Best Christmas Desserts for the Holidays

These Christmas desserts are some of my favorite homemade recipes for holiday baking, dessert trays, cookie boxes, and simple gifts from the kitchen. This roundup includes Christmas cookies, homemade candy, peppermint bark, eggnog treats, sourdough panettone, and a few make-ahead desserts that work well for holiday gatherings. Many of these treats can also be added to homemade gift baskets, along with ideas from my 13 Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts: Simple DIY Ideas for Thoughtful Gift Giving.

I like having a list of Christmas dessert recipes in one place because December can get busy fast. Sometimes I want a classic cookie recipe for a cookie tray, and other times I need something simple like Peppermint Bark or Homemade Chewy Caramel Candy Without Corn Syrup that can be packaged for gifts.

This collection has a mix of easy Christmas desserts, homemade candy recipes, festive cookies, and a few special holiday treats. If you are mostly looking for cookies, you may also like my full Easy Cookie Recipes roundup for more homemade cookie ideas.

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Christmas Candy and Bark Recipes

Homemade candy is one of my favorite things to make around Christmas because it keeps well, packages easily, and adds variety to a cookie tray. These recipes are good for gifting, dessert boards, and setting out with coffee or hot chocolate.

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is one of the easiest Christmas desserts to make because it only needs chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes. The layers look festive, and the broken bark pieces are simple to package in tins or treat bags.

I like this recipe because it gives you that classic chocolate peppermint flavor without needing to bake. It is a good choice when you need a quick holiday candy for cookie trays, homemade gifts, or a Christmas dessert plate.

Pecan Pie Bark

Pecan pie bark has the flavor of pecan pie in an easy candy-style dessert. It is rich, buttery, and made for anyone who loves pecans, caramel-like topping, and crisp layers.

This is a good recipe to add to a Christmas dessert tray because it gives you something different from cookies. It also works well for gifting because the pieces can be broken or cut and tucked into a holiday tin.

Homemade Chewy Caramel Candy Without Corn Syrup

Homemade caramel candy is a classic Christmas treat, especially if you like giving handmade food gifts. This recipe is made without corn syrup and has that soft, chewy texture that makes homemade caramels feel special.

I like wrapping individual pieces for Christmas treat boxes, cookie plates, or small homemade gifts. These are also a good recipe to make ahead because they keep better than many baked desserts.

Candied Orange Peels

Candied orange peels are a simple old-fashioned Christmas candy that can be used in several ways. They can be eaten plain, dipped in chocolate, added to holiday baking, or tucked into homemade gift boxes.

This recipe is especially nice during the winter months when citrus is easy to find. The bright orange flavor balances heavier Christmas desserts like chocolate, caramel, and spiced cookies.

Christmas Cookie Recipes

Christmas cookies are usually the first thing I think of when I start planning holiday desserts. They are easy to share, simple to serve, and perfect for cookie trays, cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts.

For more cookie ideas, see my full Easy Cookie Recipes roundup.

Soft Eggnog Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

These soft eggnog cookies are flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of rum extract. The cream cheese frosting has a little eggnog in it, and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top gives them a classic holiday flavor.

This is a good Christmas cookie recipe when you want something different from sugar cookies or chocolate chip cookies. If you already have Homemade Eggnog on hand, this is a nice way to use some of it.

Soft and Chewy Sourdough Discard Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are one of the most traditional Christmas cookie recipes. These are soft and chewy, with warm spices and sourdough discard added to the dough.

I like adding gingerbread cookies to a Christmas dessert roundup because they make the kitchen smell like the holidays. They also look beautiful on a cookie tray, especially with simple icing or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Perfect Soft Sourdough Discard Sugar Cookie Recipe

Soft sugar cookies are a Christmas classic. This sourdough discard sugar cookie recipe is good for cutting, frosting, and decorating for the holidays.

These are the cookies I would make when I want something the kids can help decorate. They are also a good base recipe for Christmas cookie trays because the flavor is simple and goes well with other richer desserts.

Sourdough Discard Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Peanut butter blossom cookies belong on a Christmas cookie tray. They have soft peanut butter cookies with a chocolate candy center, making them simple, familiar, and festive.

This sourdough discard version is a good way to use extra discard during holiday baking. The peanut butter and chocolate combination also adds variety next to gingerbread, sugar cookies, and thumbprint cookies.

Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Turtle thumbprint cookies are rich, chocolatey, and filled with caramel and pecans. They have the flavor of turtle candy in cookie form, which makes them a good fit for Christmas dessert trays.

I like these for holiday baking because they look special without being fussy. The chocolate, caramel, and pecans make them feel a little more like a candy-cookie hybrid.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Raspberry thumbprint cookies are buttery, simple, and pretty enough for Christmas. The red jam center makes them stand out on a holiday cookie tray.

These are a good choice when you want a classic cookie that is not too rich. They also add a splash of color beside chocolate cookies, gingerbread cookies, and frosted sugar cookies.

Eggnog Dessert Recipes

Eggnog Recipes for Christmas

These eggnog recipes are a good fit for the holiday season, whether you want a classic homemade drink or a creamy frozen dessert to serve with Christmas cookies.

Homemade Eggnog Ice Cream

Homemade eggnog ice cream is rich, creamy, and flavored with vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and optional rum extract. It is a good Christmas dessert when you want something cold and make-ahead.

I like serving this with cookies, pie, or a simple holiday cake. It also pairs nicely with gingerbread cookies or soft sugar cookies for a winter dessert plate.

Homemade Eggnog

Homemade eggnog can be served as a holiday drink, but it also fits well into a Christmas dessert menu. It pairs with cookies, candy, and other small treats, and it can be used in recipes like eggnog cookies and eggnog ice cream.

If you are planning a Christmas dessert table, a pitcher of homemade eggnog makes the whole spread feel more complete. It is also a good drink to serve with peppermint bark, caramels, or gingerbread cookies.

Christmas Sweet Bread

Sweet breads are a nice addition to a Christmas dessert table because they can be served after dinner, with coffee, or even as part of a holiday brunch.

Sourdough Panettone

Sourdough panettone is a traditional Christmas sweet bread made with sourdough, dried fruit, and a soft enriched dough. It takes more time than a quick dessert, but it feels special for the holiday season.

This is the kind of recipe I would make when I want something more memorable than a simple cookie tray. It can be sliced and served with coffee, eggnog, or homemade ice cream.

Make-Ahead Christmas Desserts

Not every Christmas dessert needs to be heavy or baked the day it is served. A few make-ahead recipes can help balance the dessert table and make holiday hosting easier.

Homemade Marshmallows

Homemade marshmallows are a fun Christmas treat for hot chocolate, dessert boards, and homemade gifts. They are soft, fluffy, and much better than store-bought marshmallows.

These are especially nice if you are making hot chocolate boards or putting together treat boxes. They give you another non-cookie option for Christmas without being hard to serve.

How to Build a Christmas Dessert Tray

Start with a mix of textures and flavors. I like including something chocolate, something spiced, something fruity, and something creamy.

A good Christmas dessert tray could include peppermint bark, chewy caramels, gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, raspberry thumbprint cookies, and candied orange peels. If you want something cold on the side, serve homemade eggnog ice cream with a few cookies.

For gifts, choose recipes that hold up well. Peppermint bark, caramels, candied orange peels, marshmallows, and some cookies are easier to package than soft pies or ice cream.

Make-Ahead Tips for Christmas Desserts

Make candy and bark first because they usually keep well.

Bake cookies a few days before Christmas, or freeze unfrosted cookies when possible.

Save refrigerated desserts, cream cheese frosting, and ice cream for closer to serving time.

Label homemade gifts with the recipe name and storage instructions.

Use parchment paper between layers of candy or cookies so they do not stick together.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Desserts