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The holidays are the perfect excuse to indulge in something sweet, and these 19 desserts are here to bring all the joy to your season. Each treat is designed to spark that festive feeling with every bite. So, skip the same old desserts and opt for something that will truly make an impression.
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Apple Galette
A rustic French dessert offering a simpler alternative to traditional apple pie. Apple Galette features a flaky crust filled with sweet, spiced apples. The free-form shape adds a charming, homemade touch to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Galette
Chocolate Rugelach
These crescent-shaped pastries are a staple in Jewish cuisine. Chocolate Rugelach combines a rich, flaky dough with a decadent chocolate filling. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special treat with afternoon coffee.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Rugelach
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Classic British dessert is sure to warm you up on cold winter nights. Sticky Toffee Pudding is a moist cake covered in a rich toffee sauce, often served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for ultimate indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Toffee Pudding
German Chocolate Macarons
Delicate cookies offer a unique twist on a classic cake flavor. German Chocolate Macarons feature light, crispy shells filled with a coconut and pecan filling. An elegant addition to any holiday dessert table.
Get the Recipe: German Chocolate Macarons
Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Cool, creamy package bringing together the flavors of fall. Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is a great way to enjoy pumpkin spice flavors beyond the typical latte or pie. Perfect for unseasonably warm fall days or as a unique addition to Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Salted Toffee Cookie Bars
Treats combining the best of cookies and candy in one. Salted Toffee Cookie Bars feature a buttery cookie base topped with rich toffee and a sprinkle of sea salt. Addictively good and perfect for holiday gift-giving.
Get the Recipe: Salted Toffee Cookie Bars
Kolacky
Eastern European pastries that are a holiday tradition in many families. Kolacky are soft, flaky cookies filled with fruit preserves or nuts. Not too sweet, making them a nice alternative to richer desserts.
Get the Recipe: Kolacky
Honey Cake
Dessert often associated with Jewish New Year celebrations but is delicious any time. Honey Cake is a moist, spiced cake that gets better with time. A great make-ahead dessert for busy holiday seasons.
Get the Recipe: Honey Cake
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Childhood favorite gets a modern twist with this recipe. Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies come out perfectly crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Quick to make, perfect for last-minute holiday cravings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Individual desserts perfect for fall gatherings. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes combine the flavors of pumpkin pie with the creamy texture of cheesecake. Easy to serve and portion-controlled, making them ideal for holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Caramel Whoopie Pies
Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy sandwich cookie with a rich, gooey center. Caramel Whoopie Pies are a fun twist on the classic treat, perfect for holiday gatherings. They’re easy to make and even easier to enjoy, making them a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Whoopie Pies
Apple Cider Donut Cake
Fall flavors come together in a comforting dessert that’s reminiscent of a crisp autumn day. Apple Cider Donut Cake captures the essence of everyone’s favorite fair food. It’s a great option for those who want to bring a taste of the season to their holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Donut Cake
Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies
Your air fryer can create surprisingly delicious cookies. Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies combine the cozy flavors of hot chocolate with the convenience of modern cooking. They’re a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth during the busy holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Cocoa Cookies
Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
Combining two holiday favorites, you’ll find a dessert sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake offers a creamy texture with a crunchy topping that’s hard to resist. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for any holiday gathering or family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
Chocolate Orange Babka
A touch of elegance comes to your holiday spread with this twisted bread. Chocolate Orange Babka is both visually stunning and incredibly flavorful. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate the classic combination of chocolate and orange in a unique form.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Orange Babka
Dulce de Leche Cookies
The rich, caramel-like flavor is sure to become a new holiday favorite in these cookies. Dulce de Leche Cookies are sweet, chewy, and perfect for sharing. They’re a great addition to any cookie exchange or holiday dessert platter.
Get the Recipe: Dulce de Leche Cookies
Egg Nog Bundt Cake
A beloved holiday drink transforms into a decadent dessert in this moist, flavorful cake. Egg Nog Bundt Cake captures the essence of the season in every bite. It’s an ideal centerpiece for your holiday dessert table that both kids and adults will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Egg Nog Bundt Cake
Hamentashen
Triangular cookies traditionally associated with Purim make a great addition to any holiday spread. Hamentashen are versatile, allowing for various fillings to suit different tastes. They’re a unique option that adds diversity to your holiday dessert offerings.
Get the Recipe: Hamentashen
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
Two fall favorites come together in one delicious dessert that you can eat with a fork. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake captures the flavors of the popular seasonal drink in cake form. It’s a great way to enjoy the warmth of pumpkin spice long after the leaves have fallen.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
Robin Donovan is an AP syndicated writer, recipe developer, food photographer, and author of more than 40 cookbooks including the bestsellers Ramen Obsession and Ramen for Beginners. Her work is featured by major media outlets including Huffington Post, MSN, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Buzzfeed, Cooking Light, Mercury News, Seattle Times, Pop Sugar, and many others. More about Robin