Burnt out on Christmas cookies? This list of 20+ cookie-free Christmas desserts will satisfy your festive sweet tooth–no rolling pin or cookie cutters required!
Cookie-Free Christmas Desserts
I don’t know about you, but by the time Christmas rolls around, I’m eager to dig into Christmas desserts of the non-cookie variety. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas cookies, but after weeks of prepping (and eating) cookie dough and freezing, eating, and gifting cookies (and cookie mix!), I’m ready for something a bit different.
If you can’t ever get enough cookies, check out my 12 days of cookies email series. Everyone else, let’s dig into these Christmas desserts of the cake, candy, and bread variety!
If I had to pick a favorite item from this list, it would have to be my gingerbread layer cake. I love this cake not just because gingerbread cookies are my favorite Christmas cookies, but because it is just SO festive and cozy. If gingerbread isn’t your thing, don’t worry–I have plenty of peppermint, chocolate, and cranberry themed Christmas desserts too!
1. Gingerbread Cake
Transform one of the most classic Christmas desserts into a gorgeous layer cake! This would make the perfect Christmas birthday cake, especially when topped with sugared cranberries!
So festive and cozy, this gingerbread layer cake combines soft, spiced cake with a brown sugar cream cheese frosting.
GINGERBREAD CAKE RECIPE
2. Peppermint Cheesecake
Smooth and creamy cheesecake meets dark and white chocolate, crunchy peppermint pieces, and a crisp Oreo crust in this festive cheesecake recipe.
No water bath needed! This easy cheesecake is a show-stopping Christmas dessert with *just* the right amount of peppermint flavor.
PEPPERMINT BARK CHEESECAKE RECIPE
3. Bread Pudding
One of the most traditional Christmas desserts, this incredible bread pudding recipe will have everyone going back for seconds.
Customize your bread pudding with dried fruit, chocolate, or nuts, or keep it simple and serve with the irresistible butter sauce. Either way, it will be a crowd favorite!
BREAD PUDDING RECIPE
4. Cranberry Cake
Tart cranberries are the perfect match for this soft, sweet, and lightly sugared cake.
Plush and moist sugared cranberry cake is a fast and easy Christmas dessert. It takes just 15 minutes to prep and can be served right from the pan!
CRANBERRY CAKE RECIPE
5. Saltine Cracker Candy
Another classic Christmas dessert, my saltine cracker candy is incredibly easy to make (and a great last-minute option too!).
Buttery, salty, and sweet Saltine cracker candy can be prepped in less than 15 minutes with just five simple ingredients!
SALTINE CRACKER CANDY RECIPE
6. Gingerbread
This traditional gingerbread tastes amazing on its own, but is even better with a spoonful of warm lemon curd and a dollop of whipped cream.
Guests will be eager to dive into this timeless Christmas dessert! My version is incredibly moist and flavorful.
GINGERBREAD RECIPE
7. Peppermint Cake
A stunning Christmas dessert option, this cake is perfect for feeding a crowd. If you like this recipe, also try my mint chocolate cake!
Moist dark chocolate cake layers pair so nicely with white chocolate peppermint frosting in this festive Christmas cake recipe. Makes a perfect Christmas birthday cake!
PEPPERMINT BARK CAKE RECIPE
8. Toffee
Toffee is surprisingly easy to make at home, as long as you follow my carefully-tested recipe!
You can make buttery, crunchy homemade toffee in just 15 minutes! This recipe requires a candy thermometer for the best results.
HOMEMADE TOFFEE RECIPE
9. Star Bread
Perfect served among Christmas desserts or for breakfast, star bread is a stunning (and surprisingly straightforward) treat.
Star bread deserves a spot on your Christmas dessert or brunch table! It’s sweet and festive without being too rich.
STAR BREAD RECIPE
10. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
We love these anytime of year, but especially at Christmas with some crushed candy canes on top. Yum!
Crunchy chocolate covered pretzels are a welcomed salty sweet treat during Christmas cookie season. My recipe is easily customizable and makes a lovely homemade gift too!
CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS RECIPE
11. Peppermint Bark
Another classic Christmas dessert! Skip the store-bought version and make your own this year.
One of the easiest homemade gifts, this is a classic Christmas dessert. It has a long shelf life, incredible flavor, and is completely customizable!
PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE
12. Gingerbread Cupcakes
The handheld version of my gingerbread cake (listed above), these gingerbread cupcakes are fast and simple to make.
My moist and fluffy gingerbread cupcakes are quick (less than an hour) and have beautiful domed tops. Recipe includes a cinnamon and brown sugar frosting!
GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES RECIPE
13. Hot Chocolate Fudge
How cute is this fudge? It’s so smooth and creamy, and there’s absolutely no candy thermometer needed to make it!
Made with real hot chocolate and adorable mini marshmallows, this smooth and creamy fudge will be a hit on your Christmas dessert table!
HOT CHOCOLATE FUDGE RECIPE
14. Peppermint Marshmallows
Swirled peppermint marshmallows are perfect for snacking or topping a mug of hot chocolate ❤️
Peppermint marshmallows are one of our favorite seasonal candies! Add them to a hot cocoa bar or wrap them up in cellophane for a homemade gift.
PEPPERMINT MARSHMALLOWS RECIPE
15. Gingerbread Cookie Bars
I know, I promised no cookies in this list of Christmas desserts–but technically these are cookie bars. They are buttery, chewy, and so fun!
The beauty of making cookie bars is that there’s no rolling or chilling required! My version is topped with a piped cream cheese frosting for a festive flair.
GINGERBREAD COOKIE BARS RECIPE
16. Peppermint Fudge
One of my favorite edible Christmas gifts! This fudge is so easy to make and has the perfect creamy consistency.
No condensed milk or candy thermometer needed! This easy recipe takes just 15 minutes to prep on the stovetop.
PEPPERMINT BARK FUDGE RECIPE
17. Cranberry Bundt Cake
Pops of tart cranberries punctuate soft, moist cake topped with a smooth white chocolate glaze.
Cranberry bundt cake is a nice alternative to all the peppermint and spiced desserts. Don’t forget the white chocolate ganache glaze!
CRANBERRY BUNDT CAKE RECIPE
18. Peppermint Oreo Truffles
This festive twist on traditional Oreo balls is incredibly easy to make. They make the perfect last-minute dessert!
19. Rocky Road Peanut Clusters
Also known as crockpot candy, this incredibly easy candy recipe is one of my favorite Christmas desserts!
Peanuts, chocolate, marshmallows, and festive sprinkles make up this incredibly easy crockpot candy.
CROCKPOT CANDY RECIPE
20. Peppermint Whoopie Pies
A festive twist on classic whoopie pies! It’s hard to eat just one of these adorable Christmas desserts.
21. Gingerbread Fudge
No candy thermometer needed! This fudge has all the flavor of gingerbread with just a few simple ingredients.
Made with molasses and plenty of spice, this gingerbread fudge will be a new holiday favorite!
GINGERBREAD FUDGE RECIPE
22. Hot Chocolate Cake
This cake combines all of the elements of a mug of hot cocoa into a decadent layer cake.
This cake is made with real hot chocolate, a cocoa frosting, and marshmallow buttercream. It’s such a cozy cake, especially for a snow day!
HOT CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE
Did I miss anything? I’d love to hear what kind of Christmas desserts make their way to your family’s dessert table every year!
Enjoy!
If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
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