‘Tis the season to pig out, fa la la la la la la la la! Those are the lyrics, right?… I know that the best part of the holidays is supposed to be the joy of giving or whatever, but if you ask me — which I know you didn’t, but I’m going to tell you anyway — the best part is parking your rump at the dessert table and helping yourself to another slice of pie. If you like to indulge as much as I do, and you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, here are 10 Christmas dessert recipes that are sure to spread the holiday cheer.
10 Christmas Dessert Recipes Perfect for the Holiday Season
1. Red Velvet Cake Balls
Want something that’s easy to prepare but insanely delicious? Try these red velvet cake balls from Bakerella. You only need a handful of ingredients: red velvet cake mix, cream cheese frosting, and chocolate to melt and dip them in. Make huge batches, put them in festive tins, and hand them out to all your friends. Or, you know, eat them all yourself.
2. Hot Cocoa Cheesecake
If you love nothing more than a steaming cup of hot cocoa, this hot cocoa cheesecake from My Baking Addiction is right up your alley. You’ll savor every bite, from the Oreo cookie crust to the mini marshmallows added on top.
3. Reindeer Chow
Browneyed Baker’s Reindeer Chow is the answer to all of life’s problems. This is yet another simple recipe that is outrageously taste bud-tingling. Mix together Chex, Cheerios, peanuts, pretzels, and M&Ms, and coat it all in white chocolate, and you’ve got a holiday dessert fit for royalty. Christmas dessert recipes don’t have to be complicated to be indulgent.
4. Christmas Chestnut Yule Log Cake
If you’re feeling ambitious and want to really go above and beyond with your Christmas dessert recipes, try the Christmas Chestnut Yule log by Hummingbird High. It’s the perfect table centerpiece, and just wait until you sink your teeth into it. I’d also like to add that it photographs well for Instagram. Priorities!
5. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
These sugar cookie bars from Dessert for Two will give you life. The cream cheese frosting will make you weep. They’re also the perfect addition to your cookie decorating party.
6. Grinch Brownies
The peppermint extract and mint Oreo cookies really give these Grinch brownies from Cookies and Cups a nice kick. Fair warning: this will disappear from the dessert table fast.
7. Gingerbread Cookies
You can never go wrong with traditional gingerbread cookies. Sally’s Baking Addiction has the ultimate recipe. Molasses and spices give them their iconic flavor, and the end result is irresistibly adorable.
8. Peppermint Chocolate Donuts
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I love gluten, but if it doesn’t agree with you so much, you’ll love these gluten-free, grain-free peppermint chocolate donuts from Broma Bakery. They’re topped with dark chocolate ganache and crushed peppermint candies, and the holidays have never tasted this good.
9. Christmas Velvet Layer Cake
Layers of red velvet and green velvet cake are spread with a dreamy peppermint whipped cream frosting. How many layers is too many? Trick question! There’s no such thing as too many. You can find the recipe over at Something Swanky.
10. Almond Shortbread
It’s fruity. It’s sweet. So soft and smooth. This almond shortbread with raspberry white chocolate frosting from Dessert First is the perfect holiday baking project.