Christmas is the season of sharing, and these top-rated desserts are too good not to share with your loved ones. There’s something here for every palate—whether you’re partial to spiced cheesecake or prefer a simple, chewy caramel. These beloved Christmas recipes have been vetted by thousands of home cooks and will make your family just as happy. Your holiday spread will be picture perfect with one (or many) of these confections.
Aunt Teen’s Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
Christmas isn’t complete without good fudge, and this top-rated recipe does not disappoint. “Absolutely incredible fudge,” raves reviewer Adam M. “It is perfectly smooth, creamy, chocolately, and all-around enjoyable.”
Saltine Cracker Toffee
ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA
“I’m not much of a sweets person but needed something quick, affordable and in a decent quantity to make for Christmas gifting,” says Crustina. ” I loved the saltiness from the crackers, used salted butter and added crushed pretzels too. It was perfect! This was my first time making anything like this. I followed the directions and everything came out good. Thank you for the recipe!”
White Fruitcake
Kim
This lovely confection has all the sweet, chewy bits you could want in a fruitcake. Even those usually resistant to this infamous dessert will be asking for a second slice. Candied orange peel, pineapple, and cherries are encased in a buttery sponge for a festive flavor.
Double-Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
AllRecipes / Julia Hartbeck
Double the decadence with this top-rated cheesecake. “This was wonderful,” says reviewer Cindy. “Not an intensely spiced flavor, but a really delicious, smooth cheesecake-y pumpkin with some spice. Very lovely! It’ll be on our table regularly!”
Cinnamon Palmiers
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Wow! I added these to my Christmas cookie platters this year, and they were a hit. I was worried that they may get soft when mixed in with the other cookies, but they didn’t. They were still crisp and delicious a couple days later. Super easy to make. Definitely a keeper!”
Grandma’s Gingersnap Cookies
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This recipe for gingersnaps makes gingersnap cookies that melt in your mouth! I received this ginger cookie recipe from my grandmother; it’s been enjoyed in my family since 1899,” says Allrecipes member Marie Ayers.
Best Snowball Cookies
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“These snowball cookies are soft, buttery treats that melt in your mouth. This is my grandmother’s recipe, which she made for years,” says Allrecipes member Lori Dehn. “With a rich, nutty flavor from finely chopped pecans and a sweet white coating from confectioners’ sugar, these delicious cookies are perfect for the holidays!”
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Amazing!” raves reviewer Melissa. “The best ginger bread cookies ever! I iced them with peppermint icing to make them even more delicious!”
Christmas Rocky Road
Rocky Road candy gets a little Christmas treatment with a white chocolate and peppermint version. “My.kids absolutely loved it,” says EagerBacon7746. “definitely a keeper recipe”
Golden Rum Cake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This boozy Bundt cake remains moist with the help of vanilla pudding mix. A generous pour of rum and plenty of egg yolks give the dessert a richness that is perfectly paired with eggnog. A rum glaze is brushed over the top and sides of the cake for a fun, sticky finish.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Victoria Jempty/Allrecipes
“Love, Love, LOVE this recipe!! It was my first time making these and this recipe was so easy and tasty that I’m in love. I’ll never try another,” says For2natemom. “Also, I had planned to take a pic but they were brought to a party and there were none left! I’d say they were a success!”
Chewy Caramel
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Reviewer Janet Leigh says, “This recipe is excellent and easy to make. The caramel is rich, buttery and just plain fantastic!” Serve on a platter to guests or wrap individually for delicious take home treats. This classic candy recipe is what everyone will want for Christmas.
Best Gingerbread Men Cookies
“Perfect taste and texture. I love gingerbread cookies, but they are usually too crisp,” says cgtt7. “This recipe yields cookies that are structured and hold their shape (they do not spread), but are soft when you bite into them. I am a terrible baker and this recipe was easy to follow and the dough was relatively easy to roll out.”
Peppermint Brittle
tamzie
Quintessential holiday flavor gets the brittle treatment in this delightful candy recipe. Only two ingredients make a sweet and refreshing treat for you to share with your loved ones. Show your guests how much you care with smooth white chocolate and crushed peppermint candy — they’ll love the flavor and have no idea how easy it is!
Chantal’s New York Cheesecake
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Something about cold temperatures makes cheesecake all the more appealing. This rich dessert is a crowd-pleaser that can be topped with fresh fruit for a lovely addition to your holiday spread. The familiar creaminess, tang, and sweetness will make every bite a memory to treasure.
Biscotti
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
A classic recipe that allows you to customize to your heart’s desire. Biscotti has it all: wonderful crunch, mellow, toasty flavor, and endless opportunity to make the recipe all your own. Reviewers recommend incorporating warming spices, berries, and nuts for an elevated holiday snack.
Cannoli Dip
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This cannoli dip turns the tastes and flavors of a cannoli into a wonderful dessert or party snack!” says Allrecipes member Megan. “To serve, break up pizzelle cookies or waffle cones into chip-sized pieces to scoop cannoli dip. The dip tastes just like the filling from a cannoli, and the pizzelles act as the shell.”
Chef John’s Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Jason Donnelly / Food Stylist: Holly Dressman / Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali
Rosemary is an unexpected but delicious addition to these crisp cookies. The earthen, somewhat piney flavor of the herb elevates the buttery dough. Chef John’s shortbread cookies are scrumptious as is or dipped in a bit of dark chocolate for heightened drama.
Stoofperen met Rode Wijn (Red Wine-Poached Pears)
“Very similar to my Dutch mother’s recipe! I added 1 teaspoon ginger and 1 teaspoon cloves,” says one reviewer. This beautifully colored and comforting recipe is so simple to make ahead. All you’ll need is a good bottle of wine, firm pears, sugar, and spices for a soft, boozy holiday treat.
Peanut Butter Temptations
“Made two batches of these for a Christmas party over the weekend,” says Allrecipes member Sherry. “Should have made five. They were the first to go and everybody kept asking for more.” Peanut butter and chocolate are a naturally delicious pair and these sweets are no exception.
Eggnog Creme Brûlée
Our favorite spiked Christmas beverage turned torched dessert. The spiced taste of the season is served in individual ramekins. Fresh, tart raspberries are the perfect foil for this rich treat. Easy to make ahead for even the most discerning guest.
Butter Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
Aimee B.
Cookies are a way of the life during the holidays, so embrace the spirit and get to baking these simple but delicious treats. Using ingredients you already have in your pantry, you’ll be able to whip up a batch for the dessert spread and have leftovers to go! Remember to keep the cookie dough chilled so that cutouts are a breeze.
Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Let it snow toasted coconut flakes! This beautiful coconut cream pie is always a winner. A creamy vanilla custard is topped with delicate whipped topping for a lighter-than-air experience. Make this ahead for an impressive display when guests arrive.
Molasses Cookies
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
The cookies of our Christmas dreams. “A contender for world’s best cookie. Chewy, spicy, sweet, and rich…I usually go a little long on the spices for extra kick,” says reviewer Michael Carmody. This recipe will give you the wonderful softness and cracked top that molasses cookies are famous for.
Raspberry and Almond Shortbread Thumbprints
The fruit-filled cookies are good enough to leave out for Santa. Thick, buttery dough is complemented by a dollop of raspberry jam in the center. Almond extract lends a subtle but elegant flavor. A beautifully reliable recipe that really evokes the spirit of Christmas.