The holidays are busy enough without spending hours fussing over complicated sweets. This recipe collection gathers simple Christmas desserts that feel warm, nostalgic, and special. These are the treats that show up on church dessert tables, neighborhood cookie plates, and big Southern family gatherings. They are easy to make, great for sharing, and full of classic Christmas flavors.
If you are planning ahead for the week of hosting, be sure to check out my Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes and Easy Holiday Casseroles for Christmas Dinner, too. They make the season feel a whole lot smoother.
A Few of My Favorites
These are the recipes readers come back to again and again. If you need something quick or just want a guaranteed hit, start here.
Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies
The only sugar cookie recipe you'll ever need! These easy bakery-style treats are soft, thick, and perfect for decorating.
Old Fashioned Chewy Molasses Cookies
Soft, chewy, and warmly spiced cookies — just like Grandma's!
Easy Banana Pudding
This simple, shortcut, easy banana pudding recipe is the ultimate prep-ahead, no-bake dessert!
Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Classic Southern-style pecan pie bars with a tender shortbread crust and gooey pecan filling. Perfect for the holidays!
My Grandmother’s Bourbon Balls
Add a fun and festive Christmas cookie to your holiday tray! My Grandmother was famous for her no bake Bourbon Balls, which are made with vanilla wafers and just a few other simple ingredients!
Williamsburg Old Fashioned Ginger Cookies
These old-fashioned Williamsburg gingerbread cookies (or "ginger cakes") have been loved for generations.
Simple Christmas Dessert Recipes
Here are the full list of Christmas-friendly sweets that bring together ease, nostalgia, and classic holiday flavors. Every recipe uses accessible ingredients and simple steps that fit busy December schedules.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
When you can't decide between cookies and brownies, whip up a batch of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with cake mix! The soft and chewy treats are rich, fudgy and perfect alongside a cold glass of milk.
Easy No Bake Cookies
These Easy No Bake Cookies are a rich combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats — and there's no need to turn on your oven!
Russian Tea Cakes
Classic, old-fashioned Christmas cookies! Russian tea cakes – also called snowball cookies – are sweet, buttery shortbread cookies dusted in powdered sugar. They're festive and super easy to make.
Fruitcake Cookies
So much better than the old-fashioned cake! These easy fruitcake cookies are a beautiful, festive addition to your Christmas dessert tray.
Magic Cookie Bars
An old-fashioned holiday treat! These 7-Layer Magic Cookie Bars (or "Hello Dolly Bars") are a classic dessert that's been loved for generations.
Salted Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Sweet and salty, rich and creamy, these dark chocolate peanut butter balls are sprinkled with sea salt for an easy, no-bake dessert with just 5 simple ingredients!
Ambrosia Salad
A simple Southern side dish, this ambrosia salad recipe comes together in 5 minutes with just 6 ingredients!
Strawberry Jello Salad
This strawberry jello salad is an easy, no-bake, make-ahead side dish for summer picnics, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
Grape Salad
A sweet and creamy grape salad with crunchy pecans and brown sugar. Perfect for potlucks or family meals!
Puppy Chow {Muddy Buddies}
Puppy chow (or "muddy buddies") is an easy no-bake snack or dessert with peanut butter, chocolate, and crunchy cereal. Sweet-and-salty perfection!
Christmas Snack Mix
With just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, this sweet, salty and easy mix is a crowd-pleasing finger food for any festive occasion!
Rum Cake with Cake Mix
This easy rum cake recipe with cake mix is soaked in a rich, butter-rum glaze. The perfect holiday dessert!
Old Fashioned Whiskey Cake Recipe
A perfect celebratory dessert for the holidays! This easy whiskey cake recipe starts with a box of cake mix for a moist, flavorful treat!
Champagne Cake Balls
If you’re attending a New Year’s Eve gathering, or if you’re celebrating any other exciting occasion, these Champagne Cake Balls are a MUST on your party menu! Thanks to help from a cake mix, it’s an easy dessert recipe that you can prepare in advance.
Chocolate Bundt Cake
With help from a boxed mix, pudding, sour cream, and chocolate chips, this rich, moist, and decadent chocolate Bundt cake recipe is ready for the oven in just 10 minutes!
Cinnamon Pecan Bars
These buttery, crunchy cookie bars boast hints of warm cinnamon and rich, toasted pecans.
4-Ingredient Graham Cracker Toffee Bars
Aunt Bee's 4-ingredient graham cracker toffee bars are an easy dessert to share with friends and family!
Cranberry Pie
My grandmother's Nantucket cranberry pie is an easy dessert that's perfect for the holiday season!
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie
A fluffy, creamy peanut butter pie with a crisp vanilla wafer crust that comes together easily and tastes like a classic diner favorite.
Scottish Shortbread
This traditional Scottish shortbread recipe has been passed down for generations.
Buttermilk Pound Cake
This homemade buttermilk pound cake delivers a tender, moist crumb and classic Southern flavor. Simple ingredients, clear instructions, and helpful tips make this recipe perfect for any baker.
Helpful Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Desserts
These simple suggestions help readers plan ahead, pick the right mix of recipes, and serve everything with confidence.
- Choose a few make-ahead options. Rum cake, whiskey cake, bourbon balls, and banana pudding all improve as they rest. They are perfect for weeks when you are juggling hosting, shopping, and family events.
- Balance rich and light desserts. Pair chocolate or caramel treats with something cool or fruity like ambrosia or strawberry salad. It keeps your dessert table from feeling too heavy.
- Use simple garnishes to make sweets feel festive. A dusting of powdered sugar, crushed peppermint, holiday sprinkles, or fresh cranberries adds instant Christmas charm to even the simplest recipes.
- Pick travel-friendly desserts for parties. Bars, cookies, and no-bake candies hold up well in tins and make great gifts for neighbors or coworkers.
- Keep something kid-friendly in the mix. Sugar cookies, snack mix, and muddy buddies are perfect for little hands and always disappear quickly.
