Delightful Christmas Eve Desserts to Sweeten Your Holiday

Christmas Eve is a magical time, filled with anticipation, twinkling lights, and the warmth of loved ones. For me, the dessert table is the highlight of the evening—a sweet send-off to a day of holiday cheer and a prelude to Christmas morning. This year, why not add some unique flair to your festive spread?

I’ve curated a collection of creative Christmas Eve dessert recipes that blend tradition with a twist. These treats are designed to impress, satisfy, and create memories that last long after the holidays are over.

Ready to bake? Let’s dive in!

1. Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Bars

Cheesecake is already a show-stopper, but add peppermint and hot cocoa flavors, and you’ve got a dessert that screams Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or this paste which is FANTASTIC)

• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

• Crushed candy canes for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. Mix crushed graham crackers with melted butter and press into a lined 9x9-inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool.

3. In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Mix until creamy.

4. Pour the mixture over the crust and bake for 35 minutes. Let cool completely.

5. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top before slicing into bars.

These bars are rich, chocolatey, and have just the right amount of mint to remind you of candy canes hanging on the tree.

2. Cranberry Orange Tiramisu

Give the classic Italian dessert a holiday makeover with tart cranberries and zesty orange.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 1 cup mascarpone cheese

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (again, going to suggest this awesome paste as an alternative)

• Ladyfinger cookies

• Orange zest for garnish

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, cook cranberries, sugar, and orange juice until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Let cool.

2. Beat mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.

3. Dip ladyfingers in the cranberry mixture and layer in a trifle dish or individual glasses.

4. Spread the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Repeat layers, ending with the cream.

5. Chill for at least 4 hours and garnish with orange zest before serving.

This tiramisu is light yet decadent, with the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

3. Gingerbread Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky toffee pudding gets a holiday twist with warm gingerbread spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped

• 1 cup boiling water

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup flour

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• Toffee sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.

2. Soak chopped dates in boiling water and stir in baking soda. Let sit for 10 minutes.

3. Cream butter and brown sugar, then mix in eggs. Gradually add flour and spices.

4. Stir in the date mixture and pour into the baking dish. Bake for 35 minutes.

5. Drizzle with toffee sauce and serve warm.

It’s like a warm hug on a plate—comforting, spicy, and indulgent.

4. Pistachio Cherry Snowballs

Snowball cookies are a Christmas classic, but pistachios and cherries give them a colorful, festive twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios (these are from Sicily and the texture is my favorite)

• 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries

• Extra powdered sugar for rolling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract.

3. Mix in flour, pistachios, and cherries until a dough forms.

4. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

5. Let cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar.

These melt-in-your-mouth cookies will brighten any dessert tray with their festive green and red colors.

5. Eggnog Panna Cotta with Nutmeg Whipped Cream

For a sophisticated dessert, try this creamy, custardy panna cotta infused with eggnog flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1 cup eggnog

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp gelatin

• 2 tbsp water

• Whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg for topping

Directions:

1. Sprinkle gelatin over water and let bloom for 5 minutes.

2. Heat cream, eggnog, and sugar in a saucepan until steaming (don’t boil). Stir in gelatin until dissolved.

3. Add vanilla extract and pour into ramekins. Chill for at least 4 hours.

4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg before serving.

This panna cotta is creamy, dreamy, and undeniably festive.

6. Chocolate Peppermint Pavlova

A pavlova is an elegant dessert, but adding chocolate and peppermint makes it a holiday centerpiece.

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp cornstarch

• 1 tsp white vinegar

• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

• Whipped cream and crushed candy canes for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until stiff and glossy.

3. Fold in cocoa powder, cornstarch, vinegar, and peppermint extract.

4. Spoon onto the baking sheet, forming a round shape. Bake for 1 hour, then cool in the oven with the door ajar.

5. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes before serving.

Light, crispy, and full of holiday cheer, this dessert is as delicious as it is stunning.

7. Caramelized White Chocolate Yule Log

Yule logs are a traditional Christmas dessert, but this version with caramelized white chocolate is next-level.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 cup caramelized white chocolate ganache

• Whipped cream or buttercream for filling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper.

2. Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Fold in cocoa, flour, and baking powder.

3. Spread batter into the pan and bake for 10 minutes.

4. Roll the cake in a clean kitchen towel while warm. Let cool.

5. Unroll, spread with filling, and roll back up. Frost with ganache and decorate.

This dessert is both a centerpiece and a showstopper, perfect for wowing your guests.

Why These Desserts Matter

Christmas Eve is about more than just food—it’s about creating moments that bring people together. These desserts are more than recipes; they’re a way to add joy, spark conversations, and make memories with the people you love most.

Whether you try one recipe or all of them, I hope your holiday is filled with warmth, sweetness, and a little extra sparkle from the dessert table.