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Cookies get all the attention in December, but the dessert table deserves some love too. Whether you are hosting the whole family on Christmas Day or bringing something sweet to a holiday party, a showstopping dessert is what everyone remembers.
This list is full of festive ideas that go beyond the cookie tin: creamy cheesecakes, cozy puddings, pretty trifles and cakes, and a few no-bake options for when your oven is already working overtime. Many of them can be made a day ahead, which is a real gift during a busy week.
You will find classic flavours like gingerbread, peppermint, eggnog and cranberry, plus a couple of make-ahead showstoppers that look much fancier than they are. Pick one or two and your holiday dessert plans are sorted.
The Best Easy Christmas Desserts to Make This Year
This article is all about the best Christmas desserts.
1. Gingerbread Christmas Trifle
What it is: A showstopping layered trifle with cubes of German Lebkuchen or gingerbread soaked in spiced rum, white chocolate vanilla custard, orange cranberry sauce and white chocolate whipped cream, repeated in four pretty layers.
Every part can be made ahead: the custard and cranberry sauce keep for days in the fridge. Tip: assemble the whole trifle the day before or the morning of your dinner so the flavours have time to meld.
2. Yule Log (Buche de Noel)
What it is: A classic chocolate sponge rolled up with chocolate buttercream, then frosted and marked to look like a log, complete with little cut-off branches.
The sponge bakes in about 20 minutes in a Swiss roll pan and uses only a little flour, which you can leave out for a gluten-free version. Tip: make it the day before you serve it, since frosting the whole log, ends included, keeps the cake moist.
3. Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
What it is: A tender bundt cake packed with fresh cranberries and bright orange zest and juice, finished with a simple powdered sugar and orange glaze.
Milk with a splash of lemon juice stands in for buttermilk, so there is no special shopping needed. Sugared cranberries on top are optional but very festive. Tip: frozen cranberries can go straight into the batter without thawing; just add a couple of minutes to the bake time.
4. Pavlova Christmas Wreath
What it is: Crisp meringue piped into a wreath shape, then piled with lightly sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries just before serving.
The meringue bakes low and slow, then cools overnight in the turned-off oven, so it is a natural make-ahead dessert. Tip: use very fine white cornstarch in the meringue, and skip the freezer since pavlova does not freeze well.
5. Fudgy Peppermint Brownies
What it is: Rich, fudgy brownies topped with a smooth peppermint layer and a glossy chocolate glaze, a bit like a giant peppermint patty.
They bake in a 9×13 pan and serve a crowd, and the flavours get even better after a night in the fridge. Tip: for clean squares, cut with a hot knife, wiping and reheating it between cuts.
6. Cranberry Crumb Bars
What it is: A buttery almond crumb base and topping with a tart, jammy layer of fresh cranberries, orange juice and vanilla in the middle.
Chill the bars completely before cutting. They keep for a week in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer, which makes them perfect for holiday trays. Tip: line the pan with parchment and leave an overhang to use as handles, and add a little extra sugar if you prefer them less tart.
7. Eggnog Bread Pudding
What it is: Cubes of French bread soaked in a warm eggnog custard with nutmeg and spirit-steeped cranberries, baked until golden and served with a warm whisky sauce.
The pudding chills for about four hours before baking so the bread soaks up all that custard, which means you can prep it ahead. Tip: store-bought eggnog without alcohol works nicely here too.
8. No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Pie
What it is: An Oreo cookie crust filled with peppermint ice cream, crushed peppermint candies and a fluffy whipped topping, finished with chocolate syrup.
There is no oven involved at all, just a few hours in the freezer, so it is a great one to make when the oven is busy with the turkey. Tip: take it out of the freezer about 10 minutes before topping and slicing.
9. Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
What it is: A soft, spiced molasses sheet cake topped with a cinnamon cream cheese icing, baked in a simple 9×13 pan.
It is made with whole wheat pastry flour, though all-purpose flour works too, and it is best served within a day. Tip: slightly underbake the cake so it stays moist and tender.
10. Cranberry Curd Tart
What it is: A bright red cranberry and orange curd set in a tender almond flour crust, as pretty as it is tangy.
The cranberries are simmered, blended and strained for a silky curd, then the tart is baked briefly and chilled for a few hours. It keeps for up to three days. Tip: do not overcook the curd; take it off the heat as soon as it thickens.
11. White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake
What it is: A creamy white chocolate cheesecake on a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped white chocolate ganache and cranberries cooked in red wine.
It bakes in a water bath until it jiggles as a whole, then chills for several hours or overnight. Tip: mix the eggs in just until combined; overmixing adds air and can cause cracks.
12. Eggnog Cake
What it is: A three-layer eggnog and nutmeg cake brushed with rum syrup, frosted with cream cheese frosting and finished with a white chocolate drip.
The cake layers bake in three 6-inch pans, and the cooled layers can be frozen for up to three months, so you can bake ahead and decorate later. Tip: the baker suggests making the drip ganache with eggnog instead of cream for even more eggnog flavour.
13. Gingerbread Tiramisu
What it is: A holiday spin on tiramisu with ladyfingers dipped in rum and espresso, layered with a mascarpone cream spiced with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and allspice.
It comes together in about 30 minutes in an 8×8 pan and needs at least six hours in the fridge, so it is ideal to make the night before. Tip: dip the ladyfingers quickly, about three seconds, so they do not fall apart.
14. Sticky Toffee Pudding
What it is: A classic British pudding made with dates, dark brown sugar, golden syrup and treacle, served warm with a rich butter and cream toffee sauce.
The sponge bakes in a square tin and freezes well for up to three months; just store the sauce separately. Tip: use both golden syrup and treacle for that deep, sticky toffee flavour.
15. Peppermint Cheesecake
What it is: A creamy peppermint cheesecake on a chocolate cookie crust, topped with peppermint whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
It bakes without a water bath, then chills for at least four hours or overnight. Tip: bring the cream cheese and eggs to room temperature first so the filling stays smooth instead of lumpy.
Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Desserts
- Choose at least one make-ahead dessert, like a trifle, cheesecake or tiramisu, so Christmas Day is less hectic.
- Mix one no-bake option into your menu to free up oven space for the main meal.
- Bring cream cheese, butter and eggs to room temperature before baking for smoother batters and fillings.
- Save garnishes like whipped cream, sugared cranberries and crushed candy canes for just before serving so they look their best.
- Offer a mix of flavours, such as one chocolate, one fruity and one spiced dessert, so there is something for everyone.
Pin this post to your Christmas or holiday baking board so you can find these festive dessert ideas again when it is time to plan your menu!
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