72 Easy Holiday Desserts To Take Some Stress Off Your Plate

If you’re like us, life around the holidays can get crazy chaotic. While we’ve all got dreams of decking the halls and Christmas baking, the reality is we don’t always have the time or the expertise. Luckily, we’ve got a ton of sweet treats here that’ll keep up your holiday spirit even if you’ve got a busy schedule or aren’t that confident in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking to jazz up a store-bought dessert, want something homemade but completely no-bake, or are willing to turn on your oven but not for long, we’ve got recipes here for you. Check out our best super-easy holiday desserts—they’ll keep you feeling jolly all season long.

When it comes to Christmas desserts, cookies are practically a competitive sport. While we’re not immune to the pull of wanting to create over-the-top versions completely from-scratch (see our new ugly sweater cookies for proof), we’re just as big of fans of adding easy ingredients to store-bought to make them extra festive. Check out our reindeer Milanos, our melted snowmen cookies, our mini gingerbread houses, our Santa hat cheesecake bites, or our Oreo penguins for ideas. They’re really ALL about the decorations, so get creative!

Want a recipe that takes a bit more effort but still don’t want to get your oven involved? We’ve got a ton of no-bake options on this list that are still sure to impress. Try our Oreo truffles, our Rice Krispie snowballs (stuffed with peanut butter cups), our mint chocolate chip pie, our cookies 'n' cream ice cream, or our bourbon balls. They’re still completely homemade, but you won’t have to bend over backward to make them.

If you're willing to turn on your oven to achieve holiday dessert greatness, we’ve got additional options for you. You’ll only need to use your oven to toast nuts or par-bake crust for these recipes, so they’re still pretty low-stress. Try our cranberry pie, stained glass cookies, chocolate coconut balls, or sweet & salty holiday toffee to see what we mean. They look extra-impressive, and only you’ll know how little effort they took. 😉

Want even more Christmas inspiration? Check out our top Christmas appetizers, dinners, and cocktails too.

Want to turn Santa's milk and cookies into a dessert you can serve a crowd? This no-bake icebox showstopper is for you—did we mention it only has 4 ingredients?

Get the Milk 'N' Cookies Icebox Cake recipe.

Peppermint bark is a candy we cannot wait to get our hands on every holiday season. Luckily for you, you can make a batch in just 10 minutes flat.

Get the Peppermint Bark recipe.

This no-bake pie tastes just like the beloved ice cream flavor. Looking for more no-bake mint chocolate goodness? Give our mint chip lasagna a try too!

Get the Mint Chocolate Chip Pie recipe.

Love sugar cookies but hate decorating them? These are for you! The centers will stay soft and chewy after cooling and add the brightest pop of color to any celebration.

Get the Stained Glass Cookies recipe.

If you’re looking for a boozy treat to get the party started, these bourbon balls are calling your name. Made with finely chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and of course, bourbon, these no-bake cookie truffles highlight the flavor of the bourbon while taming its typical burn. Warning: You won’t be able to stop at one!

Get the Bourbon Balls recipe.

Oreo pie gets its name from the fact that it’s made with an Oreo cookie crust, Oreo and cream filling, and topped with—you guessed it—crushed Oreos. This is a dessert for cookies-and-cream lovers ONLY.

Get the Oreo Pie recipe.

These adorable Christmas trees are perfect for when you don't have a ton of time but still want to make something cute and festive. They're easy to assemble and the kids can even help decorate! Use your favorite brownie recipe or keep it simple and use a boxed brownie like we did here.

Get the Christmas Tree Brownies recipe.

These Rice Krispie treats are the perfect holiday sweet. They're super-easy to make, and the mini Reese's inside make for a fun surprise. Decorate them with white or milk chocolate—just don't forget the sprinkles!

Get the Rice Krispie Snowballs recipe.

These mini cheesecake bites are the easiest way to show Santa you deserve to be on the nice list this Christmas. Bonus: You can top any holiday treat with these adorable little hats—cupcakes, cookies, Jell-O shots...

Get the Santa Hat Cheesecake Bites recipe.

Raid the Christmas cookie and candy aisles to jazz these up—a bit of crushed candy or changing up the variety of Oreo can add a fun boost of flavor and color to your truffles. Make sure to save a little extra too, so you can top each truffle with some crumbs.

Get the Oreo Truffles recipe.

The filling of this pie tastes like a combination of coconut panna cotta, cranberry curd, and raspberry sorbet. The crust, made of crushed Biscoff, is the perfect foil for the sweet-tart filling. Plus, it tastes like cookie butter.

Get the Cranberry Pie recipe.

Easy sugar cookies get turned into the cutest snowman cookies. Use our favorite sugar cookie icing and homemade or store-bought cookies to make these super-simple.

Get the Melted Snowman Cookies recipe.

You don't need a machine to make a homemade batch of ice cream—just a strong arm and some imagination. Here, we folded in Oreos, caramel sauce, and a touch of instant coffee for a caffeinated kick.

Get the Coffee Cookies 'N' Cream Ice Cream recipe.

Take a batch of boxed cake mix cupcakes to the next level of cuteness with some shredded coconut, M&Ms, and Oreos. These are perfect for a holiday bake sale or kids party.

Get the Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes recipe.

These Oreo truffles shaped like coal will make you wish you were on the naughty list! Make a batch and trick your friends and family this Christmas.

Get the Oreo Coal recipe.

This crazy boxed cake mix hack makes super-fudgy crinkle cookies—with a third of the typical ingredients. If you're not a chocolate person (😱!!!), you can use any type of boxed cake mix—vanilla, Funfetti, even red velvet.

Get the Chocolate Cool Whip Cookies recipe.

These are too cute and come together SO fast, thanks to store-bought Milanos, M&M's, pretzels, and store-bought frosting.

Get the Milano Reindeer Cookies recipe.

Got an excess of holiday sugar cookies? This is the BEST way to use them, even if they're iced. If you don't have extra sugar cookies, bake some off! The easiest route is to buy store-bought cookie dough, but if you have a recipe you love, go for it. The truffles will be even better for it.

Get the Sugar Cookie Truffles recipe.

Finally catch that Elf on the Shelf in the midst of his crazy antics with this no-bake mischief munch.

Get the Elf on the Shelf Mischief Munch recipe.

It really is as easy as it sounds: Simply put heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt into a jar, then shake it! You do have to shake it for a full 5 minutes, so this is a great recipe to do with kids—we’re big fans of swapping the jar back and forth so no one gets tired.

Get the Mason Jar Ice Cream recipe.

It's time for ice cream to take center stage for the holidays, specifically this peppermint ice cream. It's delicious served plain, topped with chocolate sauce, or layered into a Christmas sundae with brownies, whipped cream, and shards of peppermint bark.

Get the Peppermint Ice Cream recipe.

Covered in red velvet cake crumbs, these white chocolate-cream cheese truffles are the perfect small bite for a Christmas party.

Get the Red Velvet Cheesecake Bites recipe.

Holy cannoli this dip is good! Making homemade cannoli is fun but time consuming and can be hard to make for a crowd. This dip version is all the fun without the hassle.

Get the Cannoli Dip recipe.

Icebox cake may be an old-school concept, but this recipe is truly spectacular. The combination of lemon curd and cream cheese frosting is intensely citrusy and refreshing, and the quick candied lemon peel makes it priceless.

Get the Lemon Icebox Cake recipe.

Fantasy fudge is a shortcut fudge that is just as good as the real thing. Our two favorite things about it are that 1) it's quick to make and 2) it's totally customizable! Not only can you use any chocolate you like, but you can also choose whatever mix-ins you want.

Get the Fantasy Fudge recipe.

If you're going to emulate Buddy's spaghetti breakfast from the movie Elf, you might as well make it actually edible (and delish). These no-bake cookies are the perfect treat and include all the main food groups. We love taking these to cookie exchanges to switch things up!

Get the Buddy the Elf Cookies recipe.

You already know about chocolate-covered strawberries, but have you tried chocolate-dipped oranges? They're the perfect winter treat.

Get the Chocolate Cuties recipe.

Use the base of these impossible-to-mess-up cookies as your launchpad, then stir in some additions to make them your own. Unsweetened shredded coconut, almond extract, chocolate peanut butter or Nutella, and chopped nuts all add extra depth to these cookies. Use a crunchy peanut butter or almond butter if you like too.

Get the No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies recipe.

With only five ingredients—sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate, and gingerbread spices—this holiday fudge is insanely easy to make.

Get the Gingerbread Fudge recipe.

This no-bake treat is every cookie dough lover's dream. The best part? The cookie dough is eggless, flour-free, and 100% safe to eat. You're welcome.

Get the Cookie Dough Trifle recipe.

Not a fan of candy canes but still want that peppermint flavor? Make this peppermint bark instead. The green food dye is optional, but we think it adds an extra layer of fun (and color!).

Get the Oreo Peppermint Bark recipe.

Don't have much time to bake this Christmas? These shortcut cookies are like magical elves, coming together with 5 ingredients in less than 30 minutes.

Get the Cake Mix Christmas Cookies recipe.

If you love eggnog (or even if you don't!), this recipe is for you. Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cream wrapped in white chocolate—what could be better?

Get the Eggnog Truffles recipe.

This will make your holiday table feel festive and bright. Bonus: It's WAY easier to decorate than an actual tree, so get the kids involved.

Get the Oreo Christmas Tree recipe.

These Oreos are TOO cute. Get them dipped yourself, then have kids help decorate them. You'll be surprised at how creative they'll turn out.

Get the Oreo Penguins recipe.

This easy "toffee" turns a simple saltine into a dessert. It does bake for 15 minutes, but trust us, it's SO easy, it won't feel like baking at all.

Get the Sweet & Salty Holiday Toffee recipe.

We could barely get this stuff photographed because we kept sneaking bites of it. Whether you make this for a holiday party, a Christmas movie marathon, or gift for your coworkers, warn those who try it that they probably won't be able to stop. 😉

Get the Reindeer Bait recipe.

Craving a gingerbread house but don't want to have to bake one? Use graham crackers instead! They're just as fun to decorate but are WAY easier to assemble.

Get the Mini Gingerbread Houses recipe.

We get it; maybe you just can't choose between a chocolaty pie, cake, or ice cream? This ice cream pie is the most delicious compromise: a buttery Oreo crust is filled with a cookies 'n' cream ice cream (and plenty of hot fudge sauce).

Get the Cookies 'N' Cream Ice Cream Pie recipe.

The only downside to a cheesecake is how long it takes to bake and how fussy it can be (water bath? no thank you!). A no-bake cheesecake takes all the stress away. Plus, it takes about half the time to make.

Get the Easy No-Bake Cheesecake recipe.

Six pints of ice cream and magic shell to top it off? This ice cream cake—inspired by the classic Italian gelato flavor of pistachio, strawberry, and chocolate—is too good.

Get the Spumoni Ice Cream Cake recipe.

Deck the halls! It's time to get your Christmas wreaths out. And we're not talking the kind you hang on the door. No, it's time to make a batch of cornflake wreaths! Perfect for lovers of Rice Krispies treats, these Christmas cookies are as simple as they are delicious.

Get the Cornflake Wreaths recipe.

Homemade ice cream—is there anything better? Sure, you could buy it in a pint or trek to a scoop shop, but ice cream made in your own kitchen not only tastes better, it has a bit of magic to it. The best part is you don't need any fancy equipment to make this homemade ice cream.

Get the Cookies & Cream Ice Cream recipe.

Believe your eyes: This cheesecake only has four ingredients! You don't even have to turn on your oven to make what's about to become your new favorite cheesecake.

Get the No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake recipe.

These are a perfect hot chocolate accompaniment—they're the chocolate toppings and stirrer all in one.

Get the Candy Cane Marshmallow Dippers recipe.

Making snowmen out of powdered donuts is WAY easier (and warmer!) than making them out of snow. We used M&Ms, sour belts, and melted chocolate for ours, but have fun with it and make them your own.

Get the Snowman Donuts recipe.

Traditional pate a choux, the French dough used to make classic eclairs and profiteroles, can be a difficult pastry to make, so for this cheater version we use graham crackers. They're not technically anything like an éclair, but they're still great for layering in this cake and become soft as the cake chills (sort of like in an icebox cake!).

Get the Éclair Cake recipe.

If you need a quick and easy dessert idea, these peanut butter and chocolate confetti squares are the perfect thing. They are a breeze to put together and after a quick chill in the fridge, everyone will go crazy for them. Holiday marshmallows make for an extra fun pop of color, so use them instead of white if you can find 'em.

Get the Confetti Squares recipe.

If you love Almond Joy candy bars, these chocolate coconut balls are calling your name. Packed with toasted almonds (use store-bought to completely avoid your oven) and two kinds of coconut, they are chewy, nutty, and totally scrumptious. Oh... and did we mention they’re also covered in chocolate? 😋

Get the Chocolate Coconut Balls recipe.

Loaded with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate, these buckeyes are basically a homemade Reese’s peanut butter cup in truffle form. They’re easy to make and great for taking to parties—although if you do, you should probably attach a warning label to the plate. You won’t be able to have just one.

Get the Buckeyes recipe.

This chocolate bark is endlessly adaptable. Feel free to customize and make it your own, but don’t forget the flaky sea salt — it helps pull all the flavors together.

Get the Sweet 'N Salty Chocolate Bark recipe.

Rum balls are the perfect make-ahead holiday dessert because they're no-bake and take almost no time to throw together. Other than the wafers and nuts, you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry (and bar!) too. Feel free to roll them in powdered sugar, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, or even sprinkles.

Get the Rum Balls recipe.

These are the perfect cookie decorating project for kids (and adults who just feel like one this time of year!). All you've got to do is snag some Lofthouse cookies and candy from the store, then get creative with the ornament decorations.

Get the Rolo Ornament Cookies recipe.

Only a grinch wouldn't watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas before Christmas. If you need a snack for your umpteenth viewing, try these Rice Krispie treats. Use mini M&Ms and store-bought or homemade frosting to get the Grinch's narrow, up-to-no-good look just right.

Get the Grinch Kranky Treats recipe.

We've seen a lot of impressive ugly sweater cakes on the Internet that show off some MAJOR piping skills. For ours though, all you need to pipe a few thick lines on a store-bought or homemade cake to make it look like somewhat like a sweater, then go crazy with the decor!

Get the Ugly Sweater Cake recipe.

Orange and vanilla is one of our favorite flavor combinations, year-round. You too? Try our creamsicle milkshake next.

Get the Creamsicle Cheesecake recipe.

These keto truffles are surprisingly decadent. The secret ingredient? Avocados!

Get the Keto Chocolate Truffles recipe.

This fudge is perfect whether you're a fan of the movie franchise, or just loving the winter wonderland outside. Use whatever winter-y sprinkles you can find!

Get the Frozen Fudge recipe.

Cannoli are wonderful, but there's a reason people usually buy them—when it gets busy around the holidays, we can't be bothered to fry the shells! These are a cheat version everyone can get behind, especially littler kids.

Get the Cannoli Cones recipe.

We've taken the classic chocolate wafer icebox cake and made it part cheesecake. Swap in Oreos for the chocolate wafer cookies if you like, or just use them as decoration atop the chocolate ganache.

Get the Black & White Cheesecake Icebox Cake recipe.

Oreo lovers, be prepared to eat a whole batch of these. These cookie balls are essentially truffles. You simply crush up Oreos (we like using a food processor, but the old zip-top bag and rolling pin definitely works), mix them up with cream cheese, and then dunk those balls into melted chocolate.

Get the Oreo Cookie Balls recipe.

This easy dessert takes no time, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Wondering about the coconut oil? It serves two functions. 1. It thins the chocolate slightly, making it easier to dip the Oreos. 2. It helps the chocolate set much more quickly in the fridge. It's a win/win!

Get the Chocolate-Covered Oreos recipe.

Few desserts are as easy as an icebox cake. If you can whip cream, you're basically halfway there. Oreo Thins make a great cookie base because they can soften perfectly all the way through, but, honestly, a a regular Oreo or even holiday Oreos will work just as well if you have those on hand.

Get the Easy Icebox Cake recipe.

Mint chocolate lovers will lose their minds over this no-bake dessert. We used mint Oreos, but if you already have the classic kind on hand, feel free to use those instead. Adding mint extract to the cheesecake layer is what's absolutely key.

Get the Mint Chip Lasagna recipe.

This tastes just like an eggnog cheesecake. Serve it with any of your favorite holiday cookies (we like gingerbread people or gingersnaps, but you do you).

Get the Christmas Cheesecake Dip recipe.

White and semisweet chocolate chips make these extra decadent! Our favorite part about them? They taste just like all our favorite Baileys cocktails, but you can eat more than one.

Get the Baileys Truffles recipe.

We're not exaggerating when we say we're obsessed with this combination of Rice Krispies treats and s'mores. Swapping Golden Grahams cereal is our favorite new game-changer.

Get the S'mores Krispie Treats recipe.

Could an ice cream get more festive? It gets its gorgeous red and white swirls from mixing in crumbled baked red velvet cake. Use store-bought, leftover, or make your own (from a cake mix is fine!).

Get the Red-Velvet No-Churn Ice Cream recipe.

You'll never look at peppermint bark the same way again. You could use graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or Oreos with this dip, but we really love it with Milano cookies.

Get the Peppermint Bark Dip recipe.

Lick your spoon clean: Made with stevia sweetener, this spiced, layered trifle is absolutely guiltless. You might just want to put the butterscotch sauce on everything.

Get the Gingerbread Butterscotch Trifles recipe.

Move over, summery banana pudding, there's a new trifle in town. Sweet layers of caramel vanilla pudding, fried apples, crunchy ginger cookies, and graham crackers create a symphony of winter-friendly flavors, and we can't get enough of it.

Get the Caramel Apple Pudding recipe.

Frosting sugar cookies can be such a pain, with all those piping bags and food coloring. Make life easier on yourself and pair sugar cookies with this easy dip instead! Make our perfect sugar cookies to go with it, or just use store-bought (no judgment!).

Get the Frosted Sugar Cookie Dip recipe.