12 Easy Holiday Desserts You Will Be Obsessed With This Holiday Season

Byarlo Jack
12 Easy Holiday Desserts You Will Be Obsessed With This Holiday Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats, and these 12 easy holiday desserts will delight your taste buds and impress your guests. From rich cakes to cookies, pies, and no-bake treats, each recipe is simple enough for home bakers of all skill levels yet festive enough to make your holiday celebrations extra special. Whether you’re hosting a party, making treats for friends and family, or just craving a cozy seasonal dessert, these recipes have got you covered.

1. Peppermint Chocolate Bark

Peppermint Chocolate Bark is a simple, festive treat that combines rich chocolate with the refreshing crunch of crushed peppermint candies. Perfect for gifting or serving at holiday parties, this no-bake dessert is quick, visually appealing, and delightfully addictive.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz dark chocolate, chopped
  • 6 oz white chocolate, chopped
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions

  1. Melt dark chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
  2. Spread melted chocolate evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Melt white chocolate and drizzle over the dark chocolate. Swirl lightly with a knife.
  4. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top.
  5. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. Break into pieces and serve.

2. Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft, spiced gingerbread cupcakes topped with creamy frosting are a holiday classic in cupcake form. The warm flavors of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves fill your kitchen with the aroma of the season.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup molasses
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl.
  3. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, add egg, then molasses.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture.
  5. Divide batter into cupcake liners and bake 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.
  6. Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla. Frost cooled cupcakes.

3. Eggnog Poke Cake

Eggnog Poke Cake is a tender, moist dessert infused with eggnog and topped with whipped cream. The poke cake method allows the liquid to soak into the cake, making every bite rich and flavorful.

Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ tsp nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Bake the cake according to box instructions in a 9×13-inch pan. Cool slightly.
  2. Poke holes all over the cake using the handle of a wooden spoon.
  3. Pour eggnog evenly over the cake.
  4. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread over cake.
  5. Sprinkle nutmeg on top before serving.

4. Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are a holiday classic: oft, chocolatey cookies filled with sweet jam or ganache. They’re elegant enough for a party but easy enough for a weekday baking session.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup jam (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla.
  2. Mix in flour, cocoa powder, and salt until dough forms.
  3. Chill dough for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet.
  5. Press thumb into each ball to create a well.
  6. Fill wells with jam. Bake 10–12 minutes. Cool before serving.

5. Red Velvet Strawberry Cake

This Red Velvet Strawberry Cake is as beautiful as it is delicious, with layers of fluffy red velvet cake, strawberry filling, and cream cheese frosting. It’s a showstopper dessert perfect for any holiday table.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp red food coloring
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 1 cup strawberry jam or preserves
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, and salt.
  3. Beat eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Add dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
  4. Divide batter between pans and bake 25–30 minutes. Cool completely.
  5. Spread strawberry jam between cooled layers.
  6. Beat cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. Frost cake.

6. Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites

These Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites are the ultimate sweet-and-salty holiday snack. Each bite combines crisp apple, gooey caramel, and a crunchy pretzel for a treat that disappears fast from any party table.

Ingredients

  • 2 large apples, cut into small cubes
  • 20 soft caramels, melted
  • 40 mini pretzels
  • ½ cup melted chocolate (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place a pretzel on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with an apple cube.
  2. Drizzle melted caramel over the apple. Top with another pretzel and gently press.
  3. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
  4. Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.

7. Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

This Christmas Spice Cake is full of warm holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, topped with creamy eggnog buttercream. It’s a festive, aromatic centerpiece dessert perfect for your holiday table.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup eggnog
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup butter (for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3–4 tbsp eggnog

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round pans.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time.
  4. Alternate adding dry mixture and buttermilk. Stir in eggnog and vanilla.
  5. Bake 25–30 minutes. Cool completely.
  6. For frosting: Beat butter and powdered sugar, adding eggnog until creamy. Frost cooled cake.

8. Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts

Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts are a fun twist on the classic apple fritter. They’re cooked in a waffle maker, which makes them quicker and easier, then glazed for the perfect holiday breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup diced apples
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp milk (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat waffle maker.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sugar.
  3. Add egg and milk, stirring until smooth. Fold in apples.
  4. Pour batter into waffle maker and cook until golden brown.
  5. Mix powdered sugar and milk to make glaze. Drizzle over waffles.

9. Cinnamon Roll Apple Lasagna

Cinnamon Roll Apple Lasagna is a decadent layered dessert with cinnamon roll dough, apple pie filling, and cream cheese glaze. It’s like a cross between a cinnamon roll and apple pie — ideal for holiday brunch.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
  • 2 cups apple pie filling
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cut cinnamon rolls into quarters. Place half in a greased 9×13-inch pan.
  3. Spread apple pie filling evenly over the rolls.
  4. Top with remaining cinnamon roll pieces.
  5. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm dessert.

10. Decadent Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate mousse is the perfect dessert when you want something light, airy, and indulgent. This classic treat is smooth, creamy, and just rich enough to satisfy a chocolate craving without feeling too heavy, a great ending to any holiday meal.

Ingredients

  • 6 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Melt Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Whip Egg Yolks: In a small bowl, beat egg yolks with 2 tbsp sugar until pale and thick. Stir into the melted chocolate mixture.
  3. Whip Egg Whites: In another bowl, beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
  4. Whip Cream: In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  5. Fold Together: Gently fold egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold in whipped cream until just combined.
  6. Chill & Serve: Spoon mousse into serving dishes. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Top with extra whipped cream or chocolate shavings.

11. Caramel Apple Crisp

Caramel Apple Crisp is the ultimate cozy dessert, tender baked apples topped with a buttery oat crumble and drizzled with caramel sauce. It’s warm, sweet, and perfect for serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on chilly nights or during holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cold butter, cubed
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
  2. Prepare Apples: Toss apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
  3. Make Topping: In a bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, flour, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Assemble: Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
  5. Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, until topping is golden brown and apples are tender.
  6. Finish: Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving. Best enjoyed warm with ice cream.

12. Holiday Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Holiday Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on the classic favorite. They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips plus colorful holiday candies, making them perfect for cookie exchanges or Santa’s plate on Christmas Eve.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
  • ½ cup red & green candy-coated chocolates

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips and candy pieces.
  6. Scoop dough onto baking sheet (1 tbsp per cookie).
  7. Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are golden. Cool before serving.

Conclusion

The holidays are all about gathering with loved ones, sharing laughter, and creating delicious memories and these 12 easy desserts are here to make that even sweeter. From peppermint bark to festive cookies, warm spice cakes to decadent poke cake, there’s something here for every craving and every celebration. The best part? Each recipe is simple enough for busy holiday schedules but impressive enough to wow your family and guests.

Ready to start baking? Pick one (or three!) of these holiday desserts and make them part of your seasonal tradition. Don’t forget to share your creations, tag your photos on social media, or send this list to a friend who loves holiday baking. Whether you’re planning a cozy family night or a big holiday party, these treats are sure to become yearly favorites.