10 Delicious Last Minute Christmas Desserts

The countdown to Christmas is on, and the kitchen beckons with the aroma of delightful desserts. Despite the rush, there’s still time to whip up sensational last-minute Christmas treats that capture the spirit of the season.

In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, having quick and easy christmas desserts can be a lifesaver. Some favorite Christmas desserts and these recipes not only saves time but also offer a homemade touch that amplifies the joy of the festivities.

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Christmas Desserts Recipes

1. Quick Peppermint Bark

Crunchy candy canes meet velvety chocolate in this classic treat that takes minutes to make. The delightful christmas desserts is a mix of flavors and textures will instantly become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces of dark chocolate, chopped
• 12 ounces of white chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth.
2. Spread the melted dark chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Place it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set.
4. Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate using the same method. Stir in the peppermint extract.
5. Remove the dark chocolate from the fridge and pour the white chocolate over it.
6. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top and gently press them into the chocolate.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes until firm.
8. Once set, break the peppermint bark into pieces and enjoy!

2. Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Impress guests with one of the christmas desserts that is visually stunning and surprisingly simple to create. Chocolate and cream come together in a roll that embodies the spirit of the season.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
3. Beat the butter and brown sugar in a another bowl until they are light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined.
5. Mixing until a dough forms, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ones.
6. Using a surface dusted with flour, roll out the dough to a thickness of about ¼ inch.
7. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are firm.
9. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Decorate as desired with icing or enjoy them plain!

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3. Speedy Chocolate Yule Log

Christmas desserts is incomplete with this delicious dessert that’s surprisingly simple to create. Chocolate and cream come together in a roll that embodies the spirit of the season.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)
• Whipped cream and berries (for filling and garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and place parchment paper inside a jelly roll pan.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
3. Add the baking powder, cocoa powder, and flour and sift. Gently fold until just combined.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Evenly distribute the batter after pouring it into the pan.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
7. While still warm, carefully roll the cake with the parchment paper from one short end to the other.
8. Let it cool completely while rolled.
9. Unroll the cake, spread whipped cream evenly over it, and carefully roll it back up without the parchment paper.
10. Dust the log with confectioners’ sugar and decorate with berries.
11. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

4. Instant Eggnog Panna Cotta

A creamy delight infused with the flavors of eggnog, this is one of the quickest christmas desserts with its own elegance and simplicity. It’s the perfect blend of festive and sophisticated.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups eggnog
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ground nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
2. In a saucepan, heat eggnog and sugar over medium heat until steaming (do not boil).
3. Remove from heat, stir in the bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved.
4. Stir with vanilla extract after adding it.
5. Transfer the mixture into moulds or serving glasses.
6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
7. Before serving, sprinkle with a touch of ground nutmeg for that festive touch.

5. Rapid Cranberry Cheesecake

This speedy cheesecake combines tart cranberries with the richness of cream cheese. The result? One of the Christmas desserts that looks and tastes like it took hours to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
2. In a bowl, combine sugar, melted butter, and graham cracker crumbs. Fill the prepared pan to the brim with the ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat well after each addition of egg, one at a time.
5. Stir in vanilla extract.
6. Cover the crust with half of the cream cheese mixture.
7. Spoon cranberry sauce over the mixture.
8. Top with the remaining cream cheese mixture.
9. Use a knife to swirl the cranberry sauce into the batter.
10. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center is almost set.
11. Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack.
12. Before serving, place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

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6. Swift Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, pillowy rolls filled with cinnamon goodness are among one of the perfect christmas desserts. They can be ready in a fraction of the time it usually takes. Indulge in these warm treats for a perfect Christmas morning.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (¼ ounce) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• Cream cheese frosting (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.
5. After pricking the dough, roll it into a rectangle.
6. Spread softened butter over the dough.
7. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it over the buttered dough.
8. Roll the dough tightly and cut into slices.
9. Place the rolls in a greased baking pan and let them rise for 30 minutes.
10. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes, or until golden brown.
11. Optionally, frost the warm rolls with cream cheese frosting.

7. Fast Fruitcake Bites

Reinventing the traditional fruitcake, these bite-sized christmas desserts wonders are packed with fruits, nuts, and a hint of holiday spirits. Quick to make, delightful to savor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, cherries)
• One cup of chopped nuts, either pecans, almonds, or walnuts
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Rum or fruit juice for soaking (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a baking pan.
2. In a bowl, combine dried fruits and nuts with a tablespoon of flour. Toss to coat.
3. In another bowl, beat together melted butter and brown sugar until well combined.
4. Add eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
6. Mixing until just incorporated, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet components.
7. Fold in the dried fruit and nut mixture.
8. Evenly spoon the batter into the pan that has been prepared.
9. In order to ensure that a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
10. Optionally, soak the baked fruitcake bites in rum or fruit juice for added flavor.

8. Simple Snowball Truffles

Just a few ingredients come together to create these heavenly truffles. Roll them in coconut for a snowy effect and enjoy the blissful decadence and enjoy your christmas desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Three cups of sweetened or unsweetened coconut shreds
• White chocolate chips or almond bark for coating (optional)
• Additional shredded coconut for rolling

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
3. Stir in shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
4. Shape the mixture into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Refrigerate the balls for about 30 minutes until firm.
6. If desired, melt white chocolate chips or almond bark and dip the chilled balls to coat them.
7. Roll the coated balls in additional shredded coconut for a snowball effect.
8. Refrigerate until the coating sets before serving.

9. Effortless Apple Crisp

The comforting flavors of baked apples and spices make this one of the best christmas desserts as a true crowd-pleaser. It’s a delightful combination of simplicity and heavenly taste.

Ingredients:

• four cups of peeled and cored apple slices
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
2. In a bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Evenly distribute them within the prepared dish.
3. In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and softened butter until crumbly.
4. Evenly distribute the oat mixture over the apples.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the apples are soft and the topping is golden brown. Before serving, let it cool somewhat.
6. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.

10. Speedy Holiday Trifle

Layer upon layer of festive joy, this trifle is a beautiful medley of flavors and textures. It’s a showstopper when it comes to christmas desserts as that’s surprisingly easy to assemble.

Ingredients:

• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping
• 1 store-bought pound cake, cubed
• Two cups of mixed berries, comprising raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries
• ½ cup fruit preserves or jam (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. Let it set for a few minutes.
2. Fold in the whipped cream until well combined.
3. In a trifle dish or serving bowl, layer half of the cubed pound cake at the bottom.
4. Spoon half of the prepared pudding mixture over the cake layer.
5. Add a layer of mixed berries on top of the pudding.
6. Repeat the layers with the remaining cake, pudding, and berries.
7. Optionally, heat the fruit preserves or jam and drizzle it over the top layer of berries.
8. Refrigerate the trifle for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.

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Tips for Last-Minute Christmas Desserts

• Use ready-made shortcuts cleverly.
• Plan and organize your time efficiently.
• Embrace simplicity without compromising on taste.
• Adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a touch of edible glitter can elevate even the simplest desserts.
• Food styling and presentation matters and adds to the festive spirit.

In the rush of the holiday season, these last-minute Christmas desserts bring more than just sweetness to the table. They bring joy, togetherness, and the spirit of celebration.

This festive season, delight in the joy of creating delicious treats that bring warmth and happiness to your table. Enjoy the simplicity, savor the flavors, and embrace the magic of last-minute Christmas desserts!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I prepare these desserts ahead of time?

Most of these desserts can be partially prepared in advance, allowing you to assemble or bake them closer to serving time for the freshest taste.

2. Are these recipes suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! These recipes are designed to be simple, straightforward, and beginner-friendly, ensuring everyone can enjoy making them.

3. How can I store these desserts?

Properly stored in airtight containers or wrapped securely, these desserts can typically be refrigerated for a few days, ensuring their freshness.