I love making Christmas desserts because I know my family and friends look forward to them the most. Although cookies and chocolate treats are common at Christmas, I also like serving dessert cups, little dessert balls, and a few sweet-and-savory treats.
This year, I wanted to share 20 Christmas desserts I enjoy making for my family and friends. Whether you’re hosting Christmas at home, baking with kids, or just want something sweet after dinner, you’ll find a few ideas here worth trying.
I picked these recipes for their festive look and flavors, without choosing anything that keeps me in the kitchen all day.
Velvety Lemon Mousse
Whenever I want a quick dessert without turning on the oven, I make this Velvety Lemon Mousse. It’s creamy and lemony, and I usually serve it in small glasses with a little lemon zest on top. And don’t worry! You don’t need eggs or cornstarch for this recipe.
Luscious Lemon Curd
This Luscious Lemon Curd takes less than 20 minutes and just four ingredients to make from scratch. The tangy lemon balances the sweetness of sugar. You can spread it on toast, layer it between cakes, or use it to fill pastries.
Jaggery-Glazed Apple Delights
These Jaggery-Glazed Apple Delights look lovely when served in small glasses. The apples turn soft as they caramelize, and the cinnamon gives them a nice, warm flavor.
Lemon Coconut Balls
These Lemon Coconut Balls combine the nuttiness of coconut with the tartness of lemon juice and zest. They need just three ingredients and about 15 minutes to prepare. You can make a whole batch even when you’re short on time.
Little Lemon Cakes
These little cakes are soft and lemony, with a thin layer of glaze on top. They take just 30 minutes to make and need only a few ingredients. You can also make them a day or two ahead and store them until you’re ready to serve.
Coconut Pineapple Bliss Cups
I make these Coconut Pineapple Bliss Cups for Christmas dinner because they’re easy to prepare and serve. The pineapple and coconut give them a sweet, tropical flavor that’s a little different from the usual Christmas desserts.
Apple Rose Tartlets
These Apple Rose Tartlets look absolutely pretty sitting on your Christmas dessert table. Thin apple slices are arranged into rose shapes and sprinkled with cinnamon before baking.
Caramel Apple Pearls
These Caramel Apple Pearls make pretty little bites for a Christmas party. With only three ingredients and less than 20 minutes of preparation, they’re a quick and convenient appetizer to add to your Christmas spread.
Lemon Sunshine Bites
These Lemon Sunshine Bites have a nice tartness to them, with almond flour and coconut adding a little nuttiness. I also like taking them along to Christmas potlucks because they’re easy to pack and serve.
Amalfi Lemon Sorbet
This Amalfi Lemon Sorbet is perfect if you love a strong lemon flavor. It’s dairy-free and can be made ahead of time. Keep it in the freezer for three to four days.
No-Bake Lemon Cream Cups
If you want to serve something different from the usual Christmas pudding this year, try these No-Bake Lemon Cream Cups. They’re made without eggs or cornstarch and look lovely when served in hollowed-out lemon shells.
Lemon Cheesecake Truffles
These Lemon Cheesecake Truffles have a rich, creamy center with a hint of lemon. Make them ahead and arrange them on a dessert plate when you’re ready to serve.
Golden Lemon Possets
Golden Lemon Possets look elegant in lemon shells, and you only need three ingredients to make them. You can serve them in lemon shells or small glasses, with berries and fresh herbs on top if you like.
Blueberry Lemon Puff Pastry
This Blueberry Lemon Puff Pastry has a nice flaky crust, creamy lemon curd, and topped with fresh blueberries. It’s sprinkled with icing sugar at the end for a picture-perfect presentation.
Cinnamon Apple Crescents
You would see me serving these Cinnamon Apple Crescents every time I am hosting a family dinner at Christmas. With just three ingredients, these are easy to put together, and the cinnamon makes the apple filling shine as the crescents rolls bake.
Yogurt Dream Cups
I like serving these Yogurt Dream Cups after Christmas dinner because they’re creamy and satisfying. They’re made with yogurt, saffron, and condensed milk, which complement each other perfectly. They take just 25 minutes to prepare.