Christmas Desserts: Festive Cakes, Pies & Tarts for the Holidays

Christmas dessert does not have to mean another tray of cookies. Cakes, pies and tarts are useful when you want one dessert that can anchor the table, slice cleanly for guests, or bring a different texture to a holiday menu.

This collection focuses on festive desserts from the What's Baking recipe library that work well for Christmas dinners, holiday parties and winter gatherings.

10 Christmas Desserts for a Festive Holiday Table

1. Peppermint Mocha Layer Cake

Chocolate, coffee and peppermint give this layer cake an unmistakably festive profile. It is a strong choice when you want one dramatic dessert to act as the centerpiece of the table.

2. Eggnog Bundt Cake

Eggnog brings familiar holiday flavor to an easy slice-and-serve cake. A Bundt format also gives you a polished presentation without the extra work of stacking and frosting a layer cake.

3. Eggnog Custard Tart

This tart turns eggnog into a smooth custard dessert with a crisp pastry contrast. It is especially useful when the rest of the holiday table is heavy on cakes and cookies.

4. Eggnog Cream Pie

For a softer, chilled Christmas dessert, eggnog cream pie gives you seasonal flavor in a lighter-feeling format than a dense cake.

5. Gingerbread Maple Layer Cake

Warm gingerbread spice and maple make this cake feel made for December. Choose it when you want a dessert that looks celebratory and serves as the main event.

6. Gingerbread Cream Pie

This pie keeps the familiar gingerbread flavor but changes the texture completely. It is a good way to include gingerbread without adding another cookie or cake.

7. Chocolate Tart

A glossy chocolate tart is a versatile holiday dessert because it feels elegant without depending on specifically Christmas-shaped decoration. Serve it in thin slices after a larger meal.

8. Raspberry White Chocolate Tart

Raspberry adds brightness and color while white chocolate keeps the dessert rich. The red-and-white contrast also fits naturally into a holiday dessert spread.

9. Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Tart

This is a useful option when you want a dessert that suits a different set of dietary needs while still feeling substantial enough for the Christmas table.

10. Vegan Panettone

Panettone can sit between bread and dessert, which makes it useful for Christmas brunch, afternoon coffee or a lighter finish after dinner.

How to Choose a Christmas Dessert

• For a centerpiece: Peppermint Mocha Layer Cake or Gingerbread Maple Layer Cake.
• For easy slicing: Eggnog Bundt Cake or Chocolate Tart.
• For a chilled dessert: Eggnog Cream Pie or Gingerbread Cream Pie.
• For color and contrast: Raspberry White Chocolate Tart.
• For a vegan option: Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Tart or Vegan Panettone.

Do You Need More Than One Dessert?

Usually not. If you are serving a large Christmas dinner, one showpiece dessert plus a cookie tray is often enough. If you want two larger desserts, choose contrasting formats—for example, one cake and one chilled pie rather than two rich layer cakes.

Make the Dessert Table Feel Balanced

Think about texture and flavor. If the main dessert is very rich and chocolate-heavy, pair it with something fruit-forward or spiced. If you already have several cookies, choose a pie or tart so the table does not feel repetitive.

Plan Ahead

Use the individual recipe storage directions to decide what can be made a day or two early and what should be finished closer to serving. For a broader holiday schedule, use our Holiday Baking Timeline.

More Christmas Baking Ideas

Continue with our Gingerbread Recipes for Christmas, Christmas Breads, Buns & Sweet Rolls, and Christmas Cookie Recipes.

Keep Chilled Dishes Cold

Keep cream pies, custard desserts and egg-based breakfast dishes refrigerated at 4°C or colder when they are being stored. Return perishable leftovers to refrigeration within two hours. Plan cooler space as carefully as oven space; a make-ahead dish still needs safe storage.

See Health Canada’s food safety guidance.