Our Chocolatiest Christmas Recipes

Updated: Mar. 19, 2024

Are you dreaming of a cocoa-dusted holiday? Then we have the chocolate Christmas desserts for you: cookies, candies, cakes and more.

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Chocolate Yule Log

A Yule log cake, also called a Buche de Noel, is a rolled sponge cake shaped and decorated to resemble a wooden log. It’s one of the most iconic chocolate Christmas desserts around! This fanciful dessert is a tradition that dates back to 19th century France. —Bernadette Colvin, Tomball, Texas. Looking for more? Try these easy Christmas desserts for the crowd.

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Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecake

I’m a great-grandmother, and my whole family enjoys this dessert. I received this recipe from my niece. It’s very chocolaty. —Amelia Gregory, Omemee, Ontario
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Perfect Chocolate Fudge

This rich chocolate fudge is sure to delight someone you love. —Dorothy Anderson, Ottawa, Kansas

This holiday season, satisfy a loved one’s sweet tooth with these amazing Christmas chocolate gifts.

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Candy Cane Chocolate Loaves

When I had a bunch of leftover candy canes after the holidays, I was inspired to use them up by adding them to a chocolate bread. Coffee and cocoa intensify the flavor. —Shelly Platten, Amherst, Wisconsin
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Sacher Torte

Guests will be surprised to hear that this Sacher torte recipe starts with a convenient cake mix. Each bite features chocolate, almonds and apricots. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Orange-Almond Chocolate Logs

A sure hit for the holidays, these lovely logs from our Test Kitchen staff feature the can’t-beat combination of almond, orange and chocolate.
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Chocolate Mint Truffle Tart

Combine the best of chocolate Christmas desserts and candy with this recipe for a truffle tart. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
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Chocolate Snowball Cookies

These dainty cookies just melt in your mouth. I enjoy making them for get-togethers when there are lots of people around to enjoy them. —Mary Lou Welsh, Hinsdale, Illinois
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German Chocolate Ring

This recipe is modeled after German sweet chocolate cake, which is my favorite, so it’s no wonder I enjoy making and eating this sweet-tasting bread! You can make it ahead and freeze to bring out when you need an easy showstopper. —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York
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Chocolate Cherry Fudge

This chocolate cherry fudge is unique from others, and festive for the holidays. It’s a recipe my husband really enjoys. I’ve made it for our Homemaker group’s Christmas party. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin

Craving more fudge? Try these fudge recipes for the holidays.

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Chocolate Macadamia Macaroons

This perfect macaroon has dark chocolate, chewy coconut and macadamia nuts and is dipped in chocolate—sinful and delicious! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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Double Chocolate Almond Cheesecake

This cheesecake is easy to make—but it’s definitely not easy to wait till the next day to eat it! The recipe is from a friend I used to work with. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Treats

Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty chocolate cookies waiting for him. They’re quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
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Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake

Cherries and chocolate are natural partners that make desserts such as this simply scrumptious! The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters. —Sandra Campbell, Chase Mills, New York
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Armagnac Chocolate Almond Tart

I am a pecan pie lover...this is my twist on pecan pie. I use almonds instead of pecans and golden syrup instead of corn syrup. Both chocolate and Armagnac make this tart really special. Don't skip on toasting the almonds, it brings out the nuttiness of the pie. — Phoebe Saad, Framingham, Massachusetts
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Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Not only is this my family’s favorite chocolate Christmas dessert, but it makes a delicious holiday present, too. Best of all, you can (and should) prepare these ahead. The candy gets better as it’s stored, with the centers becoming even juicier. —Linda Hammerich, Bonanza, Oregon
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Truffle Hot Chocolate

Greet holiday guests at the door with steaming mugs of rich hot chocolate. As the crowning touch, offer a selection of flavored whipped creams.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chocolate Gingersnaps

When my daughter, Jennifer, was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They’re great with a glass of milk. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
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Peppermint Pretzel Dippers

A friend made these treats and gave them away in pretty canning jars. The combination of sweet, salty and peppermint is just right. Try dipping them in white candy coating and rolling them in crushed candy canes for variety.—Michelle Krzmarzick, Redondo Beach, California
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Chocolate Hazelnut Torte

Most cake recipes feed a crowd. So we came up with this elegant little cake that serves six. That’s enough for two…with just the right amount of leftovers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Chocolate Coconut Candies

These coconut candy balls disappear just as fast as I put them out. They’re a snap to whip up and make a beautiful presentation on any holiday cookie plate. I mound them high and sprinkle with coconut…then watch them vanish! —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Perfect Peppermint Patties

Calling for just a few ingredients, this is one candy that’s simple to prepare. I make lots of different candy at Christmas to give as gifts. It’s time-consuming, but worth it to see the delight it brings to people.
-Joanne Adams, Bath, Maine
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Crinkle-Top Chocolate Cookies

When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they’re lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
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Double Chocolate Truffles

Here’s a delicious holiday treat that’s very rich and chocolaty. —Ruth Gordon, Lakewood, New York
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Chocolate Meringue Stars

These light, delicate chocolate meringue cookies sure make for merry munching. Their big chocolate flavor, courtesy of good quality cocoa powder, makes it difficult to keep the kids away before they’re on the cookie tray. —Edna F. Lee, Greeley, Colorado
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Cathedral Cookies

Children love the colorful marshmallows in these festive confections, which look like stained glass when they’re sliced. They practically light up the room from the serving platter at our holiday parties. Be sure to use your favorite chocolate chips for the best flavor. —Carol Shaffer, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
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Mint Swirl Fudge Cake

Chocolate Christmas desserts only get better when paired with mint. This beautiful cake will be the talk of the holiday buffet. —Heidi Kelly, Norwood, Missouri
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Hot Chocolate Cookies

Using hot chocolate mix and marshmallow bits in the cookie dough really makes these cookies taste like hot cocoa. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Truffle Topiary

I wanted to give family and friends something they’d remember, so I whipped up piles of these sweets for everyone. Set them out in a pretty pattern on a cookie tray or turn them into a stunning centerpiece. —Elisa Schmidt, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
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Sweet and Salty Chocolate Reindeer

You can enlist little hands to help position the antlers, eyes and noses on these adorable, crisp reindeer cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas