Your holiday dessert list, solved! Elegant cakes, cozy classics, and treats to feed a crowd.
The holidays deserve a dessert (or three) that feels extra special, and this collection brings together all the sparkle, comfort, and nostalgia of the season. Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering, bringing dessert to a party, baking with family, or just want something sweet while the tree lights twinkle, you’ll find plenty of festive ideas here. Think make-ahead cheesecakes, classic centerpiece cakes, winter-spiced favorites, bright cranberry bakes, rich chocolate indulgences, and easy bars that feed a crowd.
You definitely don’t need to bake them all. Simply treat this roundup as a holiday dessert toolbox, ready for whatever kind of celebration you’re planning this year. Choose one (or several) that fit your mood, your time, and your holiday table.
If you’re only choosing one or two desserts this season, start here. These are the go-to recipes that are festive, reliable, and always a hit with guests.
Cannoli Icebox Cake – All the cozy flavors of cannoli in an easy, no-bake layered dessert that actually tastes better when you make it ahead.
No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecakes – Silky, rich, and wonderfully simple, these little cheesecakes are perfect when oven space is at a premium.
Kentucky Jam Cake – A tender, warmly spiced cake with jam baked right into the batter. It feels like an old-fashioned Christmas in cake form.
Cranberry Bundt Cake – Bright pops of tart cranberry in a soft, buttery crumb make this a naturally festive centerpiece with very little decorating required.
Guinness Chocolate Cake – Deep, dark, and unapologetically chocolaty, especially gorgeous topped with cream cheese frosting for a holiday dinner.
Cranberry Cheesecake Pie – Creamy cheesecake meets sweet-tart cranberry in a dessert that happily pulls double duty from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
Brown Butter Texas Sheet Cake – Big-batch, big-flavor cake with nutty brown butter and tangy frosting. Perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
Turtle Poke Cake – Chocolate cake soaked with caramel and finished with pecans and more chocolate for an easy, over-the-top holiday treat.
Make-Ahead & No-Bake
When the kitchen is busy or the oven is full, these chilled and low-effort desserts save the day. They travel well, store beautifully, and are perfect for prepping ahead of time.
Cannoli Icebox Cake
Layers of mascarpone, chocolate, and crisp cookies soften as they chill for a festive, creamy, and shockingly easy to assemble dessert.
Soft chocolate cupcakes topped with fluffy marshmallow frosting, like a mug of cocoa in dessert form. Kid-friendly, cozy, and perfect for casual holiday gatherings.
Warm spice, winter fruit, and bakes that feel like soft sweaters and twinkling lights. These are the treats for slow evenings, family gatherings, and fireside dessert plates.
Autumn Spice Pear Cobbler
5 from 3 votes
Juicy pears beneath a buttery, golden topping for pure winter comfort in a dish.
Bright cranberries, warm apples, and toasted nuts bring us desserts that bring winter freshness without feeling heavy. A little rustic, a little elegant, all holiday-perfect.
Cranberry Cheesecake Pie
Sweet-tart berries swirled through creamy cheesecake gives us festive color and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Easy to slice, share, gift, and sneak from the fridge. These are the desserts built for gatherings. Think office trays, cookie swaps, family tables, and festive late-night bites.
Brown Butter Texas Sheet Cake
A big-batch classic with nutty depth and a frosting people remember.
I hope this helps you find something sweet to bake and share this season — something cozy, celebratory, or maybe even new. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping cake, a make-ahead dessert that keeps things easy, or a simple treat to pass around at a party, there’s a recipe here ready to earn a spot on your holiday table.
If you make one of these Christmas desserts, I’d love to hear how it turns out (and which one you chose!). Here’s to sugar-dusted kitchens, warm ovens, and desserts that bring people together. Happy holiday baking!
