30 best Christmas desserts

1. Melt-in-the-middle espresso martini brownies

Take your brownies to the next level with these melt-in-the-middle espresso martini brownies. Boozy, rich and squidgy, they're a grown-up delight. Serve drizzled with espresso martini sauce made with coffee, double cream and a splash of vodka.

Use your favourite festive tipples in our boozy bake recipes.

2. Christmas pavlova

Elevate your traditional Christmas pavlova with a delightful twist. This festive dessert features juicy clementines, crunchy pistachios, fresh mint, and rich dark chocolate; all layered atop a cloud of crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside meringue. To make it even more indulgent, we’ve infused the cream filling with aromatic mincemeat and a splash of rum, creating a truly unforgettable festive treat.

See more stunning treats in our meringue collection.

3. Jamaican ginger sponge pudding

Take a break from traditional Christmas pudding and try this Jamaican ginger sponge pudding instead. The ginger sponge is loaded with festive spices and topped with a generous drizzle of rum caramel sauce. Serve with double cream for extra indulgence.

For more warming bakes, see our ginger cake collection.

4. Christmas sticky toffee pudding

Revamp your festive celebrations with this delightful sticky toffee Christmas pudding, a contemporary twist on the classic holiday dessert. Who could imagine anything surpassing the traditional Christmas pudding? Once you experience the decadence of the luscious toffee sauce, you'll want to drizzle it over everything. This irresistible dessert promises to bring a new level of indulgence to your Christmas table, making it a must-try this season.

Check out our sticky toffee pudding recipes for more classics and fun twists on this pudding.

5. White forest Christmas tree traybake

Add some sparkle to your table with this white forest Christmas tree traybake. The white chocolate sponge is spiced with warming cinnamon and ginger, then layered with sticky cherry jam and rich buttercream. Decorate with meringues, frosted bay leaves, ginger biscuits and gold leaf for a showstopping centrepiece.

For more impressive cakes, see our Christmas baking collection.

6. The ultimate Christmas brownies

Festive flourishes and edible add-ons make these brownies extra special. Sprinkle over crunchy amaretti biscuits and rich chocolate truffles then spritz with edible gold spray for a wow-worthy dessert. Dust with icing sugar to create a snowy effect.

For another Christmassy take on brownies, make our mulled wine brownie surprise served with vanilla ice cream.

7. Christmas pudding cheesecake

Serve family and friends our Christmas pudding cheesecake for all the flavours of a Christmas pud in a smoother, creamier package. A glug of brandy and a crunchy ginger base brightens up the rich vanilla filling.

Try a slice with a cup of our cinnamon butter rum or Christmas coffee.

8. White chocolate, orange & cranberry Christmas cake

If you're not a fan of traditional fruitcake, bake our white chocolate, orange & cranberry sponge topped with meringue kisses and gold leaf. Try any one of our three inspiring designs to decorate – whichever you choose, it's bound to be a hit.

Want more advice on festive finishing touches? See our guide on how to decorate a Christmas cake.

9. Salted caramel yule log

Salted caramel takes centre stage in this stunning Bûche de Noël topped with redcurrants and a dusting of icing sugar. With a soft sponge and smooth caramel icing, it's a decadent, delicious bake.

For a super-simple (but no less delectable) version, try our easiest ever no-bake chocolate yule log.

10. Mince pie baklava

Serve up these mincemeat-filled baklava bites with ice cream or coffee for a Christmas dessert with a difference. Create professional-looking pastries using ready-made ingredients and clever shortcuts, then box them up for an edible homemade gift, if you like.

Try our five ways with mince pies for more recipe makeovers.

11. Irish cream tiramisu

Prepare for effortless entertaining with this no-cook tiramisu, the perfect make-ahead dessert that saves you time when hosting. Using luxurious Irish cream liqueur, this indulgent treat is designed for grown-ups. With fewer than ten ingredients, it looks stunning, is budget-friendly, and is incredibly simple to whip up.

Discover more Italian dessert recipes perfect for Christmas, such as panettone.

12. Red velvet brownies

Enjoy these rich, fudgy brownies, beautifully swirled with a tangy cheesecake filling and festively red to brighten your Christmas gatherings. Perfect for entertaining, these treats are freezer-friendly, so if you happen to make a batch of 16 and find yourself overwhelmed (though we can't imagine why), simply pop them in the freezer and enjoy them later with a comforting cup of tea.

Discover more brownie recipes perfect with a cup of tea or elevated for occasions such as Christmas.

13. Malted milk melting snowman cake

You'll be walking in the air after trying our snowman cake decorated with chocolate buttons, icing, ganache and a fondant nose. Get the kids involved in the creative side to keep little hands busy. You won't find a cuter Christmas cake out there.

Check out our Christmas cake recipes for more fun, festive bakes.

14. Golden amaretti Christmas cake

Our amaretti Christmas cake is a mix of trend and tradition. An almost all-in-one method means it's easy to prepare, saving you stress in the kitchen. Scatter over some biscuits and candied almonds for a casual but creative finishing touch.

15. Chocolate orange bombe

We love a surprise at Christmas, and this chocolate orange bombe with a hidden soft cheese and cranberry filling doesn't disappoint. Impressive to look at and easy to execute, this stunning pud is one for impressing a crowd.

You could also make truffles with your unused cake offcuts and leftover chocolate. Simply scoop and roll your mixture into balls, dip in chocolate, dust with cocoa and chill until set.

16. Black Forest trifle

Trifle is a Christmas classic, but you can reinvent it in countless ways. James Martin's Black Forest trifle is a beauty, but it won't keep you tied up in the kitchen. It requires just a few key ingredients and careful assembly to achieve a creamy, kirsch-laced delight.

17. Mince pie brownies

Get the best of both worlds in this ultimate festive mash-up. Put mini mince pies into brownie mixture and surprise your friends and family. They're perfect for making ahead, as a batch will last up to a week in an airtight container.

18. Mince pie cheesecake

Mince pie and cheesecake join forces in this epic festive no-bake. It's an unlikely pairing – mince pies form the cheesecake base – but the flavours work brilliantly together. It's also the tastiest way to beat Christmas food waste and use up any leftover mince pies.

Check out our recipe for classic mince pies or find more delectable cheesecake recipes.

19. Christmas crumble

Bring the flavours of Christmas into a much-loved pud: the humble crumble. We've combined apples with cranberries and festive spices to keep it true to the season – make sure to serve with plenty of custard for the ultimate comfort dessert.

Browse through our collection of crumble recipes for more comforting crumble content.

20. Next level sherry trifle

Take your love of trifle further with this ultra-festive dessert. Shop-bought madeira loaf cake is soaked in orange juice and sherry, then layered with frozen raspberries, homemade custard and sherry-spiked cream. We've made the most important elements of this trifle from scratch, with a few shortcuts for the simpler parts.

If you like the look of this, check out our chocolate orange-tini trifle or find more trifle recipes in our trifle collection.

21. Mini hot toddy pavlova

Draw inspiration from a classic winter cocktail with these delightful mini pavlovas flavoured with whisky, pear and warming spices. Each bite offers a festive twist for cosy gatherings during the colder months. They look impressive enough to be an incredible showstopper at the end of your Christmas meal.

Discover more mini dessert recipes perfect for when you don't want to share.

22. Pistachio tiramisu

Delight your guests with a captivating twist on the classic tiramisu featuring a luscious pistachio cream filling. The slivered pistachio topping adds a stunning festive touch, reminiscent of a snow-dusted landscape adorned with pine leaves.

Check out more pistachio recipes, from drinks to desserts.

23. Festive chocolate delice

The beautifully glossy chocolate ganache icing on this chocolate sponge cake is so enticing that you might hesitate to cut into it. The delicate light chocolate custard pairs perfectly with the rich, thick ganache, creating a delightful symphony of textures.

24. Frozen custard sundae

This guilt-free frozen custard sundae is the perfect conclusion to your festive meal that helps reduce food waste. Made from leftover mince pies and panettone nearing the end of their shelf life, this indulgent dessert offers a comforting and exciting new way to enjoy these familiar festive flavours.

From kid-friendly to boozy adult options, our ice cream sundae recipes have something for everyone.

25. Chestnut profiteroles

Bring the festive wow factor to your Christmas feast with a towering display of these sensational chestnut profiteroles. Elevate them for adult tastes by incorporating a splash of chestnut liqueur into the chocolate sauce, adding a delightful boozy twist to your dessert spread.

Discover more profiterole recipes to impress friends and family.

26. Gingerbread tres leches cake

Add a festive twist to this Mexican-inspired cake by infusing it with warming ginger and aromatic cinnamon. This delightful treat is generously soaked in a trio of sweetened milks, resulting in an incredibly moist cake.

Transport yourself to Mexico with more of our Mexican recipes.

27. Salted caramel crispy Rudolphs

Embrace the joy of cooking with your children this festive season by inviting them to take the reins on these easy three-step salted caramel crispy Rudolphs. Let their creativity shine as they decorate each reindeer, giving them unique personalities and adding a personal touch to your holiday festivities.

Check out our kids' baking recipes for more recipes perfect for getting kids into the kitchen.

28. Igloo cake

This impressive igloo cake may appear to be a labour of love, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. Plus, any leftover cake can be frozen for months. Alternatively, repurpose the offcuts into a stunning trifle, meaning you’ve sorted your Christmas and New Year's Eve desserts in one.

29. Mincemeat half-baked cookies

These delightful mincemeat-flavoured cookies require fewer than ten ingredients and can be frozen, making them a brilliant addition to your holiday preparations. Get ahead of the festive rush by preparing a batch ready to bake whenever guests arrive or if people want a sweet treat after Christmas dinner. This will reduce food waste, as you can make them on request.

Check out more Christmas biscuit recipes, from cookies and gingerbread to biscotti.

30. Gluten-free sticky toffee pudding

Why should friends and family with gluten intolerance miss out on the indulgence of sticky toffee pudding? This gluten-free version ensures everyone can join in on the treat. Plus, elevate your dessert with our expert tip: soak the dates in coffee to deepen the caramel flavour, making this pudding a standout that outshines any traditional recipe. Everyone will be clamouring for a second helping.

Discover more gluten-free dessert recipes.

Enjoyed this? Read more Christmas dessert guides

Our ultimate festive dessert collection
Christmas chocolate recipes
5 ways with mince pies

What's your favourite Christmas treat? Leave a comment below...