17 Desserts to Make This Holiday Season That Aren\’t Cookies

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From holiday cookie swaps to office potlucks to family get togethers, it\’s dessert season. If you can\’t bear to make one more sugar cookie or gingerbread man, make one of these holiday desserts that aren\’t cookies. You\’ll be the office hero when you bring in a cinnamon roll wreath or s\’mores in a jar rather than another batch of chocolate chip cookies.

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Cinnamon Roll Wreath

One of the most thoughtful hostess gifts you can bring when you\’re staying overnight is breakfast for the next morning. This cinnamon roll wreath fits the bill and is almost too pretty to eat.

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Reindeer Cake Pops

Every kid is going to want to make — or at least eat! — these reindeer cake pops. Make them for Santa, for a school holiday bake sale, or for all your friends. These treats are always a big hit!

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Sparkling Strawberry Rosé Cake

We\’re thinking that this strawberry rosé cake is perfect for a New Year\’s Eve celebration. Because one can never have enough bubbly. Also, how pretty is that color pink?!

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Chocolate Chip Challah

How about a little chocolate chip challah for a Channukah celebration or Christmas brunch? The addition of dark chocolate chips and vanilla bean seeds makes this bread a winner every time.

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Eggnog-Flavored Layer Cake with Fruit Topping

Even if you don\’t drink eggnog, you will love this cake. The buttercream frosting and flavorful fruit helps to create a delicious, festive dessert.

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Pecan Pie Cheesecake

A mashup of two decadent desserts rolled into one: pecan pie and cheesecake. You can prep some of this in advance so you\’ll not scrambling at the last minute to put it all together.

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Chocolate Stout Pudding with Beer Whipped Cream

If you need a dessert for a large group of people, whip up this chocolate stout pudding with beer whipped cream. This only takes 15 minutes to make and you can even assemble it the day before.

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Homemade Butterscotch Pots de Creme

Pots de creme look and taste fancy but they\’re really quite simple to make. You can make these the night before a dinner party to impress your guests.

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Double Chocolate Bundt Cake With Cookie Butter Glaze

Making a layer cake is time intensive — you have to wait for the cake to cool, ice the layers, and hopefully not crumble your cake in the process. Instead, throw all the ingredients in a bundt pan and make an easy cookie butter glaze to top it off.

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Cinnamon Bread Pudding

Bread puddings are a traditional dessert that have stood the test of time. Use decadent brioche bread to make this even lighter and flakier than the original.

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S’mores in a Jar

It\’s too cold in most parts of the country to have a campfire during the holiday season. Instead, bring back the memories of summer with this delicious s\’more in a jar recipe.

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Red Velvet Pound Cake

It doesn\’t get much more festive than red velvet cake. Everyone\’s favorite flavor is even lighter and seasonally appropriate when baked in a pound cake pan.

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Tres Leches Cake

In Latin America, the tres leches cake is a holiday-season staple. Evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream come together to create a cake that will leave an impression — and your guests asking for the recipe! If you\’re intimidated by a layer cake, opt for this cupcake version instead.

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Hard Apple Cider Skillet Cobbler

Your next dinner party needs this hard apple cider skillet cobbler. This pairs well with a variety of dishes, making it a perfect dessert for any holiday gathering.

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Coconut-Pecan Carrot Cake With Cinnamon Glaze

The holiday baking season means lots of flour, butter, and eggs — all things that can\’t be eaten on the paleo or vegan diet. Make a cake that everyone can enjoy with this gluten-free and dairy-free carrot cake.

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Chocolate Stout and Mixed Berry Galette

Galettes are basically dessert pizzas. Skip the cookie tray and bring this mixed berry galette instead.

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Chocolate Mousse Cakes

There\’s only one way to start the New Year right — with dessert! Sprinkle this mousse cake with pomegranate arils to make it even more special.

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