30 Must-Try christmas Desserts for Your Holiday Table

The festive season beckons with the promise of warmth, family, and, most importantly, spectacular sweets. As you plan your holiday menu, the dessert table deserves to be the dazzling centerpiece. This year, move beyond the usual fruitcake and explore a curated collection of 30 truly unforgettable XMAS desserts.

Whether you crave the elegance of a towering Pavlova, the rich tradition of a Bûche de Noël, or the comforting spice of Gingerbread, this list has something for every taste. These recipes are designed to not only delight your guests but also elevate your holiday celebration, turning simple baking into a cherished Christmas tradition. Get ready to bake, decorate, and share the sweetest part of the season with these spectacular Christmas desserts

30 Festive Christmas Desserts to Make This Season

This curated list of XMAS desserts covers everything from grand centerpieces to delightful bite-sized cookies, ensuring every sweet tooth is satisfied. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or looking for an impressive, yet manageable, holiday project, you’ll find inspiration here.

Pavlova with Caramelized White Chocolate Bark

A spectacular meringue cloud that is crisp on the outside and marshmallow-soft inside, the Pavlova is already a showstopper. Elevate it further with a topping of caramelized white chocolate bark. The subtle, nutty sweetness of the caramelized chocolate adds a layer of sophistication and crunch that pairs beautifully with fresh berries and a light, cloud-like whipped cream. It’s a dreamy, light finish to a rich holiday meal.

Ginger Spice Cake

Warm, comforting, and deeply aromatic, a Ginger Spice Cake embodies the very essence of Christmas. This rich cake, loaded with ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses, is often incredibly moist. A simple yet elegant topping, like a drizzle of lemon glaze or a slathering of fluffy whipped cream cheese frosting, balances the intense spice perfectly.

Bûche de Noël with Mascarpone Cream and Dark Chocolate Ganache (Yule log)

The Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log, is a traditional French Christmas cake shaped and decorated to resemble a log. This version features a light, airy sponge cake rolled with a rich, tangy Mascarpone Cream filling and coated in a smooth, decadent Dark Chocolate Ganache “bark.” Decorate with meringue mushrooms and dusted powdered sugar for an enchanting, woodsy centerpiece.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

A beloved British classic, Sticky Toffee Pudding is the ultimate warm and comforting dessert. A moist sponge cake studded with chopped dates is drenched in a rich, buttery toffee sauce. Served warm, this is a true cold-weather indulgence, often accompanied by vanilla ice cream or a generous pour of custard.

Chestnut Pavlova

Taking the classic Pavlova in a decidedly winter direction, the Chestnut Pavlova incorporates the earthy, subtly sweet flavor of chestnuts. This might be achieved by folding a chestnut purée or crème de marrons into the whipped cream topping, or even by scattering candied or roasted chestnuts over the fruit. It’s an elegant, European-inspired dessert.

Sour Cherry–Cheesecake Trifle with Black Pepper and Saba

This trifle offers a sophisticated, layered experience. It combines tangy sour cherries and a creamy cheesecake layer with cake or sponge pieces. The innovative addition of freshly cracked black pepper and a drizzle of Saba (a syrup made from reduced grape must) introduces complex, unexpected notes of spice and balsamic sweetness, providing a delightful contrast to the richness of the cheesecake.

Triple Chocolate–Peppermint Cookies

The perfect Christmas cookie, these Triple Chocolate–Peppermint Cookies are a blend of fudgy indulgence and bright festive flavor. Featuring dark, milk, and white chocolate (the “triple chocolate”), the cookies are infused with a hint of peppermint extract and studded with crushed candy canes or peppermint bark, making them irresistible for cookie swaps or as an easy-to-serve dessert.

Spiced Pavlovas with Oranges and Mulled Wine Caramel

These individual Spiced Pavlovas marry the light airiness of meringue with the classic, comforting aromas of the season. The meringue itself may be subtly spiced, but the real magic is the topping: fresh, vibrant oranges and a syrupy, aromatic Mulled Wine Caramel that captures the essence of a warm Christmas drink.

Chocolate Cardamom Cream Tart with Pistachio-Sesame Brittle

For a dessert that is both stunning and complex in flavor, this Cream Tart is an excellent choice. A buttery crust holds a silky, deep Chocolate Cardamom Cream, with the cardamom offering a warm, floral counterpoint to the bittersweet chocolate. It’s topped with a crunchy, decorative Pistachio-Sesame Brittle for texture and a nutty, Middle Eastern-inspired flavor profile.

Chocolate-and-Citrus Cassata

Hailing from Sicily, Cassata is traditionally a rich sponge cake moistened with liqueur, layered with ricotta cheese and candied fruit. This holiday-friendly version highlights the beautiful pairing of Chocolate-and-Citrus, perhaps using an orange-infused ricotta filling and a dark chocolate glaze, resulting in a vibrant, show-stopping dessert.

Coconut Arroz con Leche Tamales

A creative and unique twist on traditional holiday tamales, these are sweet, dessert versions. Coconut Arroz con Leche (rice pudding) is steamed inside corn husks, resulting in a warm, delicately sweet, and creamy cake. The coconut milk gives a tropical flair, while the warmth of the tamale wrapper provides a truly comforting texture.

Butterscotch Pudding Parfait with Gingersnap Crumble

A comforting, old-fashioned flavor is modernized in this layered dessert. Silky homemade Butterscotch Pudding alternates with layers of rich whipped cream and crunchy, spicy Gingersnap Crumble in a clear glass. The parfait format makes for an elegant presentation and easy individual serving.

Cornmeal Cake Trifle with Sabayon and Candied Kumquats

This inventive trifle uses pieces of a moist, textured Cornmeal Cake as its base. Layers are built up with a light, Marsala-laced Sabayon (a frothy custard) and bright, glistening Candied Kumquats. The kumquats offer bursts of intense citrus flavor that cut through the richness of the sabayon, making for a surprisingly light and zesty dessert

Vegan Coconut-Ginger Caramels

For a delightful gift or small treat, these Vegan Coconut-Ginger Caramels offer a chewy, sweet, and spicy experience. Made with coconut milk or cream, they achieve a rich, buttery consistency without dairy, while the fresh ginger provides a perfect holiday warmth.

Tropical Mendicants

Mendiants are traditional French confections made of chocolate discs topped with nuts and dried fruits. This version takes a Tropical turn by using toppings like candied pineapple, mango, macadamia nuts, or shredded coconut on both milk and dark chocolate discs. They are beautiful, simple, and perfect for gifting.

Old Fashioned Doughnut Croquembouche

A playful, Americanized take on the French classic croquembouche (a tower of cream puffs). This version uses small, glazed Old Fashioned Doughnuts stacked high and bound together with a generous drizzle of caramel or a simple confectioners’ sugar glaze. It’s a whimsical and nostalgic centerpiece.

Goat Cheese Cake with Wine-Poached Cranberries

A unique and savory-sweet creation, the Goat Cheese Cake replaces some or all of the cream cheese with tangy goat cheese, resulting in a more complex, earthy flavor. The cake is typically topped with sweet and tart Wine-Poached Cranberries, which provide a stunning red visual and a bright, fruity counterpoint to the cheese.

Cocoa Cola Bundt Cake

An unexpectedly delicious pairing, this Bundt Cake incorporates Cocoa powder and cola (like Coca-Cola) into the batter. The carbonation and acidity of the soda help make the cake incredibly moist and tender, while the cola’s flavor adds a subtle, intriguing depth. A simple glaze allows the beautiful bundt shape to shine.

S’mores Linzer Cookies

Classic jam-filled Linzer cookies meet the campfire favorite. These S’mores Linzer Cookies feature a nutty, buttery cookie dusted with powdered sugar, but instead of traditional jam, the filling is a combination of rich melted chocolate and a fluffy, toasted marshmallow fluff.

Triple-Ginger Rye Cookies

These are a serious ginger cookie for the true spice lover. They utilize three forms of ginger—fresh, ground, and crystallized—to create a powerful, warming flavor. The addition of Rye flour gives the cookie a fantastic, slightly earthy and robust chew.

Basque Cheesecake

A global sensation, the Basque Cheesecake is a “burnt” cheesecake known for its crustless, deeply caramelized exterior and its impossibly creamy, barely-set interior. Its rustic appearance and rich, complex flavor make it a sophisticated and surprisingly easy holiday dessert.

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Vanilla Cream Cheese Fluff

These delightful “sandwich” cookies are always a crowd-pleaser. Soft, pillowy, deep Chocolate Whoopie Pies (more like a cake than a cookie) are filled with a lush, light, and tangy Vanilla Cream Cheese Fluff. They’re a perfect hand-held dessert.

Orange-Anise Croquembouche with White Chocolate

An elegant, show-stopping Croquembouche featuring a tower of pâté à choux filled with a delicate, flavored cream. This version is flavored with the bright, citrusy notes of Orange and the subtle, licorice-like warmth of Anise, all held together and adorned with a smooth, luxurious White Chocolate glaze or spun sugar.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

No list of XMAS desserts is complete without classic Spiced Gingerbread Cookies. These are fun to bake and decorate, featuring the essential blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Whether cut into intricate shapes or simple rounds, they are the quintessential holiday cookie.

Gingerbread Roll with Cinnamon Cream

A perfect balance of spice and creaminess. A thin, moist Gingerbread Roll cake is spread with a light, flavorful Cinnamon Cream and rolled tightly. The sliced presentation reveals a stunning spiral of dark cake and pale filling, making it a wonderful visual counterpart to the traditional Bûche de Noël.

Alfajores de Maizena (Sandwich Cookies Filled with Dulce de Leche)

These South American treats are irresistibly delicate. Alfajores de Maizena are soft, crumbly sandwich cookies made primarily with cornstarch (maizena), giving them a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They are typically filled with a rich, caramelized Dulce de Leche and rolled in shredded coconut, offering a decadent, buttery sweetness.

Chocolate-Peppermint Brownies

The simple, fudgy brownie gets a festive makeover. These Chocolate-Peppermint Brownies are intensely rich and chewy, topped with a layer of peppermint-infused chocolate glaze or a scattering of crushed candy canes, providing a refreshing, cool contrast to the deep cocoa flavor.

Putri Salju Pandan (Pandan-Flavored Indonesian “Snow White” Cookies)

These unique Indonesian cookies, which translate to “Snow White” cookies, are tender, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth. The holiday twist comes from the addition of Pandan, a tropical leaf that imparts a unique, vanilla-like aroma and a striking green color. They are then heavily coated in powdered sugar to resemble snow.

Cherry-and-Chocolate Bûche de Noël

Another take on the Yule Log, this version highlights the classic, complementary flavors of Cherry-and-Chocolate. A rich chocolate sponge is rolled with a tart cherry filling or jam, and a dark chocolate buttercream. The combination is reminiscent of Black Forest cake, bringing a familiar, comforting profile to the holiday centerpiece.

Gingerbread and White Chocolate Mousse Trifle

Concluding the list with a spectacular trifle, this dessert layers cubes of moist Gingerbread cake with a light and airy White Chocolate Mousse. The trifle layers might also include ginger syrup, candied ginger, or a hint of orange zest to ensure a beautiful contrast of creamy sweetness and warm spice. This is a bright, fluffy, and perfectly balanced holiday showstopper.