Between the cookie swaps, church potlucks, and holiday parties on the calendar this season, it’s hard to keep up with all those cookies. When we get a little burnt out on baking our favorite Christmas cookies—or when our cookies get a little burnt because of the many holiday distractions—it’s time to break out the Christmas miracle that is the no-bake holiday treat.
These delicious bites mean no hounding over the oven to ensure the cookies don’t bake a minute too long. There will be no facing the disaster of crumbling cookies when moving them from sheet pan to cookie tins. From decadent bars to chewy cookies, these Christmas dessert recipes will be the hit of any party without even touching the oven.
Peanut butter bars are the crispy, crunchy, decadent dessert—a layer of peanut butter-coated cornflakes sits on the bottom. Last but not least, these bars are topped with a bittersweet chocolate layer that has a hint of peanut butter, too.
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Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner
Layers of graham cracker, a cool whipped filling, and cherry preserves compose this easy no-bake dessert. While most icebox cakes are made with whipped cream ice cream, this version gets a more substantial, extra-decadent base mixture of whipped cream and—the secret ingredient—cream cheese.
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Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
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Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Put an impressive dessert on the table without heating the oven and without any fuss at all. Neither too sweet nor overpowering, this no-bake cheesecake creates an ideal base that serves as an open canvas to be creative with toppings, compotes, and sauces.
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This strawberry cheesecake salad reminds our Test Kitchen experts of a trifle or classic banana pudding with its creamy filling and fruity additions. By combining powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese, you’ll be able to mimic the creamy and smooth filling of classic cheesecake.
Credit: GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS
These cookies look fancy enough to fool any party guest, thanks to store-bought chocolate wafers. Crushed peppermint adds extra festive sparkle. Adding coconut oil to the chocolate is a baking tip to increase the cookie’s shine.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
An easy layered dessert that’s reminiscent of sipping on a mug of hot chocolate? Pretty please with marshmallows on top! You’ll only spend 45 minutes putting it together, before sticking it in the fridge for at least four hours. Sprinkle with marshmallows and drizzle with dark chocolate right before serving.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you have a mixer and a microwave, you can whip up this decadent chocolate mousse. Make the dessert at least three and a half hours before you intend to serve it, so it has time to properly chill.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
A handful of ingredients are all you need for this classic Christmas treat. You can keep it simple with two layers of chocolate and a sprinkle of peppermint, or add another layer and some sprinkles.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Coconut adds a sweet and festive spin to a classic fudge recipe.
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Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Didn’t know this impressive dessert was no-bake? As long as you have time to let the ladyfingers soak in the coffee-bourbon mixture, this is an impossibly easy option for Christmas dinners.
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Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Peanut butter balls are great year-round, but they’re especially beloved at Christmas. In cookie tins or on dessert trays, they’re the perfect no-bake, low-effort treat.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Don’t for a second think vanilla pudding is boring. Rich and creamy, this classic dessert can be a showstopper, even at Christmas. Top with whipped cream and sugared cranberries. It’ll be a nostalgic hit.
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Christmas cookies just got a lot easier. Speckle these rich, soft, chewy balls with peanuts for a cookie dough-inspired treat. You won’t believe you can make these cookies in one bowl.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Make these whimsical wreath cookies using cornflake cereal. With some help from microwaved marshmallows and green food coloring, you’ll have an incredibly festive treat. Get your little ones to cover the wreaths with fun holiday candies for a homemade treat and activity.
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These decadent little delights are a cross between bourbon balls and chocolate truffles. They make the easiest throw-together treat for any holiday occasion with only four ingredients. Dark chocolate and pecans jazz up the classic bourbon ball taste.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This silky fudge gets its depth of flavor from bittersweet chocolate.
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What easier gift than a batch of sweet and nutty butterscotch fudge?
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Bring the flavors of gingerbread to this no-bake candy bark. Ground ginger and cinnamon, crystallized ginger, and gingersnap cookies all lend this a spiced, warm flavor.
Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These no-bake bourbon balls make a batch big enough for your gifting and party needs. They pack a nice little punch, too! We love them rolled in powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch.
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The saucepan, microwave, and fridge are the major players during the prep phrase of this giftable fudge recipe.
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Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the season with ice cream pie. This no-bake peanut butter pie is next-level good. Try using a hot knife to slice this pie so that it stays neat and everyone can enjoy a taste of each layer.
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Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
A gorgeously silky shell tops the even creamier peanut butter interior of this fan-favorite pie.
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These sweet chocolate truffles get a holiday touch from the mint chocolate candy surprise in the center. This seasonal staple is simple, quick, and easy to pack into your holiday cookie tins. They taste exactly like Christmas.
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Even though this dessert requires some planning, it doesn’t require an oven. Mix the layers of graham crackers, a cool whipped filling, and cherry preserves into this no-bake icebox cake. Refrigerate it overnight and enjoy it for the next three days—if it lasts that long.
Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hilegas
Gingersnaps add a Yuletide quality to this lemony dessert. Allow for ample time to freeze. Top this dessert with any fruit to customize it to your preferences.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The flavors of espresso and chocolate are a beautiful pair, and they’re captured in this easy candy bark. Great as a food gift, this treat comes together quickly for last-minute desserts.
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Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
With seven ingredients and little hands-on time, you’re on your way to a make-ahead dessert that’s great to have on hand for the holidays. Decorate this cookie-loaded pie with piped whipped cream and more crushed cookies.
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Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
You probably already have a box of saltines in your pantry. Break them out to make a tray of this minty bark that’s sure to be a hit at holiday parties.
Purchased frozen pound cake makes this holiday-flavored dessert a breeze to assemble. Layer with orange custard and fresh or frozen cranberries and let it chill for up to three days. The longer it sits, the better the flavor.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Fill holiday gift tins with these sweet candies, and you’re sure to be on the nice list. This recipe swaps molasses for corn syrup and heavy cream for milk, resulting in chewy, thick pralines.
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It’s not a holiday dessert buffet without fudge and this recipe is just right. Opt for this simple and classic version with red and green sprinkles that make it festive.
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Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
You absolutely can make your own chocolate turtles. Chocolate-covered chewy caramel and toasted pecan candies are sprinkled with flaky sea salt. Make a few batches because everyone will want some.
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Recipients of these divine sweets will be surprised to learn they are made from potatoes. A product of the Great Depression, the candies were an inexpensive way to make something sweet.
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Caramel candies help save time in this vintage recipe. You’ll get 32 servings from each batch, so you’ll have plenty for neighbors, parties, and nibbling.
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
This no-bake cheesecake spends most of its prep time in the fridge. Drizzle Tupelo honey on top for added sweetness.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Bring the flavors of Christmas to candy bark with dried cranberries and pistachios.
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Triple-Decker Saltine Toffee Bars
Saltine crackers give toffee bars a crisp crunch. Layer the crackers with a thick toffee mixture and finish with a generous layer of chocolate.
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Really impress your crowd with a dessert that looks complicated but is oh-so-easy to make. Store-bought angel food cake means no baking is required.
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These gooey bars will be your new favorite holiday dessert, thanks to their perfect combination of chocolate, caramel, graham crackers, and toffee. You won’t have to worry about overcooking or burning cookies. Plus, the graham cracker crust adds a nice texture to these bars.
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Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
These humble no-bake cookies make the most of simple ingredients and are perfect for the holiday season.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
You can’t go wrong with this easy, melt-in-your-mouth fudge recipe, which incorporates the dazzle and sweetness of brown sugar.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Icebox cakes are so handy to have in the (you guessed it) icebox because they’re a breeze to whip out when company knocks.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
Use the blend of juicy berries seen here, or top this creamy cheesecake with whatever seasonal additions you have on hand.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with tropical flavors. Sweet coconut, pineapple, and whipped topping form the base for this no-bake pie. You’ll discover why they call it Millionaire Pie after topping it with cherries and chopped pecans.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Add bourbon and pecans to a classic brown sugar fudge to take it the flavor profile up several notches.
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Few desserts are as showstopping (or as deceptively simple) as this tiramisu trifle, which has juicy raspberries and ready-made red velvet madeleines.
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Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
These gooey, milk chocolate-enrobed candies start with a genius store-bought ingredient—caramels! The additions of pecans and flaky sea salt make them extra delicious.
Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck
Break out the winter citrus and assemble a zingy dessert to cap off a delicious holiday meal.
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Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower swore by this fudge recipe. You’ll want to share it with your loved ones too.
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A recipe with its own fan club, this eclair cake is the best of all worlds.
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Shining like the windows at church on Christmas Eve, this colorful stained glass candy is festively delicious and a breeze to make.
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Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This crispy, airy candy is almost as fun to make as it is to eat! The bounty of bubbles come about when baking soda is adding to boiling sugar, creating this crackly Christmas candy.
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Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Topped with pecan halves, this sweet, meringue-based candies are a Southern icon. Be sure to make them on a dry, sunny day for the best results.
You can always have more desserts during the holidays. Check out our heavenly holiday desserts that will wow guests.
Dining and Cooking