18 Classic Christmas Sweets We Love Making Every December
These beloved holiday desserts bring families together with their warm spices, rich flavors, and festive appeal. Each recipe has earned its place on Christmas tables through generations of satisfied bakers.
From soft gingerbread cookies to decadent chocolate cakes, these traditional treats capture the magic of the season with proven results every time.
01. Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies
This version uses molasses, warm spices, and butter to create perfectly soft gingerbread dough. The blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves delivers classic holiday flavor.
The dough stays workable and cuts cleanly with cookie cutters. Rolling to the right thickness keeps cookies tender instead of crispy.
Perfect for decorating with kids or making ahead for holiday parties. These cookies stay soft for days when stored properly.
02. Five-Star Apple Pie
This traditional method combines tart apples with cinnamon, sugar, and a flaky butter crust. The filling stays perfectly thick without getting watery.
A secret ingredient helps the apples hold their shape while creating natural thickening. The top crust gets golden and crispy every time.
This recipe works great for beginners who want bakery-quality results. Takes about an hour of prep plus baking time.
03. Traditional Sticky Toffee Cake
This English dessert uses dates, raisins, and warm spices in a moist sponge cake. The dates add natural sweetness and incredible texture.
A rich toffee sauce gets poured over the warm cake. The sauce soaks in while creating a sticky, caramelized top layer.
Perfect for impressing guests with something different from typical Christmas desserts. Serves well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
04. Classic Cream Cheese Carrot Cake
This version combines fresh carrots, warm spices, and oil for incredible moisture. Chopped walnuts add crunch while cinnamon provides warmth.
The cream cheese frosting uses real butter and vanilla for rich flavor. Proper mixing creates smooth, pipeable frosting without lumps.
Takes more time but creates restaurant-quality results for special occasions. This cake actually improves after sitting overnight in the fridge.
05. Easy Chocolate Fudge
This simple method uses chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter for foolproof fudge. No candy thermometer or complicated techniques required here.
Everything melts together in the microwave, then sets firm in the refrigerator. The texture stays creamy and cuts into perfect squares.
Great for beginners who want homemade candy without stress. You can add nuts, marshmallows, or other mix-ins easily.
06. Silky French Chocolate Pie
This rich dessert combines dark chocolate, butter, and eggs for incredibly smooth filling. A buttery pie crust provides the perfect foundation.
Careful mixing creates the signature light, airy texture that melts on your tongue. The filling sets perfectly without being too dense.
This version takes patience but delivers elegant results for special dinners. Best made a day ahead so flavors can develop fully.
07. Individual Christmas Fruit Cakes
These mini cakes use dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices in individual portions. Much more appealing than traditional large fruitcakes.
The smaller size means faster baking and better texture throughout. Each person gets their own perfectly portioned dessert.
Perfect for gift-giving or holiday parties where individual servings work better. These keep well and actually improve with age.
08. New York Style Cheesecake
This classic version uses cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream for incredibly rich texture. A graham cracker crust adds sweetness and crunch.
Slow baking in a water bath prevents cracking and creates silky smoothness. The cooling process is just as important as baking.
Takes more time and attention but creates bakery-quality results. This method works great for beginners following directions carefully.
09. Festive Peppermint Bark
This holiday candy combines white chocolate, crushed candy canes, and a touch of peppermint extract. The cool mint flavor screams Christmas.
Melting chocolate properly creates smooth, glossy bark that breaks into perfect pieces. Crushing candy canes gives delightful crunch and color.
Perfect for gift-giving or holiday parties since it travels well. You can make large batches easily for multiple occasions.
10. Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake
This decadent recipe uses cocoa powder, coffee, and buttermilk for incredibly moist chocolate layers. The coffee enhances chocolate flavor without being obvious.
Rich chocolate frosting between layers and on top creates chocolate lover’s paradise. Each bite delivers intense chocolate satisfaction.
This version takes effort but creates show-stopping results for celebrations. The cake stays moist for days when properly stored.
11. Traditional Yule Log Cake
This French classic uses chocolate sponge cake rolled with cream filling and covered in chocolate bark frosting. The log shape represents burning wood.
Careful rolling while warm prevents cracking, and the bark pattern looks incredibly realistic. Meringue mushrooms add authentic forest floor details.
Takes more skill but creates stunning centerpiece dessert for Christmas dinner. This traditional cake always impresses guests with its artistry.
12. Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Loaf
This moist cake uses molasses, brown sugar, and warm spices for deep gingerbread flavor. The texture stays tender and slices beautifully.
Buttermilk adds tanginess while keeping everything incredibly moist for days. The spice blend creates perfect balance without overwhelming heat.
Great for making ahead since flavor improves with time. Serves well plain or with whipped cream for elegant presentation.
13. Spiced Date Walnut Cake
This rich cake combines chopped dates, walnuts, and warm spices for incredible texture and flavor. The dates add natural sweetness and moisture.
A brown sugar sauce gets poured over the warm cake. The sauce soaks in while creating a glossy, caramelized finish on top.
Perfect for those who want something different from typical Christmas desserts. Adding whiskey to the sauce creates adult-friendly sophistication.
14. Southern Pecan Pie
This classic version uses corn syrup, eggs, and butter for perfectly set filling. Fresh pecans arranged on top create beautiful presentation.
The filling sets firm but stays slightly gooey in the center. Proper baking prevents the bottom crust from getting soggy.
This method works great for beginners who follow timing carefully. The pie tastes even better the next day after flavors meld.
15. Chocolate Rum Balls
These no-bake treats use crushed cookies, cocoa powder, and dark rum for rich adult flavor. Rolling in powdered sugar creates elegant finish.
The mixture needs time to firm up before rolling into balls. Chilling helps everything hold together while flavors develop.
Perfect for parties since they improve with age and travel well. You can substitute rum extract for family-friendly versions.
16. Buttery Christmas Sugar Cookies
This tender recipe uses real butter, vanilla, and just enough sugar for perfect sweetness. The dough holds shapes beautifully when cut.
Proper mixing creates cookies that puff slightly while keeping clean edges. The texture stays soft and buttery, not crispy.
Great for decorating with kids or making ahead for holiday events. These cookies freeze well before or after baking.
17. Natural Red Velvet Cake
This version gets its red color from natural cocoa powder instead of artificial dye. Buttermilk and vinegar create the classic tangy flavor.
Traditional ermine frosting uses flour, milk, and butter for old-fashioned taste. The frosting stays stable and pipes beautifully for decoration.
Takes more effort than box mix but delivers authentic flavor and color. This method creates the red velvet cake your grandmother made.
18. European Butter Cookies
These melt-in-your-mouth cookies use lots of butter, powdered sugar, and chopped nuts. The texture stays incredibly tender and crumbly.
Rolling in powdered sugar while warm creates the signature snowy appearance. The cookies practically dissolve on your tongue when eaten.
Perfect for cookie exchanges since the recipe makes large batches easily. These traditional treats have pleased families for generations.
Final Thoughts
These eighteen classic Christmas desserts offer something special for every holiday gathering. From simple cookies to elaborate cakes, each recipe brings proven results and cherished memories.
Start with easier options like fudge or sugar cookies, then work up to showstoppers like yule logs when you’re feeling adventurous.