The Holiday Dessert Guide

I love holiday baking. I grew up baking with my Mom and my sister and now as an adult, I recreate those same recipes in my home each year. I have rounded up my favorite holiday dessert recipes to help inspire you to get in the kitchen with your friends and family to bake and make memories this year.

I have divided this holiday dessert guide into a few different categories: recipes that you can make and give as gifts, easy recipes that are made with mixes, recipes that are perfect for parties, and drinks to sip on while you bake. Happy baking!

To Give As Gifts

My Mom’s Crispy Toffee Bark has a cult-like following in my hometown, and it is simple to make. This would be something a little different to bring to a cookie swap, and it’s much easier to make than cookies.

When I worked in an office my co-workers went nuts of this Caramel Pretzel Bark. This can be packaged in mason jars or these festive boxes.

My family has been making these Cream Cheese Cookies for as long as I can remember. They aren’t as sugary sweet as some other cookies, and the cream cheese adds a nice flavor. These cookies are made with a cookie press which gives them their festive shape.

Easy Recipes

Marshmallow Caramel Brownies are rich ooey gooey decadent treats that are made with a brownie mix.

These Turtle Brownie Pops are also made with a brownie mix. Brownie pops are a little messy to make, but they make a great presentation, and are perfect for people who want just a bite of dessert.

Mascarpone Cheesecake Brownies are made by blending mascarpone and cream cheese to a store-bought brownie mix. It’s really easy, and it tastes like it’s made from scratch.

Perfect For Parties

Raspberry White Chocolate Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting are equally beautiful and delicious. A simple vanilla cupcake recipe is dressed up by adding white chocolate and fresh raspberries, and then the cupcakes are topped with a creamy mascarpone frosting and a drizzle of raspberry.

Chocolate Irish Cream Cupcakes are made by adding some Irish Cream Liqueur to both the cupcakes and the frosting. Heath Bar bits add a little bit of crunch.

To Sip On While You Bake

Andes Candy Hot Chocolate is made by mixing milk with andes candy. The result in a thick hot chocolate with a mint flavor. Using melted chocolate to make hot cocoa is the best way to do it.

Bourbon Eggnog made from scratch will turn a gathering into a celebration. If you aren’t a big fan of bourbon, you can use dark rum instead.

Or, if you want to host a holiday cookie party, here is your guide.

The marshmallow brownie, brownie pop, and raspberry white chocolate cupcake photos were all shot by my incredibly talented friend Regan Baroni who writes Up Close and Tasty.