432 holiday dessert recipes

This is a wonderful and light dessert to offer people as a contrast to the heavy holiday meals and desserts normally offered at this time.

Velvety pumpkin cheesecake spiced with cinnamon and allspice sits atop a buttery gingersnap crust. Topped with tangy sour cream for a show-stopping holiday dessert.

Helen's Holiday Float is a baked custard dessert spiked with whiskey and brandy, topped with golden meringue and nutmeg. A festive old-fashioned crowd-pleaser.

Santa's chocolate pie is a frozen mousse pie in a baked shell, built on melted chocolate, marshmallow creme, and whipped cream, with a whisper of coffee and almond. A make-ahead holiday dessert.

Frozen fruit salad with vanilla pudding, whipped cream, pineapple, pecans, and fruit cocktail. Make-ahead dessert that serves 10, perfect for holidays.

Cranberry swirl cheesecake on a vanilla wafer crust with sour cream topping and fresh cranberry orange compote. A stunning make-ahead holiday dessert.

Creamy white chocolate cheesecake on a graham cracker crust, topped with a glossy cranberry glaze and chocolate gratings. A stunning holiday dessert baked in a water bath for silky texture.

Festive holiday cheesecake with spiced pumpkin filling on a gingersnap crust, topped with creamy eggnog glaze. A showstopping Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.

Frosted Christmas brownies baked in a pizza pan, topped with vanilla buttercream and decorated with piped holly leaves and red candy berries. A festive holiday dessert.

Chocolate eggnog bundt cake made with pudding mix for extra moisture, warm nutmeg, and a creamy eggnog buttercream frosting. A holiday dessert that puts leftover eggnog to good use.

Pumpkin pecan cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, spiced pumpkin filling, and a brown sugar pecan streusel topping. A fall dessert that combines two holiday favorites in one.

Four-layer blackberry jam cake with walnuts and warm spices, glazed with jammy caramel loaded with raisins. Impressive Southern dessert for special occasions and holidays.

No-bake eggnog cheesecake with a nutmeg graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, and whipped cream. A chilled holiday dessert that needs no oven.

Steamed persimmon pudding with brandy, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg, flambed at the table and served with whipped cream. An old-fashioned holiday dessert with spectacular presentation.

Orange gelatin dessert ring made with sweet white wine and apricot syrup, filled with fresh apricots, grapes, and banana. A retro molded dessert for parties and holidays.

Cranberry fool dessert with homemade orange and star anise cranberry sauce swirled into whipped cream. A make-ahead holiday dessert that chills for up to 6 hours.