Top 5 Irresistible Holiday Dessert Recipes to Try This Year

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• 1. Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Cake
• 2. Spiced Gingerbread Trifle
• 3. Eggnog Cheesecake Bars
• 4. Cranberry Orange Tart
• 5. Classic Pecan Pie with a Twist
• FAQs
• Conclusion

Introduction

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in decadent desserts that not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also bring warmth and joy to festive gatherings. This year, elevate your holiday celebrations with five irresistible dessert recipes that are sure to impress your family and friends. From rich chocolate cakes to tangy tarts, each recipe is easy to follow and packed with flavor. Let’s dive into these delightful treats that will make your holiday season even sweeter!

1. Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• For Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp peppermint extract
• 4-5 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, milk, oil, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Mix until well combined.
4. Carefully stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth.
5. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
6. For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, followed by the peppermint extract and cream until fluffy.
7. Once the cakes are cool, frost and stack them, adding additional crushed candy canes on top for garnish.

Why You’ll Love It:

The rich chocolate flavor paired with refreshing peppermint makes this cake a festive showstopper. It’s perfect for holiday parties or cozy family gatherings.

2. Spiced Gingerbread Trifle

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of gingerbread (from scratch or mix)
• 2 cups whipped cream
• 1 cup vanilla pudding
• 1 cup minced candied ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Prepare gingerbread according to your recipe or package instructions. Allow it to cool before cutting into cubes.
2. In a trifle bowl, layer gingerbread cubes, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and candied ginger.
3. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg between layers for added flavor.
4. Repeat layers until your bowl is full, ending with whipped cream on top.
5. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few pieces of candied ginger.

Why You’ll Love It:

This trifle combines the warm spices of gingerbread with creamy textures, making it a delightful and visually appealing dessert.

3. Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup sugar

For the filling:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup eggnog
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a crust.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggnog, eggs, vanilla, and nutmeg. Blend until creamy.
4. Pour filling over the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes until set.
5. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing into bars.

Why You’ll Love It:

These cheesecake bars are a fun twist on classic eggnog, perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to serve.

4. Cranberry Orange Tart

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk

For the filling:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar, and egg yolk to form a dough. Press into a tart pan.
2. Bake the crust for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
3. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest. Cook over medium heat until cranberries burst.
4. Dissolve cornstarch in a little water and stir into the cranberry mixture. Cook until thickened.
5. Pour cranberry filling into the crust and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It:

This tart is a refreshing change from traditional holiday desserts, with a perfect balance of tartness from the cranberries and sweetness from the orange.

5. Classic Pecan Pie with a Twist

Ingredients:

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Twist: ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Fit the pie crust into a pie dish.
2. In a bowl, mix corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.
4. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 60-70 minutes, until the filling is set and the top is golden.
5. Allow to cool before slicing.

Why You’ll Love It:

Adding chocolate chips to a classic pecan pie creates a delightful combination of flavors that will leave your guests craving more.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these desserts ahead of time?
A: Yes! Most of these desserts can be made a day or two in advance. Just be sure to store them properly.

Q: Are these recipes suitable for beginners?
A: Absolutely! Each recipe includes straightforward instructions, making them perfect for beginners as well as seasoned bakers.

Q: What can I substitute for eggs in these recipes?
A: You can use applesauce (1/4 cup per egg) or a commercial egg replacer.

Conclusion

This holiday season, don’t miss out on the chance to create unforgettable desserts that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Whether you opt for the rich Chocolate Peppermint Cake or the refreshing Cranberry Orange Tart, these recipes are sure to become holiday favorites. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to whip up some satisfying scoops of holiday cheer!

For more delicious dessert ideas, check out Food Network and Bon Appétit.