Best Christmas Desserts to Make This Season

The holidays are the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats. It’s that magical season when your kitchen fills with the warm scents of vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate, creating a cozy winter wonderland at home. There’s a special joy in making desserts during this time of year—whether it’s the festive atmosphere or the happiness of sharing your creations with loved ones.

Why not mix things up this year? Step beyond the usual favorites and try some fun and creative Christmas desserts that will steal the show at any gathering. Here’s a list of recipes you can try this season to make your celebrations even sweeter!

Chocolate Cardamom Cream Tart with Pistachio-Sesame Brittle

• Preparation Time: 1hr 45 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 5 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 8 portions

Ingredients

Pastry

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (164 grams)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Filling

• 6 cardamom pods, smashed
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Brittle

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (74 grams)
• 1/2 cup unsalted roasted pistachios (3 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (10 grams)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

To serve

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed cardamom seeds (optional)

Sour Cherry–Cheesecake Trifle with Black Pepper and Saba

• Preparation Time: 1hr 30 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 5 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 16 portions

Ingredients

Sour Cherries in SABA

• 1 1/2 pound frozen pitted sour cherries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup saba
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Pound Cake

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (12 ounces), softened, plus more for greasing
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (about 12 3/4 ounces), plus more for pan
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cheesecake Filling

• 3 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar (about 3 ounces), divided 
• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche

Additional Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for garnish
• Edible flowers and fresh fruit, for garnish (optional)

White chocolate 'berrymisu'

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 6hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8 portions

Ingredients 

• 500g packet of frozen raspberries
• 180g white chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 2 cups boiling water
• 250g cream cheese, softened
• 300ml thickened cream
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup icing sugar mixture
• 1 1/2 x 250g packets sponge finger biscuits
• 1 cup raspberry jam

Peach and Passionfruit Pavlova Roll

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 1hr
• Serves: 8 portions

Ingredients 

• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 4 eggwhites
• 1/2 cup flaked almonds
• 300ml thickened cream
• 1 tbsp icing sugar mixture
• 400g tub sliced peaches in juice, drained, chopped
• 2 passionfruit, halved icing sugar, to serve

Date and Cinnamon Squares

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 1hr
• Serves: 16 portions

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups (225g) semolina
• 2/3 cup (130g) fine semolina
• 130g caster sugar
• 3.5g (half a sachet) dried yeast
• 1/2 tsp mahlab (Middle Eastern spice – optional)
• 1/3 cup (80ml) rose water
• 170g unsalted butter, melted, plus extra, for greasing
• 1 cup (100g) walnuts
• 500g Medjool dates, pitted
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup (80ml) runny honey
• 1/4 cup (35g) pistachios, finely chopped

Gingerbread Marshmallow Slice

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 1hr 5mins
• Serves: 8 portions

Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Base:

• 50g butter
• ½ cup + 1 tbsp (130g) brown sugar, firmly packed
• ½ cup (125ml/175g) treacle syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg, lightly whisked
• 2 ½ cups (375g) plain flour
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¾ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp bicarbonate soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

For the Marshmallow Layer:

• 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• 2 tbsp (24g) gelatin
• 1/2 cup (125ml) water
• 1 1/4 cups (275g) caster sugar
• 1/3 cup (80ml/120g) glucose syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Coating:

• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

• Preparation Time: 1hr 30 minutes
• Overall Time Required: 1hr 30 minutes
• Serves: 24 portions

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar (dark recommended)
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (135g) white chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish
• 1 cup (140g) dried cranberries, plus extra for garnish

Desserts are the heart of every festive celebration, adding a sweet touch of joy to the season. Whether it’s the excitement of trying a new recipe or the simple pleasure of sharing your creations with loved ones, these treats bring everyone together in the best way.

From the first whiff of something baking to the last bite of something irresistible, the magic of the holidays truly comes alive in the kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves, sprinkle on the sugar, and let the season’s cheer shine through every dessert you make. Here’s to sweet moments, happy hearts, and unforgettable memories this festive season!

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