Take some of the pressure off of holiday hosting with these big-batch desserts. Southerners love showing our hospitality and doting on guests, and that’s on full display during the holidays. We’ve got go-to appetizers, parting gifts at the ready, and signature house cocktails. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best Christmas desserts to feed your holiday crowd, from shortbread to cakes to cookies.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Ready to impress the entire family? Bring these decadent triple-decker cookies to the holiday party. Soft and buttery, rich and fudgy, and topped with salt for the perfect finishing touch. Joy in every bite.
Note that you can store these at room temperature for four days, but you cannot freeze them.
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Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Joshua Hoggle
While a layer cake requires quite a bit of work, these cupcakes are the ideal dessert for a holiday open house. Each batch makes 36, and the whipped cream frosting on top is stabilized with instant pudding mix, so it won’t melt or deflate on the holiday buffet.
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Jessica Furniss
You’ll want to bring these easy and festive cake balls to your next holiday party. The best part about these chocolate confections? You don’t have to worry about smeared icing or slicing.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Redbirds, or cardinals, are said to be the spirits of deceased loved ones coming to visit us. This cake, a spin on our traditional Hummingbird Cake, is a tribute to that Southern tale—and to the spirits that are no longer with us.
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Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Turn the classic layer cake into a fuss-free Bundt cake, and proudly serve it up at a party. It’ll feed up to a dozen people, more if you cut thinner slices.
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Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Cut these cookies into snowflakes and decorate with frosting for a perfect holiday treat.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
This rendition of a yule log in cake form is sure to impress the neighbors. Garnish with meringue “mushrooms” and glossy maraschino cherries.
Incorporating both eggnog and bourbon, this boozy holiday cake tastes as good as it sounds.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This old-fashioned favorite is sweet and rich with the creamy texture of a custard pie and a golden color that’s perfect for serving this holiday.
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
All it takes is five ingredients to whip up these fuss-free sugar cookies. Let the kids take over on the decorations for a fun family activity.
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It may look simple from the outside, but just wait until you slice into this cake to reveal the bright layers of spiced cranberry filling.
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Molly Bolton
Two holiday favorite treats—pecan pie and brownies—collide to make one decadent bar perfect for sharing among all guests.
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Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Spend an afternoon in the kitchen making these vintage candies with your children or grandchildren. It’ll become their new favorite holiday tradition.
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Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Show off with this fruity, tart, caramelized beauty that makes the most of cranberry season.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Essentially, modjeskas are caramel-covered marshmallows. In each bite, you’ll get a luscious, airy marshmallow that is framed with a sweet and soft caramel.
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Molly Bolton
This reader recipe has become a favorite for its moist texture and spicy flavor. With only 15 minutes of active time, this is the perfect cake for the holiday spread.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These rum balls are the most searched Christmas candy in the South, and for good reason. This boozy confection is from the December 1993 issue and has become a fan favorite.
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Iain Bagwell
Easy to layer and serve, this trifle is as festive as it gets. Plus, there is no meticulous frosting of layers or icing of cookies.
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Courtney West
Buttery, rich, and decadent, this old-fashioned caramel cake has the texture of pound cake and offers hints of luscious caramel flavor without being too sweet.
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Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Add some flair to your traditional carrot cake by throwing in a few new holiday flavors. This recipe features apples and pecans to add nutty and fruity elements for a unique twist on this classic cake.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley
No holiday spread is complete without bourbon balls, and this version is rolled in crushed pecans for extra crunch.
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Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Rich chocolate pairs nicely with classic gingerbread in these tasty cookies.
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Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Keep a bowl of these treats on the table at all times. The rich combination of pecans, caramel, and chocolate comes together for a crowd-pleasing treat, using shortcuts like premade caramel candies.
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell
Make gingerbread that will be a hit at the Christmas dessert table. The chocolate mixed with ginger is a lovely touch, and the decadent layers make for a visually beautiful look.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Add some extra spice and sweetness to your typical apple pie with some bourbon. This recipe was published in our November 1995 issue as part of a feature on classic holiday desserts.
Credit: GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS
No oven is necessary to make these festive and fancy cookies. Add them to your cookie board to please your guests.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This age-old recipe combines the comfort of a Bundt cake with the indulgence of dripping caramel and apples. The result? Absolute decadence.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
When we’re cooking for a crowd, sheet cakes are our go-to move. Topped with marshmallows and fudge, Mississippi Mud Cake has what it takes to become a fan favorite.
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Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Who else has been dreaming of a white Christmas…and a White Texas Sheet Cake?
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This quick and simple recipe calls for just a few ingredients, and it can be put together in under 10 minutes.
Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This spiced layer cake always makes for a satisfying dessert, all year long.
Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Looking for a festive way to serve banana pudding to a crowd? Meet our toasty meringue-topped recipe for the classic Southern dessert.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
The perfect cookies for a decorating party, you can adorn these sweet snacks with sprinkles of your choice.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
Channel all the spices of the season in this moist, fluffy Pumpkin Cake. Stack the sponges with spiced whipped cream for extra seasonal flair.
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
This simple recipe is a household favorite for a reason. Serve it with spiced whipped cream or cranberry jelly to bring a pop of Christmas cheer.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Who says sweets are just for dessert? Your guests can snack on these dainty cookie press creations all throughout the day.
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Giulietta Pinna; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
If you’re looking for a Christmas showstopper, this nostalgic (and boozy) labor of love is guaranteed to impress.
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Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
A trifle is a great way to offer guests generous portions of dessert without meticulously dividing up slices. And this recipe lives up to its name.
Credit: Emily Laurae
Dress up easy cream cheese cookies for the holidays by coating the rolls in festive red or green sugar crystals.
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The flaky layers of chocolate and toffee simply melt in your mouth. Plus, you never even have to turn on the oven.
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Everyone in the South looks forward to Little Debbie holiday cakes, and this recipe makes them even better than the originals.
Credit: PHOTO: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
Pay homage to the favorite holiday drink with this festive, slightly spiked Bundt cake.
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Find yourself with an extra box of Krispy Kreme donuts leftover from Christmas morning breakfast? We have the perfect way to put it to use.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
There’s no better way to feed a crowd than with a showstopping layer cake, and this sea salt-caramel version holds the sweet-and-salty combination of your dreams.
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Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Enlist the kids to help in the kitchen with this easy recipe that’s straight from Grandma’s files.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
With a stunning swirl of red-and-white peppermint icing, these sandwich cookies are sure to charm.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Garnished elegantly with gingerbread and sugar-dusted rosemary sprigs, this simple rendition of our White Cake will be the star of any holiday party.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
A tin of these classic Southern candies is sure to keep your guests happy (and snacking) all day long.
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Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Ramp up the flavors of those classic sugar cookies with a fun pop of color. Cut these cookies into any shape you desire and dye them any color—but you can’t go wrong with festive stars in your favorite holiday shade!
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Top each shortbread round with a whole pecan for a tasty embellishment.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Our Christmas feast isn’t complete without at least one pie, and this sliceable Persimmon Pie just tastes like the holidays, using a classic Southern fruit.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
You’ve had dry, crispy gingerbread before, but have you had a slice of moist gingerbread cake? Pass on brittle cookies and treat your guests to this old-fashioned dessert.
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This nostalgic treat is still a great way to make a tasty dessert with a few ingredients.
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Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These fun treats are cute and a cinch to make. Get the little ones involved for an easy bake.
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
It couldn’t be easier to turn cheesecake into a bite-sized treat this holiday season.
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This recipe imparts the delicious flavor of classic fruitcake in a pretty loaf shape. If you’re convinced you don’t love fruitcake, you’ll think again.
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners
This cake is an essential crossover between pecan pie and layer cake.
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Jennifer Davick
Elevate your traditional pound cake by adding a classic holiday ingredient. This recipe for sweet potato pound cake adds an earthy flavor perfect for Christmas.
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Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
This sweet-tart dessert will be the hit of your holiday party. Garnish with orange slices, sugared cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for an impressive finish.
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Frederick Hardy II; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Ugly Christmas sweaters are an adorably unstylish holiday tradition, and this recipe highlights them perfectly. The red velvet cake is delicious, but the real star is the cute sweater decoration.
Dining and Cooking