One of our favorite things about Christmas desserts is that they're usually just as pretty as they are delicious. Who doesn't love decorating the table with something colorful, adorable, and scrumptious? The holidays are a festive time in general: from Christmas lights to all that glitter and sparkle, plus everything shaded in greens, reds, and silvers. Obviously, it makes sense that holiday desserts are also tricked out and as adorable as can be.
But don't stop at boring gingerbread houses. (No offense, gingerbread folks.) Kids love the creativity and fun that go into decorating holiday treats — almost as much as they love eating them! (Us too, TBH.)
Plus, adorable Christmas treats make the perfect gift for people who are typically hard to shop for, like teachers, neighbors, or hosts. After all, who wants to gift others a last-minute item that they might not even need? We would take a cutely decorated homemade dessert over a pair of socks any day. Just package up a few of those babies in a pretty mason jar, or seal 'em up with a nice ribbon. Ta-da.
We rounded up 20 absolutely adorable holiday desserts that would kick any regular ol' dessert right out of the water. (Although, yes, all desserts are great, we know.) From snowball cookies to pretty little truffles, these are the desserts to add to the baking list this holiday season.
(Just try not to eat them all before the next holiday party!)
Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Hide a strawberry inside these cute Christmas tree cupcakes. Start with a standard vanilla or chocolate cupcake recipe. Tint some frosting green and spread a little on the cupcake just to adhere an upside-down, trimmed strawberry. Cover the strawberry with more green piped frosting.
White Chocolate Mousse With Raspberry and Passion Fruit Sauces
These mousse cups bring a burst of vivid holiday color to your table, and I can just taste that creamy white chocolate with the tangy fruit sauces. Start with this white chocolate mousse recipe. Make some raspberry sauce (or just use raspberry jam) and some passion fruit sauce and swirl over your mousse. You could do just one of these sauces, of course.
Paleo Coconut Snowballs
If you or your guests follow a nut-free, gluten-free, and/or vegan diet (that includes all you paleo people), you'll love these coconut snowballs, just the right size for popping at parties.
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Gingerbread Christmas Tree
For some of us, constructing a gingerbread house is a bit too much of a challenge. How about instead making this fun gingerbread Christmas tree?
Red Velvet and Strawberry Trifle
Red velvet and strawberry trifle makes for a dramatic dessert — the layers, the color. And there's a little bit of everything for everyone in this fun treat.
Reindeer Tarts
Daww! Here's a video tutorial for making these adorable reindeer tarts.
Christmas Tree Brownies
These are adorable, simple to make, and delicious — so basically the perfect Christmas treat. All you need to do is cut some brownies into triangles (bake homemade or save time with store-bought) and decorate with green frosting, candy "ornaments," and pretzel or candy-cane stems.
Festive Dipped Pretzels
These are so easy — no recipe required! Just dip pretzel rods into melted milk, dark, or white chocolate and roll in the decoration of your choice. You can use colored sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies or candy canes — pretty much anything you want!
Strawberry Santas
When it comes to Christmas treats, the more the merrier, right? This festive group of strawberries disguised as Santas is adorable and super easy to make. You can use whipped cream, sweetened cream cheese, or even vanilla frosting for the faces and buttons. Chocolate sprinkles or mini chocolate chips make perfect eyes.
Chocolate-Covered Cookies
Not interested in baking? No problem! Turn simple store-bought cookies into gorgeous treats by dipping them in white chocolate and decorating with holiday colors.
Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
Vegan friends can be hard to please, but these nutty thumbprint cookies are healthy, delicious, and an absolutely gorgeous addition to the dessert table.
Chocolate Candy Cane Mousse
Chocolate mousse is always delicious, but like with everything else, it is only improved by the holiday season. Try adding crushed candy canes to homemade chocolate mousse for an extra Christmas-y treat!
Polar Bear Oreos
Winter-fy Oreos by dressing them up like an adorable polar bear! It's a super easy recipe too, and requires melting white chocolate and some other strategic candy-placing.
Rice Krispie Christmas Trees
Rice Krispie treats are true kid-pleasers. Some green food coloring goes a long way to make this beloved treat as festive as possible.
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Cornflake Wreaths
Whip up these wreaths in just 20 minutes. All you need are good ol' cornflakes, some marshmallows, and green food coloring! Oh, and don't forget the red cinnamon candies for the final touch.
Reindeer Marshmallows Pops
These reindeer marshmallows are so cute and so easy to assemble. Dip them in chocolate for an even more luxe treat.
Reindeer Milano Cookies
Dress up a Milano cookie as a reindeer for a quick and easy treat. No oven-time required! Yes, please!
Snowman Cake Pops
Who doesn't love cake balls? Make winter-themed snowman cake pops! Check out how adorable those M&M earmuffs are.
Candy Cane Hearts
Who knew that candy canes were perfect to make hearts with? Take the idea up a notch by using peppermint bark in the middle.
Melting Snowman Cookies
How adorable and funny are these cookies?! Do the trick with marshmallows!
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