30 Easy Christmas Desserts to Sweeten Your Holidays

Gingerbread Cheesecake Trifle

This delightful dessert layers gingerbread cookies and creamy cheesecake filling for a festive treat that's sure to impress.

Ingredients:

• 1 box gingerbread cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Crushed gingerbread cookies for topping

Cooking method:

1. Prepare gingerbread cake mix according to package instructions using water, eggs, and oil. Allow to cool and cut into cubes.
2. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
5. In a trifle dish, layer gingerbread cake cubes and cheesecake filling alternately.
6. Top with crushed gingerbread cookies. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Peppermint Bark Fudge

Peppermint bark fudge combines the classic holiday flavors of chocolate and peppermint into a rich, creamy treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• Crushed candy canes for topping

Cooking method:

1. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a saucepan, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with condensed milk over low heat, stirring until smooth.
3. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract.
4. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
5. Melt white chocolate chips and spread over the chocolate layer.
6. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top. Refrigerate until set.

Eggnog Panna Cotta

This creamy panna cotta offers a sophisticated twist on traditional eggnog, perfect for a holiday dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp unflavored gelatin
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Ground nutmeg for garnish

Cooking method:

1. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand for 5 minutes.
2. In a saucepan, combine cream, eggnog, and sugar. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
3. Add softened gelatin, stirring until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
4. Pour mixture into ramekins and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
5. Garnish with ground nutmeg before serving.

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

These buttery shortbread cookies are flecked with cranberries and infused with zesty orange, making them a festive favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in flour and salt until combined, then fold in orange zest and dried cranberries.
4. Roll dough into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Slice into 1/4 inch rounds and place on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Red Velvet Christmas Cake Pops

These adorable cake pops bring festive cheer with their vibrant red hue and creamy frosting.

Ingredients:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting
• 1 lb white chocolate, melted
• Red and green sprinkles for decoration

Cooking method:

1. Bake red velvet cake according to package instructions. Allow to cool completely.
2. Crumble cake into a large bowl and mix in frosting until well combined.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Insert a lollipop stick into each ball and dip into melted white chocolate.
5. Decorate with red and green sprinkles. Allow to set before serving.

Spiced Apple Cider Donuts

These donuts are infused with warm spices and apple cider, perfect for a cozy winter treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.
2. Simmer apple cider in a saucepan until reduced to 1/4 cup; let cool.
3. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. In another bowl, mix sugars, melted butter, and eggs. Stir in reduced cider.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
6. Pour batter into the donut pan and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log

This decorative yule log captures the essence of the holidays with a rich chocolate hazelnut filling.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 8 oz hazelnut spread
• 1 cup heavy cream

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat eggs and sugar until thick. Sift in cocoa powder and flour, folding gently.
3. Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Invert cake onto a towel and roll up. Let cool.
5. Whip heavy cream and fold into hazelnut spread.
6. Unroll cake, spread filling, and re-roll. Chill before serving.

Snowball Cookies

These classic snowball cookies are a winter wonder, covered in powdered sugar for a delightful holiday treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for coating
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar together until fluffy. Add vanilla.
3. Mix in flour and pecans until dough forms.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes until golden. Cool slightly before rolling in powdered sugar.

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These moist gingerbread cupcakes are topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting for the ultimate holiday treat.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tray with paper liners.
2. Cream together butter and brown sugar until light. Add molasses and egg, mix well.
3. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture.
5. Fill cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool completely.
6. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Frost cupcakes.

Chocolate Peppermint Swiss Roll

This elegant dessert brings together rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint for a holiday showstopper.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together.
3. Beat eggs and sugar until thick. Add peppermint extract.
4. Gently fold in dry ingredients. Pour batter into the prepared sheet.
5. Bake for 12 minutes. Invert onto a towel and roll up to cool.
6. Whip heavy cream and fold in peppermint candies. Unroll cake, spread filling, and re-roll. Chill before serving.