Every Christmas dinner absolutely needs a delicious dessert to complete it, right? You can go for cookies, cake, pie, fudge, or whatever else your heart desires, as long as your feast is finished off with a sweet treat. We've pulled together countless ideas to choose from (with no flavor or recipe type left behind!), because we know you want options.
Read ahead to get inspiration for what to serve after your savory start, be it turkey, ham, prime rib, or a satisfying veggie dish. You could even pick three or four desserts to serve — cookies make a great accent for a bundt cake! Whatever you choose, your guests will thank you for these decadent treats. Happy holidays from our table to yours!
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
Create the perfect seasonal display when you make a cozy gingerbread house. We won't tell if you take a couple bites of the exterior!
Get the recipe: cozy gingerbread house
Warm brownies with cold, creamy ice cream — does it get any better?
Get the recipe: double peppermint brownie skillets
These no-bake treats are made with cream cheese, Oreos, and chocolate chips. Need we say more?
Get the recipe: chocolate Oreo truffles
This holiday bark tastes like Christmas in your mouth, and with only three ingredients, you really can't go wrong.
Get the recipe: easy three-ingredient peppermint bark
Gingerbread is one of the season's most beloved staples, so why not take advantage of it while you can? When these pies are spiced just right, they will practically melt in your mouth.
Get the recipe: gingerbread whoopie pies
Complete with a secret Christmas tree inside, this recipe makes sure pound cake will never be drab again.
Get the recipe: Christmas tree eggnog pound cake
The beauty of this brown butter cake is all in the presentation, so be sure to decorate the top with pretty snowflake cookies and other seasonal motifs.
Get the recipe: brown butter pecan sheet cake
With cream cheese, goat cheese, and a lot of sugar, it doesn't get a whole lot better than this tasty cake.
Get the recipe: marbled cranberry cheesecake with goat cheese
Decadent and delicious, these brownies are topped with crunchy peppermint and rich chocolate.
Get the recipe: thick and fudgy dark chocolate peppermint mocha brownies
With a simple twist on a classic treat, this nutty dessert brings out all the best flavors.
Get the recipe: dark chocolate almond brittle
Cranberries are always a fun, festive addition to a Christmas treat, don't you think?
Get the recipe: nut-crusted cranberry tart
This layered cake is filled with a cinnamon spice frosting that creates an authentic horchata flavoring.
Get the recipe: horchata cake
Just think: a soft sugar cookie with crushed candy canes topped with creamy buttercream. Yum.
Get the recipe: candy cane sugar cookies
Made with real eggnog and rum (both in the bread and in the glaze), this bread is intoxicatingly delicious.
Get the recipe: eggnog bread with spiced rum glaze
These bite-size treats will practically melt in your mouth.
Get the recipe: cappuccino truffles
Moist, warm, and topped with cream cheese frosting, this delightful gingerbread loaf can be eaten with coffee and cocoa alike.
Get the recipe: gingerbread loaf
If you need something quick and easy, consider these bite-size brownies. Just bake brownie mix in mini muffin tins, top them with strawberries, and decorate with buttercream or whipped cream.
Get the recipe: Santa hat brownie bites
With nutmeg and cloves, this wow-worthy pie is the Christmas treat you've been looking for.
Get the recipe: gingerbread cookie pie
These ombré cookies are a cute host gift, and can be made for any holiday gathering. Sign us up!
Get the recipe: ombré peppermint slice and bake cookies
This red velvet dessert will look beautiful with your holiday spread.
Get the recipe: red velvet swirl bundt cake
The secret to making the perfect Christmas fudge is dressing it with red and green M&Ms, but don't tell anyone we told you.
Get the recipe: Christmas fudge
Think: red wine plus chocolate. Enough said.
Get the recipe: chocolate thumbprint cookies with red wine raspberry jam
Described as a "Puerto Rican eggnog," this coquito cake is a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, regular milk, lots of rum, and a hint of spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Get the recipe: coquito cake
These are amazing during the holidays because not only do they taste good, but they also have a red hue to match any Christmas tablescape.
Get the recipe: berry crinkle cookies
With rich olive oil and tasty fruit, this cake can be whipped up in 15 minutes and baked in 30!
Get the recipe: olive oil berry cake
These rich, creamy bite-size desserts will have people going back for seconds and thirds. Drizzle with white chocolate to make them look like a work of art.
Get the recipe: eggnog truffles
This beautiful pie will accent any Christmas meal perfectly.
Get the recipe: cranberry crumble pie
For a different take on the traditional Santa hat brownies, make them kabob-style! These are great for holiday parties since they are so easy to grab and eat while standing.
Get the recipe: strawberry Santa hat brownie kabobs
When you make everything mini, it means everyone gets their own pie!
Get the recipe: mini banoffee pie
Everyone will love how cute these green cookies are!
Get the recipe: Christmas wreath cookies
These cookies truly live up to their name!
Get the recipe: hot chocolate meltaway cookies
This fudge is so festive and will look perfect on your Christmas dinner table.
Get the recipe: candy cane fudge
These cookies are cute and appeal to every age group.
Get the recipe: lollipop sugar cookies
This cake has a fun surprise inside!
Get the recipe: amaretto matcha Christmas cake
It may look like candy, but this cake is coated in yummy meringues.
Get the recipe: meringue Christmas wreath cake
These delicious cookies pair well with a warm cup of hot cocoa.
Get the recipe: eggnog cookies
This trifle may be decadent, but it's so worth it.
Get the recipe: chocolate trifle
How sweet are these individual desserts?
Get the recipe: chocolate pot de creme
Your guests will be floored with just how beautiful this cake is.
Get the recipe: cranberry sour cream almond cake
It doesn't get much more decadently festive than these.
Get the recipe: white chocolate dipped peppermint sugar cookies
The salt in this recipe really brings out the richness of the maple.
Get the recipe: salted maple pie
These bars have seven layers of deliciousness!
Get the recipe: holiday seven-layer bars
The coffee in this cake make the chocolate really sing.
Get the recipe: coffee chocolate cake
Your guests won't be able to get over how cute these desserts are.
Get the recipe: peppermint Christmas gnome cupcakes
Shortbread cookies are so underrated, so make them the star of your dessert options!
Get the recipe: vanilla bean shortbread cookies
The colors in this throwback cake are reminiscent of years gone by.
Get the recipe: retro wreath cake
Oreos will always be a hit with guests.
Get the recipe: peppermint Oreo truffles
It doesn't get much easier than this fun pretzel bark recipe.
Get the recipe: peanut butter pretzel candy bark
This fudge recipe is incredibly simple to put together.
Get the recipe: chocolate fudge
Your standard sugar cookies get a holiday makeover with the addition of peppermint.
Get the recipe: peppermint sugar cookies
For a tiramisu that's a little bit different, try adding hazelnut.
Get the recipe: chocolate hazelnut tiramisu
These Oreo truffles use Andes mints to get their flavor.
Get the recipe: Oreo mint truffles
This holiday candy has a whole variety of yummy things in it.
Get the recipe: peppermint crunch rocky road bark
No Christmas is complete without sugar cookies!
Get the recipe: sugar cookies
These chewy cookies will absolutely melt in your mouth.
Get the recipe: chocolate marshmallow crinkle cookies
Bake up this traditional Christmas cake to wow all your guests.
Get the recipe: dulce de leche fruitcake
M&M cookies instantly feel festive when you use red and green candies.
Get the recipe: M&M chocolate chip cookies
This scrumptious cheesecake tastes like the classic Christmas drink with a drizzle of maple caramel to make it even sweeter.
Get the recipe: baked eggnog cheesecake with maple caramel
It's so easy to make these delicious Special K bars.
Get the recipe: holiday Special K bars
How fun are these candy cane blossoms?
Get the recipe: candy cane blossom sugar cookies
The spice in these cookies will offer a hint of zing after your meal.
Get the recipe: soft molasses cookies
You can use whatever candy bars your sweet tooth desires for this one.
Get the recipe: chocolate candy bar pie
This takes your favorite holiday drink and turns it into a yummy dessert.
Get the recipe: eggnog fudge
Instead of making a pecan pie, switch it up this year and turn your recipe into cookies instead.
Get the recipe: pecan pie cookies
The ingredients for this one make it naturally Christmas colored!
Get the recipe: pistachio cherry cheesecake
You can never go wrong with this delicious classic.
Get the recipe: crème brulée
This pie will be bright and fun and not the kind of pie you're used to.
Get the recipe: crustless cranberry pie
It doesn't get much richer than this pie.
Get the recipe: Southern buttermilk chess pie
This cake will cap off any holiday meal perfectly.
Get the recipe: white chocolate peppermint poke cake
This delectable dessert is deliciously airy, sweet, and perfect for caramel-lovers.
Get the recipe: classic flan