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Home » Recipes » Christmas Cookies & Desserts

Last Updated: Nov 1, 2022 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

Easy Christmas Desserts

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Easy Christmas desserts pin featuring 4 tasty recipes in a collage with text title.

These easy Christmas desserts are beginner-friendly, delightfully delicious, and take very little prep time! If you aren't a frequent baker, don't worry. Anyone can make these fabulous cookies, cakes, cobblers, and other festive treats!

Easy Holiday Desserts To Make

The best part of Christmas is getting to spend time with those you love. The second best part of Christmas is all the fantastic food and desserts!

You should never show up to a Christmas party or get-together empty-handed. With these easy Christmas dessert recipes, you don't have to be a seasoned baker to bring something delicious!

Easy Christmas desserts cookies and candies to make for a deliciously sweet holiday celebration featuring four family favorites in a square collage.
Jump to:
  • Easy Holiday Desserts To Make
  • Easy Christmas Cakes, Cookies, & More
  • 1. Easy Chocolate Cake
  • 2. Cherry Pie Bars
  • 3. Pumpkin Dump Cake
  • 4. Chocolate Frosting Fudge
  • 5. Baked Cinnamon Apples
  • 6. Apple Cobbler Bars
  • 7. Chocolate Peppermint No Bake Cookies
  • 8. S’mores Board
  • 9. Apple Dump Cake
  • 10. Snickerdoodles
  • 11. Christmas Gumdrop Cookies
  • 12. Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
  • 13. Crockpot Christmas Crack
  • 14. Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge
  • 15. Christmas M&M Cookies
  • 16. Fudge Covered Oreos
  • 17. Baked Apples
  • 18. Christmas Nougat
  • 19. Sugar Cookie Cherry Cobbler
  • 20. No Bake Pumpkin Cookies
  • 21. Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies
  • 22. No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Crisps
  • 23. Christmas Cake Batter Meringues
  • 🍰 More Tasty Treats
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • Easy Christmas Desserts: Pumpkin Dump Cake (+More Festive Treats!)
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Easy Christmas Cakes, Cookies, & More

Each of these desserts is beginner-friendly! There are a variety of flavors and textures, try one or try them all!

If this is your first time hosting dinner for the holidays, check out my Christmas guide for a step-by-step timeline for preparing Christmas dinner!

1. Easy Chocolate Cake

Everyone loves a rich chocolate cake, and you'll love how easy it is to make! Not to mention, the moist and decadent chocolate cake is topped with a creamy chocolate ganache that is downright heavenly.

Easy Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache
This easy chocolate cake recipe couldn't be more simple, and it turns out moist, fluffy, and deliciously rich every time! All you have to do is combine the ingredients and bake! It will be your new go-to cake for birthday parties, celebrations, or just because!
Check out this recipe
Close up square image of easy chocolate cake.

2. Cherry Pie Bars

All the flavor of a homemade cherry pie in easy-to-share dessert bars! You only need 3 ingredients and an oven to make these sweet, fruity treats.

Cherry Pie Bars
Cherry pie bars are a delicious fruit dessert that is perfect for serving a crowd at any get-together. The sweet vanilla glaze requires only 3 ingredients and is perfect for topping off the golden buttery crust stuffed with cherry pie filling. Bring these cherry pie squares to a party, gathering, or potluck, and all of your guests will want to know the recipe!
Check out this recipe
Square image of cherry pie bars.

3. Pumpkin Dump Cake

Turn an ordinary box of spiced cake mix into an indulgent pumpkin dessert! This cake gets this name from the way you can just 'dump' all the ingredients into a baking dish and pop it in the oven.

Pumpkin Dump Cake
This pumpkin dump cake uses spice cake mix for an extra effortless yet extraordinarily delicious fall dessert! It features both pumpkin puree and homemade pumpkin pie spice for a truly warming flavor! As an added bonus, it is completely beginner-friendly, so anyone can make it!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of a slice of pumpkin dump cake on a white plate.

4. Chocolate Frosting Fudge

Chocolate lovers rejoice because now you can make rich and decadent fudge with chocolate frosting! It only requires 2 ingredients: chocolate chips and chocolate frosting.

Of course, you can add any of your preferred toppings. Like nuts, coconut, or sprinkles!

2 Ingredient Chocolate Frosting Fudge
Chocolate frosting fudge will satisfy any chocolate lover's sweet tooth. This fudge recipe only requires 2 ingredients! Customize your fudge with your favorite flavors and toppings or enjoy the chocolatey goodness as it comes. It's a great dessert recipe for beginners or for when you need a last-minute sweet treat!
Check out this recipe
Closeup on the tasty chocolate frosting fudge squares stacked on parchment paper.

5. Baked Cinnamon Apples

These apples taste like crust-less apple pie. The sticky, sweet, cinnamon sugar sauce caramelizes around them as they bake.

The apples become nice and tender. There's only one way to make them better- add some ice cream!

Baked Cinnamon Apples
Sweet and tender baked cinnamon apples make a great side dish, dessert, or topping for pork chops, and they are so easy to make! Baking the apples brings out their natural sweetness and the sauce is perfectly caramelized, plus you can't beat them when served with ice cream!
Check out this recipe
Square image of baked cinnamon apples in a bowl with whipped cream.

6. Apple Cobbler Bars

These dessert bars taste like the most incredible apple cobbler condensed into some easy-to-eat dessert bars! Top it all off with a simple 3-ingredient vanilla glaze for a dessert no one can resist.

Apple Cobbler Bars
These apple cobbler bars are easy to make dessert bars full of spiced apple flavor that is perfect for fall! A simple sweet vanilla glaze is the ultimate way to top off the soft buttery crust and apple pie filling. There is no doubt that these apple dessert bars will be a huge hit at any occasion!
Check out this recipe
Square image of apple cobbler bars.

7. Chocolate Peppermint No Bake Cookies

Chocolate and peppermint is one of the most classic Christmas flavor combinations! These no-bake cookies are as festive as can be, and you never have to turn on your oven.

Chocolate Peppermint No Bake Cookies
Our classic chocolate no bake cookie is taken to new levels with these quick and easy to make Chocolate Peppermint No Bake Cookies!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Peppermint No Bake Cookies are a quick and easy festive holiday cookie for Christmas

8. S’mores Board

A s'mores board is like a dessert charcuterie board with all of your favorite s'mores toppings! Keep it classic with chocolate and peanut butter, or try some unique options like roasted berries.

Everyone will love building their perfect s'more this Christmas!

S'mores Board
A s'mores board is the ultimate dessert charcuterie board you didn't know you were missing from your life! It's essentially a giant tray of gourmet s'mores ingredients so you can build yourself the best s'more of all time! S'mores boards are easily customizable, and they are the perfect way to serve dessert to a crowd at your next BBQ or family gathering!
Check out this recipe
Square image of smores bar.

9. Apple Dump Cake

Another simple dump cake that is packed full of flavor! This one tastes like a blend of the most wonderful apple pie and fluffy yellow cake.

Apple Dump Cake Recipe (Cake Mix Cobbler)
My incredibly tasty apple dump cake is a super easy dessert, despite the not-so-great name. Apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter are layered in a 9 x 13 pan and baked until golden. This is a perfect go-to dessert for last-minute entertaining.
Check out this recipe
This 3 ingredient apple dump cake, or apple cobbler dump cake, is an incredibly tasty dessert that you can have ready to serve in no time at all!

10. Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles are a classic Christmas cookie loaded with cinnamon sugar! You could even try my snickerdoodles made without cream of tartar for an easier recipe with one less ingredient.

Snickerdoodle Cookies
These snickerdoodle cookies are a classic recipe that everyone already knows and loves, no matter what time of year it is! Tender, buttery cookies are coated in a sweet combination of cinnamon and sugar to make them truly special! Serve them on special occasions (like Christmas) or just because!
Check out this recipe
Tasty snickerdoodle cookies are a holiday classic like these tender cookies stacked in a closeup image.

11. Christmas Gumdrop Cookies

These sugar cookies are filled with chewy bits of red and green gumdrop candy! They are so fun to make and even more fun to eat!

Christmas Gumdrop Cookies
These fun and festive Christmas gumdrop cookies combine a delightfully tender sugar cookie with fruity gummy-candies to create an irresistible Christmas treat that is sure to become a family tradition! These picture-perfect cookies are so easy to make the whole family can enjoy baking them together!
Check out this recipe
Square image of Christmas gumdrop cookies.

12. Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Classic, homemade vanilla bean cupcakes with vanilla bean buttercream frosting. They are simple to make with plenty of flavor from using actual vanilla beans.

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes (Topped with Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting!)
These easy-to-make vanilla bean cupcakes are deliciously moist and they are saturated with the classic vanilla flavor that everyone loves! You can tell the difference when using vanilla extract vs. actual vanilla bean paste or caviar, and boy is it addicting! Try my recipe for the best vanilla bean cupcakes and you will be shocked by how rich and decadent a simple vanilla cupcake can be!
Check out this recipe
Tasty vanilla bean cupcakes topped with a towering amount of equally delicous vannila bean buttercream frosting.

13. Crockpot Christmas Crack

Christmas crack is an easy crockpot treat made with peanuts, peanut butter, chocolate, and almond bark. These yummy nut cluster candies are downright addicting!

Crock Pot Christmas Crack
This easy-to-make crock pot Christmas crack, aka Christmas candy, is a delightfully tasty holiday treat that anyone can make with very little fuss. The tasty combination of chocolate and peanut butter make these festive peanut clusters a popular favorite for kids of all ages.
Check out this recipe
Crock pot Christmas crack or peanut clusters served on plate.

14. Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

All you need is 4 ingredients to make a wonderfully rich and creamy peanut butter fudge in the microwave! It's optional, but I love to add some extra roasted peanuts for a crunchy texture.

Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge
This microwave peanut butter fudge couldn't be easier to make. It is wonderfully creamy and tastes divine! It's ideal for the holidays, treat platters, or just because you need something rich and peanut buttery! It takes practically no effort to whip up with only 4 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Creamy microwave peanut butter fudge sliced and stacked.

15. Christmas M&M Cookies

Soft and chewy cookies loaded with red and green M&Ms! Kids and adults will love these cookies, and you will love making them!

Christmas M&M Cookies
These Christmas M&M cookies are everything you love about chocolate chip cookies with the colorful addition of red and green holiday candy! The soft and chewy cookies are absolutely delightful with festive candy-coated chocolates we all know and love! They are perfect for any holiday activities or gift baskets!
Check out this recipe
large square overhead image of Christmas M&M Cookies.

16. Fudge Covered Oreos

The only thing better than Oreos is Oreos covered in rich chocolate! The fudge coating is a simple combination of cocoa powder, vanilla extract, milk, butter, and sugar.

Fudge Covered Oreos
My easy homemade Fudge Covered Oreos are so much better than the packaged Oreo cookies sensation that everyone loves!! The fudge coating makes one of the most popular store-bought cookies around even more delicious and truly to the point of being so delish there's no way to enjoy just one!
Check out this recipe
Large square luscious fudge covered oreos stacked to enjoy.

17. Baked Apples

Baked apples are a great alternative to cakes, cobblers, or cookies. To make them, apples are filled with cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar and baked until soft and tender.

I love serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!

Baked Apples
Baked apples are a classic and easy comforting dessert that only requires a couple of minutes of prep time! They are packed with a combination of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon for a truly delicious treat. Eat them by themselves or top them with a scoop of ice cream for some extra sweetness!
Check out this recipe
Square image of baked apples.

18. Christmas Nougat

My easy Christmas nougat is fully loaded with red and green gumdrop candies. It takes just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes to make, then you let your nougat cool for a couple of hours. Anyone can do it!

Christmas Nougat
This Christmas nougat is a festive and vibrant, easy-to-make, no-bake candy treat that is perfect for the holidays. The brightly colored red and green gumdrops are dotted throughout the classic nougat recipe. Plus, they make a beautiful addition to Christmas gift baskets.
Check out this recipe
Sideview image of the Christmas Nougat candy pieces in a bowl.

19. Sugar Cookie Cherry Cobbler

All you need to make an incredible cherry cobbler is some pre-made sugar cookie dough and cherry pie filling! You can even try my sugar cookie apple cobbler if you prefer apples to cherries (it's just as easy to make).

Sugar Cookie Cherry Cobbler
Sugar cookie cherry cobbler is a sweet, tart, and tasty fruit dessert that's perfect for sharing with large crowds! This easy 2-ingredient recipe combines juicy cherry pie filling topped with crumbled sugar cookie dough. Even a new baker can impress their guests with this easy cobbler dessert recipe!
Check out this recipe
Close up square image of sugar cookie cherry cobbler.

20. No Bake Pumpkin Cookies

These sweet oatmeal cookies are loaded with pumpkin flavor! Heat the cookie mixture, form your cookies, and let them set, that's all there is to it!

No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies
These no-bake pumpkin cookies are a sweet and tasty fall-time treat that requires absolutely no time in the oven! Simply heat your mixture on the stove for a couple of minutes and then press them into cookies! They are so easy to make that you'll be making them over and over again all season long!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of no bake pumpkin cookies on a black plate.

21. Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies

This recipe takes butter shortbread cookies and makes them even better by loading them with sweet mixed fruit! You only need 5 ingredients to make these fun and festive cookies.

Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies
These festive Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies are loaded with a delicious fruitcake blend in tender, buttery shortbread cookies! They are absolutely delicious slice and bake cookies with bright, fun fruitcake pieces throughout each addictive bite of shortbread!
Check out this recipe
large square closeup image of fruitcake shortbread cookie with more in background.

22. No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Crisps

Any dessert you don't have to bake always gets an A+ in my book. These cherry chocolate crisps only require a mixing bowl and a little time.

These crisps are made with just a handful of ingredients including Rice Krispies cereal, chocolate chips, cherries, and coconut!

No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Crisps
My easy to make No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Crisps are a fun and fantastic addition to your festive holiday occasions!
Check out this recipe
No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Crisps are an easy to make treat we enjoy every Christmas season

23. Christmas Cake Batter Meringues

These red, green, and white meringue cookies are just as fun to look at as they are to eat. They are light as air and practically melt on your tongue!

Christmas Cake Batter Meringues
These Christmas Cake Batter Meringues are absolutely one of my favorite festive holiday cookies! Bright, colorful, fun, and easy to make, the mini meringues taste like cake frosting in cookie form!
Check out this recipe
large square straight on image of the red green and white Christmas cake batter meringues.

🍰 More Tasty Treats

  • Chocolate Pumpkin Pie - A decadent chocolatey twist on a classic pumpkin pie.
  • Pumpkin Fluff Dip - It could be an appetizer or it could be a dessert, it's delicious either way!
  • Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars - Easy-to-share dessert bars with all the flavor of a pecan pie!
  • Blackberry Tart - A sweet and fruity blackberry tart in a shortbread crust topped with lime and coconut!
  • Snickerdoodle Mug Cake - A moist and soft single-serving snickerdoodle cake made in the microwave!
  • Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies - Perfectly chewy chocolate chip cookies with one secret ingredient!

These easy Christmas desserts may become a new family tradition! Let me know which recipes you try by leaving a comment below!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

Easy Christmas desserts cookies and candies to make for a deliciously sweet holiday celebration featuring four family favorites in a square collage.
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Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 11 reviews

Easy Christmas Desserts: Pumpkin Dump Cake (+More Festive Treats!)

These easy Christmas desserts are beginner-friendly, delightfully delicious, and take very little prep time! If you aren't a frequent baker, don't worry. Anyone can make these fabulous cookies, cakes, cobblers, and other festive treats!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 444kcal
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cooking 50 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour
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Ingredients
 

  • 29 oz pureed pumpkin (1 29-ounce can or 2 14 to 15-ounce cans, *see note)
  • 12 oz evaporated milk (1 12-ounce can)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 3 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (try my recipe or use your favorite brand)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 15.25 oz spice cake mix (1 15.25-ounce package)
  • 1 cup butter (melted)
  • ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (optional)
  • ½ cup pecans (optional, crushed)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine your pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, light brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice mix, and salt.
  • Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
  • In a bowl, add your package of cake mix and melted butter. Stir until the mixture has a crumbly consistency and then sprinkle it over the pumpkin mixture.
  • Sprinkle the optional crushed graham crackers and/or crushed or chopped pecans over the top of the cake.
  • Transfer the baking dish to your preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes, or until the edges have been lightly browned (*see note).
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool fully before slicing and serving (*see note).

Notes

  • For best results, use Libby's brand pumpkin as it contains the least amount of liquid.
  • This recipe uses pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. However, if you only have pumpkin pie filling on hand, you can still use it. However, you will need to adjust (reduce) the sugar and spices so that it is not too sweet!
  • Feel free to reduce your canned pumpkin by half, if desired - it will still be tasty!
  • For some extra texture, you can add either of the optional ingredients - graham crackers or pecans. Or, use a combination of both crushed graham crackers and chopped pecans for the topping!
  • If you notice that your dump cake is browning too quickly (but not done baking), simply top it with some foil and finish baking as directed!
  • If you stick a toothpick into your dump cake, some of the pumpkin filling will stick to it. You'll know it is done when it is no longer jiggly in the center and the cake topping is set!
  • Personally, I think this cake is the best on day 2 after spending some time in the refrigerator! 
  • To store: Place any leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • To freeze: Wrap your dump cake in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before storing it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before enjoying!

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal (22%) | Carbohydrates: 54g (18%) | Protein: 6g (12%) | Fat: 24g (37%) | Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg (32%) | Sodium: 512mg (22%) | Potassium: 399mg (11%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 40g (44%) | Vitamin A: 11273IU (225%) | Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) | Calcium: 156mg (16%) | Iron: 3mg (17%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Cake Recipes, Dessert
Cuisine American
« Easy Christmas Dinner Menu
Pumpkin Fudge Poke Cake »

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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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