10+ Christmas Bake Off Ideas: Delightful Dessert Recipes to Try This Holiday Season

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather family and friends for some festive fun in the kitchen. With a variety of sweet treats to explore, you can unleash your creativity and charm everyone with your baking skills. Discover delightful Christmas bake-off ideas that will bring warmth and joy to your celebrations.

Whether you’re aiming for the classic flavors or something new and exciting, there’s a recipe out there for you. Get ready to impress your loved ones with delicious desserts that not only taste amazing but also look stunning on the holiday table.

Gingerbread Lamingtons

Gingerbread lamingtons are a delightful twist on the classic dessert. This treat combines the warm spices of gingerbread with a soft cake that is dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut.

To make these, start with a gingerbread cake. Bake it until it’s fluffy and aromatic. Once cooled, cut the cake into squares for dipping.

Prepare a chocolate sauce to coat your cake pieces. Once dipped, roll them in shredded coconut for a festive look. The coconut adds a nice crunch that balances the soft cake and smooth chocolate.

These lamingtons are perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holidays. You’ll love how they bring a cozy holiday flavor to your dessert table.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup (60g) butter, softened
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• ⅓ cup (80ml) milk
• 1 cup (200g) powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 cup (100g) shredded coconut

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, ginger, and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and mix well.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients and milk until smooth.
5. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Once cooled, cut the cake into squares.
7. Prepare the chocolate sauce by mixing powdered sugar and cocoa with water to your desired consistency.
8. Dip each cake square into the sauce, then roll in shredded coconut.
9. Let set before serving. Enjoy!

2) Spiced Orange Mince Pies

Spiced orange mince pies bring a festive touch to your holiday baking. The combination of sweet spices and zesty orange creates a delightful flavor that everyone will love.

To start, prepare a shortcrust pastry using flour, butter, and icing sugar. Then, add orange zest to give it that special touch. After chilling, roll it out and cut it into circles for the pie base.

The filling includes traditional mincemeat with a twist. Mix in fresh orange juice and a hint of mixed spice. This addition brightens the flavor and adds a refreshing zest.

Once you fill the pastry cups, add a crumble topping made of flour, sugar, and butter. You’ll want to bake them at 200°C (390°F) until golden brown. Enjoy these treats warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 175g plain flour
• 75g cold butter, cubed
• 25g icing sugar
• Zest of 1 large orange
• Mincemeat
• Fresh orange juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Make the pastry by mixing flour, butter, and icing sugar.
2. Add orange zest and chill the mixture.
3. Roll out the pastry and cut into circles.
4. Fill with mincemeat mixed with orange juice.
5. Top with a crumble made from flour, sugar, and butter.
6. Bake at 200°C (390°F) until golden.

3) Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti

Pistachio cranberry biscotti are perfect for your holiday bake-off. These cookies are crunchy, colorful, and full of flavor. The mix of juicy cranberries and crunchy pistachios makes them festive and delicious.

Start your baking by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven warms up, you can prepare your dough.

Once your dough is ready, shape it into logs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until the logs are light brown, which takes about 35 minutes.

After baking, let the logs cool slightly. Then slice them into individual pieces. Bake them again for a few minutes to make them extra crispy. Enjoy these delightful treats with coffee or tea!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup pistachios, shelled
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold in cranberries and pistachios.
5. Shape dough into logs on a lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool, then slice.
7. Bake slices again for 10-15 minutes until crispy.

4) Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

Peppermint mocha cupcakes are a delightful treat for the holiday season. They combine rich chocolate flavor with a hint of peppermint. These cupcakes are perfect for sharing at parties or family gatherings.

To start, make a chocolate cupcake base, adding a touch of espresso powder for that mocha kick. Mix in some peppermint extract to create a festive flavor. For the frosting, whip up a creamy peppermint buttercream.

The pairing of chocolate and peppermint creates a refreshing dessert that everyone will love. These cupcakes are sure to impress your guests and bring a joyful spirit to your Christmas bake-off.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Line a cupcake pan with liners.
3. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
4. Combine espresso powder and water; add to the dry ingredients.
5. Stir in peppermint extract and eggs.
6. Fill liners and bake for 18-20 minutes.

5) Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Cinnamon roll bread pudding is a delicious way to turn leftover cinnamon rolls into a warm dessert. It’s sweet, comforting, and perfect for the holidays.

You start by cutting the rolls into small pieces and placing them in a baking dish. Then, you mix eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla together. This mixture is poured over the cinnamon roll pieces.

Bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 40-45 minutes. You want it to be set in the center and lightly golden on top.

Serve this warm with a drizzle of icing or a scoop of ice cream. It’s sure to be a hit at your Christmas gathering!

Ingredients

• 6 cinnamon rolls (leftovers work great)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut cinnamon rolls into bite-sized pieces.
3. Place the roll pieces in a greased baking dish.
4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla.
5. Pour the egg mixture over the cinnamon rolls.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until set and golden.

6) Eggnog Cheesecake Bars

Eggnog cheesecake bars make a delightful holiday treat. They combine the rich taste of cheesecake with the festive flavor of eggnog. You’ll love their creamy filling and crispy graham cracker crust.

To start, prepare your baking pan by lining it with parchment paper. This helps with easy removal later. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Next, whip up the creamy filling. You’ll blend cream cheese, eggnog, sugar, and spices like nutmeg. Pour this mixture over the crust and smooth it out. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until set.

Allow the bars to cool completely, and then chill them in the fridge. Cut into squares and enjoy! They are perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 16 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup eggnog
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
4. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
5. Blend cream cheese, eggnog, sugar, and nutmeg until smooth.
6. Add eggs and mix until combined.
7. Pour filling over the crust and smooth it out.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until set.
9. Cool completely, then chill in the fridge.
10. Cut into squares and serve.

7) Roasted Chestnut Chocolate Tart

This Roasted Chestnut Chocolate Tart is a delightful dessert for your Christmas bake-off. It combines the rich flavor of chocolate with the unique taste of roasted chestnuts.

To start, you’ll want to prepare a simple tart crust. Use a mix of flour, butter, and sugar. Press it into your tart pan and bake until golden.

Next, make the filling. Chop roasted chestnuts finely and mix them with melted dark chocolate. Add in cream to create a smooth ganache. Pour this mixture into your baked crust.

Bake the tart until just set, then let it cool. Serve it with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cocoa powder for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Tart crust ingredients:
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup (50g) sugar
• Filling:
  • 1 cup roasted chestnuts, chopped
  • 8 oz (225g) dark chocolate, chopped
  • ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a round baking pan with butter.
3. Melt the butter and mix with brown sugar.
4. Spread the mixture in the pan and add cranberries.
5. In a bowl, mix granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla; stir until smooth.
7. Pour the batter over the cranberries.
8. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cool for 15 minutes then flip onto a plate.

9) Almond Amaretto Fudge

Almond Amaretto Fudge is a delightful treat for your holiday bake-off. This creamy fudge has a rich flavor thanks to the addition of Amaretto liqueur. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.

To make it, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Melted chocolate and sweetened condensed milk form the base. Then, you’ll whisk in Amaretto and a touch of vanilla. Finally, don’t forget the chopped almonds for added crunch.

You can pour the mixture into a wax paper-lined dish and let it set. Once it’s firm, cut it into squares and enjoy! This fudge is easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chocolate (chopped)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup Amaretto liqueur
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup almonds (chopped)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the chopped chocolate in a saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until well combined.
3. Whisk in the Amaretto and vanilla extract.
4. Add the chopped almonds and mix well.
5. Pour into a wax paper-lined 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish.
6. Allow to cool at room temperature until set.
7. Cut into squares and serve.

10) Pomegranate Pavlova

Pomegranate pavlova is a festive and elegant dessert perfect for Christmas gatherings. This light meringue dessert has a crisp outer shell and a soft, fluffy inside.

You start by baking the meringue until it puffs up. Once out of the oven, let it cool inside for a perfect texture.

Top the cooled meringue with whipped cream and a generous amount of tart pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and flavor. You can also add fresh berries to enhance the look and taste. The combination of creamy and crunchy textures makes this dessert a delight.

Ingredients

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup (about 160 g) pomegranate seeds
• Fresh berries (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 225°F (110°C).
2. Whip egg whites until soft peaks form.
3. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
4. Mix in vanilla and cornstarch.
5. Spoon meringue onto a baking sheet in a round shape.
6. Bake for 1.5 hours. Then, turn off the oven and let it cool.
7. Whip cream until soft peaks form.
8. Lastly, top the cooled meringue with whipped cream and pomegranate seeds.