Anna Alson
September 20, 2025 • 12 recipes
Stressed about holiday baking? Chill, these 12 easy desserts are super yummy and won't take all day!
These Gingerbread Whoopie Pies deliver all the warm, cozy spice of the holidays in a perfectly handheld treat. Imagine soft, cakey gingerbread rounds, packed with aromatic ginger, hugging a cloud of tangy, dreamy cream cheese frosting. This delightful sandwich offers a wonderful textural contrast between the tender cookie and the smooth, rich filling, making every bite feel like a festive celebration. Because they are individually portioned, these pies are wonderfully easy to transport to any holiday gathering.
These stunning Pavlova Christmas Trees transform the light, airy meringue into a showstopping centerpiece that tastes as magnificent as it looks. Each tree features a crisp, cloud-like meringue base piled high with luscious whipped cream and vibrant, jewel-toned fresh berries, offering a delightful contrast of textures. The natural sweetness of the meringue beautifully balances the tartness of the fruit, creating a truly elegant holiday bite. While they require precise baking, assembling these trees is a fun, family-friendly activity that can be done just before serving for maximum visual impact.
| # | PREVIEW | PRODUCT | RATING | VIEW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | • Digital Controls: precise temperature and timer keep pastries golden and flaky every time.
• Non‑stick Basket: releases cookies and brownies without a second cleaning, so you can focus on flavor.
• Compact Size: fits under the counter, leaving room for trays of cake batter or a cookie sheet.
• Quiet Operation: bake overnight without waking anyone, keeping the kitchen calm for your next batch.
Why We Love It: The non‑stick basket saves cleanup time, letting you focus on creative dessert ideas—perfect for busy bakers who love sweet successes. | Check Price on Amazon | |
| 2 |  | • 20‑QT Capacity: Bake large batches for families—or desserts that last—saving prep time.
• 10‑In‑1 All‑in‑One: Cook toast, bake, air‑fry, roast, dehydrate—one appliance, no clutter.
• Clear Window: Watch golden crusts finish perfectly without opening the door.
• Rotisserie Feature: Evenly roast fruit or treats for a moist, caramelized result.
• Dehydrating Racks: Turn fresh fruit into sweet, snack‑size treats faster.
Why We Love It: Its big capacity and rotisserie make family‑sized desserts effortless, and the dehydrating racks turn fruit into tasty, homemade snacks in minutes. | Check Price on Amazon | |
| 3 |  | • 6.5 QT Pro XL Capacity lets you bake cookies or cake layers for the whole party in one go.
• 6-in-1 Max Crisp mixes air fry, bake, and dehydrate, so fewer appliances and more baking freedom.
• Nonstick Basket & Crisper Plate releases desserts cleanly, cutting cleanup time.
• Recipe Guide gives fool‑proof dessert tips for first‑time bakers.
Why We Love It: We love the big capacity for crowd‑sized treats. And Max Crisp gives every cookie a perfect edge. | Check Price on Amazon |
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you for your support!
These Mini Apple & Cinnamon Tarts deliver all the cozy comfort of a holiday favorite in a perfectly portioned package. Flaky, buttery puff pastry serves as the ideal canvas for tender slices of apple, warmly spiced with a fragrant blend of sugar and cinnamon. Simply arrange the fruit atop the pastry squares before baking for individual desserts that are wonderfully crisp on the edges and sweetly yielding in the center. They are a delightful handheld treat that guests can easily manage while mingling.
Warm up your holiday gathering with this deeply satisfying Spiced Rum Raisin Bread Pudding, a sophisticated twist on a comforting classic. Stale challah or brioche soaks up a rich custard infused with warming winter spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, then bakes up to a beautifully golden, custardy interior with delightfully crisp edges. The plump raisins, macerated in dark spiced rum, burst with boozy sweetness throughout every decadent spoonful. This dessert can be assembled completely ahead of time, allowing you to simply pop it in the oven before serving.
Skip the tricky lattice work this year and embrace the comforting decadence of these Pecan Pie Bars, a handheld twist on the holiday classic. A buttery, crisp shortbread crust provides the perfect sturdy base for a filling that is wonderfully rich, gooey, and studded with crunchy pecans. The combination of that deep, caramelized sweetness against the tender, crumbly base is pure holiday magic, and these slice beautifully for easy serving at any festive gathering.
These Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies deliver a sophisticated yet wonderfully comforting bite, balancing rich butteriness with bright holiday flavors. Each tender cookie melts delightfully on the tongue, thanks to the fine, crumbly texture unique to classic shortbread, which is elevated by the tart burst of dried cranberries and the fragrant lift of fresh orange zest folded throughout. They are simple to slice and bake, making them an excellent choice for gifting or preparing in larger batches before your holiday gatherings begin.
These baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts deliver all the comforting, nostalgic flavor of a classic fairground treat, but with the ease of baking in your own kitchen. Each bite offers a soft, fluffy interior that perfectly soaks up the sweet, warmly spiced coating of cinnamon and granulated sugar. While they are technically baked, the hint of melted butter and canola oil keeps the texture delightfully tender and almost cake-like. Since these skip the deep-frying step, they are a wonderful option for making a fresh batch right before your holiday gathering begins.
| # | PREVIEW | PRODUCT | RATING | VIEW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | • Speedy 3‑Size Brew – Quickly prep the exact coffee volume to mix into sauces or glazes, saving precious prep time.
• Large 48oz Reservoir – Fill once and enjoy a steady stream of coffee for cakes and sauces without frequent refills.
• Removable Cup Base – Clean with ease, keeping your kitchen dishwasher‑ready and preventing lingering coffee odors.
• Smart Brew Taps – Three precision taps let you pour just the right amount for espresso‑style drinks or light coffee for desserts.
Why We Love It: The instant coffee foundation means you can whisk, cake, or caramelize on the fly, keeping your dessert timeline smooth and flavorful. | Check Price on Amazon | |
| 2 |  | • Compact Design: Fits perfectly next to your stand mixer, giving you premium coffee without sacrificing counter space for whisking and decorating.
• Quick Brewing: Get your perfect single-serve espresso or coffee shot in minutes to enhance tiramisu or flavor homemade frostings without delay.
• Adjustable Brew Size (6-12oz): Easily customize the strength of your hot beverage to perfectly complement richer desserts or lighter treats.
• Built-in Cord Storage: Keep your baking station neat and tidy, ensuring cords don't get tangled while you're measuring flour or rolling dough.
Why We Love It: This speedy brewer is the ultimate baking companion, delivering the precise caffeine boost you need for late-night cookie batches right where you need it! | Check Price on Amazon | |
| 3 |  | • 2-in-1 Brewing Versatility: Instantly create rich, concentrated espresso shots or warm milk for ganache and frosting using your favorite ground coffee or pre-packaged pods.
• Perfect Portion Control (6-14 Oz): Get the exact liquid measurement needed, whether you're whipping up a single decadent mocha or brewing small-batch coffee flavor into your crème brûlée.
• Effortless Cleanup: Utilize the Self-Cleaning Function so you spend less time scrubbing and more time decorating your masterpiece.
• Space-Saving Design: The compact size fits neatly beside your mixer, making it ideal for cramped kitchen counters where every inch counts.
Why We Love It: This mini brewer is a game-changer for incorporating perfectly brewed coffee flavor directly into your desserts, ensuring professional, rich notes in every bite without the hassle of a large machine cleanup! | Check Price on Amazon |
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you for your support!
Capture the essence of holiday comfort with this deeply flavorful Pumpkin Date Cake, perfectly balanced by a tangy cream cheese icing. Moist, spiced cake layers are studded with sweet, chewy dates, creating a rustic texture that sings alongside the bright, slightly tart frosting. While it might be listed as medium difficulty, the rich reward of this aromatic cake makes the effort entirely worthwhile for your Christmas gathering.
These Maple Pecan Sticky Buns deliver that quintessential cozy holiday flavor with a delightful, addictive texture. Imagine a soft, deeply yeasted dough generously loaded with toasted pecans and a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Once inverted, the warm, gooey topping cascades over the spirals, creating a truly decadent bite that is simultaneously nutty, sweet, and wonderfully sticky. While they require a bit of patience for the dough to rise, these are best baked first thing in the morning to serve warm for Christmas brunch.
Transform your holiday table with this stunning Pistachio & Rosewater Baklava Christmas Tree, offering a fresh, fragrant twist on the traditional layered pastry. Each crisp layer of buttery phyllo cradles a generous filling of finely chopped, vibrant green pistachios, all soaked in a delicate rosewater-infused syrup after baking. This show-stopping centerpiece delivers that signature shatteringly crisp texture and nutty sweetness, making an elegant statement while still being surprisingly manageable to assemble.
These Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls offer a comforting, elevated twist on a holiday breakfast staple, perfect for a festive brunch spread. Imagine tender, pillowy dough generously swirled with warm cinnamon sugar, then drenched in a sticky, decadent glaze made with pure maple syrup and crunchy toasted pecans. The balance of nutty richness against the sweet, buttery roll makes every bite deeply satisfying. For the best texture on Christmas morning, prepare the dough the night before and let it proof slowly in the refrigerator.
Wrap your guests in the warm embrace of the holidays with this elegant Chai Spice Panna Cotta, a dessert that perfectly balances fragrant spices with silky-smooth texture. Infused with robust black tea and classic chai notes of cardamom, cinnamon, and clove, this creamy custard offers a sophisticated alternative to heavier holiday fare. Finished with a glistening drizzle of homemade caramel, each spoonful delivers a cool, melt-in-your-mouth sensation that sings of winter comfort. Since panna cotta must set completely, this stunning dessert is perfectly designed to be prepared entirely ahead of time, freeing up your oven on Christmas day.
