Happy Holidays, friends! We have arrived in that very happy sugar-and-spice December place and IT. IS. GOOD. I am holiday-dancing over here as the Christmas music plays and the smear of frosting looks nice and cute on my chin.
This is the season for believing. And I believe these Christmas desserts are exactly what your holiday needs.
1. Christmas Tree Cupcakes
I can’t even with these cupcakes. Seriously, look how stinking cute they are! It’s like they were made to be the star of the show.
And you will not believe how easy this whole thing is. All you need are some plain ice cream cones, green frosting, and a star tip for your piping bag.
You can use whatever cupcake flavor you love, but the dusting of icing sugar on top is not optional. Trust me, your camera is going to love these!
2. Danish Dream Cake (Drømmekage)
This cake is so wonderfully light and moist. When it comes out of the oven, you might think it needs some frosting, but just hold on!
I promise you, that caramelized coconut topping is everything. It is more than enough to make this cake a total knockout.
But hey, if you want to be a little extra, a drizzle of warm caramel creme Anglaise would take this already delicious cake into a whole new territory of yum.
3. Mince Pies
Mincemeat is still a holiday staple in so many homes, even if it’s not as common as it used to be. And for me, these mince pies are my absolute favorite way to bring it to the holiday table.
Don’t worry, unlike the old-school recipes, modern mincemeat doesn’t have any actual meat.
Instead, what we have here are these perfect little individual pies filled with fruit and spices. They’re so good, even the kids will be asking for more!
4. Ridiculously Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding
Get ready, because sticky toffee pudding is here and it is a total game-changer! And it’s not just the nostalgia that makes it taste so incredibly good, though that definitely helps.
This is a self-saucing wonder, which means as it bakes, it creates the most perfect toffee sauce right under the cake layer.
Serve this up with some real British Custard to make it as authentic as possible. It’s pure magic!
5. No-Bake Gingerbread Cookie Truffles Recipe
Normally, when you make these cake-ball style truffles, you have to bake a whole cake first, and honestly, sometimes I’m just not feeling that extra step. But these are a total shortcut!
They use store-bought ginger snap cookies to make things super fast and easy.
Just mix them with cream cheese and vanilla almond bark, and you get the most amazing truffle filling in practically no time at all. Yes, please!
6. Eggnog Cheesecake
That amazing Christmas drink made with spiced cream, eggs, and a little bit of bourbon or rum is already a winner. But putting it into a cheesecake? WOW.
This is next level. This cheesecake has eggnog right in the filling and gets topped with an eggnog whipped cream.
That touch of spiced bourbon adds something so special. All you need is a fork and you are set for a truly delicious moment.
7. Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Cake
Are you looking for a holiday dessert that will just completely take everyone’s breath away? This cake is the one.
That indulgent chocolate ganache looks absolutely stunning against the pretty pink frosting. And don’t even get me started on those peppermint meringues!
If I were grading cakes, this one would get an A+++ without a doubt. It’s just that good.
8. Christmas Cake
Can you believe that some people start making their Christmas cakes as early as August? I’m totally serious!
I can still remember my Nana getting hers down from the cupboard, unwrapping the parchment paper, and pouring a little brandy over it.
She would do that two or three times a month, and it made for the booziest, most moist cake you could ever imagine.
Make sure you soak your fruit overnight, preferably in brandy or rum, and keep the cake wrapped in parchment until it’s time to serve.
9. Raspberry Swirl Pavlova Wreath
Even though it looks so intricate and gorgeous, this edible holiday wreath is not hard to make at all. You only need ten ingredients, and it’s way simpler than it appears.
It also has that perfect balance of sweet vanilla and tangy raspberry flavors. This is definitely one of those holiday desserts that is going to completely wow your guests. It’s a total stunner!
10. Bûche de Noël
If you can’t say Bûche de Noël, no worries! This delicious holiday treat is more commonly known as a yule log. And don’t let it intimidate you, it doesn’t require the advanced baking skills you might think.
Making the cake part is a lot like making a pumpkin roll or a Swiss roll. After that, you just add some chocolate “bark” and a few other simple tweaks. It’s so much easier than it looks!
11. Classic Mint Chocolate Brownies
If you’re a fanatic for chocolate and mint like I am, you will never turn down something that brings them together. And these classic mint chocolate brownies? Oh my gosh.
Let’s just say that even if you weren’t a huge fan of the combo, you would still be obsessed with these. Every single bite is rich, decadent, and somehow still so refreshing. It’s the perfect dessert, truly.
12. Gingerbread Chocolate Christmas Wreath Cake
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this gorgeous cake. It is 100% perfect. It looks so stunning and festive, and the flavor is just as incredible.
You get these amazing notes of chocolate and gingerbread, with just a hint of coffee in every bite. And if you get a piece with a raspberry or cranberry on top, that just adds even more Christmas flair! This one is a real winner.
13. Baked Glazed Eggnog Doughnuts
Do we even need to talk about how incredible eggnog is? It’s creamy, boozy, spicy… what’s not to love about it? These doughnuts are the absolute perfect thing to serve during the holidays, whether it’s for breakfast, a snack, or dessert!
The baked doughnuts are so light and perfectly spiced, and once you add that eggnog glaze on top, they become completely irresistible. So, so good.
14. Christmas Spiced Victoria Sponge Cake
Victoria Sponge is a total classic for a reason. Filled with jam and cream, the sponge is so light and tender. This holiday version adds a little bit of spice to the cake, which really warms things up as it gets colder outside.
While strawberry or raspberry jam is the traditional choice, a good apple jam would be an excellent pairing with the spiced sponge. It’s a must-try!
15. Sugar Plums
Sugar plums are a spiced mix of dried fruits and nuts, and in this recipe, it’s a combination of almonds, prunes, dates, and raisins. They might not have wings like the fairies, but they are coated in sugar, which makes them just as sweet.
Using a coarse sugar is the best way to go because it gives them a beautiful, crystal-like coating. If you’re feeling extra festive, you could even dust them with some edible glitter!
16. Classic British Christmas Pudding
Let’s talk about this amazing British pudding. It’s kind of like a cross between bread pudding and fruit cake, but honestly, it tastes even better than both.
Just one look at the ingredient list tells you everything you need to know. It’s packed with raisins, currants, almonds, brandy, and treacle syrup.
There’s so much good stuff going on here! It is truly an unbelievable British classic that you have to try.
17. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
These Christmas bars are so thick, buttery, and they just melt in your mouth. They’re fun, festive, and fantastically delicious! They taste just like homemade sugar cookies but with an even yummier flavor.
And the texture is just out of this world. What makes them so Christmassy is just the green food coloring and sprinkles, so you can easily switch up the decorations and enjoy these all year round. They’re so versatile!
18. Peppermint Brownies
I make brownies at least twice a month because that chocolate and fudge perfection is worth every single calorie! I love to switch up the toppings, and a peanut butter mascarpone frosting is usually my go-to.
But since it’s the holidays, peppermint just feels so right. Plus, those crushed candy canes look amazing against the cream cheese frosting. It’s a perfect holiday treat!
19. Cranberry Orange Cream Trifle
This one is a total showstopper for the big day! A trifle always wows the crowd. When you bring it out in that tall glass dish, everyone will just be in awe of the beautiful layers and colors.
And it looks so much more complicated to make than it actually is. The secret? Using a store-bought pound cake!
If you want to make an even bigger splash, you could add some crumbled meringue to the top. After all, it is Christmas!
20. Gingerbread Cheesecake with Pecan-Graham Crust
Cheesecake is a fantastic dessert for any holiday. And really, what says Christmas more than a creamy gingerbread cheesecake on top of a pecan and graham cracker crust?
The molasses gives it that deep flavor we all love in gingerbread, and I’d also suggest using brown sugar to get the most caramel flavor possible.
Top it off with some candied pecans or your favorite candied nuts and a big dollop of whipped cream. It’s holiday perfection!
