Our 15 Favorite Christmas Cookie & Dessert Recipes To Celebrate The Holiday Season
‘Tis the season for festivities galore and the sweet responsibility to bring a dessert to every gathering. Holiday baking is a special moment that stirs up excitement, but let’s be real—it’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed by it all.
That’s where we step in. Amidst all the celebrations, our curated collection of Christmas baking recipes is here to be your sweet savior.
Check below for recipes that’ll impress your fellow partygoers and in-laws—and may even land you on Santa’s good side.
Hungry for more? Our Holiday Confections are a delicious addition to holiday potlucks, or wrap them with a bow for a perfect, last-minute host gift.
INSTANT POT CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO BRIOCHE BREAD PUDDING
3 words: Chocolate. Bread. Pudding.
Each hold a special place in our hearts, but combined? Prepare for a dessert that’ll have everyone saying, “more, please!”
P.S. No Instant Pot? No problem—an oven or air fryer works too!
Get the Instant Pot Chocolate Espresso Brioche Bread Pudding recipe!
ORANGE PISTACHIO COOKIES
These are the definition of sweet-salty perfection.
With a fusion of zesty orange flavor and the satisfying crunch of pistachios, this baking recipe is sure to elevate your cookie game.
GINGERBREAD TRIFLE WITH CRANBERRY CURD
Imagine this: tiers of cake, fluffy whipped cream and layers of fruit with a tangy cranberry curd. It’s a piece of cake to make and promises to the be star of any holiday party.
GINGERBREAD CAKE
It’s not only a delicious dessert, but also a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table. Rich molasses, luscious cream cheese frosting and a blend of traditional spices… need we say more?
Chef’s Tip: A slice (or two!) would go perfectly with a glass of eggnog.
CROQUEMBOUCHE
Delicate profiteroles filled with pastry cream are artfully stacked into a towering pyramid and drizzled with a glossy caramel glaze.
It promises to leave a lasting impression that’s as delightful to look at as it is to savor.
MINI CHEESECAKES
Isn’t the beauty of mini desserts that you can have more than one… or three?
This Christmas baked good features a rich and creamy cheesecake filling nestled atop a buttery graham cracker crust.
GINGERBREAD COOKIES
Get ready for the ultimate cookies—they’re soft, chewy and just the right amount of spiced-up goodness! Whip up a batch of this forever favorite, and you’ll be in for a treat every single time.
WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK WITH CRANBERRIES AND PISTACHIOS
This colorful chocolate treat is easy to make and simply irresistible!
It transforms ordinary ingredients into a festive masterpiece, marrying the velvety richness of white chocolate with the tartness of cranberries and the satisfying crunch of pistachios.
Get the White Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios recipe!
PAVLOVA TOPPED WITH ENGLISH TOFFEE
Bring this showstopper to any gathering, but be ready for the inevitable question: “Can I get the recipe?”
This dessert combines the light, airy elegance of pavlova with the rich goodness of English toffee.
PEAR & CRANBERRY BREAD PUDDING
This easy-to-make dessert combines artisanal bread, ripe pears and tart cranberries in a velvety custard. The result? A golden treat with a crispy top and soft, flavorful interior… enjoy!
CARDAMOM BUTTER COOKIES
Talk about melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
These aromatic treats feature a perfect blend of buttery goodness and the warmth of cardamom. With a simple yet flavorful ingredient list, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist.
SALTED CARAMEL LINZER COOKIES
This dessert is the queen of simple, yet impressive.
Ideal for bakers of any skill level, this recipe is the perfect balance between sweet and salty. It features a buttery almond cookie base complemented by a salted caramel filling.
MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE TRIFLE
This dessert layers velvety chocolate cake with a luscious chocolate mousse infused with a hint of warming spices, reminiscent of traditional Mexican hot chocolate.
In other words, this recipe is every chocolate lover’s dream.
TRADITIONAL GINGERBREAD LOAF WITH BUTTER SAUCE
There’s nothing like the taste of homemade.
This classic recipe brings the warm, comforting aromas of ginger, cinnamon and molasses together in a flavorful loaf.
Get the Traditional Gingerbread Loaf with Butter Sauce recipe!
VANILLA CUPCAKES WITH PEPPERMINT BARK
Embodying the spirit of the season, this treat is a must-have for any winter celebration.
Picture a fluffy vanilla base crowned with a swirl of creamy frosting and touched with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint bark—these cupcakes are sure to leave your guests reaching for more.
Get the Vanilla Cupcakes with Peppermint Bark recipe!
Hungry for more? Our Holiday Confections are a delicious addition to holiday potlucks, or wrap them with a bow for a perfect, last-minute host gift.
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