A Complete Guide to Christmas Desserts

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Okay so we’ve already tackled the Christmas Cookie situation. In fact, we’ve never been so prepared for cookie eating season. But seeing as how most of us will polish off those cookies well before the big day – let’s talk about Christmas Desserts!

I’m talking impressive desserts that are the icing on the cake to a Christmas Dinner. I know we have a few weeks until Christmas – but no time like the present to prepare! We need something beautiful, festive, delicious and something that will leave a lasting memory in your fams minds! Let’s make it special this year since a lot of us didn’t have a totally normal Christmas last year. Here are my all time fav Christmas Desserts:

CHRISTMAS DESSERTS:

Puff Pastry Apple Galette from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Puff Pastry Apple Galette

Truly a show stopper! This is one of my favs and don’t forget the vanilla ice cream.

Mom's Famous Apple Crisp from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Mom’s Famous Apple Crisp

If you told me I could only have 1 dessert for the rest of my life – this would be it!

Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel

It’s creamy and sweet and tart and crunchy and then it’s drizzled with salted caramel sauce. Christmas dessert is officially handled!

M&M Cookie Bars

Is there anything better than a soft cookie in bar form? Where the edges are just lightly golden brown and a tad bit crunchy… and the inside is gooey and soft and melts in your mouth?

Triple Layer Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

Make this the day beforehand and then put a cake lid over it and leave it on the counter. As a rule of thumb, cake should alway be kept at room temp otherwise it dries out.

CHEESECAKE & PIE:

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Marshmallow Meringue from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Marshmallow Meringue

And pro tip, if you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can toast the meringue under the broiler but KEEP YOUR EYES on it so it doesnt burn.

S’more Pudding Pie

A chocolate lovers dream.

Salted Chocolate Tart with Kettle Chip Crust from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Salted Chocolate Tart with Kettle Chip Crust

The crust is DELICATE, and can easily crumble but OMG it’s so major.

CHOCOLATE DESSERTS:

S’more Butterscotch Caramel Dump Cake from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

S’more Butterscotch Caramel Dump Cake

I mean… it’s peak decadence!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Baklava from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Coconut Chocolate Baklava

Omg this stuff is addictive!

Chocolate Brownie Pudding from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Chocolate Brownie Pudding

Perhaps the MOST decadent of them all!

Death By Chocolate

Another one for all my fellow chocolate lovers out there!

Classic Italian Tiramisu

5 from 1 vote
This Classic Italian Tiramisu is seriously one of the easiest desserts to make! It's picture perfect with a sweet mascarpone filling, espresso dipped lady fingers and all the cocoa powder on top!
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup Dutch Processed cocoa powder, plus more for dusting
  • 1 cup brewed espresso (optional to add a few tablespoons of dark rum)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 5 large egg yolks, cold (I use pasteurized eggs)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 8-ounce tubs mascarpone cheese, chilled
  • 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, chilled
  • 2-3 dozen hard ladyfinger cookies

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together the cocoa powder, espresso and vanilla in a bowl and set aside
  • In a mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick, about 5 minutes. Add in the salt, mascarpone cheese and continue to whip until smooth. Add the chilled cream and continue to whip, until light, creamy, smooth and can hold a soft peak.
  • Dunk each ladyfinger in the espresso mixture to absorb the liquid and start to line a 7×11 oval baking dish with the cookies. Top the first layer of cookies with ½ of the whipped mascarpone mixture and use the back of a metal spoon to spread it into an even layer. Dust with cocoa powder. Repeat for another layer and then finish by dusting with cocoa powder on top. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

This is the perfect dessert to make ahead to make the holiday run smoothly.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 648kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 303mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1896IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 2mg

3 Comments

  1. Gaby,
    I can’t remember where I saw the recipe for you leek pizza I have both of your books but the recipe isn’t there. I tried you website to no available. I have signed up for your blog but I am shut out from getting the recipe. Long weekend and would appreciate your helping me get the recipe.

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