Get ideas for the best Christmas desserts to make for parties or gifts! Includes recipes for bars, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, truffles, fudge, cookies, and more.
Now’s the time for complete honesty, my friends. It’s the Christmas season, and Santa isn’t going to come down your chimney if you lie. So be honest.
Your favorite thing about Christmas is the treats.
It’s okay! Because it’s mine too! All the holiday cheer, gifting, loving one another . . . it’s all great. But I just really love the cute Christmas desserts. Haha! I’m partially kidding.
But, to be honest, it’s one of the things that I look forward to every year. It’s actually one of the only times I get excited about baking, and I love to make things to bring to parties, as well as to give away as gifts.
I also like to try something new every year. I don’t want to make the same Christmas sweets every single time. I like to expand my horizons! One year I’ll try bars and the next year, truffles. Then the year after that? A tart. Because life is short, people.
If you’re looking for a great list of Christmas dessert recipes, I’d love to share these with you. These are my favorites. Take a peek at them, including some that I’ve made and posted here on the blog!
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of these, or if you try any. Or if you have some sweets that you’d like to recommend. Keep on reading.
Christmas Bars
1
www.justsotasty.com
Gingerbread Cookie Bars
These easy gingerbread cookie bars have a delicious ginger molasses flavor and a soft, chewy texture. Instead of royal icing – they’re topped with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting for the perfect Christmas treat!
Get the Recipe
2
momontimeout.com
M&M’s Marshmallow Dream Bars
These M&M’s marshmallow dream bars are as easy as 1-2-3, and will disappear just that quickly. Made with just a handful of ingredients, no bake, five minutes max – these Christmas bars are what dessert dreams are made of!
Get the Recipe
3
dashofsanity.com
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
These Christmas sugar cookie bars are a delicious, soft holiday sweet. This holiday dessert is simple to make, while being both tasty and festive.
Get the Recipe
4
Pretzel Bars
Looking for a delicious Christmas dessert you can make in just a few minutes? Try these M&M marshmallow pretzel bars! No baking required.
Get the Recipe
5
togetherasfamily.com
Santa’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Christmas desserts with plenty of peanut butter are my favorite! These bars are loaded with Christmas mix peanut butter m&m's, chocolate chips, peanut butter, oats, and Christmas red & green sprinkles.
Get the Recipe
6
thetickledtastebud.com
Peppermint Cheesecake Bars (Gluten-Free)
There's still time to bake some special for the holidays, something peppermint-y and cheesecake-y. These peppermint cheesecake bars are the perfect sweet treat to make and gift away to family and friends for Christmas.
Get the Recipe
Christmas Cakes and Cupcakes
7
momlovesbaking.com
Ugly Sweater Christmas Cake
Make this adorable Ugly Sweater Cake for the holidays this year! It’s easy to make using your favorite cake mix. Then frost with homemade buttercream and add some crazy cute details to make it the ugliest sweater cake at the party!
Get the Recipe
8
5minutesformom.com
How to Make a Christmas Tree Cake
Wanting to bake a special Christmas dessert? Short on time? There’s nothing wrong with going for a cake mix. Here’s a way to elevate your next boxed cake: make it a Christmas tree cake!
Get the Recipe
9
simplystacie.net
Eggnog Cupcakes {with Buttercream Frosting}
Eggnog cupcakes are a holiday favorite cupcake that is loaded with eggnog flavor. Topped with a sweet and velvety smooth eggnog frosting to throw this into an award-winning Christmas cupcake recipe!
Get the Tutorial
10
crayonsandcravings.com
Christmas Sugar Cookie Cake
If you want a tasty Christmas dessert that the whole family will love, then this cake is perfect. Simple prep, rich and creamy frosting, and the perfect amount of colorful sprinkles.
Get the Recipe
11
Grinch Cupcakes
Having a Whoville themed party? This Grinch cupcake recipe is going to be a hit! Plus these are easily customizable.
Get the Recipe
12
itsybitsykitchen.com
Christmas Funfetti Cheesecake Layer Cake
This Christmas funfetti cheesecake layer cake is delicious, fun, and full of holiday spirit. It’s a cake you MUST serve at your holidays parties!
Get the Recipe
13
Christmas Wreath Cupcakes
These cute wreath Christmas cupcakes are fun for the whole family to decorate!
Get the Recipe
14
atreatsaffair.com
Christmas Vanilla Roll Cake Dessert
Get a recipe for a simple vanilla roll cake with red and green dots and spirals of creamy buttercream. It's the perfect dessert for Christmas parties, but the family will love it at home too!
Get the Recipe
15
pupswithchopsticks.com
Candy Cane Chocolate Crepe Cake
You'll love this super festive candy cane chocolate crepe cake recipe made of crepes! It has a unique chewy soft texture and crunchy candy canes topped with a dark chocolate ganache.
Get the Recipe
16
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Spiced White Chocolate Buttercream
Make delicious gingerbread cupcakes with spiced white chocolate buttercream frosting! This recipe is perfect for Christmas baking.
Get the Recipe
17
itsybitsykitchen.com
Peppermint Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream
This peppermint cake with white chocolate buttercream is easy enough that anyone can make it and feel like an expert baker. Plus it’s really, really good!
Get the Recipe
18
itsybitsykitchen.com
Christmas Poke Cake
This green and red poke cake is a festive and easy Christmas dessert. Soft cake layers, creamy vanilla frosting, and lots of sprinkles make it a welcome addition to your holiday parties!
Get the Recipe
19
Spice Cake Bars
This spice cake bar recipe is perfect for the holidays – they are cake-y, moist, and sweet. And the Peeps on top make them so festive!
Get the Recipe
Christmas Cheesecakes and Tarts
20
itsybitsykitchen.com
Eggnog Cheesecake
This no bake eggnog cheesecake is SO EASY to make. It requires little active time and is a great make-ahead dessert option for Christmas. And the gingersnap crust makes it so delicious and festive!
Get the Recipe
21
willcookforsmiles.com
Christmas Cranberry Jam White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake
This is an amazing Christmas cheesecake to make your holiday season as delicious and magical as you imagine! This heavenly dessert is a vanilla bean cheesecake layered with an easy cranberry jam and smooth white chocolate mousse.
Get the Recipe
22
www.lifeloveandsugar.com
No Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Easy Christmas Dessert
This smooth and creamy no bake peppermint cheesecake is a festive make-ahead dessert for the holidays! It has a vanilla cookie crust, a pepperminty filling with crushed peppermint and a light whipped cream on top.
Get the Recipe
23
www.amytreasure.com
No-Bake Vanilla Christmas Cheesecake
Get a recipe for beautiful no-bake vanilla cheesecake with festive reindeer decoration that will bring Christmas cheer to all! This is a fun one to make with kids or bring to a family celebration.
Get the Recipe
24
lollyjane.com
Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Minis
Christmas desserts just got so much cuter – these little mini cheesecakes are hot cocoa flavored, and shaped like little hot cocoa mugs! Aren't they fun?
Get the Recipe
25
www.bunsinmyoven.com
No Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake
This gingerbread cheesecake is an easy, no-bake recipe that is perfect for the holidays! Loads of gingerbread flavor with a simple crust and a creamy filling.
Get the Recipe
26
delight-fuel.com
White Chocolate Cranberry Tart
Mmmm, this festive white chocolate cranberry tart is so incredibly smooth and creamy, you’re gonna be in heaven. It’s decadent filling is so delicious with no baking required. The perfect dessert to bring to any Christmas party.
Get the Recipe
Christmas Cookies
27
Santa Cookies
These Santa Claus cookies are so cute and easy to make with a star shaped cookie cutter. Kids will love these!
Get the Recipe
28
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with Cheesecake Filling
These red velvet thumbprint cookies are so rich and fluffy with the perfect amount of creamy cheesecake filling. They are perfectly festive and delicious!
Get the Recipe
29
lifeloveandsugar.com
Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies
Italian ricotta cookies are soft, cake-like little cookies with lovely flavor and a tasty icing on top. They are easy to make and perfect for any holiday – especially Christmas!
Get the Recipe
30
Rolo Cookies
Rolo cookies are quick, easy, and delicious! Follow this simple Rolo cookie recipe (only requires five ingredients) to make this incredibly tasty, chocolatey, and gooey dessert! Great for a bake sale or Christmas cookie exchange.
Get the Recipe
31
Peppermint Frosted Chocolate Cookies
These frosted peppermint cookies are rich and fudge-like with extra soft centers and chewy edges. They are perfect for all of your holiday get-togethers!
Get the Recipe
32
creationsbykara.com
Caramel Filled Bon Bon Cookies
These pretty candy like bon bon cookies are filled with a yummy caramel surprise. They are so fun to serve, and even more fun to eat!
Get the Recipe
33
www.smartschoolhouse.com
Christmas Crackers Dessert
Salty and sweet, what is there not to love? My Christmas crackers are deliciously delicate and adorned with holly sprinkles. Take one bite and you’ll instantly feel festive! These are easy to make, yet, look very impressive.
Get the Recipe
34
lifeloveandsugar.com
Buttery Spritz Christmas Cookies
These spritz cookies are buttery, tender and such festive Christmas cookies! The cookie dough is super easy to put together and there’s so many ways to decorate them. A great make-ahead cookie for a Christmas sweet.
Get the Recipe
Christmas Fudge
35
printablecrush.com
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Fudge
This peppermint hot Chocolate fudge recipe just SCREAMS Christmas time! You’ll love the rich dark chocolate, tasty marshmallows, and sweet peppermint combination.
Get the Recipe
36
karacreates.com
Easy Rum Fudge Christmas Treat
The classic recipe for rum balls is transformed into a delicious fudge recipe perfect for the holidays. This is an easy Christmas treat that everyone will love!
Get the Recipe
37
www.thatswhatchesaid.net
Five Minute Gingerbread Fudge
Even if you don’t have a cute gingerbread silicone mold, this easy five minute gingerbread fudge will become a holiday favorite. Kids will love helping out because it's so easy make!
Get the Recipe
38
Candy Cane Fudge
If you want an easy fudge recipe, try this delicious candy cane version! You can use the same base and customize with other ingredients to make it your own.
Get the Recipe
39
crayonsandcravings.com
Sugar Cookie Fudge
This easy-to-make, five-Ingredient, sugar cookie fudge is a combo of two of my favorite treats! Once you make this and gift it, you'll get asked for it again and again.
Get the Recipe
Christmas Truffles
40
Christmas Oreo Balls
Perfect for holiday treats, these Oreo xmas balls are easy to make and irresistibly delicious. You can make them same day for the holidays.
Get the Recipe
41
www.ifyougiveablondeakitchen.com
Sugar Cookie Truffles
Sugar cookie truffles are a three-ingredient no-bake recipe for the holidays that uses sugar cookies, cream cheese and white chocolate (plus, sprinkles as an option).
Get the Recipe
42
foodfolksandfun.net
Gingerbread Oreo Truffles
These gingerbread Oreo truffles are easy holiday treats that are great for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and gifting! Turns out it makes 48 servings for only $10 too. That's pretty amazing.
Get the Recipe
43
www.shugarysweets.com
Chocolate Almond Truffle Recipe
Sweet and nutty homemade truffles are as easy as can be with this Chocolate Almond Truffle recipe! Learn how to make truffles at home and impress everyone with these delicious candies.
Get the Recipe
44
Brazilian Beijinhos de Coco
Beijinhos are Brazilian coconut truffles that are incredibly easy to make – they only take four ingredients, and are amazingly sweet and delicious! Perfect for Christmas since they look like little snowballs.
Get the Recipe
45
cakewhiz.com
Red Velvet Truffles for Christmas
Quick and easy no bake red velvet truffles recipe with cream cheese are a bite sized Christmas sweet with rich and creamy texture.
Get the Recipe
Desserts for Gifting
46
Shanna Mallon
Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows
Homemade marshmallows are the perfect gift idea! You can eat them straight, or add them to hot cocoa – or even melt over ice cream. They are so delicious, and the peppermint makes them so Christmas-y!
Get the Recipe
47
thesoccermomblog.com
*Better-Than-Starbucks* Cranberry Bliss Bread
This delicious copycat Starbucks cranberry bliss bread recipe tastes just like the famous recipe, only better! It’s light and fluffy, with sweet cranberries and creamy white chocolate baked right in. It’s just the right amount of sweet, with a touch of tartness that only cranberries can bring to the table.
Get the Recipe
48
peasandcrayons.com
Christmas Cookie Cake Dessert
Delight your friends and family with this festive wreath cookie cake, perfect for holiday parties and gatherings galore! It's also great for gifting to a teacher, neighbor, or anyone else who likes Christmas sweets.
Get the Recipe
49
www.kevinandamanda.com
Vanilla Bean Macarons with Christmas Frosting
These decadent vanilla bean macarons are topped with gorgeous edible glitter for a completely magical, festive holiday treat. Get creative with these vibrant Christmas pastries! Learn to make three tasty macaron variations.
Get the Recipe
50
spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com
Peppermint Bark
Semi-sweet milk chocolate and white chocolate are layered with crushed candy canes to make this heavenly peppermint bark.
Get the Recipe
51
Christmas Tree Rice Krispy Treat Recipe
This rice krispy treat recipe makes the cutest Christmas trees ever! Perfect for the holidays, tasty, and the whole family can join in to make them.
Get the Recipe
Party Desserts
52
bakedbyanintrovert.com
Yule Log Cake (Buche de Noel)
This tasty yule log cake recipe features a delicate chocolate sponge cake wrapped around a silky cream cheese filling and covered in whipped chocolate ganache. It's festive enough to be the centerpiece at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe
53
Christmas Whoopie Pies
Try this Christmas whoopie pie recipe, perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Get the Recipe
54
Eggnog Creme Brulee
The crispy, burnt sugar is the best part of this easy and delicious eggnog creme brulee. This is perfect for an elegant Christmas dessert!
Get the Recipe
55
thedecoratedcookie.com
Christmas S’mores Dip
Whip up this super easy, two-ingredient Christmas s’mores dip for a cute, fun holiday treat. It’s perfect for watching movies, serving at holiday parties, for just because.
Get the Recipe
56
Christmas Crack
This saltine cracker toffee is the ultimate Christmas dessert! Everyone loves this recipe and it's very easy to make. It's addicting – that's why they call it "Christmas crack!"
Get the Recipe
57
raspberricupcakes.com
Christmas Mess with Christmas Tree Meringues
If you haven't had Christmas mess, it's a delicious dessert where the layers end up "messy" no matter what. Make the little meringue trees, and how cute are these for dinner parties?
Get the Recipe
58
shewearsmanyhats.com
Holiday Pavlova Wreath Recipe
This festive holiday Pavlova Wreath is such a lovely dessert and makes the perfect addition to any special occasion. Pavlova is a meringue dessert with a delicate, crispy crunchy shell with a soft light, marshmallowy, almost custard-like inside. It is traditionally served topped with whipped cream and fruit.
Get the Recipe
59
hearthandvine.com
Woodland Cake Recipe for Christmas
Decorating a delicious cake is just as fun as baking it, as seen in this lovely winter woodland cake that you can make all season long. It's simple yet pretty, which makes it perfect for a celebration.
Get the Recipe
Did you enjoy these treats? I hope you’ll check out these other holiday posts as well: