My days spent eating mediocre store-bought desserts are over. If I’m going to eat dessert, it better be worth every delicious bite. This passion for sweets has made me the official baker for our family gatherings, and over the last few years, I’ve tested and perfected plenty of holiday desserts by the time Christmas rolls around. I rounded up all my favorites so we can all have them in one place. Read on, and let me know which one you’re making first this season.
30 Holiday Dessert Recipes That Steal the Show
Whether you need an abundance of cookies to bring on a platter or more niche desserts like tiramisu cups, this list has all the holiday desserts you could imagine. From easy make-ahead treats to elevated takes on classic recipes, look no further this season for all of your sweet treat inspiration.
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Kicking off the cookie portion of this holiday dessert compilation is one of our most requested recipes. As a big fan of soft and sweet marshmallows (and, of course, chocolate), these hot chocolate-inspired cookies with a soft center are a dessert everyone at your table will love.
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Every year, my family snags a tin of gingersnap cookies from Trader Joe’s, and they’re typically gone by the end of December. If you’re craving the sweet ginger molasses flavor, there’s nothing better than these chewy homemade cookies.
Slice and Bake Cookies
I get it—not everyone had time to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up their holiday desserts. If you find yourself in a time crunch this season, these slice and bake cookies will be your new best friend.
Chai Chocolate Dipped Christmas Cookies
The chai spice blend pairs perfectly with the holiday season. With delicate chocolate-dipped chai cookies, you get a balanced blend of decorative, festive, and tasty.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
For all the peppermint mocha lovers out there—this one’s for you! Simple shortbread cookies meet rich chocolate to turn a classic flavor pairing into a bite-sized treat. Bonus points if you pair them with crushed candy cane pieces.
Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
In my eyes, it’s pumpkin spice season until January at the earliest. Don’t count these cookies out at the end of November—their spice blend and lightly sweetened glaze make them a great treat for any cold-weather occasion.
Chocolate Orange Shortbread Linzer Cookies
Everyone wants holiday desserts that look just as good on camera—right? If you’re searching for a show-stopper, these shortbread linzer cookies with a hint of orange zest and mildly sweet chocolate are the way to go.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
As I mentioned, pumpkin doesn’t lose its appeal when the holidays roll around. This elevated take on a classic dessert is precisely what your gathering needs this year—take my word for it. The key here isn’t (spoiler alert) chocolate chips—it’s using a chopped dark chocolate bar. Melty pools of chocolatey goodness await.
Chocolate Peppermint Snowball Cookies
These cookies are on the smaller end, but that doesn’t mean they lack flavor or pizzaz. Dusted with snow-like powdered sugar and a gooey molten chocolate center, these cookies are an all-around winner during the holidays.
Chocolate Chip Tahini Shortbread Cookies
Sweet chocolate chips and savory tahini create these incredible shortbread cookies. The best part of this recipe is how easy it is to throw together.
The Linzer Cookie from Birdhouse Bakery
If you add one recipe to your holiday cookie box, it has to be these Linzer cookies from Elizabeth Ho at Birdhouse Bakery. These cookies use seasonal citrus for their custard paired with a savory and soft shortbread.
Apple Ginger Pie
Move over apple pie—this apple ginger version is giving the classic a run for its money. It’s hard to beat the Granny Smith and ginger combination hidden beneath a decorative and stunning pie crust topping.
Classic Buttermilk Pie
Camille’s mom’s buttermilk pie deserves a place in every homemade recipe book for two reasons. First, the subtly sweet interior has the perfect light and soft texture. Second, look at those pie crust fall leaves!
Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust
The search for the perfect pumpkin pie recipe is OVER! Last year, when Camille crafted this pumpkin pie, we fell in love with the sweet and sugary gingersnap crust and delicious whipped cream topping. Needless to say, we’re still obsessed.
Maple Pecan Pie
It may be hard to migrate away from your family’s tried-and-true pecan pie, but I encourage you to give this recipe a try. With subtle maple flavors that complement this crunchy and chewy nut, you’ll be changed for good.
Bruléed Pumpkin Pie
Take your pumpkin pie to the next level with a crème brûlée-style topping. Bake this pie with a traditional crust, or try out the long-loved graham cracker crust.
Chai Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is one of the many underrated holiday desserts, and this recipe will bring cheer to any holiday table. This cake contains Indian-inspired masala chai spices with a cream cheese and cardamom-based icing.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cake
Hot chocolate fans everywhere can agree that the drink in itself is a holiday dessert. However, if you live in a warmer state where drinking a hot bev isn’t always in the cards, this cake is the perfect alternative.
Spiced Sweet Potato Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Soon to be a popular opinion: sweet potatoes are the base of the best holiday desserts. Their natural sweetness makes them perfect paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Exhibit A: This sweet potato cake!
Pumpkin Loaf Cake
I make this loaf cake at least once a month once October rolls around. Topped with crunchy pecans (or your nut of choice), this moist, spongy cake packs the perfect amount of sweet and spiced fall flavors.
Rum & Coffee Spiced Tres Leches
Here in Texas, everyone has their version of a tres leches, and no one dares to tell someone their recipe is inferior. I may be biased, but I think this tres leches is the perfect recipe that stays true to the original elements with a bit of a twist.
Gingerbread Streusel Bundt
Store-bought bundt cakes are out! Homemade, thick, and flavorful bundt cakes with generous toppings and innovative flavors are in. If you’re a fan of gingerbread anything during the holidays, this will be one of your repeat holiday desserts.
Walnut Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
Snack on this coffee cake for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack. Whatever the time of day, they’re the perfect bite that’s not overwhelmingly sweet.
Pumpkin Snack Cake
Snack cakes are the best way to wow a crowd with what looks like a complex recipe but one that takes little time. Your friends and family won’t be able to resist grabbing one (or more) of these spiced, moist cakes dusted in sweet powdered sugar.
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Bars
My family LOVES pecan pie—so much that they don’t feel the holiday is complete without one. When we grow tired of the classic pie, these pecan pie bars are precisely the recipe to turn to.
Cranberry Pie Bars
If you could conjure up a dessert with the perfect blend of sweet and tart, it would be these cranberry pie bars. They offer a festive, easy-to-share treat for any gathering or holiday meal.
Funfetti Holiday Marshmallows
These homemade marshmallows are simply adorable and will bring a smile to anyone’s face this season. The colorful treats add a playful touch to any gathering, or if you’d rather, they make for great gifts.
Cookie Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie of any variety makes serving simple. If you’ve never tried your hand at throwing together a dessert charcuterie board, we have a few variations to offer. This cookie board is my personal favorite, with simple shortbread cookies, chocolate pieces, and marshmallows.
Pumpkin Tiramisu
An outstanding balance of creamy indulgence and warm autumn flavors, the personal pumpkin tiramisu cups make for an easy and simple dessert that adds a personal element to your holiday menu.
Salted Caramel Pots De Creme
Salted caramel desserts aren’t exclusively enjoyed during the holiday season, but these pots de creme make the perfect recipe to serve an intimate holiday crowd. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a bit of flaky sea salt with crushed, toasted pecans.
