50 Easy Christmas Dessert Ideas for a Quick and Sweet Holiday

The holidays are hectic, but dessert doesn’t have to be. All of the sweets below call for pantry staples, short prep times, or clever shortcuts that still taste homemade. Pick a few for a cookie platter or tackle the whole list over the season—either way, you’ll have festive treats ready before the carols end.

1. Classic Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Rolled sugar cookies are reliable crowd-pleasers and perfect for decorating with kids. Chill the dough briefly, cut with festive cutters, and bake until edges are barely golden. A quick royal icing sets in under an hour, giving you a glossy canvas for sprinkles or edible glitter.

2. Gingerbread Men Cookies

Molasses and warm spices deliver that unmistakable gingerbread aroma. The dough is sturdy, so shapes hold even when rolled thin. Pipe on smiles, buttons, and scarves with a small zip-top bag of icing for fast decorating.

3. Peppermint Bark

Layer melted dark chocolate, then white chocolate, in a parchment-lined pan. Before the second layer sets, shower it with crushed candy canes for crunch and color. Once firm, crack into rustic pieces—no knife required.

4. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rich cocoa dough gets rolled in powdered sugar just before baking. As cookies puff, the sugar coating separates into striking black-and-white crevices. The result tastes like brownie edges in portable form.

5. No-Bake Eggnog Cheesecake

Fold eggnog and a hint of rum extract into whipped cream cheese, then pour over a graham crust. The refrigerator does the work, firming the filling in four hours. Serve chilled for a silky finale that frees up oven space.

6. Snickerdoodle Blondies

All the cinnamon-sugar magic of snickerdoodles meets the chewy ease of bar cookies. Mix, pour, and bake in one pan—no individual scooping. Cut while still slightly warm for the softest centers.

7. Pecan Snowball Cookies

Also called Russian tea cakes, these buttery bites crumble delicately thanks to ground pecans. Roll twice in sugar: once warm for stickiness, once cool for a snowy finish. They freeze beautifully, so make them ahead.

8. Candy Cane Brownies

Start with your favorite boxed mix or homemade batter, then scatter crushed candy canes over the batter mid-bake. The minty pieces melt slightly, fusing to the fudge surface. Cool completely before slicing for clean edges.

9. White Chocolate Pretzel M&M Clusters

Melt white chocolate chips, stir in broken pretzels and holiday candy, then drop spoonfuls to set. Each bite balances sweet, salty, and crunchy textures. They set in under 20 minutes, making them a lifesaver for last-minute gifting.

10. Raspberry Linzer Bars

Shortcut the classic cookie by pressing almond-flour dough into a pan and spreading with raspberry jam. A quick crumb topping stands in for intricate lattice. Bake until fragrant, then slice into jewel-toned bars.

11. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge

Combine peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and white chocolate in the microwave until smooth. Pour into a lined dish and chill for one hour. Slice into bite-size squares that melt on the tongue.

12. Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Fold dried cranberries and orange zest into buttery dough, then slice and bake straight from the fridge. The citrus brightens winter palates while cranberries add jewel-like pops of color. These cookies stay crisp for days, perfect for shipping.

13. Rum Ball Truffles

Crush vanilla wafers, stir in cocoa, nuts, and a splash of dark rum, then roll into balls. No cooking is required—the flavors deepen overnight. Coat in powdered sugar or dip in melted chocolate for variety.

14. Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

Cake mix shortcuts keep prep under ten minutes while yielding bakery-style cookies. Oil and eggs transform the batter into thick dough. Each cookie bakes with a crackly exterior and tender crumb.

15. Salted Caramel Thumbprints

Press a thumb or measuring spoon into warm shortbread rounds, then spoon in jarred caramel sauce. A pinch of flaky salt offsets the sweetness and elevates flavor. Let them set completely before stacking in gift tins.

16. Coconut Macaroon Wreaths

Shape classic coconut batter into small wreaths using a doughnut cutter or two round cutters. Bake until edges toast to golden brown. White chocolate drizzle doubles as edible “ribbon.”

17. Maple Pecan Pie Bars

A shortbread crust holds a chewy maple-sweetened pecan topping reminiscent of pie without the rolling pin. Bake as one slab, cool, and slice. Each bar offers buttery crunch in handheld form.

18. Hot Cocoa Cupcakes

Use boxed chocolate cake mix and swap water for cooled hot cocoa to deepen flavor. Pipe marshmallow fluff on top and torch lightly for a fireside look. Kids love adding mini marshmallows or candy cane bits.

19. Cherry Chocolate Bark Swirl

Melt two chocolates separately, pour in alternating streams, and drag a toothpick for marbled art. Scatter dried cherries for tart contrast. Break once firm for ruby-studded pieces perfect in a treat bag.

20. Almond Joy Energy Bites

Purée dates, shredded coconut, cocoa, and almonds in a food processor. Roll into balls and chill to firm. They taste indulgent yet rely on pantry staples and natural sweetness.

21. Spiced Apple Hand Pies

Store-bought pie dough wraps around apple pie filling spiked with extra cinnamon. Crimp edges with a fork, brush with egg wash, and bake until flaky. Hand pies transport easily to potlucks without messy slicing.

22. Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes

Gingersnap crumbs form a spicy crust in cupcake liners. Fill with simple cheesecake batter flavored with molasses and ginger, then bake briefly. Chill until firm and garnish with sugared cranberries.

23. Snowflake Meringues

Beat egg whites with sugar to stiff peaks and pipe delicate shapes. A low oven dries them crisp without browning. Store in airtight tins where they stay crunchy for weeks.

24. Espresso Chocolate Dipped Biscotti

Instant espresso powder adds depth to a straightforward biscotti dough. After the double bake, dip one side in melted chocolate for a cafe-style finish. They’re sturdy enough for mailing and perfect for dunking.

25. Stollen Bites

Traditional German stollen gets miniaturized by baking dough in a brownie pan and cutting into bite-size cubes. Each piece hides a bit of marzipan for almond lovers. A generous sugar coating keeps them tender.

26. Pistachio Cranberry Icebox Cookies

Mix, roll into a log, and chill the dough for days if needed. When guests pop by, slice and bake straight from the fridge. The red and green mix makes them visually perfect for Christmas trays.

27. Toffee Crack (Saltine Toffee)

Layer crackers, boil butter and sugar for five minutes, pour, bake, then top with chocolate chips that melt into a glossy finish. Once chilled, snap into irregular shards. The sweet-salty bite earns its addictive nickname.

28. Sticky Toffee Pudding Cups

Quick microwave sponge cakes packed with dates soak up a butterscotch sauce. Serving them in cups speeds cooking and portioning. Garnish with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing.

29. Peppermint Mocha Panna Cotta

Bloom gelatin, mix with coffee-laced chocolate milk, and pour into glasses. A thin peppermint cream layer sets on top for contrast. Chill overnight, then finish with crushed candy canes.

30. Lemon Snowflake Bars

Bright lemon curd bakes over a buttery shortbread crust. Use a snowflake cookie cutter once chilled for a winter twist. Extra trimmings become baker’s treats.

31. Caramel Popcorn with Rosemary

Stir chopped fresh rosemary into homemade or store-bought caramel sauce for a fragrant spin. Coat freshly popped kernels and bake briefly to set. Package in cellophane bags for effortless gifts.

32. Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Brown the butter until nutty, then stir in marshmallows and cereal. Press into a pan and shower with red and green sprinkles. The extra depth from browned butter upgrades a childhood classic instantly.

33. Cranberry Pistachio White Chocolate Bark

The red-green combo screams Christmas while adding sweet-tart flavor and crunch. Melt, spread, sprinkle, chill—done in 15 minutes. Break into pieces and stack in tins between parchment.

34. Chai Spice Snickerdoodles

Replace plain cinnamon with a mix of cardamom, ginger, and cloves for cozy chai aroma. The traditional cream of tartar keeps them chewy. Bake just until edges set for maximum softness.

35. Nutella Rugelach

Store-bought pie crust or quick cream cheese dough rolls easily around a Nutella smear. Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts for crunch. A simple egg wash gives golden, flaky pastries in minutes.

36. Gluten-Free Almond Snowball Cookies

Almond flour and butter form melt-in-your-mouth rounds naturally free of gluten. Vanilla and a dash of almond extract enhance flavor. Double coating them in sugar ensures a festive, snowy look.

37. Cranberry Orange Mini Bundt Cakes

Use a mini bundt pan and boxed cake mix doctored with orange juice and zest. Fold in dried cranberries before baking. A quick citrus glaze drips down the ridges for bakery-worthy results.

38. Gingerbread Truffles

Pulse baked gingerbread cookies with cream cheese, roll, then chill. Dip in melted chocolate and let set. They taste like cake pops without the sticks.

39. Microwave Peanut Brittle

The microwave replaces a candy thermometer and stovetop stirring. Sugar, corn syrup, and peanuts cook in minutes; baking soda adds signature airy crunch. Cool on a greased sheet, then crack apart.

40. Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers

Store-bought puff pastry sprinkled with cinnamon sugar folds into elegant hearts. Slice, bake, and watch them caramelize into flaky, buttery cookies. They’re impressive yet five ingredients or fewer.

41. Maple Walnut Fudge

White chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and real maple syrup melt together smoothly. Stir in toasted walnuts for texture. Chill, slice, and keep refrigerated for dense, creamy bites.

42. Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pops

Push marshmallows onto lollipop sticks, dip in melted chocolate, then roll in sprinkles or candy cane dust. They set quickly at room temperature. Hand them to kids as edible stirrers for hot cocoa.

43. Matcha White Chocolate Shortbread Trees

Matcha powder tints buttery shortbread a natural evergreen hue. Cut with tree cutters and bake until barely golden. White chocolate drizzle mimics snow on branches.

44. Spumoni Ice Cream Bars

Soften three ice cream flavors, layer in a loaf pan, and freeze until solid. Slice into colorful bars for an easy frozen dessert. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios before serving for extra crunch.

45. Caramel Apple Dip

Blend softened cream cheese with purchased caramel sauce and a hint of vanilla. Top with chopped pecans or toffee bits. Serve with green and red apple wedges for a sweet-tart snack during tree decorating.

46. Red & Green Jello Parfaits

Prepare cherry and lime gelatin separately, then cut into cubes once set. Layer alternating colors with whipped cream in small glasses. Kids can assemble their own, turning dessert into an activity.

47. Pumpkin Spice Cake Balls

Combine crumbled pumpkin spice cake with a spoonful of frosting, roll, and chill. Dip in white chocolate for a shell that snaps. A drizzle of orange candy melts hints at the flavor inside.

48. Brookie Bars

Layer brownie batter with cookie dough in one baking dish for the best of both worlds. Use boxed mixes to save time. The two textures bake together into fudgy, chewy perfection.

49. Fruitcake Biscotti

Dried fruit and toasted nuts give biscotti all the festive flavors of fruitcake minus the heft. Double baking ensures a crunchy dunker for coffee or mulled wine. They keep for weeks in an airtight jar.

50. Gingerbread Latte Tiramisu

Dip ladyfingers in strong coffee spiked with gingerbread syrup, then layer with mascarpone cream. Chill overnight for flavors to meld. A dusting of cocoa and cinnamon seals the café-inspired finish.