Cookies on Santa's plate are just the beginning.
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Looking to spend the month of December baking holiday goodies? Well then, you've come to the right place! Now that Santa season is here, we've rounded up some of our best Christmas desserts to make for all your seasonal occasions. Whether you're hosting Christmas dinner, attending a church potluck, or simply looking for a cute winter treat, this list has all the Christmas dessert recipes you need.
Of course, there are plenty of Christmas cookies ahead. (And for that, you'll want to package them in a giftable cookie box.) But you'll also find traditional peppermint treats, holiday pies, and gingerbread recipes you look forward to each year! For a delicious trip around the world, check out the Italian Christmas desserts like rainbow cookies, pizzelle, and struffoli; otherwise, try German Christmas cookies like lebkuchen or spritz cookies. You'll find that some Christmas cakes go way beyond a gingerbread house decorated with candy. There are even desserts that double as sweet homemade Christmas food gifts, like the boozy rum balls and homemade marshmallows.
Along with classics like a traditional yule log, you'll find fun new Christmas desserts that might just surprise you like hot chocolate cookies, eggnog ice cream, and sugar cookie fudge. Plus, there are plenty of Christmas treats with festive red and green colors like the Crock-Pot candy or the pinwheel cookies decorated with red and green sprinkles. Most of these recipes are easy enough that novice bakers can master them. Even your kids will want to get involved in making them as a fun family tradition. So, what are you waiting for? There are plenty of sweet ideas to go around.
1
Tiramisu Cake
This fun twist on a classic dessert is everything you love about fluffy tiramisu in cake form! The layers of cake are even soaked in coffee for that signature flavor.
Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.
2
Chocolate Toffee Cookie Bars
These chewy brown sugar cookie bars are always a hit. You can make them for an after-school snack or to serve up after your holiday feast. Either way, you'll want to use red and green M&M's for the festive colors.
Get the Chocolate Toffee Cookie Bars recipe.
3
Eggnog Ice Cream
Sweet vanilla, warm nutmeg, and spiced rum come together to create this seasonal ice cream flavor. Scoop it into bowls with a drizzle of chocolate syrup or serve it over your favorite pecan pie!
Get the Eggnog Ice Cream recipe.
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4
Christmas Cracker Candy
It's sweet, it's salty, and it's incredibly festive! This homemade candy is perfect for gifting to friends and family.
Get the Christmas Cracker Candy recipe.
5
Scotcheroos
These peanut butter bars are simple yet scrumptious. They have a crispy base and a rich chocolate topping that makes them an all-time crowd-pleaser.
Get the Scotcheroos recipe.
6
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
Grab your cutest cookie cutters to make these sweet and spiced treats. The gingerbread cookies are filled with an orange buttercream and jellied cranberry sauce to make them even sweeter!
Get the Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies recipe.
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7
Sugar Cookie Fudge
No need to take up precious oven space for this holiday dessert! The no-bake fudge is a fun way to get the flavor of sugar cookies without turning on the oven.
Get the Sugar Cookie Fudge recipe.
8
Candy Cane Cake
You'll wow your guests with this show-stopping cake. But here's the secret: it's made with a box of chocolate cake mix!
Get Ree's Candy Cane Cake recipe.
9
Eggnog Cut-Out Cookies
Once you learn how to decorate your cookies with this swirly technique, you'll never look back! It's so easy and so festive at the same time.
Get the Eggnog Cut-Out Cookies recipe.
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10
Chocolate Bundt Cake
You can't go wrong with a simple chocolate cake, but if you want to make it even more festive for the holidays, simply top it with a decadent chocolate glaze and add a spattering of sprinkles on top!
Get the Chocolate Bundt Cake recipe.
11
Gingerbread-Spiced Cinnamon Rolls
For a twist on classic cinnamon rolls, this recipe adds the warm spiced flavors of Christmas gingerbread in the filling and a coconut cream cheese icing on top.
Get the Gingerbread-Spiced Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
12
Panna Cotta
This Italian dessert will look so elegant on your holiday dinner table. But little will your guests know, it's as easy as making Jell-O! Top it off with fresh fruit, raspberry sauce, or caramel for even more sweetness.
Get the Panna Cotta recipe.
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13
Rum Balls
The flavors of chocolate and dark rum make this dessert a boozy treat. You can get creative with the toppings by rolling them in shredded coconut, finely chopped pecans, or nonpareils.
Get the Rum Balls recipe.
14
Mississippi Mud Pie
Take your chocolate pie to the next level by making this recipe that starts with a chocolate crust and has layers of chocolate brownie filling and chocolate pudding.
Get the Mississippi Mud Pie recipe.
15
White Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
This bread pudding uses buttery croissants instead of bread. It's a fun twist on a classic dessert that's sure to impress.
Get the White Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding recipe.
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16
Homemade Marshmallows
Once you try homemade marshmallows, you'll never go back to the store-bought kind again! They're big, pillowy, soft, and they can even be dipped in chocolate!
Get the Homemade Marshmallows recipe.
17
Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate
Planning a big Christmas tree trimming party? Look no further than this Crock-Pot hot chocolate! It's the easiest way to whip up the chocolate drink for a crowd.
Get the Crock-Pot Hot Chocolate recipe.
18
Mexican Wedding Cookies
These buttery pecan cookies are covered in powdered sugar so they're sometimes referred to as snowball cookies. But no matter what name you use, they're sure to be a festive addition to a Christmas cookie plate.
Get the Mexican Wedding Cookies recipe.
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19
Eclair Cake
You're oven will likely be working overtime during the holiday season, so give it a break with this easy no-bake dessert! It layers vanilla pudding with graham crackers and a rich chocolate ganache.
Get the Eclair Cake recipe.
20
Crock-Pot Candy
These cute candies are the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The chocolate melts and combines with salty, roasted peanuts, potato chips, and pretzels for a crunchy bite that's so festive.
Get the Crock-Pot Candy recipe.
