The holidays are all about sweet moments with loved ones. You want desserts that bring joy without hours in the kitchen. These 17 easy holiday dessert recipes are simple, crowd-pleasing treats perfect for your gatherings.
From no-bake bites to quick cookies, each one uses basic ingredients you likely have on hand. They're beginner-friendly, with step-by-step guidance to ensure success. Get ready to impress everyone with minimal effort.
17 Joyful Easy Holiday Dessert Recipes
Imagine the smell of fresh-baked goodies filling your home. These recipes are designed for busy days, delivering that festive cheer in under an hour each. Dive in and pick your favorites to make the season sparkle.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
These soft, buttery sugar cookies melt in your mouth with a sweet vanilla flavor. Perfect for decorating with kids, they capture holiday magic in every bite—crisp edges, chewy centers, and endless customization.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Sprinkles or icing for decorating
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes with a hand mixer. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
Form Dough
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet. Mix until a soft dough forms. Chill dough 30 minutes.
Roll and Cut
Roll dough ¼-inch thick on floured surface. Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Place on sheets 2 inches apart.
Bake and Cool
Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are light golden. Cool on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to rack. Decorate once cool.
2. Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Spicy ginger and molasses create warm, chewy cookies that scream holidays. Their soft texture and bold flavor make them irresistible for snacking or gifting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
Mix Wet Ingredients
Cream butter and brown sugar 2 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses.
Combine Dry
Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet mixture until dough forms.
Chill Dough
Wrap and chill 1 hour for easy rolling.
Bake Shapes
Roll dough ¼-inch thick, cut gingerbread shapes. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool completely before decorating.
3. Peppermint Bark
Crunchy dark chocolate base with creamy white chocolate and peppermint crunch—refreshing and addictive for holiday trays.
Ingredients
- 12 oz dark chocolate chips
- 12 oz white chocolate chips
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Melt Dark Chocolate
Melt dark chocolate in microwave-safe bowl, 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Spread Base
Pour onto parchment-lined 9×13 baking sheet. Spread evenly with spatula. Chill 15 minutes.
Melt White
Melt white chocolate with peppermint extract. Spread over dark layer.
Add Crunch
Sprinkle crushed candy canes. Gently press. Chill 30 minutes until set.
Break and Serve
Break into pieces. Store in airtight container.
4. Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Rich, melt-away chocolate fudge with fudgy texture and optional nuts for that classic holiday indulgence.
Ingredients
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Pan
Line 8×8 pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
Melt Ingredients
In saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter. Stir until melted and smooth.
Add Flavor
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, salt, and walnuts.
Pour and Chill
Spread into pan. Chill 2 hours until firm.
Cut Squares
Lift out, cut into 1-inch squares. Store chilled.
5. Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery shortbread cookies cradling sweet jam—crisp outside, jammy surprise inside for festive cheer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup raspberry jam
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
Heat to 350°F (175°C). Line sheets with parchment.
Make Dough
Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add vanilla. Mix in flour and salt.
Shape Balls
Roll teaspoon-sized balls, place on sheets. Indent centers with thumb.
Bake First
Bake 10 minutes until set but pale.
Fill and Finish
Add jam to indents. Bake 8 more minutes. Cool on rack.
6. Snowball Cookies
Nutty, buttery bites rolled in powdered sugar—like mini snowballs with melt-in-mouth tenderness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
Set to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets.
Cream Base
Beat butter and ½ cup powdered sugar. Add vanilla.
Mix Dough
Stir in flour, pecans, and salt until combined.
Form Balls
Roll into 1-inch balls. Place on sheets.
Bake and Coat
Bake 15-18 minutes until bottoms brown lightly. Cool 5 minutes, roll in powdered sugar. Roll again when fully cool.
7. Mini Pumpkin Pies
Creamy spiced pumpkin filling in flaky crusts—individual pies bursting with fall holiday warmth.
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought pie crust (or homemade)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Whipped cream for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
Bake at 375°F (190°C). Grease muffin tin.
Prep Crust
Cut crust into 12 squares. Press into muffin cups.
Mix Filling
Whisk pumpkin, condensed milk, egg, spices.
Fill and Bake
Spoon filling into crusts. Bake 20-25 minutes until set.
Cool and Top
Cool completely. Add whipped cream before serving.
8. Cranberry Bliss Bars
Blondie base loaded with tart cranberries and white chocolate, topped with creamy icing—irresistible holiday bliss.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- Icing: 4 oz cream cheese, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
350°F (175°C). Line 9×13 pan with foil.
Mix Batter
Whisk butter, sugar, eggs, extract. Add flour. Fold in chips and ½ cup cranberries.
Bake Base
Spread in pan. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool.
Ice and Top
Beat icing ingredients. Spread over bars. Sprinkle remaining cranberries. Chill, cut into triangles.
9. Easy Chocolate Truffles
Silky ganache centers dipped in coatings—decadent, make-ahead treats for gifting or nibbling.
Ingredients
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- Cocoa powder, sprinkles, or nuts for rolling
Step-by-Step Instructions
Heat Cream
Bring cream to simmer. Pour over chocolate and butter. Let sit 5 minutes.
Stir Smooth
Stir until glossy ganache forms.
Chill
Cover, refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
Roll Truffles
Scoop 1-tbsp portions, roll into balls. Coat immediately. Chill until set.
10. No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Crunchy peanut butter centers enrobed in chocolate—quick, no-bake energy bites with holiday crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 12 oz chocolate melting wafers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix Filling
Combine peanut butter, sugar, graham crumbs, butter.
Chill Mixture
Refrigerate 30 minutes. Roll into 1-inch balls.
Freeze Balls
Freeze 20 minutes for firmness.
Dip in Chocolate
Melt chocolate. Dip balls using fork. Place on parchment. Let set at room temp.
11. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bites
Fluffy biscuit dough transformed into warm, sugary bites—cinnamony heaven without yeast or frying.
Ingredients
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil for frying
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Coating
Mix sugar and cinnamon in bowl.
Cut Dough
Quarter biscuits into bite-sized pieces.
Heat Oil
Heat 2 inches oil in skillet to 350°F.
Fry Bites
Fry pieces 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Coat and Serve
Toss warm bites in butter, then cinnamon sugar.
12. Linzer Cookies
Nutty almond dough sandwiching raspberry jam—crisp, buttery layers with a peek-a-boo window.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup raspberry jam
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
325°F (165°C). Line sheets.
Make Dough
Beat butter and sugar. Add vanilla, then flours until dough forms.
Chill
Divide dough, chill 30 minutes.
Cut Shapes
Roll ¼-inch thick. Cut pairs—one solid, one with small cutout. Bake 12-15 minutes.
Assemble
Cool. Spread jam on solid, top with cutout. Dust with sugar.
13. No-Bake Rum Balls
Boozy, chocolatey orbs with cookie crunch—no baking needed for these grown-up holiday favorites.
Ingredients
- 3 cups crushed vanilla wafers
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup rum
- 3 tbsp corn syrup
- Coatings: sprinkles, coconut, or more powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix Dry
Combine wafers, sugar, cocoa, pecans.
Add Wet
Stir in rum and corn syrup until sticky dough.
Form Balls
Roll into 1-inch balls.
Coat and Set
Roll in coatings. Let sit 1 hour to firm up.
14. Pecan Pie Cookies
Flaky cookie cups filled with sticky pecan pie goodness—bite-sized Thanksgiving joy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Oven
350°F (175°C). Grease mini muffin tin.
Make Crust
Beat 1 cup butter and powdered sugar. Add 2 cups flour for dough. Press into tins.
Bake Crust
Bake 15 minutes until light golden.
Mix Filling
Whisk egg, brown sugar, 2 tbsp butter, vanilla, pecans.
Fill and Bake
Spoon filling into crusts. Bake 12-15 minutes. Cool before removing.
15. Eggnog Pudding Parfaits
Velvety eggnog pudding layered with cookies—creamy, spiced no-bake dessert in pretty glasses.
Ingredients
- 2 cups eggnog
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups whipped topping, thawed
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups crushed ginger snaps
- Extra whipped topping for layers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make Pudding
Whisk pudding mix into eggnog 2 minutes. Chill 5 minutes.
Fold Spices
Stir in nutmeg and 1 cup whipped topping.
Layer Parfaits
In glasses: crumbs, pudding mix, whipped topping. Repeat.
Chill and Serve
Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with nutmeg.
16. Candy Cane Fudge
Swirled white fudge with peppermint crunch—festive, creamy squares that pop with candy cane zing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Melt Base
In microwave, melt chips with condensed milk in bursts.
Divide and Color
Split mixture. Add extract to one; tint other pink.
Swirl Layers
Pour white into 8×8 lined pan. Dollop pink, swirl with knife.
Add Crunch
Sprinkle candy canes. Press gently. Chill 2 hours.
Cut and Store
Slice into squares.
17. Hot Chocolate Bombs
Surprise spheres of chocolate hiding hot cocoa mix—drop in milk for instant holiday magic.
Ingredients
- 12 oz milk chocolate melting wafers
- 6 tbsp hot cocoa mix
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
- Optional: crushed candy canes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Melt Chocolate
Melt wafers in microwave, 30-second stirs.
Mold Halves
Spoon into silicone half-spheres. Chill 10 minutes. Pop out.
Fill Halves
Fill 6 halves with 1 tbsp cocoa, marshmallows, candy.
Assemble Bombs
Warm edges of halves, press together to seal.
Decorate
Drizzle extra chocolate. Let set.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You've got everything to make your holidays sweeter. Start with one or two recipes that catch your eye—they're forgiving and fun.
Picture the smiles when you share these treats. Your kitchen will feel like the heart of the celebration.
Keep it simple, enjoy the process, and let these desserts bring your loved ones together. Happy holidays!
