40 Christmas desserts

Antonina Vlasova // Shutterstock
Antonina Vlasova // Shutterstock

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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