We’ve all been there, planning a dinner or party and suddenly realizing that dessert is where things get tricky. You want something that makes people go wow, but you don’t want to spend hours fussing over it. The best part? You actually don’t have to. These Dessert Recipes for Christmas look impressive but are simple enough for anyone to pull off.
Think tiramisu, chocolate soufflé, pavlova, and crème brûlée, all those desserts that sound fancy but are surprisingly effortless. If you love cozy seasonal vibes, you’ve got to check out some fall comfort recipes, too, like apple crumble, pumpkin cheesecake, and pecan pie bars. Perfect for those chilly evenings when you want something warm, sweet, and comforting.
15 Best Dessert Recipes for Christmas Night
Take the classic chocolate soufflé, for example. It sounds intimidating, but here’s the secret “666 rule” – six eggs, six ounces of chocolate, and six ounces of cream. That’s all. Once you know it, it sticks forever, and suddenly you’re serving a rich, airy dessert that’ll have your guests impressed. Then there’s pavlova, with its crisp meringue shell and soft marshmallowy inside, topped with whipped cream and berries. It’s light, fresh, and looks like something straight out of a patisserie window.
These desserts are perfect for parties, potlucks, or any get-together. You can even double the recipes if you’re expecting a crowd. Or mix things up with mini treats like cheesecake cups, brownie bites, or trifles in jars. They’re easy to serve, budget-friendly, and super Instagram-worthy.
Because let’s be honest, dessert is the grand finale. And with these simple yet stunning dessert recipes for a crowd, you’ll end the night on a sweet note that everyone will remember.
1. Classic Churro Cheesecake Bars
Creamy cheesecake meets sweet cinnamon-sugar pastry, the perfect easy dessert with big flavor.
Ingredients:
2 cans of crescent roll dough
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cinnamon
½ cup butter, melted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Press one dough sheet into a greased 9×13 pan.
Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread evenly.
Add the second dough sheet on top.
Brush with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
Bake 30 minutes, then cool before slicing.
Crispy, creamy, and crazy easy, perfect for parties or whenever you need a quick sweet treat.
2. Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
The chewy, buttery cookie everyone loves but bigger and better! Perfect for birthdays, parties, or any “just because” sweet craving.
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Beat butter and sugars until creamy, then mix in eggs and vanilla.
Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.
Spread the dough on a greased pizza pan.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Cool, then decorate if you like.
Soft in the center, crispy on the edges, this cookie cake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
3. Lemon Bars
Tangy, sweet, and butter,y these lemon bars are a citrus lover’s dream and one of the easiest desserts to make.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups flour
½ cup powdered sugar
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
¼ cup lemon juice
Directions:
Mix butter, flour, and powdered sugar. Press into a 9×13 pan and bake for 20 minutes.
Whisk sugar, eggs, and lemon juice until smooth, then pour over the crust.
Bake another 20 minutes, cool, and dust with powdered sugar.
Bright, zesty, and melt-in-your-mouth good perfect for spring parties or anytime you crave something fresh and sweet.
4. Banana Pudding Cups
A Southern classic turned into cute single servings perfect for parties, picnics, or quick desserts.
Ingredients:
1 box vanilla pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 box vanilla wafers
3 bananas, sliced
2 cups whipped cream
Directions:
Prepare pudding with milk.
Layer wafers, banana slices, pudding, and whipped cream in cups.
Chill for 1 hour before serving.
Creamy, crunchy, and full of banana goodness, these pudding cups disappear fast!
5. Fudge Brownie Squares
Rich, fudgy, and perfectly chocolate,y these brownie squares are pure dessert heaven.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Melt butter, then mix in sugar and cocoa.
Stir in eggs, flour, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour into a greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate flavor, the ultimate easy brownie recipe!
6. Apple Crisp
Warm, cozy, and full of cinnamon goodness, this classic fall dessert is always a hit.
Ingredients:
6 apples, sliced
½ cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup oats
½ cup flour
½ cup butter, melted
Directions:
Place apples in a greased dish and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
Mix oats, flour, and melted butter, then spread the mixture over the apples.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Sweet, crunchy, and comforting the perfect easy dessert for chilly days!
7. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Sweet, salty, and perfectly chewy, this no-bake treat is a total crowd favorite!
Ingredients:
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
Heat peanut butter, corn syrup, and sugar in a saucepan until smooth.
Stir in the cereal and mix well. Press into a greased pan.
Melt chocolate chips and drizzle over the top.
Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Crunchy, chocolatey, and super easy, the perfect dessert when you need something quick and delicious!
8. Tiramisu Cups
A creamy, coffee-kissed Italian classic served in cute individual cups for easy entertaining.
Ingredients:
1 pkg ladyfingers
2 cups strong coffee
8 oz mascarpone cheese
1 cup whipped cream
½ cup sugar
Cocoa powder for dusting
Directions:
Dip ladyfingers quickly in coffee and layer them in cups.
Mix mascarpone, whipped cream, and sugar until smooth, then spread over the cookies.
Repeat the layers, dust with cocoa powder, and chill overnight.
Rich, silky, and full of espresso flavor the perfect make-ahead dessert for guests!
9. Cherry Pie Bars
A fruity twist on classic pie, sweet, buttery, and baked into easy-to-serve bars!
Ingredients:
2 cans cherry pie filling
2 cups flour
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, then stir in flour.
Spread half the batter in a greased pan, spoon the cherry filling over, and top with the rest of the batter.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes until golden.
Sweet, tart, and buttery — these cherry pie bars are perfect for parties, picnics, or anytime you crave pie without the hassle!
10. Pumpkin Roll Cake
Perfect for fall soft spiced pumpkin cake rolled with sweet cream cheese filling. Simple, pretty, and totally irresistible!
Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
⅔ cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup powdered sugar
Directions:
Mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, flour, and baking soda. Spread evenly on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Roll the warm cake in a clean towel and let it cool.
Unroll, spread the cream cheese and powdered sugar filling, then reroll and chill before slicing.
Soft, creamy, and full of fall flavor this pumpkin roll is a festive favorite for any gathering!
11. Coconut Macaroons
Chewy, golden, and naturally gluten-free these coconut macaroons are simple, sweet, and totally addictive!
Ingredients:
3 cups shredded coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
Bake at 325°F for about 20 minutes until lightly golden.
Crispy on the outside, soft inside, the perfect quick dessert for coconut lovers!
12. No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake Cups
Creamy, crunchy, and perfectly sweet, this no-bake Oreo cheesecake is a dream dessert that’s ready in no time!
Ingredients:
2 cups crushed Oreos
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup whipped cream
½ cup sugar
2 tbsp butter, melted
Directions:
Mix crushed Oreos with melted butter and press into serving cups.
Blend cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.
Spoon the mixture over the Oreo crust and chill for 2 hours.
Rich, smooth, and full of cookies-and-cream goodness, an easy no-bake dessert everyone loves!
13. Pecan Pie Bars
All the gooey, nutty goodness of classic pecan pie made easy in bar form! Perfect for holidays or any sweet craving.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
½ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 ½ cups corn syrup
1 cup pecans
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Mix flour, butter, and sugar, then press into a greased pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
In another bowl, whisk corn syrup, eggs, vanilla, and pecans. Pour the mixture over the warm crust.
Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then cool before slicing.
Sweet, buttery, and loaded with pecans, these bars are a Southern favorite made super easy
14. Mixed Berry Pavlova
Light, crisp, and elegant, this pavlova is a stunning dessert topped with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Ingredients:
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups whipped cream
2 cups mixed berries
Directions:
Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, then slowly add sugar. Mix in vinegar and vanilla.
Shape the meringue into a circle on parchment paper and bake at 250°F for 1 hour. Let it cool completely.
Top with whipped cream and fresh mixed berries.
Crispy on the outside, marshmallow-soft inside, a perfect dessert for spring, summer, or any celebration!
15. Chocolate Mousse Cups
Silky, rich, and irresistibly smooth, these chocolate mousse cups are pure luxury in every spoonful.
Ingredients:
8 oz dark chocolate
2 cups heavy cream
3 tbsp sugar
2 eggs
Directions:
Melt the chocolate until smooth. Beat eggs and sugar until light and pale.
Fold the melted chocolate into the egg mixture. Whip the cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold it in.
Spoon into cups and chill for 4 hours.
Decadent, creamy, and perfectly indulgent an elegant dessert that looks fancy but’s surprisingly easy to make!