Cookies might be the holiday default, but there’s no rule saying they have to be. These non-cookie desserts bring plenty of festive flair without the cookie-cutter mess or endless trays to frost. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they’re easy to make and deliver all the seasonal sweetness you need.
Cranberry Curd Tart
This cranberry curd tart is a stunning holiday dessert with its sweet-tart filling and nutty crust. It’s festive, flavorful, and perfect for impressing your guests.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Curd Tart
Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp
A fruit crisp that’s easy to throw together and packed with seasonal flavors. Serve it with ice cream for a simple yet impressive dessert that fits right in with holiday celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Pear and Quince Crisp
Pecan Cobbler
This rich pecan cobbler combines buttery pastry and crunchy pecans for a dessert that feels nostalgic and festive. It’s a great option for cozy holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Cobbler
Chocolate Pecan Tart
Part brownie, part pecan pie, this tart is decadent and holiday-ready. It’s great for dessert tables when you want something rich and chocolatey to share.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Tart
Cranberry Orange Bread
This citrusy quick bread is sweet, tangy, and perfect for winter baking. Drizzled with an orange glaze, it’s a great addition to your holiday dessert lineup.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Bread
Gingerbread Banana Bread
Classic banana bread gets a holiday upgrade with gingerbread spices and a sweet maple tahini glaze. It’s perfect for gifting or as a festive treat for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Banana Bread
Apricot Brandy Pound Cake
Packed with flavor and easy to make, this pound cake is great for holiday entertaining. The apricot brandy adds a little extra flair to this classic dessert.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Brandy Pound Cake
Orange Glazed Cardamom Cake
This spiced cake with a sticky orange glaze is simple to make and perfect for the holidays. Serve it with tea or coffee for a dessert that feels just right for the season.
Get the Recipe: Orange Glazed Cardamom Cake
Gingerbread Pudding
This creamy gingerbread pudding is made with almond and cashew milk for a rich holiday dessert. It’s an easy way to bring classic holiday spices to your dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Pudding
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
A great go-to for holiday parties, this pound cake is simple to make and guaranteed to please. It’s versatile enough to pair with any festive spread and perfect for those who want an easy yet impressive dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Gingerbread Loaf
This gingerbread loaf, topped with cream cheese frosting, brings holiday vibes in every slice. It’s easy to whip up and perfect for sharing, making it a great addition to any party dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf
Grinch Pretzel Bark
Sweet, salty, and ridiculously easy to throw together, this Grinch pretzel bark is the holiday treat you didn’t know you needed. It’s fun, festive, and perfect for those last-minute dessert emergencies.
Get the Recipe: Grinch Pretzel Bark
Gingerbread Cake with Cranberries
Spiced gingerbread cake gets a bright, tangy kick from fresh cranberries. It’s easy to make, smells like the holidays, and stands out as a great dessert for festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cake with Cranberries
Christmas Fudge
Peppermint-flavored and done in just minutes, this fudge is the kind of no-brainer dessert you need for holiday chaos. Perfect for parties or gifting, it’s a holiday win all around.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Fudge
Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie Puffs
These flaky, buttery puffs pack all the flavor of pecan pie into bite-sized desserts. Great for parties and easier to handle than slicing a full pie, they’ll be the hit of your dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie Puffs
Malteser Christmas Pudding
This no-bake dessert is a fun, chocolatey take on Christmas pudding. Loaded with Maltesers, marshmallows, and biscuits, it’s a party-ready treat that’s as easy to make as it is to eat.
Get the Recipe: Malteser Christmas Pudding
Yogurt Cake
A three-ingredient wonder that’s creamy, sweet, and ridiculously simple to make. It’s a great option for when you need a quick dessert that still feels festive and fun.
Get the Recipe: Yogurt Cake
Gingerbread Date Bread
This steamed gingerbread date bread is packed with holiday spices and ready in no time. Perfect for party spreads or as a quick treat for busy December nights.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Date Bread
Cranberry Cobbler
This slow cooker cranberry cobbler is easy to prep and serves up a sweet-tangy dessert straight from the crockpot. Top it with whipped cream or ice cream for a great party finale.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cobbler
Peppermint Mocha Rolled Cake
Chocolate, peppermint, and cream cheese frosting come together in this rolled cake that screams holiday season. It’s festive, bold, and a perfect showstopper for any dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Mocha Rolled Cake
Pumpkin Tiramisu
This no-bake dessert layers creamy mascarpone with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and pumpkin spice. It’s a holiday-ready dessert that feels fancy without taking much effort.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu
Holiday Mint Brownies
These brownies bring together rich chocolate and peppermint frosting for a holiday classic. Topped with a smooth chocolate glaze, they’re a great dessert for parties or gift exchanges.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Mint Brownies
Eggnog Poke Cake
Moist spice cake soaked with creamy eggnog custard, this dessert is a Christmas classic in the making. Great for parties, it’s easy to make and festive enough for any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Poke Cake
Chocolate Covered Cherries
Homemade cherry cordials that beat anything store-bought. With a liquid center and rich chocolate shell, they’re a perfect way to add a little wow-factor to your holiday desserts.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Cherries
Chocolate Spice Cake
Spices, molasses, and buttermilk make this chocolate cake a holiday favorite. Topped with cream cheese frosting, it’s a great centerpiece for festive celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Spice Cake
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
This sweet charcuterie board is a fun and creative dessert option that’s perfect for holiday parties. It’s an easy way to serve up a variety of treats without baking a single cookie.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
White Chocolate Peppermint Blondies
These blondies bring white chocolate and peppermint together in a soft, chewy dessert that’s great for holiday gatherings. The frosting on top makes them feel extra festive.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Peppermint Blondies
Orange Cranberry Cake
Three layers of orange cake with a tart cranberry filling and creamy frosting make this dessert a holiday showstopper. It’s perfect for when you want something bright and festive for your dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Cranberry Cake
Graham Cracker Christmas Crack
Made with graham crackers, caramel, and chocolate, this four-ingredient treat is a holiday classic. It’s quick to make and great for parties or gifting.
Get the Recipe: Graham Cracker Christmas Crack
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
