vibrant icing feels so nostalgic.
When it comes to Christmas baking, it’s all about the classics. Gingerbread cookies are an absolute must-have. That warm, spicy aroma fills the whole kitchen with a cozy feeling.
And sugar cookies are perfect for adding that pop of creative color. The best part is inviting friends or family over to help decorate. It’s such a fun way to make memories together.
You can use your favorite cutters for trees, stars, and snowflakes. Arrange them on a big platter, and watch your guests light up!
Gingerbread House Extravaganza
Is there any Christmas tradition that is more fun than making a gingerbread house? It’s an activity that perfectly captures the spirit of the season—it’s like creating your own cozy, magical wonderland.
Gather your family and friends for a fun Christmas baking session. You can use a simple pre-made kit, or bake gingerbread from scratch. The smell of the ginger and cinnamon is pure holiday magic.
Assembling the house with royal icing “glue” is just the start. The real fun begins with the decorations! Break out the gumdrops, candy canes, and sprinkles.
Everyone can add their own personal, creative touch to the design. It makes a stunning centerpiece that will wow your guests. Plus, it’s a delicious treat that everyone will want to try!
Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
Do you love that first sip of a peppermint mocha from your favorite coffee shop? I’ve captured that exact feeling in these amazing holiday cupcakes. They are the perfect treat to impress your guests this season.
They’re a rich, moist chocolate cupcake with a hint of coffee and peppermint. The frosting is a delicious, creamy mocha swirl. And they’re finished with crushed peppermint candies for that festive look.
You’ll need simple ingredients like cocoa, coffee, and peppermint extract. The steps are easy: mix, bake, and let them cool before frosting. These are sure to be a huge hit on your Christmas dessert table!
Buche de Noel (Yule Log)
Are you looking for a “wow” dessert to impress everyone this Christmas? The Buche de Noel, or Yule Log, is an absolute showstopper. It’s one of those classic Christmas desserts that brings so much warmth to a room.
This amazing cake is shaped like a log from the forest. It’s usually decorated with chocolate ganache to resemble real bark. It’s a longtime favorite for a reason—it’s so delicious!
You’ll start by baking a light sponge cake. Then, you roll it up with a creamy filling, like buttercream. Once it’s rolled, you’ll cover the whole thing in rich chocolate.
It’s so fun to decorate with festive touches. Imagine it on your table, surrounded by pinecones. It’s a beautiful tradition for your Christmas baking that guests will adore.
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Is there any cake more stunning for a holiday table than a Red Velvet Cake? It’s my go-to choice for Christmas desserts when I want to “wow” my guests. That deep red color against the bright white frosting is pure holiday magic.
It’s not just a beautiful cake; it’s also unbelievably delicious. It has a soft, moist texture with a light cocoa flavor. And the sweet, tangy cream cheese frosting is the perfect partner.
This is a fantastic and fun addition to your Christmas baking list. You’ll bake the layers and let them cool completely. Then comes the best part: swirling on all of that delicious frosting.
A few festive sprinkles on top make it a perfect centerpiece. This treat will have everyone coming back for a second slice!
Snowman Cake Pops
These Snowman Cake Pops might be the most charming treat on a holiday table! They add such a fun, festive touch to your gathering. Coated in white chocolate, they are as delicious as they are cute.
This is a really wonderful project for your Christmas baking list. You’ll start by shaping cake pop mix into little snowman forms. Insert the sticks, then dip each one in melted white chocolate.
Once they set, you can be creative with all the decorations. Your guests will absolutely love these sweet little snowmen, and they are sure to be a huge hit!
Chocolate Fondue with Dippers
I’ve always found that the best holiday desserts are easy and impressive. My favorite secret weapon for this is a rich chocolate fondue. It looks stunning on the table and encourages everyone to get involved.
It’s a fantastic choice for your Christmas dessert list. Set out a platter of colorful dippers. Think fresh fruits like apples, bananas, marshmallows, and pieces of cake.
This is a great break from all the complicated Christmas baking. Melt chocolate and cream together over low heat until it’s velvety smooth. Transfer it to a fondue pot, and let your guests have fun dipping!
It’s not just a dessert; it’s an experience that makes the gathering feel special.
Pecan Pie Bars
Are you looking for a holiday dessert that’s easy to serve to a crowd? These Pecan Pie Bars are my favorite solution for holiday parties. They have all the rich, nutty flavor of a classic pie in a simple bar.
The buttery crust and sweet pecan filling are a perfect match. A light dusting of powdered sugar on top makes them look so festive. They’re a delightful addition to your Christmas dessert table.
Making them is so simple. Press in the buttery crust, then mix the eggs, sugar, and pecans for the filling. Pour it all over the crust and bake until it’s set and golden.
These are so much easier to serve than a messy pie. Just slice them into squares and they’re ready for your guests! They’re sure to become a new holiday baking favorite.
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
If you want to bring a true “wow” factor to your holiday table, this dessert is for you. This Chocolate Hazelnut Torte is a complete showstopper. That rich, glossy chocolate glaze glimmers under the festive lights.
It’s an elegant and sophisticated addition to your Christmas desserts. The whole hazelnuts on top make it look professional. To make it, you’ll melt dark chocolate and butter, then mix in eggs and sugar.
Gently fold in the ground hazelnuts for that amazing nutty flavor. Bake it, then pour that glossy chocolate glaze all over the top. Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Your guests are going to savor every single bite!
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
I often crave a lighter dessert after a big, hearty Christmas meal. This Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta is the perfect, refreshing answer. It’s a smooth, decadent, creamy, elegant treat.
It looks absolutely beautiful when topped with fresh berries. The bright red berry sauce is a perfect complement to the creamy vanilla. You only need a few simple ingredients to make it.
Heat the cream, sugar, and vanilla, then add the gelatin. This is a simple, no-bake addition to your Christmas baking lineup. Your guests will love this delightful finish to the feast.
Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding
Nothing is quite like a warm dessert on a chilly holiday evening. This Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding is precisely that. It’s like a comforting hug in a bowl and a perfect part of your Christmas desserts.
The flavor combination is just amazing. The tart cranberries and zesty orange are so refreshing and bright together. You’ll need simple ingredients, even leftover stale bread, to make it!
You’ll mix the bread pieces with fresh cranberries and orange zest. Then, pour a simple custard mixture of eggs, milk, and sugar over the top. Let it soak in a bit, then bake it until golden brown.
It’s a fluffy, custardy treat with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s a unique and cozy addition to your Christmas baking lineup.
Mincemeat Tarts
Is it really Christmas without a classic mincemeat tart? These delightful pastries bring a festive, traditional touch to a holiday gathering and are a true staple on the Christmas dessert table.
The crisp, golden-brown pastry is the perfect base for the rich filling. That mix of dried fruits and warm spices is just so delicious. Each bite is a perfect burst of sweet and tangy holiday flavor.
Making them is such a fun part of Christmas baking. You roll out your pastry, cut the circles, and fill them with mincemeat. Bake them until golden, and watch everyone enjoy every last crumb!
Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
Is there anything more irresistible than the smell of warm, gooey sticky buns? These Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns are a truly delightful holiday treat. They are topped with rich caramel and crunchy pecans, which are pure magic.
They’re a perfect, indulgent addition to your Christmas dessert lineup, but I think they’re even better for a special holiday breakfast! To make them, you’ll let your fluffy dough rise.
Then, you’ll roll it out with a buttery cinnamon filling and chopped pecans. After they bake, you’ll drizzle that warm, gooey caramel sauce all over the top. Serve them fresh from the oven with a hot cup of coffee. It’s pure comfort!
A Final Sprinkle of Holiday Cheer
And there you have it! My absolute favorite Christmas desserts. I hope you’ve found the perfect, festive treat to make for your holiday. You’re all set to be the star of the season!
Whether you made a simple, cozy cookie or a stunning, elegant torte, the most crucial thing is the happiness you share. Have a wonderful, magical, and delicious Christmas!
