Dessert Recipes

Christmas is never complete without a visit from the aromatic, sweet-tasting gingerbread kids.

Classic gingerbread cutout cookies with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger in a sturdy dough that holds its shape. Corn syrup keeps them soft while vinegar adds a subtle tang that balances the warm spices.

Sturdy gingerbread dough engineered for building. Stiff enough to hold its shape, deeply spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, ready for cookie houses, churches, and edible structures.

Classic gingerbread people cookies with molasses, brown sugar, and warm spices. Makes 30 crisp-tender cookies, perfect for decorating with kids for Christmas baking.

Swedish spice cake (Mjuk Pepparkaka) with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom, studded with raisins and nuts. A soft, aromatic Scandinavian holiday classic.

Gingerbread bear cookies bake molasses-spiced rolled cookies with ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Painted with royal icing for a holiday tradition kids adore.

Harvest pie made with Granny Smith apples and green tomatoes, spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, finished with a lattice crust. A rustic fall deep-dish pie with optional rum.

Honey lemon cake soaked in spiced white wine syrup with cinnamon and cloves, topped with honey yogurt cream and toasted almonds. Greek-inspired easy cake.

Spicy bean cake made with mashed pinto beans, diced apples, raisins, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add cocoa for a chocolate version.

Jam-filled spice cookies with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves sandwiched with apricot or raspberry preserves. Buttery shortbread-style cutout cookies with a stained-glass window center.

Lattice strawberry rhubarb pie with warm spices, ruby fruit bubbling through a woven golden crust. Classic spring dessert that balances tart rhubarb against sweet strawberries.

Lebkuchen German Christmas cookies blend honey, molasses, cardamom, and clove into a dense spiced dough rolled and cut into shapes. Family tradition, ages and keeps for months.

Linzer torte builds a press-in almond and clove dough into a tart shell, then crowns with raspberry preserves, fresh berries, sliced almonds, and a powdered sugar dust. Austrian classic from the city of Linz.

Vintage ribbon cake: plain vanilla and spiced molasses batters layered in stripes with a tart lemon-raisin filling between. An old-fashioned American cake worth reviving.

Chewy molasses oatmeal cookies with pecans, raisins, cinnamon, and cloves, drizzled with melted chocolate. Three cups of oats give these a hearty, old-fashioned chew.

Mulled summer fruits in Chenin Blanc, a make-ahead dessert of peaches, berries, and apricots soaked in spiced white wine syrup. Served chilled with sorbet or whipped cream.