50 Mouthwatering Holiday Desserts

By Brett Bralley
November 14, 2010
Photo: Michael Jensen
We hope you saved room! Our delicious dessert recipes are a festive finish to your meal.
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Rum Cake with Key Lime Buttercream

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Any dessert that involves rum and key lime is sure to be the star of the party. But what about one topped with sugared key limes and cranberries and a delectable buttercream frosting? Place a sweet treat that stunning—and tasty—on the dessert table, and it might just take the cake.

Recipe: Rum Cake, Key Lime Buttercream, and Sugared Key Limes and Cranberries

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Ginger-Pumpkin Trifle with Vanilla Mascarpone Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Layers of pumpkin, mascarpone, crushed cookies, and a coffee mixture create this show-stopping holiday trifle. 

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Cranberry-Orange Tart with Browned Butter Crust

Photo: Tara Donne

For a pretty presentation, top the tart with sugared cranberries: Steep whole berries in simple syrup in the refrigerator 8 hours, then roll in sugar and let stand 1 hour to dry.

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Smith Island Cake

Photo: Peter Frank Edwards

Create a show-stopping holiday cake by icing each beautiful layer with decadent Chocolate Ganache icing.

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Cranberry-Pistachio White Chocolate Bark with Sea Salt

Photo: Tara Donne

Microwaving the chocolate helps keep the temperature below 92°, ideal for tempering. Use the best-quality white chocolate you can find (not those labeled "baking chips").

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Browned Butter Chess Pie

For a pretty presentation, prepare a second recipe of the piecrust and cut out shapes with a small cookie cutter. Attach them to the edge of the crust with egg wash, and then bake and fill as directed.

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Chocolate-Coconut Macadamia Pie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Recipe by Jackie Mills, R.D

Macadamia nuts, chocolate, and espresso combine to make the filling of this decadent and delicious toasted coconut crust pie.

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Almond-Pear Pie

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Recipe: Kelly Kleisner

A pinwheel of beautiful pears makes the perfect topping for this luscious pie.

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Double Chocolate Bread Pudding

Photo: Laurie Black; Styling: Chelsea Fuss    

White chocolate, dark chocolate, French bread, and a Caramel-Coffee Sauce drizzle combine to make one irresistible end to any meal.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

Photographer: Luca Trovato, Writer: Rachel Bertone

Instead of traditional pumpkin pie, try this rich, luscious cheesecake. The crust is made from gingersnap cookie crumbs. Yum!

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Pumpkin Swirl Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Recipe: Royal Phillips

Nothing says cool weather comfort like pumpkin and gingersnap. Silky cream cheese gives this pie its fun swirl design.

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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Napoleons

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Pumpkin desserts don’t just belong in a pie shell. Try puff pastry sheets layered with the key ingredient—pumpkin butter. It’s the perfect finish to a holiday meal.

 

Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Napoleons

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Bourbon Balls

Photo: Jean Allsopp

Prepare these bite-size delights a few days in advance so that the bold bourbon flavor has time to mellow. With hints of vanilla and pecan, all rolled in powdered sugar, these are just right for a cocktail party.

 

Recipe: Bourbon Balls

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Maple-Glazed Pumpkin-Cranberry Coffee Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick , Styling: Linda Hirst

This moist, pretty cake features your favorite fall flavors--warm spices, tangy cranberries, and sweet maple syrup.

 

Recipe: Maple-Glazed Pumpkin-Cranberry Coffee Cake

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Plum Upside Down Pudding Cake

Photo: Tara Sgrol

Prepare this creamy dessert in a cast iron skillet. The buttermilk batter is the perfect complement to the sweet plums.

 

Recipe: Plum Upside Down Pudding Cake

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Pecan Tarts

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Serve classic holiday flavor in a not-so-traditional way with these sweet tarts, which are as delicious as they are fun to nibble on.

 

Recipe: Pecan Tarts

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Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Whip up this Lowcountry favorite for an alternative to your everyday chocolate cake and a tasty addition to a casual holiday celebration.

 

Recipe: Chocolate Coca Cola Cake

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Spice Cake with Tipsy Vanilla-Rum Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

If you're also serving to children, the sauce tastes just as good without the rum.

 

Recipe: Spice Cake with Tipsy Vanilla-Rum Sauce

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Coconut Buttermilk Pie

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Impress your dinner guests with minimal effort. This simple pie includes toasted coconut, a buttermilk batter, and dots of semisweet chocolate morsels—all in a premade crust.

 

Recipe: Coconut Buttermilk Pie

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Tres Leches Boston Cream Cake

Photo: Ray Kachatorian

Three different milks achieve the rich moistness of this spin on Boston Cream Pie.

 

Recipe: Tres Leches Boston Cream Cake

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Creamy Cheesecake with Espresso Fudge Sauce

Photo: Ralph Anderson

If you love the tangy flavor of cheesecake, try adding a new layer of decadence with rich espresso fudge.

 

Recipe: Creamy Cheesecake with Espresso Fudge Sauce

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Banana Crème Brûlée

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Helpful Hint: Prepare these the night before; they need to chill in the fridge at least eight hours.

 

Recipe: Banana Crème Brulee

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Berry Cobbler

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Nothing says comfort food like warm berries baked in a doughy crust. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

 

Recipe: Berry Cobbler

 

 

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Honey’s Carrot Cake

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Enjoy the sweetness of carrots, spices, and pecans topped with a cream cheese frosting. Let the cake chill before serving so the frosting will set.

 

Recipe: Honey’s Carrot Cake

 

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Lemon-Buttermilk Tart

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Slice into this easy-to-prepare tart made of lemon zest, eggs, sugar, buttermilk, and cornmeal baked in a pie shell and sprinkled with nutmeg.

 

Recipe: Lemon-Buttermilk Tart

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Holiday Gingerbread with Molasses Whipped Cream

Photo: Tina Cornett

It just isn’t the holidays without the timeless flavor of gingerbread. Give this traditional dessert an extra kick with molasses whipped cream.

 

Recipe: Holiday Gingerbread with Molasses Whipped Cream

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Caribbean Spice Cake

Photo: Jean Allsopp
Channel the islands during even the coldest months with this cake made of butternut squash, tamarind nectar, and a blend of spices. Top with yogurt sauce and serve alongside Mango Compote.

Recipe: Caribbean Spice Cake

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Pumpkin Custard

Photo: David Tsay

This dessert is incredibly simple and sure to wow friends and family. Just combine ingredients in a blender, pour into custard bowls, bake, and chill.

 

Recipe: Pumpkin Custard

 

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Macadamia Nut Tart

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Sometimes the best dessert has a tropical crunch. Place nuts in a tart shell and pour over a delicious caramel mix.

 

Recipe: Macadamia Nut Tart

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White Chocolate-Key Lime Pie

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

Tame the tartness of this dessert by introducing rich white chocolate. It’s sure to become a holiday favorite.

 

Recipe: White Chocolate-Key Lime Pie

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Orange Flan

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Serve up this traditional Mexican dessert with a citrus spin. The trick to achieving the right texture is sweetened condensed milk.

 

Recipe: Orange Flan

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Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut-Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner , Styling: Fonda Shaia

Create a memorable dessert packaged in a pint-size liner. These too-cute-to-eat treats get their vibrant flavor from coconut extract.

 

Recipe: Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut-Cream Cheese Frosting

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Chocolate-Walnut Brownies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

This dessert classic is packed with nutty flavor and makes the perfect finger food for a party.

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Apple Huckleberry Tarts

Photo: Caroline Kopp

Combine savory baked apples with the unexpected flavor of huckleberries.

 

Recipe: Apple Huckleberry Tarts

 

 

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Easy Red Velvet Cupcakes

Photo: Jim Bathie

Try this simple, handheld version of a Southern staple for a sweet surprise.

 

Recipe: Easy Red Velvet Cupcakes

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Graham Cracker Shortbread S’mores

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Preparing these tasty treats makes a fun activity for the kids.

 

Recipe: Graham Cracker Shortbread S’mores

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Chocolate Truffle Loaf with Raspberry Sauce

Photo: Sara Gray

This frozen dessert is a chocolate lover’s dream. Drizzle with raspberry sauce—a cinch with frozen berries.

 

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Loaf with Raspberry Sauce

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Float Away Layer Cake

Photo: Blake Pearson

The name says it all—one bite of layers of coconut, mango, and pineapple will transport you to a sunny tropical island.

 

Recipe: Float Away Layer Cake

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Open-Face Apple Pie with Salted Pecan Crumble

Photo: Jennifer Davick , Styling: Linda Hirst

The sweet cinnamon topping get its crunch from pecans and a pinch of Kosher salt.

 

Recipe: Open-Face Apple Pie with Salted Pecan Crumble

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Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake

Photo: Jim Franco , Styling: Rebecca Donnelly

Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake puts a holiday spin on a traditional cake that will have your guests coming back for more.

 

Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake

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Chocolate-Earl Grey Pound Cake

Photo: Fran Gealer

For topping, you can either douse cake in the dark chocolate sauce or provide dipping bowls so guests can control the amount.

 

Recipe: Chocolate-Earl Grey Pound Cake

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Chocolate-Bourbon Cake

Photo: Fran Gealer

This rich chocolate cake gets a sensational finish from a Coffee-Bourbon Syrup. It's so delicious that you can skip the ice cream, and we never skip the ice cream.

 

Recipe: Chocolate-Bourbon Cake

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Vanilla Buttermilk Crumb Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick , Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Cake flour helps to make this crumb cake light and airy.

 

Recipe: Vanilla Buttermilk Crumb Cake

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Cake de Ron (Rum Cake)

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

For miniature Bundt cakes as pictured, fill each mini Bundt pan two-thirds full, and bake 35 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

 

Recipe: Cake de Ron (Rum Cake)

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Banana Crumble