15 Classic Christmas Desserts That Always Impress

Christmas is the most delicious time of the year. From cozy puddings and rich cakes to fruity pies and creamy cheesecakes, holiday desserts bring comfort, joy, and nostalgia to every home. This guide brings together the most iconic and beloved Christmas desserts along with simple recipes so anyone can bake up holiday magic with ease.

1. Classic Christmas Fruitcake

A rich and festive cake made with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices. It’s a must-have Christmas tradition in many households.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Simple Recipe:

1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. Stir in dried fruits.
4. Pour into a greased pan and bake at 325°F for 50 to 60 minutes.
5. Cool completely before slicing.

2. Gingerbread Cookies

Soft, spiced cookies that fill the home with the warm aroma of Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 2 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 1 egg

Simple Recipe:

1. Beat butter, sugar, egg, and molasses.
2. Add dry ingredients and mix to form a dough.
3. Chill for 1 hour.
4. Roll, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Cool and decorate.

3. Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)

A beautiful holiday cake rolled with cream and decorated like a festive log.

Ingredients:

• Chocolate sponge cake
• Whipped cream or chocolate filling
• Chocolate frosting

Simple Recipe:

1. Bake a thin chocolate sponge on a sheet pan.
2. Spread whipped cream over the cooled cake.
3. Roll gently into a log.
4. Cover with chocolate frosting and use a fork to create bark lines.
5. Dust with powdered sugar.

4. Christmas Sugar Cookies

Bright, colorful cookies that kids love decorating.

Ingredients:

• 2 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Simple Recipe:

1. Mix butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
2. Add flour and baking powder.
3. Roll dough, cut shapes, and bake at 350°F for 8 minutes.
4. Cool and decorate with icing.

5. Eggnog Cheesecake

Creamy, festive cheesecake with warm nutmeg and eggnog flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cream cheese
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• Graham cracker crust

Simple Recipe:

1. Blend cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and eggnog.
2. Pour into crust and bake at 325°F for 45 minutes.
3. Chill 4 hours.

6. Apple Pie

Warm, spiced apple pie is a staple at Christmas and winter gatherings.

Ingredients:

• Pie crust
• 5 sliced apples
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Simple Recipe:

1. Mix apples with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon.
2. Fill crust with apple mixture.
3. Cover with top crust.
4. Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes.

7. Pecan Pie

Sweet, buttery, and nutty, pecan pie is an American holiday favorite.

Ingredients:

• Pie crust
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup pecans
• 2 tablespoons butter

Simple Recipe:

1. Mix syrup, sugar, eggs, and butter.
2. Stir in pecans.
3. Pour into crust and bake at 350°F for 55 minutes.

8. Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

Fudgy brownies topped with crushed peppermint candy.

Ingredients:

• Brownie batter
• 1⁄2 cup crushed candy canes

Simple Recipe:

1. Prepare brownies and bake as usual.
2. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on warm brownies.
3. Cool and slice.

9. Sticky Toffee Pudding

A soft date cake served warm with toffee sauce, perfect for winter nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1⁄2 cup butter

Simple Recipe:

1. Soak dates in warm water.
2. Cream butter and sugar, add egg.
3. Add flour and dates.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
5. Drizzle with warm toffee sauce.

10. Christmas Pudding

A traditional British dessert packed with dried fruit and spices.

Ingredients:

• Mixed dried fruit
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Butter
• Cinnamon

Simple Recipe:

1. Mix all ingredients into a thick batter.
2. Steam in a covered bowl for 2 hours.
3. Serve warm with custard.

11. Hot Chocolate Cake

A rich chocolate cake inspired by holiday hot cocoa.

Ingredients:

• Chocolate cake mix or batter
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate frosting

Simple Recipe:

1. Bake cake.
2. Frost with chocolate frosting.
3. Add marshmallows on top and lightly toast.

12. Red Velvet Cake

A festive red cake with rich cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

• Red velvet cake batter
• Cream cheese frosting

Simple Recipe:

1. Bake red velvet cake layers.
2. Frost and stack.
3. Decorate with sprinkles.

13. Cinnamon Rolls

Warm, gooey cinnamon rolls make a perfect Christmas morning treat.

Ingredients:

• Dough
• Cinnamon-sugar mix
• Cream cheese icing

Simple Recipe:

1. Roll dough into a rectangle.
2. Spread cinnamon sugar.
3. Roll into a log and slice.
4. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
5. Drizzle icing.

14. Chocolate Truffles

Rich, smooth truffles that melt in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chocolate
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• Cocoa powder

Simple Recipe:

1. Heat cream and pour over chocolate.
2. Chill until firm.
3. Roll balls and coat in cocoa.

15. Pumpkin Pie

A creamy, spiced traditional pie perfect for the holiday table.

Ingredients:

• Pie crust
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup cream
• 2 eggs
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• Cinnamon, nutmeg

Simple Recipe:

1. Mix pumpkin, cream, eggs, sugar, and spices.
2. Pour into crust and bake at 375°F for 50 minutes.
3. Cool before serving.

Christmas desserts are more than sweet treats; they are memories baked into every bite. These classic recipes bring together beloved flavors that define the holiday season. Whether you prefer cookies, cakes, pies, or puddings, this festive collection ensures your Christmas dessert table is full of warmth, color, and delicious joy. Bake one or bake them all, and let the sweetness of Christmas fill every corner of your home.