Hosting a holiday gathering means you need desserts that feed everyone without fuss. These 15 large holiday dessert recipes for a crowd deliver just that—big batches of crowd-pleasers with festive flavors like ginger, peppermint, and pumpkin. Each one serves 20-30, perfect for parties.
You'll find everything from easy no-bakes to showstopper cakes, all scaled up with simple steps. Grab your mixing bowls and get ready to wow your guests.
15 Large Holiday Dessert Recipes for a Crowd
Picture a table loaded with these giants—your holidays just got sweeter and stress-free.
1. Giant Gingerbread Cookie Tray
This giant gingerbread cookie tray bursts with warm molasses spice and crisp edges that soften in the center. It's a festive centerpiece that serves 25, easy to slice and share, evoking cozy holiday memories with every chewy bite.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For icing: 4 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk, 2 tbsp corn syrup
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two half-sheet pans (18×13 inches) with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients
Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add molasses, eggs, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
Form Dough
Combine wet and dry ingredients into a dough. Divide in half; press evenly into prepared pans, about ½-inch thick.
Bake to Perfection
Bake 18-22 minutes until edges are firm and center springs back. Cool completely in pans.
Ice and Serve
Whisk icing ingredients until spreadable. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies; let set 1 hour. Slice into squares.
2. Massive Peppermint Bark Slab
Crunchy candy canes meet silky white chocolate in this massive peppermint bark slab, serving 30 with refreshing minty coolness. It's no-bake simplicity with addictive snap—ideal for gifting or grazing.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs white chocolate chips or bark
- 2 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 cups crushed candy canes (about 12 full canes)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips, melted (optional swirl)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Melt White Chocolate
Line a half-sheet pan with parchment or foil. Melt white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Stir in peppermint extract.
Spread Evenly
Pour melted chocolate onto prepared pan; spread to ¼-inch thick with an offset spatula.
Add Crunch
Sprinkle crushed candy canes evenly over top; gently press in. Drizzle melted dark chocolate if using.
Set and Break
Refrigerate 1-2 hours until firm. Break into shards with hands. Store in airtight container.
3. Huge Pumpkin Roll Cake
Swirls of spiced pumpkin cake embrace fluffy cream cheese filling in this huge pumpkin roll, feeding 24. Moist, tender layers deliver fall holiday bliss in every slice.
Ingredients
- For cake: 2 cups cake flour, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, ½ tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, 6 eggs, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups pumpkin puree, ¼ cup butter melted
- For filling: 16 oz cream cheese, ½ cup butter softened, 4 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Mix Dry
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and line a large jelly roll pan (17×12 inches, use two if needed). Sift flour, spices, baking powder, salt.
Beat Wet Batter
Whip eggs and sugar 5 minutes until pale. Fold in pumpkin and butter, then dry ingredients gently.
Bake and Roll
Spread batter evenly; bake 12-15 minutes until springy. Dust towel with sugar, invert cake, peel parchment, roll with towel. Cool 1 hour.
Fill and Re-Roll
Beat filling ingredients smooth. Unroll cake, spread filling, re-roll tightly. Chill 2 hours, dust with sugar, slice.
4. Oversized Pecan Pie Bars
Buttery shortbread crust holds gooey, nutty pecan filling in these oversized bars for 28. Less mess than pie, same sticky-sweet holiday indulgence.
Ingredients
- Crust: 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2 cups cold butter cubed
- Filling: 8 eggs, 3 cups corn syrup, 2 cups brown sugar, ¼ cup butter melted, 4 tsp vanilla, 8 cups pecan halves
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Crust
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 9×13 pans. Pulse crust ingredients in food processor until pebbly; press into pans.
Bake Crust Base
Bake 20 minutes until light golden. Cool 10 minutes.
Whisk Filling
Beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla. Stir in pecans; pour over crusts.
Bake to Set
Bake 35-40 minutes until center jiggles slightly. Cool completely, chill 2 hours, cut into bars.
5. Enormous Yule Log Cake
Rich chocolate sponge rolled with coffee cream forms this enormous yule log for 25. Festive "log" look with bark texture—chocolate heaven for holiday tables.
Ingredients
- Cake: 1 cup flour, ¼ cup cocoa, 1 tsp baking powder, 6 eggs separated, 1 cup sugar, ¼ cup water
- Filling/Frosting: 4 cups heavy cream, ½ cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp coffee liqueur, 4 cups chocolate ganache (24 oz chocolate + 1 cup cream)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Whip Meringue Cake
Preheat 375°F (190°C). Line jelly roll pan. Sift dry. Beat yolks with half sugar; whites to stiff peaks with rest. Fold together.
Bake and Roll
Spread batter; bake 12 minutes. Roll in towel dusted with cocoa; cool.
Fill and Frost
Whip cream, sugar, liqueur; unroll cake, fill, re-roll. Chill. Cover with ganache; score bark lines with fork. Decorate.
6. Big Batch Fudge Brownies
Ultra-fudgy, chewy brownies studded with nuts bake up in a massive pan for 30. Crackly tops hide molten centers—pure holiday chocolate comfort.
Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar, 1½ cups cocoa, 1½ cups flour, 1½ tsp salt, 1½ tsp baking powder, 6 eggs, 2 cups butter melted, 3 tbsp vanilla, 2 cups chopped walnuts
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix Dry Base
Preheat 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9×13 pans. Whisk dry ingredients.
Combine Wet
Beat eggs, melted butter, vanilla. Stir into dry until just mixed; fold in nuts.
Bake Fudgy
Spread evenly; bake 25-30 minutes—center should be set but fudgy. Cool in pans.
Cut and Serve
Cool 2 hours, cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
7. Giant Cinnamon Roll Wreath
Flaky dough spirals with cinnamon sugar form a pull-apart wreath for 24. Warm, gooey bites make it a hands-on holiday hit.
Ingredients
- Dough: 8 cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 2 tbsp yeast, 2 tsp salt, 2 cups warm milk, ½ cup butter melted, 4 eggs
- Filling: 1 cup butter softened, 2 cups brown sugar, ½ cup cinnamon
- Icing: 8 oz cream cheese, 4 cups powdered sugar, ½ cup milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make Dough
Mix dry; add wet to form soft dough. Knead 8 minutes; rise 1 hour until doubled.
Roll and Fill
Punch down; divide into two. Roll each into 20×12 rectangle. Spread butter, sprinkle filling; roll tightly.
Shape Wreath
Slice log in half lengthwise; twist into wreaths on lined baking sheets. Rise 30 minutes.
Bake Golden
Bake 350°F 25-30 minutes. Cool; beat icing and drizzle.
8. Massive Apple Crumble Tray
Tart apples under buttery oat crumble fill this tray for 28. Warm spices and crisp topping pair perfectly with holiday scoops of ice cream.
Ingredients
- 20 large apples, peeled cored sliced
- ½ cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon, ½ cup cornstarch
- Topping: 3 cups oats, 2 cups flour, 2 cups brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 cups butter cubed
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Apples
Preheat 375°F (190°C). Toss apples with juice, sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch; spread in two large roasting pans.
Mix Crumble
Combine topping dry; cut in butter until crumbly.
Layer and Bake
Sprinkle crumble over apples. Bake 45-50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Rest and Serve
Cool 20 minutes; serve warm.
9. Huge Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Creamy cheesecake with tart cranberry swirls on cookie crust—bars for 26. Bright, festive pop that's make-ahead magic.
Ingredients
- Crust: 4 cups graham crumbs, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup butter melted
- Filling: 5 (8 oz) cream cheese softened, 2 cups sugar, 5 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup sour cream
- Topping: 4 cups cranberries, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Crust Base
Preheat 350°F (175°C). Mix crust; press into two 9×13 pans. Bake 10 minutes; cool.
Beat Cheesecake
Reduce to 325°F. Beat cream cheese and sugar; add eggs one at a time, vanilla, sour cream.
Swirl and Bake
Pour over crust. Cook cranberry topping 10 minutes; dollop and swirl. Bake 50-55 minutes; chill overnight.
Slice Clean
Cut chilled bars.
10. Oversized Sugar Cookie Platter
Soft, buttery sugar cookies in giant shapes for 30—perfect for decorating. Classic holiday canvas with endless fun.
Ingredients
- 6 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups butter softened, 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 4 tsp vanilla
- Icing: 8 cups powdered sugar, ½ cup milk, food coloring
Step-by-Step Instructions
Chill Dough
Whisk dry. Cream butter sugar; add eggs, vanilla. Mix in dry. Chill 2 hours.
Roll and Cut
Preheat 375°F (190°C). Roll ¼-inch thick; cut large shapes (4-5 inches). Place on sheets.
Bake Soft
Bake 8-10 minutes until edges golden. Cool.
Decorate Festively
Mix icing; pipe designs. Dry 1 hour.
11. Big Chocolate Truffle Tower
Silky ganache truffles in bulk for 25—roll into holiday shapes. Decadent bites that melt in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs dark chocolate chopped
- 4 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup butter
- Coatings: 2 cups cocoa, 2 cups chopped nuts, 2 cups coconut
Step-by-Step Instructions
Heat Cream
Heat cream to simmer; pour over chocolate and butter. Let sit 5 minutes; stir smooth.
Chill Firm
Pour into pan; chill 4 hours until scoopable.
Scoop and Roll
Scoop 1-inch balls; roll smooth. Coat immediately.
Set and Stack
Chill 30 minutes; pile into tower.
12. Giant Sticky Toffee Pudding Tray
Dates and toffee sauce soak moist sponge in this tray for 24. Rich, sticky British holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 3 cups dates pitted chopped, 3 cups boiling water, 6 tsp baking soda
- 12 tbsp butter, 3 cups sugar, 12 eggs, 9 cups flour, 3 tsp vanilla
- Sauce: 3 cups cream, 3 cups brown sugar, 3 cups butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Soak Dates
Pour boiling water and soda over dates; cool.
Mix Batter
Cream butter sugar; add eggs, then flour, vanilla, date mix. Pour into greased half-sheets.
Bake Steamy
350°F 30-35 minutes until springy.
Pour Sauce
Boil sauce ingredients 5 minutes; poke holes in cake, pour hot sauce over. Serve warm.
13. Massive Red Velvet Cake
Velvety cocoa cake with tangy frosting stacks high for 30. Iconic holiday red dazzles every slice.
Ingredients
- 6 cups flour, 6 tbsp cocoa, 3 tsp baking soda, 6 cups sugar, 6 cups buttermilk, 4 cups oil, 12 eggs, 6 tbsp red food color, 6 tsp vanilla, 6 tsp vinegar
- Frosting: 12 (8 oz) cream cheese, 3 lbs butter, 18 cups powdered sugar, 6 tsp vanilla
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix Batter
Preheat 350°F (175°C). Whisk dry. Beat wet; combine. Divide into four 9×13 pans.
Bake Even
Bake 30-35 minutes; cool.
Frost Layers
Stack with frosting between; cover top/sides. Chill to set.
Slice Big
Cut into generous portions.
14. Huge Mincemeat Pie
Spiced fruit mincemeat in flaky double crust—massive pie for 28. Traditional holiday warmth.
Ingredients
- 12 cups mincemeat (jarred or homemade)
- 6 cups flour, 3 tsp salt, 3 cups cold butter, 1 cup ice water
- 1 egg for wash
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make Dough
Cut butter into flour salt; add water to form dough. Chill 1 hour.
Fill Deep Dish
Roll bottom crusts for two large pans; fill with mincemeat.
Top and Vent
Roll tops; lattice or vent. Brush egg wash.
Bake Crispy
425°F first 15 minutes, then 350°F 45 minutes until golden.
15. Enormous Bread Pudding
Custard-soaked bread with raisins and spice bakes huge for 30. Comforting, saucy holiday closer.
Ingredients
- 20 cups cubed stale bread
- 20 eggs, 10 cups milk, 5 cups sugar, 10 tsp cinnamon, 5 tsp vanilla, 5 cups raisins
- Sauce: 2 cups butter, 4 cups sugar, 2 cups cream, ½ cup bourbon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Soak Bread
Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, spices, vanilla. Toss with bread and raisins in large pans; soak 1 hour.
Bake Custardy
350°F covered 45 minutes, uncover 20 minutes until set.
Make Sauce
Melt butter, stir in sugar/cream; simmer 10 minutes, add bourbon.
Serve Drizzled
Scoop warm, top with sauce.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These recipes turn your holiday spread into something special without the hassle. Pick a few favorites or go all out—your crowd will love the flavors and scale.
You've got the steps to nail each one, so roll up your sleeves and bake. Watching faces light up makes every minute worth it.
Happy holidays—may your table overflow with joy and seconds.
