32 Best Christmas Dessert Ideas - Crafting a Family Dinner

Christmas desserts easy enough for busy holiday nights make the season extra sweet. These Christmas baking recipes and cold Christmas desserts bring all the cozy flavors without a lot of work, so you can spend more time with your family.

A collage of Christmas desserts easy for family baking, including Christmas cookies, pies, and candy, with a bold red stripe that says “32 Delicious Christmas Dessert Ideas.” These best Christmas desserts and showstopper Christmas dessert treats are festive, colorful, and perfect for holiday parties.

These show-stopping Christmas desserts are fun to make with kids and don’t take hours in the kitchen. You get cute, festive treats that look impressive on any Christmas party food table.

Family-friendly Christmas desserts, easy enough for beginners, still feel like Christmas showstopper desserts everyone will talk about. Simple steps, tasty flavors, and a lot of holiday cheer make baking together the best part of the season.

This post contains some affiliate links, for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission, which helps keep my blog up and runnin,g but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Here are the best Christmas desserts that are easy, fun, and perfect for holiday baking with your family.

Showstopper Christmas Desserts Everyone Loves

These desserts look fancy enough for a Christmas party, but are quick and fun to make.

Christmas Yule Log Chocolate Cake Recipe

Christmas Yule Log Chocolate Cake Recipe is a stunning and delicious showpiece for your Christmas dinner or holiday dessert table. Rolled with rich chocolate filling and topped with ganache to resemble a snowy log, this classic Christmas dessert brings festive flair and old-world charm to your holiday dinner recipes. Beautiful, indulgent, and easier than it looks, it’s a sweet way to end your celebration on a magical note.

Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe Pine Forest NordicWare Pan

Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe – Pine Forest NordicWare Pan is a show-stopping Christmas dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Rich, moist chocolate cake takes on a magical holiday shape with the Pine Forest pan, making it the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas dinner or Christmas Eve dinner table. Dusted with powdered sugar “snow,” this easy yet elegant treat adds a cozy, festive touch to your holiday dinner recipes.

Watergate Salad Pineapple Pistachio Dessert

Watergate Salad Pineapple Pistachio Dessert is a creamy and fun Christmas desserts easy recipe that everyone looks forward to during the holidays. It’s one of the best Christmas desserts to make ahead and a sweet showstopper Christmas dessert for any family party.

Jello Salad Mold Holiday Vintage Recipe

christmas jello mold holiday vintage recipe red jello mold with grapes on a white tray. all the ingredients on the kitchen counter.

This easy homemade pumpkin hummus is a fun and flavorful twist on traditional hummus for the fall season. Made with savory spices, it’s creamy, nutritious, and packed with fiber—perfect for a healthy Thanksgiving side or appetizer. We love serving this smooth and slightly spicy hummus as a festive fall treat everyone enjoys

Nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an angel, and a shepherd under a shining Christmas star with a soft sunrise glow, featuring the Bible verse ‘For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ Luke 2:11.”

Christmas Cookies and Easy Bar Cookies

These Christmas cookies and bar cookies are perfect for holiday baking with your family. Easy steps, fun decorating, and delicious flavors make every bite a treat.

The Best Soft Cut Out Christmas Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles

5 cutout sugar cookies on a christmas plate on a teal table with a christmas tea cup.

Nothing says “Christmas is here” like baking a batch of our family’s favorite sugar cookies. This recipe has been our go-to for years—it’s simple, foolproof, and perfect for cutting into all those fun holiday shapes with the kids. These classic sugar cookies come out soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. Whether you’re decorating them for Santa or making a big batch for a cookie party, they’re a must-have for your holiday baking list.

Easy Snowball Cookies with Pecans

6 Melt In Your Mouth Snowball Cookies on a white plate with a green trim

Snowball cookies are one of those classic holiday treats that just feel like Christmas. They’re soft, buttery, and literally melt in your mouth. Each bite is sweet with a dusting of powdered sugar and has just the right little crunch from chopped pecans. These are the cookies we make every year, no matter what, during our Christmas baking weekend. They’re simple, delicious, and perfect for a holiday cookie platter or a cookie exchange with friends and family. And honestly? They’re so good, you might find yourself making them well past December!

Peanut Butter Kiss Blossom Cookies

peanut butter blossom kiss cookies on a white counter, some with sprinkles and all with kiss chocolates on top.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies have been a sweet tradition in our house for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re soft, warm, and full of that rich peanut butter flavor kids (and let’s be honest, grown-ups like me) can’t resist. That little Hershey’s Kiss on top makes them feel extra festive, like a tiny chocolate hat on the cookie! We bake them every year, and they’re always one of the first to disappear from the cookie tray. These are simple, fun to make with the kids, and perfect for any holiday party or cookie exchange.

Easy 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars Old Fashioned Favorite

Easy 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars stack of 5 squares on a gold flowered plate the 10 other cookie bars on parchment on a wood cutting board

Magic Cookie Bars are one of those treats that instantly bring back childhood memories. They’re rich, sweet, and so easy to make just layer everything up and bake! That buttery graham cracker crust is the perfect base for all the gooey goodness on top: sweetened condensed milk, melty chocolate and butterscotch chips, crunchy pecans, and toasted coconut. Every bite is a little piece of holiday magic. These bars are always a hit at cookie swaps and family gatherings—no one can eat just one!

Easy Pecan Pie Shortbread Bar Cookie with Maple Syrup

Pecan Shortbread Bars are like little bites of pecan pie, but way easier to make and perfect for sharing. The buttery shortbread crust melts in your mouth, and the maple syrup drizzle over the crunchy pecans gives each bar that warm, cozy holiday flavor. They taste like something straight off the dessert table at Grandma’s house. These bars are a sweet surprise at any cookie exchange and make a lovely addition to your Christmas cookie platter.

Molasses Gingersnap Cookies

Ginger Molasses Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat—soft in the middle, just a little crisp on the outside, and full of that warm gingerbread flavor we all love. Dip them in white chocolate and add a few sprinkles, and suddenly they’re holiday-ready with a sweet little sparkle. Every bite feels like Christmas morning! These cookies are perfect for baking with the kids, sharing at cookie swaps, or just treating yourself with a mug of hot cocoa.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sugar Cookie Mix

5 mint chocolate chip cookies made from sugar cookie mix stacked on a plate with one cookie in half and a coffee cup on the background on a blue green table and a pine tree background.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are such a fun holiday twist on a classic favorite. The cool mint flavor mixed with rich chocolate chips makes them feel extra special, like a winter wonderland in every bite! And the best part? You don’t even have to make them from scratch. Just grab a sugar cookie mix and you’re halfway there. These cookies are quick, easy, and perfect for holiday baking with the kids or adding something unique to your Christmas cookie platter.

Christmas Spritz Cookies Best Buttery German Spritz

Christmas Spritz Cookies are a soft buttery, sweetened with sprinkles, Christmas cookie. Spritz cookies are at traditional simple butter cookies from Scandinavia & German countries. Simple & fun to bake with a cookie press, a perfect way to get the kids excited for Christmas & baking.

Christmas Spritz Cookies are a holiday must in our house—soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. They’re made with a cookie press, so you can create the cutest festive shapes, perfect for decorating with the kids. It’s one of those hands-on baking moments that feels just as special as the cookies themselves. These classic German butter cookies melt in your mouth and look beautiful on any holiday cookie tray. They’re a simple joy to bake and even more fun to share!

Classic Italian Pizzelle Cookies Traditional Waffle Cookie

Classic Italian Pizzelle Recipe 3 cookies on white parchment paper

Pizzelles are one of those special cookies that instantly bring back sweet holiday memories. Crisp, golden, and full of delicate flavor, these Italian waffle cookies are made with a pizzelle maker and come out beautifully every time. They’re a true family favorite in our house, light, a little buttery, and perfect with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Making pizzelles is more than just baking, it’s a holiday tradition that brings everyone into the kitchen. These cookies are always a hit on Christmas trays and make such a lovely gift to share with family and friends.

Chocolate Pizzelle Cookie Recipe

pizzelle chocolate cookie on a gold flower trim christmas plate, 6 stacked on top of each other with powdered sugar and in the background another plate with cookies and whip topping.

Chocolate pizzelles are a fun twist on a traditional Italian Christmas cookie. They’re thin, crisp, and full of rich chocolate flavor, made in a pizzelle press just like the classic version. The dough is simple, and the end result is something special. While pizzelles are usually flavored with anise, this chocolate version with a touch of vanilla is absolutely delicious. They’re light, beautiful, and perfect for holiday cookie trays or gifting to friends and neighbors.

Easy Grinch Crinkle Cookies Decorated with Sprinkles

Easy grinch crinkle cookies decorate on with grinch sprinkles a stack of cookies on a white and red striped towel and candy canes on the towel.

Grinch Crinkle Cookies are the perfect mix of sweet, soft, and a little silly, just like the classic holiday movie we all love. These chewy, bright green cookies rolled in powdered sugar and topped with sprinkles are so fun to make with the kids. They’ve quickly become a favorite in our house, especially for Grinch movie night! Growing up, we always watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (and of course Rudolph), and now baking these cookies brings that same magic to our own family traditions. They’re playful, easy, and guaranteed to make your heart grow three sizes.

Easy Mint Buttercream Frosted Brownies Topped with Chocolate

Best Mint Frosted Brownie recipe made easy and baked to fudgy a double layer of min frosting and chocolate ganache on a white plate with a mason jar of milk and a straw and more brownies in the background.

These Frosted Brownies start with a simple box mix, but the rich, creamy buttercream layer on top takes them to a whole new level. They’re thick, fudgy, and topped with just the right amount of sweet frosting and a drizzle of chocolate. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy but still has that “wow” factor, this one’s a winner. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy night at home, these brownies are always the first to disappear!

Ginger Molasses Christmas Cookies

Molasses Gingersnap Cookies have become one of our family’s favorite holiday bakes. I didn’t get the recipe from a relative, but I still remember the soft centers, crisp edges, and cozy molasses spice from my childhood. Years ago, I found a version in a magazine, gave it a few tweaks, and now it’s a must-make every Thanksgiving and Christmas. These cookies fill the house with that warm holiday smell and bring back all the memories with every bite.

Grinch Rice Krispies Treats with Cookie Cutters

These Grinch Rice Krispies Treats are such a cute and easy holiday snack just 3 ingredients and a little Christmas magic! Made with the classic gooey marshmallow flavor we all love, they’re tinted Grinch green and cut into fun shapes like Santas, trees, and snowflakes. Top them with heart and holiday sprinkles, and they’re ready for your next Grinch movie night. These treats are perfect for little hands to help with and are always a hit at Christmas parties or school celebrations!

Soft Gingerbread Cutout Cookies – Gingerbread Men

Baking soft gingerbread cookies is one of our favorite ways to kick off the holiday season. These cookies are full of that classic spiced flavor and are perfect for cutting into fun shapes, gingerbread men, trees, stars, and more. It’s the kind of recipe that turns into a sweet family tradition, with little hands helping and lots of laughter along the way. Whether you decorate them with icing or keep them simple, these cookies bring that cozy Christmas feeling to every bite.

Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies

This easy pumpkin spice snickerdoodle cookie recipe is one of the best and most fun to make. Add a little pumpkin spice, and you have the perfect fall cookie. They are soft, chewy, and full of buttery cinnamon sugar flavor that everyone loves. It is a great recipe to bake with your kids and a sweet way to help them learn their way around the kitchen. These classic snickerdoodle cookies are simple, delicious, and perfect for cozy fall days or holiday baking.

The Best Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie on a mint green plate with 3 cookes on a cookies sheet and a mason jar of milk with a pink straw.

Snickerdoodles are that perfect mix of soft and chewy with just a little crisp on the edges and plenty of buttery cinnamon sugar flavor in every bite. This easy recipe is a favorite in our house during Christmas and Thanksgiving. The cookies come together fast and are great for baking with the kids. Warm and full of classic flavor, they are always a hit for any holiday or family get-together.

Easy Peppermint Bark

dark chocolate white chocolate peppermint bark cut in ruff shapes on a white and red striped tray on a green table cloth.

This rich dark chocolate peppermint bark is topped with creamy white chocolate and crushed Hershey’s chocolate mint candy canes. It’s an easy, festive treat that’s loaded with flavor and perfect for holiday gifting or party trays. The mix of dark chocolate and minty candy crunch makes this peppermint bark impossible to resist.

Christmas Pies and Easy Pie Crust Recipes

These holiday pies and simple pie crust ideas make baking feel stress-free, so you can serve a warm and cozy Christmas dessert everyone loves.

Dutch Apple Crumble Pie

A Dutch apple pie, crumb crust in and clear pie pan with one slice removed Anna White counter with three apples fall leaves and pine cones.

Dutch Apple Crumble Pie is the perfect Christmas dessert, sweet, spiced apples in a flaky crust topped with a thick, buttery cinnamon crumble. As it bakes, your kitchen fills with the warm, cozy aroma of the holidays. This festive pie brings together all the nostalgic flavors of the season in one easy-to-make treat, perfect for Christmas dinner, holiday gatherings, or a quiet winter night by the fire.

Easy Homemade American Apple Pie

baked apple pie on white counter with a black and white towel and 2 apples in the backgroun.

Easy Homemade American Apple Pie is warm, cozy, and one of the best Christmas desserts to bake for family gatherings. This easy Christmas dessert easy recipe has a flaky crust and sweet apple filling that feels like holiday comfort in every slice.

Easy Pecan Pie

This easy pecan pie is the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and rich—just right for Christmas dinner or any holiday celebration. A traditional Christmas dessert in many homes, it’s fun to make with the kids and simple enough for beginner bakers. Pecan pie has been a beloved part of holiday dinner recipes for generations, and this version keeps things classic and stress-free.

Libby’s Classic Pumpkin Pie

A slice of pumpkin pie on a white plate with a fork with a scoop of pie on the fork whip topping on top of the pie in the background a pumpkin pie server and the clear pie pan with the rest of the pumpkin pie.

Grandma’s Famous Pumpkin Pie is a classic Christmas dessert that brings back all the cozy feelings of holidays past. This easy homemade recipe tastes just like the one you grew up with, filling your kitchen with sweet spices and warm memories. Simple to make and full of timeless flavor, it’s the perfect addition to your Christmas dinner or holiday dessert table.

Sweet Delicious Cherry Pie

A baked cherry pie in a clear pie pan on a white counter with a white and pink striped bowl fold with cherries in the bathroom and cherries on the counter.

Cherry pie is one of my go-to Christmas desserts for holiday gatherings and family dinners because it’s a classic favorite that feels a little extra special. Just as beloved as apple pie in our home, it brings a bright, fruity touch to the Christmas dinner table. While I usually start baking them as soon as cherry season hits in our local pick-your-own farms, this pie is just too good not to enjoy during the holiday season.

Easy Blueberry Pie

A baked blueberry pie with a slice removed on my wire rack I'm a white counter.

Blueberry Pie may be a summertime favorite, but it absolutely earns a spot on our Christmas dessert table. Even if it turns out a little rustic, it’s bursting with sweet berry flavor and always disappears fast. This make-ahead pie pairs perfectly with your favorite Christmas dinner treats and brings a bright, juicy twist to your holiday dessert spread.

Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Pie

no sugar added Rhubarb pie in a clear pie pan on a wire cooling rack on a white napkin with a blue trim. A plate in the background with a slice of rhubarb pie made with an olive oil crust.

Rhubarb pie is a timeless classic that’s just as welcome on the Christmas dessert table as it is in spring. This old-fashioned favorite strikes the perfect balance of sweet and tart, all wrapped in a buttery, homemade crust that’s easy to make in a mini food processor. Simple, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s a lovely addition to your Christmas dinner or holiday baking tradition—especially for those who grew up enjoying it this time of year.

Perfect Flaky Pie Crust Without a Food Processor

Uncooked pie crust laid in a pie pan on the kitchen counter with a rolling pin top left.

Flaky Homemade Pie Crust is a must-have for your Christmas desserts, and with just a rolling pin, a pie pan, and a few simple ingredients, you can make it in minutes. Whether you’re baking a classic apple pie, Grandma’s pumpkin pie, or even a savory Christmas dinner dish, this easy crust is the foundation that brings it all together—simple, reliable, and always delicious.

Easy Homemade Pie Crust in a Mini Food Processor

Step-by-step process of making a homemade pie crust in a mini food processor. The first image shows cubed butter added to flour in the processor. The second shows the dough partially mixed and crumbly. The third shows the processor in action with a cup of ice water beside it. The fourth image shows the finished dough rolled out on a floured surface with a rolling pin and a clear pie dish nearby.

Easy Homemade Pie Crust in a Mini Food Processor is the perfect shortcut for holiday baking—flaky, buttery, and ready in minutes. Whether you’re whipping up Christmas desserts like cherry, pumpkin, or apple pie, or using it for a savory Christmas dinner dish, this simple crust is a game-changer. It’s quick, foolproof, and a must-have in your collection of go-to holiday dinner recipes.

No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie

No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie is a quick Christmas dessert easy idea that still feels rich and festive for the holidays. This creamy pie is one of the best Christmas desserts when you want a sweet treat without turning on the oven.