24 Holiday Dessert Recipes Ideas That’ll Make Everyone Forget the Main Course
Let’s be real for a second: during the holidays, no one’s secretly counting down the minutes until the turkey or ham hits the table. What people actually care about?
Dessert. If you’ve ever seen someone’s eyes light up at the sight of a perfectly frosted cake or a tray of gooey cookies, you know I’m right.
Holiday desserts are basically the MVP of the season. They bring the wow factor, the nostalgia, and—let’s not kid ourselves—the sugar rush that helps you survive awkward family conversations.
I’ve pulled together 24 holiday dessert recipes ideas that will make you the undisputed dessert hero of the season.
Ready to tempt your sweet tooth? Let’s get into it.
1. Classic Pecan Pie
If a holiday table doesn’t have pecan pie, does it even count as a holiday dinner? This rich, nutty, caramelized dessert screams tradition. And pro tip: serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. Thank me later.
2. Peppermint Bark
This one’s basically edible holiday spirit. Melted chocolate, crushed candy canes, and a little crunch—it’s ridiculously easy but looks like you tried way harder than you actually did. Perfect for gifting, too.
3. Gingerbread Cookies
These are the cookies of the season. Cut them into little people, decorate them with colorful icing, or make an entire gingerbread house if you’re feeling ambitious. Warning: your house will smell like holiday magic for hours.
4. Eggnog Cheesecake
Ever thought, “Hmm, I like eggnog but wish it came in cake form”? Well, here you go. This recipe gives you that rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with all the holiday spices mixed in. It’s indulgence on a plate.
5. Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)
This one looks way more intimidating than it actually is. Roll a sponge cake, fill it with cream, cover it in chocolate frosting, and then drag a fork across it for that “wood log” effect. Voilà—holiday centerpiece achieved.
6. Apple Crisp
If pie feels like too much work, apple crisp has your back. Warm, cinnamony apples topped with a buttery crumble—no pie crust stress required. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream and watch it disappear.
7. Cranberry Orange Bread
Technically a “bread,” but let’s be honest—it’s cake pretending to be healthy. The tartness of cranberries mixed with citrusy orange makes it festive and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or “oops I’m snacking again” moments.
8. Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
Imagine your favorite mug of hot chocolate but in cupcake form. Rich chocolate cake, marshmallow frosting, maybe a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top. Honestly, these are dangerous because you’ll want three in one sitting.
9. Sticky Toffee Pudding
This British dessert deserves way more love during the holidays. Moist sponge cake with dates, drenched in toffee sauce—it’s cozy, warm, and tastes like a hug. Highly recommend.
10. Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
They’re simple, but they’re iconic. You can cut them into trees, snowflakes, or bells and go wild with the decorating. FYI: they also double as edible holiday decorations if you hang them with ribbon.
11. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie isn’t just for Thanksgiving, IMO. The creamy spiced filling is holiday perfection, and it pairs beautifully with whipped cream. If your guests don’t fight over the last slice, you made too much.
12. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries (Holiday Style)
Dip strawberries in white and dark chocolate, then decorate them like little Santa hats or holiday ornaments. They’re festive, adorable, and just fancy enough to impress without breaking a sweat.
13. Rum Cake
Not for the kids—unless you want them running laps around the living room. This cake is soaked with rum glaze, giving it a moist texture and that grown-up kick. It’s like fruitcake, but people will actually eat it.
14. Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze
Is this breakfast or dessert? Who cares. Gooey, warm, spiced rolls with a thick drizzle of cream cheese glaze? These are perfect for Christmas morning, or literally any time you need an excuse to eat sugar.
15. Trifle
Layers of cake, cream, custard, and fruit all piled in a glass bowl—it’s basically the “I couldn’t decide what dessert to make, so I made them all” dish. Plus, it looks gorgeous on the table.
16. Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Salty + sweet = holiday win. Dip pretzel rods in chocolate, decorate with sprinkles or crushed peppermint, and you’ve got an easy treat that people snack on nonstop.
17. Caramel Apple Tart
Take the best parts of apple pie, drizzle caramel on top, and put it in tart form. This one feels fancier than pie but is actually easier. Bonus: it pairs beautifully with mulled wine.
18. Linzer Cookies
These are those pretty sandwich cookies with the jam peeking out from the middle. They taste amazing and look super classy, like something you’d find in a European bakery.
19. Rice Krispie Treat Wreaths
Yes, they’re childish, but tell me you won’t eat three of these the second they’re on the table. Shape them into mini wreaths, decorate with red candies, and boom—instant nostalgia.
20. Baklava
Not traditional “American holiday,” but this honey-soaked, nut-filled pastry is a showstopper. If you want to impress guests with something different, bring a tray of baklava. Watch them disappear in 10 minutes flat.
21. Red Velvet Cake
It’s dramatic, it’s rich, and it’s festive. Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting belongs at every holiday party, IMO. It photographs beautifully too, if you’re into Instagram-worthy desserts.
22. Peanut Butter Blossoms
These cookies are the perfect mix of chewy peanut butter and melty chocolate kisses. They’re classic, easy, and always the first to vanish from the cookie tray.
23. Fruitcake (But a Good One)
I know, I know—fruitcake gets a bad rep. But when made right (think moist texture, brandy-soaked fruit, rich spices), it’s actually delicious. Plus, it lasts forever, which is more than you can say about most desserts.
24. Tiramisu
Yes, it’s Italian, but it totally works for the holidays. Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder—this is the dessert people will talk about long after the party ends.
Tips for Nailing Your Holiday Dessert Game
Okay, so you’ve got your list, but here are a few pro tips to make sure your holiday dessert spread actually steals the show:
- Plan ahead. Some recipes (looking at you, fruitcake) need time to set or soak. Don’t start them the night before.
- Mix easy with fancy. Not everything needs to be a three-hour baking project. Pair showstoppers with quick wins like peppermint bark or chocolate pretzels.
- Decorate smart. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle of caramel makes a dessert look way fancier than it actually is.
- Serve variety. Offer something fruity, something chocolatey, and something spiced. That way, everyone finds a favorite.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—24 holiday dessert recipes ideas that will make you the star of any gathering. Whether you go with a classic pecan pie, a batch of decorated sugar cookies, or you get bold with something like baklava, these recipes guarantee one thing: people will remember the dessert table more than the actual dinner.
And honestly, isn’t that the point?
