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Make holiday baking a breeze with these 25 foolproof Christmas desserts that wow every time. From quick fudge to simple cakes, these recipes bring joy without the hassle.
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Skip the complicated baking this holiday season! These fuss-free simple Christmas desserts bring all the festive magic without hours in the kitchen. From make-ahead treats to 30-minute sweets, each recipe keeps things deliciously simple.
No one needs the added pressure of intricate pastries or temperamental chocolate work during the busiest season of the year. That’s why we’ve gathered our favorite straightforward desserts that still deliver that “wow” factor. Think rich chocolate treats, cozy spiced favorites, and sweet nibbles that look like you spent all day in the kitchen (but definitely didn’t).
Many of these treats can be made days ahead or whipped up last minute when surprise guests arrive. From no-bake options to simple cookies and festive bark, these desserts prove that creating memorable holiday sweetness doesn’t require culinary school skills.
simple christmas desserts
Gingerbread Christmas Crack Candy
A crunchy candy mixture of gingerbread, chocolate, and salty crackers!
Coffee Brownies
Chewy coffee brownies deliver a double hit of espresso and chocolate in every rich, fudgy bite. Ready in under an hour with basic pantry ingredients, this is going to become your new go-to recipe.
Nutella Cake Bites
Our 3-ingredient Nutella cake bites are pure decadence. These bite-sized delights are a chocoholic’s dream, combining the creamy richness of Nutella with moist cakey goodness. With just three simple ingredients, you can whip up these irresistible treats in no time.
Four Ingredient Baileys Fudge (No Cook!)
Baileys Fudge is rich, easy to make, and only requires four ingredients! There’s no cooking necessary, all you need is a microwave so you can melt and mix it all together. The creamy deliciousness is well worth the mere 15 minutes of active work.
Triple Chocolate Brownies
With three different types of chocolate, these homemade triple chocolate brownies are fudgy, moist, and rich. They are the ultimate dessert for any chocolate lover, finished with a sprinkle of salt for an added burst of flavor.
Easy No Bake Cookie Dough Bites
Cookie Dough Bites dipped in chocolate are the best way to enjoy cookie dough, without the risk of consuming raw eggs. The soft, chewy balls of dough have bursts of chocolate inside, making it the ideal flavor combination. It is the ultimate cookie dough experience!
Milk Chocolate Dipped Shortbread
Milk Chocolate Dipped Shortbread cookies are buttery, soft, and perfect for the holiday season. They are so simple to make and decorate! You will love the flavor of the crumbly European style shortbread cookies, dipped in milk chocolate and sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are a classic holiday cookie that never goes out of style. The tender texture of this buttery, nutty cookie is simply irresistible. They make the perfect addition to any cookie platter or to pair with a cup of coffee.
The Easiest Chocolate Covered Oreos
These are my favorite holiday cookies. Something about adding an extra layer of chocolate to Oreos makes the holidays more enjoyable.
Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Soft and chewy Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are the ideal holiday cookie! Packed with flavor, you’ll love making these cookies over and over again. Plus you can freeze the dough to bake later!
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mini chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and the ultimate way to enjoy cookies in bite sized form! They are tiny and cute, making them oh-so easy to pop in your mouth so they are ideal for snacking or a sweet treat.
Crockpot Cinnamon Almonds
Crockpot Cinnamon Almonds are the holiday snack everyone craves, all made in your slow cooker. The sweet spiced nuts make for a fantastic snack to set out for gatherings, or package them up to gift to friends and family.
Christmas Cranberry Cobbler
Christmas Cranberry Cobbler is a great dessert on Christmas Eve that tastes even better leftover on Christmas morning. The extra sugared cranberries on top give this cobbler a sweet and tart flavor, plus the crystalized sugar that forms after baking gives it just the right amount of texture.
3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mousse
3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mousse is one of the most decadent desserts to make this holiday season, and one of the simplest to master. The smooth, rich mousse with a touch of peppermint will spread holiday cheer from ear to ear!
Gooey Dark Chocolate Cakes with Peppermint Crunch Whipped Cream
Gooey Dark Chocolate Cakes with Peppermint Crunch Whipped Cream are the ultimate end to any dinner, especially during the holidays. It’s rich, festive and takes less than 15 minutes! I promise it’ll be the easiest part of any holiday dinner you throw this season.
Vegan Spicy Avocado Dark Chocolate Truffles
Vegan Spicy Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles are an indulgent treat that is deceptively healthy! The avocado brings an added creamy element to the decadent dessert with a little spicy twist no one can resist. Whether you are giving this as a hostess gift or serving them up as an after-dinner treat, they will disappear before you know it.
White Chocolate Candy Cane Fudge
This no-bake holiday treat combines smooth white chocolate with crushed candy canes for the perfect festive sweet. The simple preparation makes it ideal for busy holiday baking sessions while delivering impressive results.
Cranberry Christmas Cake
A rich butter cake studded with fresh cranberries creates the perfect balance of sweet and tart in every bite. The vanilla powdered sugar glaze adds an elegant finish to this simple yet showstopping dessert.
Easy Eggnog Bundt Cake
Holiday eggnog transforms into a tender, spiced bundt cake that needs nothing more than a dusting of powdered sugar. Each slice captures the nostalgic flavors of the season, with an optional eggnog glaze for those craving an extra punch of flavor.
Gingerbread Cake
This tender cake captures all the warm, spicy flavors of classic gingerbread cookies in a soft, moist form. A layer of cream cheese frosting turns this simple cake into a holiday masterpiece.
Roasted Pears with Balsamic Vinegar and Honey
Four simple ingredients come together to create an elegant dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness of pears. The combination of honey and balsamic vinegar adds sophisticated depth to this effortless treat.
No Bake Gingerbread Cream Pie
A gluten-free gingerbread crust cradles a light, creamy filling in this no-fuss holiday pie. The reduced sugar content makes it a crowd-pleaser for guests with various dietary preferences.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Sprinkles
Fresh strawberries get dressed up in silky chocolate enhanced with coconut oil for extra shine and smoothness. These simple yet stunning treats bring elegance to any holiday dessert spread.
Christmas Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Flaky puff pastry spirals around sweet mincemeat filling for a delightful seasonal treat. These pretty pinwheels are as fun to make as they are to serve.
Little Debbie Christmas Tree Dip
Transform Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes into a playful dessert dip in just 15 minutes. This creative twist on a classic treat brings whimsy and nostalgia to your holiday spread.
White Chocolate Coconut Truffles
These creamy, decadent truffles require just three ingredients and minimal effort to create pure magic. The combination of white chocolate and coconut makes them perfect for holiday gifting or serving at special occasions.
Sugar-Free Peppermint Bark
This keto-friendly version of traditional peppermint bark delivers all the creamy, minty magic without the sugar rush. The easy preparation makes it a reliable choice for holiday treating while keeping carbs in check.
my must-haves for Christmas desserts
There are so many baking tools that we use for all of our dessert making throughout the year! Of course you need your measuring cups and measuring spoons, cooling racks for cookies and a half sheet baking pan (or a large baking sheet).
If you are sending or gifting your treats, grab some holiday cookie boxes or holiday cookie tins.
just one more thing…
If you are looking for some cocktails to serve with your Christmas desserts, check out our vast archive of cocktail recipes! We have everything from the classics to holiday favorites. Here are some of our favorite holiday cocktails to whip up:
A cozy Irish coffee is easy to make and is the ideal pairing for any dessert at the end of the evening.
Bubbly and bright, this christmas punch is a bright sipper to serve to a crowd.
Homemade Christmas gin can be sipped on the rocks or use it in your favorite gin cocktail!
