Look no further for fun, festive and easy Christmas desserts. From classics to something new, we have the BEST holiday treats!
What’s Not to Love?!
When it comes to Christmas festivities, do you prefer your desserts to be holiday-themed like a Yule Log Cake and Gingerbread Cookies ? Or do you opt for favorite classics like Chocolate Bundt Cake and Scotcheroos ?
Regardless of your preference, this list of 65+ easy Christmas desserts has something for everyone! We’ve included all of the classics and a few new sweets to try. From holiday parties to gifting, you’ll have plenty to bake – the hard part will be narrowing it down from these amazing collection of easy Christmas desserts.
Serve one (or several) with Hot Chocolate and Eggnog , and you’re set for your next holiday gathering!!
PRO TIP: Pin or bookmark this list so you’re ready with the sweetest Christmas desserts when it’s time to celebrate the season!
Table of Contents
Top 10 Most Loved Christmas Desserts
These loved Christmas dessert recipes are festive, crowd-pleasing treats that make every holiday celebration a little sweeter!
1 Italian Christmas Cookies
Italian Christmas Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
Traditional Italian Christmas cookies are a festive version of a classic – flavored with almond extract and covered in a simple almond glaze.
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2 Yule Log Recipe
Yule Log Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
This yule log recipe is a traditional holiday dessert made from a chocolate cake rolled with a chocolate filling. It's beautifully tasty!
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3 Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
Bake up our favorite soft and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe with just a few simple steps – they're perfect for decorating and sharing!
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4 Christmas Crack Recipe
Christmas Crack Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
This sweet and salty Christmas crack recipe is a simple take on classic toffee with only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to assemble!
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5 Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Soft, buttery, and festive, our Christmas Sugar Cookies are a holiday must! Perfect for frosting, decorating, and gifting.
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6 Turtle Candy Recipe
Turtle Candy Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
This simple caramel turtle recipe has a baked pecan base smothered in chocolate and homemade caramel – a perfect treat for sharing!
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7 Snowball Cookie Recipe
Snowball Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 24 minutes minutes
Buttery pecan snowball cookies rolled in powdered sugar are melt-in-your-mouth holiday favorites that are easy, classic, and so delicious.
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8 Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Sticky Toffee Pudding Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes
Buttery, sweet, and moist – this sticky toffee pudding is a MUST have treat! It takes several steps but is well worth the work!
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9 Spritz Cookie Recipe
Spritz Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 21 minutes minutes
This buttery sweet spritz cookie recipe is festive and fun to make, a pressed cookie adaptable to any occasion with various shapes and colors!
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10 Pistachio Dessert Recipe
Pistachio Dessert Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 18 minutes minutes
Delicious pistachio dessert has a crunchy shortbread cookie base for the perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, sweet + salty.
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Peppermint + Candy Cane Favorites
Minty, merry, and so giftable. Plus, they’re the perfect cookies to enjoy with cocoa!
11 Peppermint Sugar Cookie Recipe
Peppermint Sugar Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes minutes
Frosted peppermint sugar cookies are a delightful holiday twist on Mom's BEST-LOVED cookies – perfect for Christmas!
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12 Peppermint Brownies
Peppermint Brownies
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Beautifully layered peppermint brownies are fudgy and delicious with a dusting of crushed candy – they're perfect for the holidays!
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13 Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
Soft and chewy Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies are festive and easy, perfect for the holidays! They bake up in under 15 minutes!
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14 Peppermint Crunch Cookies Recipe
Peppermint Crunch Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
White chocolate dipped Peppermint Crunch Cookies are sprinkled with candy cane bits for double the peppermint and holiday charm.
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15 Peppermint Meltaways Recipe
Peppermint Meltaways Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Soft and butter-y Peppermint Meltaways are a delicious holiday cookie topped with a peppermint glaze and crushed candy canes!
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16 Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe
Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Creamy and delicious homemade Peppermint Ice Cream is the perfect Christmas dessert to make and enjoy this holiday season!
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17 Peppermint Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Peppermint Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Simple, Cool & Creamy Peppermint Cheesecake bars are topped with candy cane pieces and perfect for a quick holiday treat!
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18 Peppermint Chocolate Delight Recipe
Peppermint Chocolate Delight Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Deliciously fluffy layered Peppermint Chocolate Delight is simple and kid-friendly. It's our new favorite Christmas dessert!
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19 Peppermint Brownie Trifle Recipe
Peppermint Brownie Trifle Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Beautiful Peppermint Brownie Trifle is a festive chocolate and peppermint dessert topped with crushed candy canes!
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20 Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert Recipe
Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert is a cool and refreshing holiday dessert stuffed with candy cane bits, all atop an Oreo crust.
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21 Peppermint Oreo Fudge Recipe
Peppermint Oreo Fudge Recipe
Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
Seasonal Peppermint Oreo Fudge is a great holiday treat that is both easy AND yummy. It is kid-friendly and perfect for sharing!!
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22 White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels Recipe
White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Simple & Deliciously crunchy White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels are so easy to make and are perfectly giftable!!
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23 Peppermint Bark Recipe
Peppermint Bark Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
This peppermint bark recipe requires just a few ingredients to make this holiday classic. Top with crushed candy canes, toffee bits, or nuts!
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24 Peppermint Chocolate Truffle Recipe
Peppermint Chocolate Truffle Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Easy homemade peppermint chocolate truffles are simple and the perfect addition to any holiday party or cookie tray.
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25 Peppermint Fluff Recipe
Peppermint Fluff Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Simple + Creamy Peppermint Fluff is used for dips or for adding to hot cocoa. It takes just minutes to make and is so tasty!
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Gingerbread + Cozy Spice
All the warm, nostalgic flavors for cookie plates and parties.
26 Ginger Cookies
Ginger Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
These chewy and soft ginger cookies are especially delicious, and one we always make during the holidays!
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27 Gingerbread Cupcakes
Gingerbread Cupcakes
Total Time: 42 minutes minutes
Easy gingerbread cupcakes are made with cake mix and topped with fluffy, cinnamon cream cheese frosting – the perfect cupcake for Christmas!
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28 Molasses Cookies Recipe
Molasses Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
These soft molasses cookies are the most tender and chewy ginger-spiced cookies you'll find. They are a holiday must-make!!
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29 Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Christmas Snickerdoodles Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Super soft white chocolate dipped Christmas snickerdoodles are chewy and full of cinnamon. They are both festive and delicious!
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30 Ginger Snaps
Ginger Snaps
Total Time: 26 minutes minutes
Our classic ginger snaps are deliciously chewy with just a bit of a crunch, they're a favorite spiced holiday cookie!
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31 Eggnog Cookies Recipe
Eggnog Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes minutes
Everyone loves these soft and tasty Eggnog Cookies with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. These cookies are also topped with an eggnog glaze and are perfect for the holidays.
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32 Eggnog Snickerdoodles Recipe
Eggnog Snickerdoodles Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Our eggnog snickerdoodles are rolled in a nutmeg mixture and topped with an eggnog glaze – a favorite holiday drink turned cookie!
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33 Chewy Molasses Cookies Recipe
Chewy Molasses Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 18 minutes minutes
Deliciously spiced Chewy Molasses Cookies are sweet, with the perfect bite of bitter. They are easy, and always soft!
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Cheesecakes, Trifles + Creamy Crowd-Pleasers
Big-batch beauties that serve a crowd (and look stunning on a buffet!).
34 Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Minis Recipe
Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Minis Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
These Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Minis are the cutest and most delicious way to enjoy the winter season and spread Christmas cheer.
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35 Pull Apart Cheesecake Christmas Tree
Pull Apart Cheesecake Christmas Tree
Total Time: 33 minutes minutes
Create this showstopper pull apart cheesecake Christmas tree with only four ingredients – a perfect holiday dessert!
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36 Turtle Cheesecake Recipe
Turtle Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
Turtle Cheesecake has a delicious crumbly crust, chocolate layer, cheesecake layer and to top it off, chocolate ganache, pecans and caramel!!
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37 No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Easy, No Bake chocolate cheesecake bars are deliciously creamy with a crunchy Oreo cookie crust. They only take 15 minutes to make!!
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38 White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake is a favorite Cheesecake Factory copycat. It's rich, creamy, and easy to make!
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39 Christmas Trifle
Christmas Trifle
Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
Indulge in chocolate and peppermint flavors with this beautiful layered Christmas trifle, a favorite holiday dessert that feeds a crowd!
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40 Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe
Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 7 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Oreo crust peppermint cheesecake is packed with both white and milk chocolate and loaded with peppermint flavor!!
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41 Cream Puff Cake Recipe
Cream Puff Cake Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes
Smooth + rich Cream Puff Cake is a take on the popular cream puff dessert. Drizzle it in chocolate for a perfect bite!
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42 Sugar Cream Pie Recipe
Sugar Cream Pie Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
This delicious sugar cream pie recipe is filled with an egg-free custard filling that is easy to make for an old-fashioned favorite!
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43 Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
Chocolate Cream Pie Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
This chocolate cream pie has two types of chocolate in a creamy custard, topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls!!
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44 Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Chocolate Pecan Pie bakes rich and fudgy with toasty pecans and a crackly top, easy for holidays and perfect make ahead for stress free slicing.
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45 Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Chocolate Mousse is a sophisticated, smooth, and creamy dessert perfect for dinner parties or any time you are feeling fancy!!
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46 Mini Nutella Christmas Trees
Mini Nutella Christmas Trees
Total Time: 39 minutes minutes
Whip up these easy mini Nutella Christmas trees with just 5 ingredients for an adorable last-minute holiday treat!
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Bars, Cookies & Cakes
Easy to slice, stack, and share, these recipes are great for holiday parties.
47 Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 24 minutes minutes
My Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are so simple (perfect for the kiddos to help with). They are a holiday favorite!!
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48 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutes minutes
Whether studded with white chocolate chips or dusted with powdered sugar, these festive Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are delicious!
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49 Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies
Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies
Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
50 Christmas Tree Brownies
Christmas Tree Brownies
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Our festive Christmas tree brownies start with a box mix and whip up in minutes – easy decorating fun for kids of all ages!!
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51 Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Christmas Cookie Bar Recipe
Total Time: 28 minutes minutes
Christmas cookie bars are chewy and delicious. The M&Ms add a festive pop, making them perfect for any party!
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52 Easy Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Easy Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutes minutes
Our 3-ingredient easy shortbread cookies are ready to bake in only 30 minutes and are melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
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53 Cornflake Wreath Cookies
Cornflake Wreath Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
Indulge in nostalgia with these easy no-bake Christmas wreath cookies – fun, kid-friendly goodies, perfect for Christmas!!
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54 Christmas Cupcakes
Christmas Cupcakes
Total Time: 32 minutes minutes
Christmas cupcakes topped with candy melt trees are full of holiday cheer!! Everyone will love these simple tasty treats.
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55 Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
This timeless cream cheese pound cake recipe is soft, flavorful, and perfect topped with powdered sugar and fresh fruit.
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Fudge, Toffee + Candy (No-Bake Wins!)
Everyone loves these minimal effort recipes that please a crowd and they’re deal for gifting.
56 White Chocolate Reese’s Fudge Recipe
White Chocolate Reese’s Fudge Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
White Chocolate Reeses Fudge is a simple and delicious recipe filled with white chocolate Reeses, white chocolate chips & marshmallow creme!
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57 Oreo Fudge Recipe
Oreo Fudge Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Easy Oreo fudge is FILLED with crushed Oreos and creamy marshmallow fluff that will satisfy any chocolate lover!
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58 Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
This chocolate fudge recipe is a rich, smooth, and creamy indulgent dessert, the perfect treat for making and sharing with others.
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59 Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Christmas puppy chow is a sweet, salty, & festive snack mix loaded with Chex, chocolate, peanut butter, & holiday M&Ms ready in 15 minutes!
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60 Christmas Popcorn
Christmas Popcorn
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
White chocolate smothered Christmas popcorn is studded with M&Ms and crushed candy canes for perfect holiday snacking in only 20 minutes!
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61 Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Cream Cheese Mints Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Sweet cream cheese mints are the best little treat. They are melt-in-your-mouth sweet and incredibly delicious!
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62 Peanut Butter Snowballs
Peanut Butter Snowballs
Total Time: 1 hour hour
4 ingredient peanut butter snowballs have a smooth and creamy center and hard candy shell – they're a favorite, festive Christmas candy!
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63 Pretzel Toffee
Pretzel Toffee
Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes
Our simple 5 ingredient pretzel toffee is a delicious blend of sweet and salty flavors – a no-fail treat perfect for sharing!
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64 Homemade Toffee Recipe
Homemade Toffee Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 25 minutes minutes
Make this crunchy, buttery, no-fail toffee recipe with just a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes at the stove!
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65 Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe
Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
This Easy Peanut Brittle Recipe makes classic, golden candy with rich peanut flavor and all made under an hour.
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66 Peanut Clusters Recipe
Peanut Clusters Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Simple and delicious Peanut Clusters are chocolate, butterscotch, and peanut butter treats filled with peanuts!
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67 Pecan Praline Recipe
Pecan Praline Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Southern Pecan Pralines are a melt-in-your-mouth cross between a cookie and a candy! They are a crunchy and sweet treat.
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68 Spongecandy
Spongecandy
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
This sponge candy recipe is a crunchy, airy candy with a light sweet flavor – an easy giftable sweet in only 30 minutes!
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69 Rice Krispie Wreath Recipe
Rice Krispie Wreath Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes
This edible rice krispie wreath is ooey gooey marshmallow perfection. The fun and festive presentation is spot on, and is great for large holiday parties!
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Bread Pudding Grease a 3-quart (9×13 inch ) casserole pan. Cut loaf of bread into cubes and place in the greased pan.
In a very large bowl, whisk eggs.
Whisk in sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Pour the egg mixture over top of the bread, tossing the bread as necessary so that it's all covered in the egg mixture.
Allow the pudding to sit for 20 minutes so that the bread soaks up the egg mixture. As you wait, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing it into pieces and serving.
Caramel Sauce Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
Add it to a medium saucepan along with the egg, melted butter, and milk. Cook on LOW heat, whisking until smooth.
Cook for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, then stir in vanilla. Drizzle over your warm bread pudding.
Recipe Notes:
Use slightly stale bread like challah, brioche, or croissants for the best texture and flavor.
Let the bread soak for at least 20 minutes so every bite is custardy and rich.
Cover with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning while still getting a golden top.
This dessert reheats well—store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
STORE leftovers covered in the fridge. Bread pudding is best served warm. You can either warm it up in the microwave or preheat the oven to 350°F and bake covered for 10 minutes to warm it up.
For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post
Calories: 384 kcal , Carbohydrates: 60 g , Protein: 13 g , Fat: 10 g , Saturated Fat: 5 g , Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g , Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g , Trans Fat: 0.1 g , Cholesterol: 124 mg , Sodium: 370 mg , Potassium: 286 mg , Fiber: 2 g , Sugar: 34 g , Vitamin A: 389 IU , Vitamin C: 0.03 mg , Calcium: 283 mg , Iron: 3 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
That yule cake is beautiful so I made it as a tribute to my dad who served in France. I think I used too large of a pan because the cake portion was a bit thinner than I had hoped for, but it rolled nicely and everything tasted amazing! It was definitely worth every bit of effort.
Christmas desserts are the best!! We have tried so many on this list!! We love the Christmas Crack! Excited to try more on this list!