We’ve waited all year to break out our favorite Christmas dessert recipes! From Christmas cookies to peppermint treats, there's nothing that gets us more in the holiday spirit than a day of baking holiday goodies! For Ree Drummond, Christmastime is all about making a variety of cookies. "I set aside one day and bake a few different kinds, so the cookie platters look more fun," she says. Of course, there's more than just cookies on this list of Christmas desserts. Here, you’ll find Christmas pies, cakes, brownies, Christmas cheesecakes, and yes some of The Pioneer Woman's best cookie recipes. There are even desserts that double as sweet edible Christmas gifts!
Along with classics like a traditional yule log, you'll find fun new winter desserts that might just surprise you like hot chocolate cookies, gingerbread cinnamon rolls, and peppermint cheesecake. Plus, there are plenty of Christmas treats with festive red and green colors, like the Crock-Pot candy or the pinwheel cookies decorated with red and green sprinkles. Most of these recipes are easy enough that novice bakers can master them. And, even your kids will want to get involved in making them as a fun Christmas tradition.
Pick a few to add to your Christmas dinner, or whip some up throughout the season for any holiday party, cookie exchange, or neighborhood potluck. There are plenty of sweet ideas to go around!
1
Gingerbread-Spiced Cinnamon Rolls
Caitlin Bensel
For a twist on classic cinnamon rolls, this recipe adds the warm spiced flavors of Christmas gingerbread in the filling and a coconut cream cheese icing on top.
This Italian dessert will look so elegant on your holiday dinner table. But little will your guests know, it's as easy as making Jell-O! Top it off with fresh fruit, raspberry sauce, or caramel for even more sweetness.
The flavors of chocolate and dark rum make this dessert a boozy treat. You can get creative with the toppings by rolling them in shredded coconut, finely chopped pecans, or nonpareils.
Take your chocolate pie to the next level by making this recipe that starts with a chocolate crust and has layers of chocolate brownie filling and chocolate pudding.
Once you try homemade marshmallows, you'll never go back to the store-bought kind again! They're big, pillowy, soft, and they can even be dipped in chocolate!
Planning a big Christmas tree trimming party? Look no further than this Crock-Pot hot chocolate! It's the easiest way to whip up the chocolate drink for a crowd.
These buttery pecan cookies are covered in powdered sugar so they're sometimes referred to as snowball cookies. But no matter what name you use, they're sure to be a festive addition to a Christmas cookie plate.
You're oven will likely be working overtime during the holiday season, so give it a break with this easy no-bake dessert! It layers vanilla pudding with graham crackers and a rich chocolate ganache.
These cute candies are the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The chocolate melts and combines with salty, roasted peanuts, potato chips, and pretzels for a crunchy bite that's so festive.
This traditional Southern candy is loaded with pecans, but you can also use cashews, walnut halves, or peanuts if you prefer. No matter what, they'll be sweet, salty, and perfectly nutty.
Calling all chocolate lovers! These chocolate cake-like cookies have a chocolate glaze that's perfectly rich and decadent. You'll definitely want to serve them up with a glass of milk!
Ice cream might not be the first thing you think of for a Christmas dessert but don't worry, this one is loaded with festive, minty flavor. You can even top it with peppermint candies to really make it pop.
These shortbread cookies don't just look like adorable candy canes, but they're full of peppermint flavor, too! It's all thanks to a bit of peppermint and vanilla extract.
This moist chocolate cake has a sweet filling made with coconut and chopped pecans. You can get as creative with the decorations as you'd like, but we went with a simple border of whole pecans.
You can make these cookies any time of year, but they're especially pretty on a Christmas cookie platter. The red and green colors are just perfect for the holidays.
This pie isn't shy about using butter! In fact, it stars with an all-butter pie crust, then gets a a buttery, vanilla custard for the filling. A touch of lemon helps to brighten it up!
The powdered sugar surface of these crinkle cookies is what makes them so unique! You don't have to worry about them looking perfect since they're supposed to look crackly!