10 Easy Christmas Desserts to Celebrate Holiday Season

Christmas is the season when kitchens glow with warmth, spices fill the air, and desserts become the true stars of festive gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a large family dinner or keeping things cozy at home, having simple yet impressive desserts is the secret to stress-free holiday magic. Easy Christmas desserts allow you to enjoy the celebration without spending hours in the kitchen. From creamy classics to quick no-bake delights, these recipes bring joy, color, and irresistible flavor to your table.

Each dessert below is crafted to be effortless, delicious, and perfect for sharing all season long.

1. Peppermint Chocolate Mousse

This creamy mousse combines rich chocolate with refreshing peppermint for the perfect Christmas flavor pairing. Light, airy, and decadent, it works beautifully as a make-ahead dessert. The cool mint brings balance to the chocolate’s richness, making it a wonderful treat after a hearty holiday meal. It’s easy to pipe into glasses for an elegant presentation, and kids love the candy-cane crunch on top.

Ingredients

• Dark chocolate
• Heavy cream
• Peppermint extract
• Sugar
• Crushed candy canes

Recipe

Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over gentle heat until smooth, then let it cool slightly so it stays melted but not hot. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with sugar until soft peaks form. Add peppermint extract, adjusting to taste. Gently fold the cooled chocolate into the whipped cream until fully incorporated and airy. Spoon or pipe the mousse into serving glasses and refrigerate for 2–3 hours. Top with crushed candy canes just before serving.

2. Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

These bars deliver the classic holiday eggnog flavor in a creamy, festive dessert. With nutmeg and vanilla shining through, they bring warmth and nostalgia to your table. The graham cracker crust adds a delightful crunch that complements the soft filling. They slice cleanly into bars, making them easy for parties or potlucks.

Ingredients

• Cream cheese
• Eggnog
• Graham crackers
• Nutmeg
• Sugar
• Eggs

Recipe

Crush the graham crackers and mix with melted butter and sugar until the consistency resembles damp sand. Press the mixture firmly into a baking dish to create the crust. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add eggnog, sugar, nutmeg, and eggs. Blend until the filling is creamy and well combined. Pour it over the crust and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is just set. Let cool, then refrigerate for several hours before slicing into bars.

3. Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

These blondies create a perfect harmony of chewy sweetness, melted white chocolate, and tart cranberries. Their red-and-white color gives instant Christmas vibes. They bake in one pan and cut easily into squares, making them ideal for gifting or dessert platters.

Ingredients

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• White chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries
• Vanilla

Recipe

Melt the butter and whisk it with brown sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until fully combined. Fold in the flour to form a thick batter, then add the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Spread the batter into a prepared baking pan and bake until golden around the edges and set in the middle. Cool completely before slicing.

4. Gingerbread Trifle

A layered dessert featuring gingerbread cake, whipped cream, and spiced pudding. The flavors blend warm spices with creamy textures for a dessert that feels comforting and festive. Each layer becomes richer as it rests, making this a great make-ahead dessert for a crowd.

Ingredients

• Gingerbread cake
• Whipped cream
• Vanilla or butterscotch pudding
• Cinnamon
• Crushed gingersnaps

Recipe

Cut the gingerbread cake into cubes. Begin layering the trifle bowl with a base of cake pieces, followed by a layer of pudding, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a generous layer of whipped cream. Repeat the process until the bowl is full. Top with crushed gingersnaps for crunch. Chill for several hours or overnight before serving.

5. No-Bake Chocolate Oreo Truffles

These truffles are rich, fudgy, and unbelievably easy. Their size makes them perfect for sharing, and they can be rolled in sprinkles, cocoa, or crushed candy canes for a festive look.

Ingredients

• Oreo cookies
• Cream cheese
• Chocolate for coating
• Sprinkles

Recipe

Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor, then blend in the cream cheese until a smooth dough forms. Roll into small balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 15 minutes to help them firm up. Dip each ball into melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off. Add sprinkles or toppings before the chocolate sets.

6. Cranberry Orange Loaf

Bright citrus and tangy cranberries come together in this moist, flavorful loaf. The orange zest perfumes the kitchen while baking, giving a festive aroma. It slices beautifully and makes a lovely edible gift.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Sugar
• Cranberries
• Orange zest
• Eggs
• Butter

Recipe

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, melted butter, and orange zest. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, folding gently so the batter stays light. Add the cranberries and stir until evenly distributed. Transfer to a loaf pan and bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

Soft chocolate cookies topped with crushed peppermint for a festive crunch. They freeze well and are perfect for cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

• Cocoa powder
• Flour
• Butter
• Sugar
• Egg
• Crushed candy canes

Recipe

Prepare a chocolate cookie dough by creaming the butter and sugar, then adding the egg. Mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Roll into balls and bake until just set. Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes on top so they stick as the cookies cool.

8. Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Squares

Flaky puff pastry topped with apples, caramel, and cinnamon makes this a cozy winter dessert. The pastry puffs beautifully, creating crisp, buttery layers that pair perfectly with the sweet filling.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry
• Apples
• Caramel sauce
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Recipe

Cut the puff pastry into squares and place sliced apples in the center of each one. Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Fold the edges slightly or bake them flat. Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden and the apples are tender.

9. White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cups

Light, silky, and refreshing, with a bright pop of raspberry that balances the sweetness of white chocolate.

Ingredients

• White chocolate
• Heavy cream
• Raspberries
• Sugar

Recipe

Melt the white chocolate and let it cool slightly. Whip the cream with sugar until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate. Crush or purée some raspberries and swirl them into the mousse. Pipe into cups and chill before serving.

10. Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Trees

A fun, kid-friendly Christmas dessert shaped like little trees. They’re festive, chewy, and quick to assemble.

Ingredients

• Rice Krispies cereal
• Marshmallows
• Butter
• Green food coloring
• Sprinkles

Recipe

Melt butter and marshmallows together until smooth. Add green food coloring before stirring in the cereal. Coat your hands lightly with butter, then shape the mixture into cone-shaped trees. Decorate with sprinkles as ornaments while the mixture is still slightly warm.

Easy Christmas desserts deliver festive flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen. From airy mousses and decadent truffles to bright citrus loaves and fun no-bake treats, each dessert adds its own sparkle to the holiday table. Whether rich, fruity, creamy, or crunchy, these ten recipes offer something delightful for every guest. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can celebrate the season with desserts that feel joyful, nostalgic, and beautifully unforgettable.