Semisweet Chocolate Mousse
A friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it’s easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
Be sure to pair these delicious desserts for New Year’s with a festive cocktail!
Berries in Champagne Jelly
My sister gave me this recipe a few years back when I was looking for some desserts for New Year’s. It goes great with the winter holidays, but I sometimes serve it at brunch. —Andrea Barnhoom, Scottsville, New YorkReady to pop open a bottle or two? Check out our Test Kitchen’s favorite affordable champagne.
Bittersweet Chocolate Cheesecake
I’m a great-grandmother, and my whole family enjoys this dessert. It’s absolutely decadent—one of the best desserts for New Year’s that I’ve found. —Amelia Gregory, Omemee, OntarioThis cake is the perfect lavish finish to your New Year’s Eve dinner menu.
Spumoni Baked Alaska
For a refreshing end to a rich meal, try this freezer finale. Its intriguing interior and pretty color scheme are bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test KitchenPineapple & Macadamia Nut Cake
This delicious cake is one of my own invention. It's been a huge hit among family and friends and even inspired fierce bidding at a local charity auction! —Greta Kirby, Carthage, TennesseeBaklava Cheesecake
With sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs, my unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for office parties and other special events. —Aryanna Gamble, New Orleans, LouisianaWinter Wishes Trifle
Ring in the year to come with tasty desserts for New Year’s like this light and fluffy trifle. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New YorkMocha Hazelnut Torte
I make this cake on birthdays and other special occasions because it looks and tastes so amazing. The combination of mild hazelnut and coffee flavors is impossible to resist. —Christina Pope, Speedway, IndianaMint Chocolate Cheesecake
I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school's annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! If desired, you can stir the cookie pieces into the batter instead of adding them in a layer. Keep the pieces fairly small; if they're too large they have a tendency to rise to the top. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, WisconsinChai Cupcakes
You'll get a double dose of the spicy blend that's frequently used to flavor tea in these moist cakes. Both the cupcake and frosting use the blend, which combines some of the best flavors of the season. —Taste of Home Test KitchenRed Velvet Cheesecake
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina. Don’t forget to try these spiked recipes for New Year’s Eve.Mimosa Butter Cookies
You can add many different flavors to butter cookies to make them your own. Try an alternate type of citrus zest, or add an alternate liquid to change things up. —Sara Lark, Raton, New MexicoWhat bubbly should you pop open? Check out a sommelier’s picks for the best champagne for mimosas.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
A bumper crop of berries turned into a real treat when I dipped them in chocolate! I like to make these chocolate covered strawberries before dinner and put them in the fridge, so they're ready when we're finished eating. My family can't get enough of these chocolate strawberries. —Valerie Gee, Depew, New YorkFinger-Licking Good Mini Cream Puffs
This recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can't eat just one…hey are so addicting & they're perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, OhioCoffee Cheesecake
Coffee lovers will line up for this rich coffee cheesecake. It’s creamy and just mildly sweet, which allows the coffee flavor to shine through. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Planning a date night? Here are delicious romantic desserts to impress your partner.Grape and Berry Crumble
My daughter follows a restricted diet and told me that I nailed it with this dairy-free berry crumble recipe. I combined grapes from my garden with blueberries and strawberries, and used gluten-free flour and coconut oil. We had eaten nearly the whole pan when I realized I’d better write down the recipe. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, CaliforniaDid you know grapes are eaten for good luck on New Year’s Eve in some parts of the world? Here are some other good luck New Year’s foods.
Vanilla White Chocolate Mousse
I needed a quick dessert for my daughter’s bridal shower, and a co-worker gave me this vanilla mousse recipe. It’s so pretty with almonds and raspberries on top. —Marina Castle, Canyon Country, CaliforniaWinter Fruit with Prosecco Sabayon
This recipe is special to me because it allows me to treat my dinner guests to a special, unusual treat. The bright vivid colors and splash of Prosecco make it a fitting dessert for New Year celebrations. —Jerry Gulley, Pleasant Prairie, WisconsinBourbon Balls
Remember the days at Grandma and Grandpa's house when you made these wonderfully traditional treats? We love these Kentucky Derby bourbon balls—the blended taste of bourbon and pecans is irresistible! —Taste of Home Test KitchenNew Year’s Eve Cupcakes
What better way to celebrate than with New Year’s Eve cupcakes? To decorate, simply mold AirHead candies into champagne bottles, flutes and streamers. Happy New Year! —Taste of Home Food Styling TeamMadeira Cake
This classic British Madeira cake is often served with Madeira wine, which is how it got its name. Similar to a pound cake, it is commonly flavored with lemon and can also be served with tea or other sweet liqueurs. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, WisconsinOrange Chocolate Mousse Mirror Cake
A shiny, mirrorlike orange glaze covers a chocolate mousse cake to create a delicious showstopping dessert your guests will be talking about for weeks to come.—Matthew Hass, Franklin, WisconsinOld-World Ricotta Cheesecake
I reconstructed this dessert based on an old recipe that had been in the family for years but was never written down. The subtle cinnamon flavor of the zwieback crust reminds me of the cheesecake I enjoyed as a child, but substitute other crumbs if you like. —Mary Beth Jung, Hendersonville, North CarolinaSacher 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 KitchenTangerine Chocolate Semifreddo
When I wanted a new frozen treat for my family, I came up with this citrusy, chocolaty version of classic Italian semifreddo. For an elegant presentation on special occasions, top each serving with whipped cream, a tangerine section and baking cocoa. —Claire Cruce, Atlanta, GeorgiaChai Truffle Tart
My chai-flavored tart boasts chocolate and caramel layers tucked inside a salty pretzel crust. Truffles on top make it extra indulgent. —Chantal Bourbon, Montreal, QuebecJellied Champagne Dessert
This refreshing dessert looks just like a glass of bubbling champagne. It’s one of the desserts for New Year’s my family enjoys most. —Vickie McLaughlin, Kingsport, TennesseeRaspberry Lemon Cake
Want a change from chocolate cake? Try this elegant lemon raspberry cake packed with refreshing citrus flavor, from the cake to the homemade lemon curd and creamy frosting. It won a blue ribbon at the Alaska State Fair and it’s definitely a winner with me. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, WisconsinCappuccino Mousse Trifle
“This is the easiest trifle I’ve ever made, yet it looks like I spent time on it,” says Tracy Bergland, Prior Lake, Minnesota. “I like to pipe whipped topping around the edge of the bowl, grate chocolate in the center and sprinkle with cinnamon. It gets rave reviews.”Slow-Cooker Chocolate Pots de Creme
Lunch on the go just got a whole lot sweeter. Tuck the jars of rich chocolate custard into lunch bags for a midday treat. These portable desserts are fun for picnics too. —Nick Iverson, Denver, ColoradoCreme de Menthe Cream Puff Tree
A tower of creme de menthe-flavored puffs makes a spectacular centerpiece for your dessert table. Guests will have this sumptuous pyramid deconstructed in no time at all! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, OntarioRaspberry Moscow Mule Cake
This Moscow mule cake is my favorite cake I’ve ever made from scratch. It’s so moist and flavorful, and it reminds me of my favorite cocktail. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, MissouriChocolate Truffle Cheesecake
If you delight in the taste of chocolate, then this is the cheesecake for you. Every creamy bite melts in your mouth. It's so impressive yet not difficult to prepare-I whip up this dessert each time I want a yummy treat for my family, friends or co-workers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, MaineCranberry-Orange Cake with Lemon Glaze
I used cranberries for decorations in a wedding, then challenged myself to find a way to use up the surplus. This pretty, super moist cake with cranberries in the batter and sometimes, sugared ones on top, was the result! —S. Jade Klope, Paducah, KentuckyChocolate-Covered Cheesecake Squares
Satisfy your cheesecake craving with these bite-sized delights! The party favorites are perfect for the holidays. —Esther Neustaeter, La Crete, AlbertaBourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. We can’t get enough of this recipe inspired by Kentucky Derby bourbon chocolate pecan pie. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North CarolinaCandy Cane Souffle
I came up with this recipe by modifying one of my mom’s gelatin-based desserts. The pretty pink sweet is a welcome sight on the table.—Joni Hilton, Rocklin, CaliforniaCocoa Meringues with Berries
Meringues can be challenging on a humid day, but if you’re really craving one, meringues can be purchased at your favorite bakery. Add this sweet sauce, and you’re all set! —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, OntarioSalted Dark Chocolate Tart
When I was little, my grandpa always had a bag of caramels in his truck and a few in his pocket. Whether we were camping or going to a movie, I enjoyed sharing caramels with him. Now I try to put caramel in as many of my desserts as possible, including this sweet and salty tart. —Leah Tackitt, Austin, TexasReady for New Year’s Day? Here are our favorite New Year’s brunch ideas.