
40 Christmas desserts
Turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing are just the warm-up: everyone knows that the best parts of Christmas dinners are the desserts. The holiday season is upon us, and as we prepare to attend a series of Secret Santas and White Elephants with family, friends and colleagues, it can feel repetitive to bring the same boxed cookies and truffles.
Stacker compiled this list of 40 Christmas desserts using recipes from AllRecipes. Many are familiar favorites with a twist like Mrs. Sigg's Snickerdoodles or Too Much Chocolate Cake. Others are born from specific regions that can be a fun introduction to those unfamiliar with the dish, like Midwestern Buckeye Balls or Mexican Wedding Cookies.
Although some—like the Yule Log and Snowflakes—might only be pulled out of the oven around Christmastime, most of the dishes listed here can also be prepared for occasions year-round. From cheesecakes to pies to trifles to crisps, these recipes are options for anyone from the most novice of bakers to the most experienced. One thing is for sure: after walking into a party with one of these desserts under your arm, you'll bring back a clean plate at the end of the night.
Chocolate trifle
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Additional time: 8 hours, 30 minutes
- Total time: 9 hours, 25 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Best soft Christmas cookies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 2 hours
- Total time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
- Servings: 48
- Yields: 4 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Angel food candy
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Additional time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Servings: 30
- Yields: 1 1/2 pounds
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Hard candy
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Additional time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 36
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Golden rum cake
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 1 10-inch bundt cake
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Chocolate-covered strawberries
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 24
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Big soft ginger cookies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 24
- Yields: 2 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Canned apple pie filling
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
- Servings: 56
- Yields: 7 quarts
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Apple-cranberry crisp
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 8-inch crisp
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Gingerbread snowflakes
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour
- Bake time: 15 minutes
- Cool time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 2 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: 30
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here
Best ever popcorn balls
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 20
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Christmas rocky road
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Cool time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Servings: 25
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Chocolate crinkle cookies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours, 10 minutes
- Total time: 5 hours
- Servings: 72
- Yields: 6 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Sweet potato pie
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 9-inch pie
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Easy Oreo truffles
- Prep time: 35 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Servings: 42
- Yields: 42 truffles
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here
Mexican wedding cookies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
- Servings: 36
- Yields: 36 cookies
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Too much chocolate cake
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 50 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Total time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 1 12-cup bundt cake
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Old-fashioned coconut cream pie
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 9-inch pie
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Libby's famous pumpkin pie
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 55 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 9-inch deep-dish pie
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Chantal's New York cheesecake
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Additional time: 6 hours
- Total time: 7 hours, 30 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 1 9-inch cheesecake
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Saltine toffee cookies
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 35
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Double layer pumpkin cheesecake
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 35 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours, 55 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 9-inch cheesecake
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Mrs. Sigg's snickerdoodles
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 48
- Yields: 48 cookies
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Original Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 60
- Yields: 60 cookies
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Banana pudding
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Additional time: 3 hours
- Total time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 1 (9x13-inch) dish
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Buckeye balls
- Prep time: 45 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
- Servings: 60
- Yields: 5 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Best gingerbread men cookies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
- Servings: 24
- Yields: 2 dozen cookies
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Coconut macaroons
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 1 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Key lime pie
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 9-inch pie
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
The original fantasy fudge
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Servings: 48
- Yields: 3 pounds
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Chocolate Yule log
- Prep time: 50 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Total time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yields: 1 13-inch yule log
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Marshmallow popcorn balls
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 8 popcorn balls
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here
Iced pumpkin cookies
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Servings: 36
- Yields: 36 cookies
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Easiest peanut butter fudge
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Servings: 32
- Yields: 1 8x8-inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Russian tea cakes
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 36
- Yields: 3 dozen cookies
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Peanut butter bars
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 12 bars
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Chocolate pecan pie
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 9-inch pie
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Best bread pudding with vanilla sauce
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Additional time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yields: 1 2-quart dish
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Gramma's date squares
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yields: 12 squares
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Pecan pie cheesecake
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Bake time: 55 minutes
- Cool time: 7 hours, 30 minutes
- Total time: 9 hrs
- Servings: 8
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here