Whether you're hosting a small Christmas gathering or satisfying a sweet craving, these festive, small-batch desserts will hit the spot.
38 Small-Batch Christmas Desserts
Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
1/38
Amaretto Cherries with Dumplings
Total Time
8 hours
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can't beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2/38
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
3/38
Hot Cocoa Souffle
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend invited me to a church cooking demo years ago, and one of the recipes we prepared was this luscious souffle. It's decadent and delicious. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
4/38
Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cheesecake in a slow cooker? It's true! I experimented a few times to turn this iconic dessert into a slow-cooker classic. Give it a try. I promise you'll be absolutely amazed by the results! —Krista Lanphier Milwaukee, WI
5/38
Upside-Down Apple Cake with Butterscotch Topping
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake is a favorite of mine. I love the smell of the apples and butterscotch as it is baking. It fills the house with a perfect autumn aroma. —Sabrina Haught, Spencer, West Virginia
6/38
Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama
7/38
Mocha Baked Alaskas
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
8/38
Tangerine Chocolate Semifreddo
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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, Georgia
9/38
Classic Apple Cranberry Crisp
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a little old-fashioned goodness, treat your clan to this divine dish that bakes up warm and bubbly. It's great on its own or served with a scoop of ice cream. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California
10/38
Slow-Cooked Gingered Pears
Total Time
4 hours 35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My slow cooker allows me to serve a heartwarming dessert without much effort. Topped with caramel sauce, these tender pears feature a surprise filling of nuts and brown sugar. —Catherine Mueller, St. Paul, Minnesota
11/38
Rice Pudding
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My sisters and I always loved the recipe for rice pudding our grandma made. After she passed away, I took it upon myself to try and find the secret to her rice pudding. It took quite a bit of experimentation, but I finally got it right! And I'm glad to share this easy recipe here. —Margaret DeChant, Newberry, Michigan
12/38
French Silk Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made French silk pie when I was in high school. Years later, I tinkered with the recipe until I was happy with it. Now it’s one of my husband's favorites. —Lisa Francis, Elba, Alabama
Christmas pieCaken is here for the holidays, but there’s only one place to find it.
13/38
Lemon Creme Brulee
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After being disappointed in this recipe the first time I tried it, I experimented. When I felt it was fit for competition, the judge was impressed, too—I won a blue ribbon and an Award of Excellence. —Sara Scheler, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
14/38
Flan de Queso
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida
15/38
Butterscotch Pudding
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade pudding reminds me of my grandma and how she turned milk and eggs into creamy textures before my eyes. The butterscotch in this recipe adds a caramel-sweet touch. —Teresa Wilkes, Pembroke, Georgia
16/38
Vanilla Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To me, there is nothing better than a simple, elegant cheesecake where the vanilla takes center stage. And when I'm feeling decadent, I'll add the rich chocolate ganache topping. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
17/38
Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This rich bread pudding recipe comes together in minutes. There's plenty of old-fashioned cinnamon flavor. The treat is sure to become a favorite! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
18/38
Apple Dumplings
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio
19/38
Blood Orange Caramel Tarte Tatin
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
I never had blood oranges until I moved to California. The season is short, so I use them in everything while I can get them. That sweet orange flavor with some brown sugar is a perfect combination. Whenever I have something to go to, my friends demand that I bring this dessert. —Pamela Butkowski, Hermosa Beach, California
20/38
Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Creme
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 pounds (64 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister shared the recipe for this unbelievably easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream. I prefer using creamy peanut butter for this mouthwatering dessert, but the chunky style works just as well. —Mary Jane Rummel, Linglestown, Pennsylvania
21/38
Bread Pudding with Nutmeg
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri
22/38
Pear Pandowdy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I pulled out this recipe one night when my husband was craving something sweet, and it was a big hit with both of us. It's a superb last-minute dessert that almost melts in your mouth. —Jennifer Class, Kirkland, Washington.
23/38
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of mocha and peanut butter will satisfy every sweet tooth at your table. The garnish is a little extra work, but what are special occasions for? —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
24/38
Pumpkin Mousse
Total Time
10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you've had your fill of pumpkin pie, this cool and creamy pumpkin mousse is perfect for you. Its light and fluffy texture won't make you feel "stuffed" after your favorite turkey dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
25/38
Apple Honey Tapioca Pudding
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm glad that apple season is long, since my family requests this pudding quite often!
27/38
Turtle Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After receiving a request for a special turtle cheesecake and not finding a good recipe, I created my own. Everyone is thrilled with the results and this cheesecake remains a favorite at the coffee shop where I work. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
28/38
Dark Chocolate Pecan Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Made in a single loaf pan, this doubly good chocolate cake has a nutty praline layer and two layers of fluffy whipped cream. This is the only cake my husband really likes. —Laura Draper, Garfield, Washington
29/38
Baked Pumpkin Pudding
Total Time
50 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Even after your favorite turkey dinner, you'll find room for this perfect pudding dessert—a treat served hot or cold. Mildly spiced, it will leave you sweetly satisfied, but not overly full. —Gerri Saylor, Graniteville, South Carolina.
30/38
Saucy Spiced Pears
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We serve these tangy, saucy pears over angel food cake, pound cake or with a little yogurt or vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle with a favorite topping. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
31/38
Baked Apple Surprise
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
32/38
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce tastes extravagant, but it's really simple to prepare. The slow cooker does the most of the work for you! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania
33/38
Li'l Pecan Pies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-size pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan
34/38
Pear Crumble
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
ORIGINALLY a pear crumble pie, I shortened this to a crumble when I often was too short of time to make a pie crust.
I've also found canned pears work as well as fresh, so that makes it even easier to prepare.
-Kezia Sullivan, Sackets Harbor, New York
35/38
Skillet Brownies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a fun and festive way to serve brownies. Family and friends will love topping their pieces with whipped cream and strawberries. —Johnnie McLeod, Bastrop, Louisiana
36/38
Easy Apple Strudel
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, so I changed it up a bit. This revised classic is just as good as the original. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana
37/38
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
38/38
Apple Butterscotch Crisp
Total Time
2 hours 40 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I give this classic dessert a rich twist with butterscotch pudding. The warm apple filling bubbles to perfection in a mini slow cooker. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia
