Christmas Dessert Recipes

Hello, holiday bakers and dessert enthusiasts! The Christmas season sparkles with magic. Twinkling lights, warm gatherings, and festive sweets make this time of year extra special. Whether you’re the family dessert expert or simply want to try something new, these Christmas dessert recipes are perfect for you. They’ll help you create memorable celebrations and spread holiday cheer.

A panel with 4 images showcasing festive desserts: the first image features a creamy cheesecake swirled with vibrant cranberry sauce and topped with sugared cranberries and white chocolate; the second image displays peppermint bark, layered with dark and white chocolate, sprinkled with crushed candy canes, and festive molds; the third image highlights Santa hat cream puffs with a bright red craquelin topping, whipped cream, and a strawberry dusted with powdered sugar; the fourth image presents a spiced custard tart decorated with gingerbread cookies, sugared cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and festive star-shaped embellishments.

You’ll find classic holiday flavors like gingerbread and peppermint alongside creative twists on timeless pies. Imagine serving a decadent cheesecake that’s both beautiful and delicious. Or bake a warm batch of apple pie cinnamon rolls that everyone will love. These desserts fit every occasion. From grand holiday feasts to quiet evenings by the fire, there’s something for every moment. You can even make these treats as thoughtful gifts for your loved ones.

Grab your mixer and bowl, preheat your oven, and dive into the magic of Christmas baking. With these show-stopping desserts, you’ll create delicious treats and lasting memories. Click on each post for all the ingredients and step-by-step instructions you need to make the season sweeter and dish up some goodness!

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Christmas Macarons & Cookies

While this post doesn’t include many cookie recipes, don’t worry! Entire posts are dedicated to Christmas cookies for you to explore. From Christmas macarons to festive sugar cookies, there’s plenty of inspiration. Check the links below and start baking your favorite holiday cookies!

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe

Peppermint bark is a festive treat featuring layers of rich dark chocolate and creamy white chocolate, topped with crushed candy canes for a refreshing crunch. This simple, no-bake dessert is perfect for gifting or enjoying during the holidays, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and minty freshness.

Recipe for the Peppermint Bark here.

peppermint bark chopped on top of a board.

Christmas Puffs

Bake these Pistachio Christmas Puffs for a delightful holiday treat! Light and airy choux pastry is filled with rich pistachio pastry cream. Add a craquelin topping for extra crunch, or decorate with strawberries and whipped cream to make Santa hats. You can also dip them in green chocolate for a touch of festive color. These cream puffs are perfect for parties or as a fun holiday baking project.

Recipe for Christmas Puffs here.

Christmas puffs looking like santa claus with a strawberry on top

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

This Caramel Apple Cheesecake will steal the spotlight on your holiday table. A buttery graham cracker crust holds a luscious apple-infused cheesecake topped with layers of sweet caramel sauce. Spiced, caramelized apples and a rich caramel drizzle complete this indulgent dessert. It’s a perfect mix of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors.

Recipe for the Caramel Apple Cheesecake here.

apple caramel cheesecake slice on a plate.

Eggnog Pie

Celebrate the season with this festive Eggnog Pie! A spiced gingerbread cookie crust pairs perfectly with a smooth and creamy eggnog filling. The combination of vanilla and warm spices creates a dessert full of holiday cheer. Serve it at family gatherings or holiday parties for a dessert everyone will remember.

Recipe for the Eggnog Pie here.

christmas pie filled with eggnog filling and gingerbread crust, topped with gingerbread cookies, sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

Gingerbread Cheesecake

Recipe for the Gingerbread Cheesecake here.

Apple Crumble Bars

These Apple Crumble Bars are the perfect holiday treat, combining a buttery shortbread base, spiced apple filling, and crumbly topping for a festive twist on classic apple flavors. Each bite brings the warmth of sweet and tangy spiced apples, nestled between crisp shortbread layers—like a handheld apple pie made for the holidays! Ideal for sharing at festive gatherings or enjoying as a comforting wintertime snack, these bars are sure to be a hit this Christmas season.

Recipe for the Apple Crumble Bars here.

The image features a stack of golden apple crumb bars topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with caramel sauce, adding an indulgent touch. The bars have a crunchy, crumbly top and reveal tender spiced apples nestled between the layers. The third image presents the bars neatly cut and arranged on a parchment-lined wooden board, highlighting their even, golden-brown crust. Surrounding the bars are apples, cinnamon sticks, and brown sugar, emphasizing the warm, autumnal flavors of the dessert.

Orange Cranberry Bread

If you’re looking for a festive holiday treat that can be enjoyed at anytime of day, this Orange Cranberry Bread is a must-try! Bursting with fresh, tart cranberries and zesty orange flavor, this moist loaf is perfect for any holiday gathering or Christmas morning. Topped with a creamy orange glaze and garnished with sugared cranberries, it’s the ideal sweet treat for celebrating the season, from Christmas brunch to cozy winter afternoons by the fire.

Recipe for the Orange Cranberry Bread here.

Orange cranberry bread topped with creamy orange frosting, sugared cranberries, fresh rosemary sprigs, and orange zest curls, beautifully presented on a wooden board. The festive garnishes and vibrant colors create an elegant holiday display, with the bread’s decorative design and cozy background enhancing the seasonal feel.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

These Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls are a festive holiday twist on a classic! Soft, fluffy rolls are filled with warm spiced apple pie filling and topped with a rich cream cheese glaze that melts perfectly into every bite. Whether for Christmas morning, a cozy dessert, or an afternoon treat, these rolls bring all the comfort and cheer of the season to your table. Perfect for sharing or savoring with a cup of cocoa, they’re a holiday favorite everyone will love!

Recipe for the Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls here.

Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll on a plate, cut in half.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Alright, I had to include at least one new cookie recipe here! These White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are a festive holiday favorite, perfectly balancing sweetness and tartness with their soft, buttery dough, creamy white chocolate, tangy cranberries, and crunchy macadamia nuts. Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party or simply craving a cozy holiday treat, these cookies are a must-have addition to your seasonal baking list!

Recipe for the White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies here.

Overhead view of a batch of white chocolate cranberry cookies arranged closely together, highlighting their golden-brown color with visible pieces of white chocolate and dried cranberries. Surrounding the cookies are small bowls of macadamia nuts, sugar, and white chocolate chips, adding visual interest and showcasing the ingredients in the recipe.

Apple Pie Cookies

These festive Apple Pie Cookies are a delightful twist on a holiday classic! With a spiced, buttery dough and a rich caramelized apple filling, each bite is like a miniature apple pie. Topped with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze, they’re perfect for holiday gatherings, gift boxes, or cozy evenings by the fire. Even Santa won’t be able to resist these sweet, seasonal treats!

Recipe for the Apple Pie Cookies here.

Cranberry Cheesecake

This Cranberry Cheesecake is a show-stopping centerpiece for any festive table and a dessert that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. The creamy white chocolate cheesecake base is perfectly balanced with swirls of homemade tangy cranberry sauce, creating a harmony of rich and refreshing flavors. All of this sits atop a toasty golden Oreo cookie crust that adds the perfect buttery crunch to every bite. To elevate it even further, the cheesecake is topped with a luscious white chocolate ganache and finished with glistening sugared cranberries, adding a touch of sparkle and elegance. Whether it’s for Christmas dinner or any holiday celebration, this dessert is guaranteed to steal the spotlight and impress your guests.

Recipe for the Cranberry Cheesecake here.

A close-up of a slice of cranberry cheesecake, highlighting the creamy texture and vibrant cranberry swirls within the filling. The top is decorated with sugared cranberries and white chocolate pearls, adding a festive touch. The slice sits on a scalloped plate, with a golden crust at the base, capturing an inviting and elegant presentation. A sprig of rosemary is placed beside the plate for a pop of green, enhancing the holiday feel.

Pecan Pie Brownies

These Pecan Pie Brownies are a festive fusion of rich, fudgy brownies and classic pecan pie, featuring a buttery brownie base topped with a gooey maple pecan pie topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these indulgent treats combine deep chocolate with sweet, nutty caramel, making them a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress and leave everyone talking!

Recipe for the Pecan Pie Brownies here.

A close-up of two pecan pie brownies stacked on top of each other, showcasing their dense, fudgy chocolate base and a rich, caramelized pecan topping. The top layer glistens with a glossy, golden pecan mixture, adding a crunchy and gooey texture contrast to the soft, moist brownie beneath. The intricate details of the pecan pieces and caramel coating highlight the indulgent nature of these brownies, arranged on a rustic ceramic plate for a cozy, inviting presentation.

Apple Crumb Cake

This festive Apple Crumb Cake is wonderfully fluffy, filled with tender apples, and topped with a buttery streusel crumb and a sweet Apple Cider Cinnamon Glaze. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this easy-to-make cake brings all the cozy flavors of apple crisp in a soft, delicious cake form—an ideal dessert to impress during the Fall and Christmas season!

Recipe for the Apple Crumb Cake here.

Matcha Tiramisu

These flavors may not be traditional go-to Christmas flavors, but the colors speak for themselves. In this recipe we swap the cocoa powder for matcha, and layer ladyfingers soaked in matcha tea, with creamy mascarpone. An easy dessert to make that’s not overly sweet, and will please any green tea lovers. A non-traditional holiday dessert!

Recipe for the Matcha Tiramisu here.

matcha tiramisu in a dish with raspberries and matcha chocolate on top.

Storage & Prepping Ahead

Many of these recipes can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge so you can make them well ahead of your holiday gathering. But once they’re made the leftovers store really well too. Many freeze well in the freezer or can last days in the fridge. Check each individual post to see how long they’ll last, if you don’t eat them all first!

I hope you enjoy make at least one of these Christmas dessert recipes. Happy baking and merry Christmas!