For those of us that are planners, organizers and schedulers, this time of year is when we start to think about all things holiday and Christmas-related! And these 65 easy make-ahead holiday desserts are sure to put you in that spirit a little sooner.
Related: 80 Best Christmas Candy Recipes
From before Thanksgiving until the New Year, the days become a blur of so many activities and events, if you are a little more organized, it can truly take some of the stress out of your holiday, and let you enjoy them even more.
What Desserts Can Be Made and Frozen
When it comes to planning holiday meals and treats, there are so many ways you can get a jump on things so you aren’t trying to have it all come together at the last minute.
- pies can be made a couple days ahead, and certain ones can be frozen for a month before
- cookies and candy can be frozen weeks in advance
- pineapple upside down cake and cheesecake
- angel food and pound cakes can both be frozen and defrosted quickly
Related: 50 Best Christmas Cupcakes
What Is The Most Popular Dessert At Christmas
While we all have our favorite sweet treats we look forward to every year at Christmastime, there is in fact one that beats out all the rest when it comes to popularity.
The Classic Christmas Yule Log is the #1 beloved holiday dessert. You can learn how to make one for your Christmas table here.
Easy Holiday Desserts
Having your sweet treats in the freezer, waiting for the moment you are ready to plate them for your guests, or box them up to mail to your loved ones really puts the joy back into holiday baking! Launch the gallery to find 65 holiday sweets you can be making right now!
Russian Tea Cakes, Mint Chocolate Macaroons and Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies make perfect gifts. You will also find some tasty desserts you can make a couple of days ahead (or the night before), like my Candy Cane Fluff and Snowy Day Gingerbread.
Get a jump start on your holiday baking this year by devising a plan to curb some of the hustle and bustle of the season. Be sure to jot down your favorites, pin them and share too!
Related: 70 Best Winter Desserts
Best Make-Ahead Holiday Desserts
Peppermint Pattie Snowdrifts
Betty Crocker
Think peppermint patty candy, but in cookies!
Get the recipe: Peppermint Pattie Snowdrifts
Related: 200+ Christmas Cookies
Peppermint Oreo Candy Bark
Donna Elick
How do you make peppermint bark better? Add Oreos of course!
Get the recipe: Peppermint Oreo Candy Bark
Andes Mint Cookies
Cooking Classy
Everyone’s favorite after dinner mint made into a yummy cookie.
Get the recipe: Andes Mint Cookies
Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Shea Goldstein
A holiday twist on the original Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Get the recipe: Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Gingerbread Muffins
Krista Marshall
A festive dessert you can eat for breakfast.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Muffins
Snowy Day Gingerbread
Krista Marshall
Have it with a glass of milk after dinner, or with coffee for breakfast.
Get the recipe: Snowy Day Gingerbread
Candy Cane Cookies
Parade
A basic sugar cookie dough gets a festive upgrade.
Get the recipe: Candy Cane Cookies
Candy Cane Fluff
Krista Marshall
Peppermint lovers will lick the bowl clean.
Get the recipe: Candy Cane Fluff
Orange Linzer Wreath Cookies
David Malosh
Almost too pretty to eat.
Get the recipe: Orange Linzer Wreath Cookies
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Lori Lange
With only 4 ingredients, anyone can be a fudge expert.
Get the recipe: Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
Related: 25 Fabulous Fudge Recipes
Chewy Double Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
Donna Elick
The perfect cookie for the chocolate lovers in your life.
Get the recipe: Chewy Double Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
Pumpkin Fluff
Krista Marshall
Think pumpkin pie without the crust!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Fluff
Peanut Brittle
Liz Gutman and Jen King
This classic Christmas candy is still beloved today.
Get the recipe: Peanut Brittle
Easy Chocolate Fudge
Krista Marshall
This simple chocolate fudge can be made with or without nuts.
Get the recipe: Easy Chocolate Fudge
Giada’s Peppermint-Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Giada De Laurentiis
A peppermint filling sandwiched between two sugar cookies.
Get the recipe: Giada’s Peppermint-Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Rummy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
David Malosh
A little boozy addition to your cookie platter.
Get the recipe: Rummy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Cookies and Cream Fluff
Krista Marshall
Light, fluffy and filled with Oreos through and through.
Get the recipe: Cookies and Cream Fluff
Brownie Peppermint Cookies
Cooking Classy
A chewy brownie and chocolate cookie all in one bite.
Get the recipe: Brownie Peppermint Cookies
Candy Cane Crinkle Cookies
The Black Peppercorn
The colors of Christmas in every bite.
Get the recipe: Candy Cane Crinkle Cookies
Christmas Tree Oreos
Moore Or Less Cooking
A great way to let the kids help decorate this year.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Oreos
Related: 45 Chocolate Cookies for Santa
Christmas Cake Batter Dip
Moore Or Less Cooking
Perfect for holiday parties served with animal crackers or gingerbread men.
Get the recipe: Christmas Cake Batter Dip
Crescent Roll Pecan Pie Bars
Plain Chicken
Crescent roll crust topped with pecan pie filling.
Get the recipe: Crescent Roll Pecan Pie Bars
Christmas White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Plain Chicken
Festive colors and sweet white chocolate chips.
Get the recipe: Christmas White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Eggnog Cookies
Cooking Classy
The favorite holiday beverage, now in cookie form.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Cookies
Easy Christmas Fudge
Southern Bite
This could be the star of those Christmas candy tins this year.
Get the recipe: Easy Christmas Fudge
Ginger Molasses Thumbprint Cookies
Saving Room For Dessert
A gingery twist to a classic thumbprint cookie.
Get the recipe: Ginger Molasses Thumbprint Cookies
Eggnog Cake
Saving Room For Dessert
A new festive, yummy way to enjoy eggnog.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Cake
Funfetti Shortbread Bites
Cooking Classy
So much festive flavor and color in such a small package.
Get the recipe: Funfetti Shortbread Bites
Icebox Fruitcake
Southern Bite
If you don’t think you like fruitcake, this will change all that.
Get the recipe: Icebox Fruitcake
Related: 20 Amazing No-Bake Icebox Desserts
Lemon Snowball Cookies
Cooking Classy
Add a refreshing flavor to your Christmas cookie platter this year.
Get the recipe: Lemon Snowball Cookies
Peppermint Bark
Southern Bite
Layers of white and dark chocolate topped with crush peppermint candy.
Get the recipe: Peppermint Bark
Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
Cooking Classy
So soft and buttery, they will practically melt in your mouth.
Get the recipe: Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
Saving Room For Dessert
A light and fruity thumbprint cookie.
Get the recipe: Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
Salted Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bark
Southern Bite
Sweet and salty in every bite.
Get the recipe: Salted Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bark
Santa Bellies
Southern Bite
The kids will love helping to make these fun treats.
Get the recipe: Santa Bellies
Soft Sugar Cookies
Plain Chicken
Who doesn’t love a soft cookie with tons of sprinkles?
Get the recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies
Spritz Cookies
Saving Room For Dessert
These old fashioned cookies are buttery and delicious.
Get the recipe: Spritz Cookies
White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Cooking Classy
One of the prettiest cookies on your Christmas dessert tray this year.
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Butter Cookies
Spend With Pennies
These buttery cookies will melt in your mouth.
Get the recipe: Butter Cookies
White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Cooking Classy
Soft and chewy peppermint sugar cookies.
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Related: 25 Very Pretty Christmas Cookies
Chocolate Cherry Almond Christmas Cookies
Julia's Simply Southern
A dainty shortbread cookie that is elegant and delicious.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Cherry Almond Christmas Cookies
Christmas Candy Bark
The Country Cook
A festive treat using all your favorite snacks and candy.
Get the recipe: Christmas Candy Bark
Christmas Cookie Dip
Salty Side Dish
A 5-minute dessert perfect for parties.
Get the recipe: Christmas Cookie Dip
Christmas Crack
The Country Cook
Look what you can do with saltine crackers!
Get the recipe: Christmas Crack
Christmas M&M Cookies
Spend With Pennies
Kids will be grabbing these off the Christmas cookie tray left and right.
Get the recipe: Christmas M&M Cookies
Easy Gingerbread Fudge
Spend With Pennies
Move over chocolate and peanut butter, there is a new favorite fudge in town.
Get the recipe: Easy Gingerbread Fudge
Grandma’s Meringue Cookies
Spend With Pennies
Airy bites of lemony goodness.
Get the recipe: Grandma’s Meringue Cookies
Haystack Cookies
The Salty Side Dish
A no-bake creation from peanut butter and crunchy chow mein noodles.
Get the recipe: Haystack Cookies
Holiday Blondie Bars
The Country Cook
Made with boxed cake mix and eggnog, this simple treat is sweet and delicious.
Get the recipe: Holiday Blondie Bars
Marshmallow Fluff Christmas Dip
Salty Side Dish
A light and airy dip perfect for pretzels, cookies or even apples.
Get the recipe: Marshmallow Fluff Christmas Dip
Related: 12 Recipes With Mini Marshmallows
Mint Chocolate Macaroons
Unoriginal Mom
If you’re looking for a cookie that gives major wow factor, you found it.
Get the recipe: Mint Chocolate Macaroons
Molasses Sugar Cookies
Plain Chicken
Crisp on the outside with a chewy center.
Get the recipe: Molasses Sugar Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Saving Room For Dessert
A classic Christmas cookie that is always on everyone’s baking list.
Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Blossoms
Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
Spend With Pennies
Grab the kids and cookie cutters and have some fun.
Get the recipe: Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
Russian Tea Cakes
Saving Room For Dessert
You might know these as wedding cookies too.
Get the recipe: Russian Tea Cakes
Speculaas Spiced Cookies
Saving Room For Dessert
A spiced, crisp cookie popular in Germany, Austria, Belgium and The Netherlands.
Get the recipe: Speculaas Spiced Cookies
Vanilla Pretzel Cookies
Saving Room For Dessert
A crispy butter cookie filled with vanilla flavor and topped with coarse sugar.
Get the recipe: Vanilla Pretzel Cookies
Roczki Cookies (Kolacky)
Saving Room For Dessert
A cigar shaped cookie with a lemony, ground nut filling.
Get the recipe: Roczki Cookies (Kolacky)
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
The Country Cook
This classic cookie is a must on every Christmas table.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Christmas Tree Hand Pies
The Country Cook
Individual pies perfect for a holiday party.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Hand Pies
Related: 34 Sweet and Savory Hand Pie Recipes
Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies
The Country Cook
Its like a stained glass window for your cookie plate.
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies
Hot Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
The Country Cook
A fun, festive twist on a classic no-bake cookie.
Get the recipe: Hot Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Meringue Christmas Trees
The Country Cook
These will be the cutest cookie on your dessert table.
Get the recipe: Meringue Christmas Trees
Cranberry Fluff
My Baking Addiction
A whole new way to enjoy this festive fruit.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Fluff
Pfeffernüsse Spice Cookies
Saving Room For Dessert
A traditional German cookie sweetened with honey and molasses.
Get the recipe: Pfeffernüsse Spice Cookies
Related: 25 Must Have Christmas Cookies
Krista Marshall
Up next, 200+ easy Christmas cookie recipes your family will love!
