28 Christmas Desserts to Make Your Holiday Extra Sweet

December’s chill calls for warm kitchens, fragrant spices, and a spread of sweets that bring everyone to the table. From European classics to modern twists on North American favorites, the lineup below offers something for every baker and eater alike. Each treat can be found in cookbooks or reputable recipe sites, so you’ll never be short on guidance. Preheat the oven, cue up the carols, and let the sugar, spice, and everything nice begin.

1. Classic Gingerbread Men

Molasses, brown sugar, and a trio of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves give these cookies their signature snap and rich color. Chill the dough to keep shapes crisp, then let kids decorate with royal icing once the cookies cool. Gingerbread keeps well for several days in an airtight tin, making it an ideal make-ahead treat.

2. Chocolate Peppermint Bark

This two-layer confection pairs silky melted dark chocolate with a snowy coating of white chocolate. A sprinkle of crushed candy canes adds crunch and a cool mint finish. Break the bark into rustic pieces and gift it in cellophane bags for an effortless homemade present.

3. Bûche de Noël (Yule Log)

Originating in France, this roulade features an airy cocoa sponge rolled around whipped chocolate or coffee buttercream. Swirls on the frosting mimic tree bark, while playful meringue mushrooms bring woodland charm. Though eye-catching, the cake relies on straightforward techniques like sponge rolling and buttercream whipping.

4. Cranberry Orange Trifle

Tart cranberries balance sweet custard and citrus-kissed cake in this layered showpiece. Assemble it the night before so the flavors meld and the sponge absorbs delicate custard. Serve with a long spoon to reveal the vivid stripes in every scoop.

5. Eggnog Cheesecake

Traditional New England eggnog inspires this silky dessert, combining cream cheese with rum, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla. A graham-cracker crust anchors the filling and provides gentle crunch. Bake the cheesecake in a water bath for a crack-free finish, then chill overnight for best flavor.

6. Stollen

This German holiday bread is enriched with butter, citrus peel, raisins, and candied cherries, then wrapped around a ribbon of marzipan. After baking, the loaf is brushed with melted butter and showered in sugar for a snowy crust. Stollen improves after a day or two, making it perfect for gifting or leisurely nibbling.

7. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Dates lend natural sweetness and moisture to this British sponge cake. A final soak in buttery toffee sauce turns every bite into molten caramel bliss. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or lightly whipped cream for a comforting finale.

8. Panettone Bread Pudding

Leftover Italian panettone transforms into a luxurious pudding when soaked in vanilla custard. The bread’s citrus notes pair beautifully with a drizzle of amaretto cream sauce. Bake until puffed and lightly browned for a soft-centered, crisp-topped dessert.

9. Rum Balls

Crushed cookies, cocoa, and a splash of dark rum roll together into bite-sized treats that require no baking. Coat them in cocoa, coconut, or sprinkles for varied texture. Chill for at least two hours so the flavors mellow and the balls firm up.

10. Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)

These melt-in-your-mouth morsels combine finely chopped nuts with lots of butter and a whisper of vanilla. Roll them in confectioners’ sugar while warm, then again after cooling for maximum snowy effect. They stay tender for days, making them ideal mail-order cookies.

11. Pecan Pie Bars

A buttery shortbread base supports gooey pecan filling, cutting the richness of full-sized pie into portable squares. Corn syrup keeps the topping silky while brown sugar deepens flavor. Cool completely before slicing to get clean edges and neat layers.

12. Pavlova with Pomegranate Seeds

Australia’s famous meringue dessert gains a winter makeover with tart pomegranate arils and bright green mint. The shell stays crisp outside while marshmallow-soft within. Assemble shortly before serving to keep the meringue from softening.

13. Rugelach

Cream-cheese dough bakes into tender, flaky crescents wrapped around jam, nuts, or chocolate. Rolling from the wide end inward creates tight spirals and minimizes filling leaks. Bake until golden and let cool slightly so fillings set before plating.

14. Mince Pies

These British staples hide spiced dried fruit and citrus peel beneath buttery shortcrust pastry. Modern mincemeat skips suet yet retains deep flavor from apples, raisins, and a touch of brandy. Serve them warm with a spoonful of clotted cream or brandy butter.

15. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rolling cocoa-rich dough in confectioners’ sugar creates dramatic cracks as the cookies puff in the oven. The result is chewy middles encased in a delicate crisp shell. Chill dough overnight for pronounced crinkles and bold chocolate flavor.

16. Fruitcake Done Right

Forget the dry doorstop jokes—this version uses soaked dried cherries, apricots, and toasted pecans to keep the crumb moist. Brushing warm cake with spiced rum or brandy over several weeks deepens complexity. Serve thin slices alongside sharp cheese for a sophisticated pairing.

17. Almond Cranberry Biscotti

Twice-baking gives these Italian cookies their famous crunch, perfect for dunking. Tart dried cranberries contrast with toasted almonds and a hint of orange zest. Dip one end in white chocolate for an extra festive flourish.

18. Maple Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

Yeasted dough spirals around brown sugar and cinnamon, then bakes until pillowy and golden. A pour-over glaze of pure maple syrup and cream cheese seeps into every swirl. Serve straight from the skillet while still warm for maximum gooeyness.

19. White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies

Blondies offer the fudgy texture of brownies without cocoa, letting brown sugar and vanilla shine. Dried cranberries add tang while creamy white chocolate sweetens each bite. They slice neatly once cooled, making them ideal for cookie boxes.

20. Apple Cider Doughnuts

Concentrated apple cider lends real fruit flavor to these cake-style doughnuts. Fry until golden, then toss immediately in cinnamon sugar for a classic finish. Enjoy them warm with a mug of hot cider for pure seasonal comfort.

21. Spiced Caramel Popcorn

Baking soda aerates the caramel, creating a light, crispy coating that clings to every kernel. Warming spices turn a movie snack into holiday fare. Package cooled clusters in tins for easy edible gifts.

22. Pistachio Baklava Bites

Crisp phyllo sheets sandwich chopped pistachios scented with cardamom and orange blossom water. A pour of warm honey syrup soaks each bite, locking in moisture and shine. Cutting small squares yields finger-friendly pieces for party platters.

23. Salted Caramel Fudge

Cooking sugar, butter, and condensed milk to soft-ball stage results in a creamy, sliceable fudge. A final sprinkle of sea salt brightens flavor and balances sweetness. Let the slab cool completely before cutting into uniform blocks.

24. Candy Cane Meringues

Whipped egg whites stabilize with sugar into stiff peaks, then bake low and slow until crisp and light. A painted stripe of red gel coloring on the piping bag produces swirling candy cane patterns. Store in airtight containers to keep them snappy.

25. Figgy Pudding

This Victorian steamed dessert brims with figs, raisins, and warming spices bound by breadcrumbs and suet or butter. Traditionally matured for weeks, it’s reheated by steaming or flambéing with brandy. Serve slices with hard sauce or custard for a nostalgic finale.

26. Chocolate Orange Pots de Crème

Silky custards bake gently in a water bath, marrying rich dark chocolate with bright orange oil. Chill for at least four hours to achieve perfect spoon-coating texture. A dab of lightly whipped cream softens the intensity for balance.

27. Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

Espresso powder deepens chocolate batter, echoing the coffee-shop favorite. Buttercream flavored with peppermint extract crowns each cake, while crushed candy adds crunch. Keep them at room temperature for up to two days to maintain frosting texture.

28. Orange Cardamom Shortbread

Fragrant cardamom works hand in hand with fresh orange zest in this buttery Scottish classic. Pressing the dough into a round pan and scoring before baking ensures even, crumbly slices. Dredge warm shortbread with superfine sugar for a delicate sparkle.