Christmas Dessert Recipes

I consider Christmas dessert recipes to be something other than my candies, cookies, cake and pies which I make for Christmas. I usually make candy and cookies from Thanksgiving to a few days before Christmas. At this time I package both to give away. Pie making is usually left to the week of Thanksgiving; only occasionally for the Christmas holidays. I love pretty Christmas cakes to take as gifts or to carry-in dinners. These special cakes seem to brighten up the eyes of friends and family.

Christmas Dessert RecipesChristmas Dessert Recipes

There is a great time for me to make “luscious looking” Christmas dessert recipes. The holiday season is the most active time for socializing. Friends and family seem not to be as busy and they love stopping by for a cup of coffee. A special dessert goes well with that hot cup of coffee and is always greatly appreciated. Now I must add that guests can always help themselves to the cookies, candy and anything else from the kitchen. Many times in years past relatives have stopped by when I was in the middle of packaging my Christmas treats. Of course they got to sample them. This is what makes the holidays special!

I do not make nearly as many Christmas dessert recipes each year like I do other recipes. When I do make Christmas dessert recipes I want them to be extra special. I like to serve them at home because many have to be kept cold and some even frozen.  Even in cold weather, there is something warming when served with a hot cup of coffee. These desserts are prepared with the thought of who would be coming by for coffee. I think about the taste and presentation when preparing them for these special people.

CHOCOLATE TOPPED RUSSE DE STRAWBERRY

Chocolate Topped Russe De StrawberryChocolate Topped Russe De Strawberry

Elegant Christmas dessert recipes are made with chocolate and strawberries.
Crust

  • 18 Ladyfingers (Cut in half lengthwise)
  • ¼ Cup Grand Marnier

Filling

  • 2 Envelopes unflavored gelatin
  • ¾ Cup cold water
  • 1 Pint fresh strawberries
  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 Egg whites
  • 1 Cup heavy whipping cream

Chocolate Top

  • 2 Ounces semi sweet chocolate (Cut in pieces)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1  3/8 Yards red satin ribbon (½ inch width)
  • 10 Whole fresh strawberries with stems

Butter bottom only of spring form pan (9 Inch).
Sprinkle cut sides of ladyfingers with liqueur.
Place ladyfingers cut sides down facing in around sides and in bottom of pan.
FOR FILLING in saucepan soften gelatin in cold water; stir over low until dissolved.
Remove from heat.
In large bowl mash 2 cups of the strawberries; stir in sugar, lemon juice and gelatin.
Whisk mixture until foamy; refrigerate just until mixture thickens about 20 minutes.
In small bowl beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold in strawberry mixture.
Pour into prepared pan; refrigerate 4-6 hours until set.
FOR CHOCOLATE TOP line cookie sheet with wax paper; draw a 6 inch circle.
Over low heat in small saucepan melt chocolate and butter until smooth.
Spread chocolate evenly into prepared 6 inch circle on cookie sheet.
Refrigerate until slightly hardened (40-50 minutes); cut into 10 equal wedges.
Gently lift wedges from paper and arrange over strawberry mixture.
Carefully remove sides of pan; tie ribbon around the bottom of dessert.
Garnish with chocolate dipped strawberries; serves 10.

Ladyfinger CrustLadyfinger Crust

VERY BERRY CHEESECAKE RECIPE

Very Berry Cheesecake RecipeVery Berry Cheesecake Recipe
Very Berry Cheesecake RecipeVery Berry Cheesecake Recipe

Fresh berries make delicious Christmas dessert recipes.
Crust

  • 1 ½ Cups shortbread cookies
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons melted butter

Filling

  • 1/3 Cup milk
  • 1 Envelope PLUS 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 1 Package (8 Ounces) softened cream cheese
  • 2/3 Cup sugar
  • 1 Cup cottage cheese (Drained well)
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 Cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ Cup fresh blackberries
  • ¼ Cup fresh blueberries
  • ¼ Cup fresh raspberries
  •  1-2 Fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; grease 8 inch spring form pan.
FOR CRUST combine and mix in bowl the cookies, sugar and melted butter.
Press mixture into bottom and halfway up sides of pan; bake 8-10 minutes and cool.
FOR FILLING place milk and gelatin in small saucepan; let stand 5 minutes.
Cook over low heat stirring until gelatin is dissolved; cool.
In medium bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy; beat in gelatin and vanilla.
In another bowl beat whipping cream to stiff peaks; fold into cheese mixture.
Pour filling mixture into crust; chill 2-3 hours.
TO SERVE remove sides of pan; place cake on a plate.
Decorate top with berries; serves 8-10.

SPICY PUMPKIN DESSERT

Pumpkin is a favorite among Christmas dessert recipes.

  • 1 Can (14 Ounces) pumpkin puree
  • ¼ Cup melted butter
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 5 Tablespoons sugar
  • 3 Eggs
  • ½ Teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ Teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg
  • Pinch salt
  • ½ Cup heavy whipping cream
  • Candied cherries
  • Candy for decorating

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
In large mixing bowl combine pumpkin and next 8 ingredients.
In separate bowl beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold into puree mixture.
Pour into a buttered 1 quart mold; bake 30 minutes.
Remove from oven; cool completely; chill 3-4 hours or until firm.
Unmold dessert onto serving plate; decorate with red cherries and green candied leaves
Serves 6.

STRAWBERRY MILK RING

Many of my Christmas dessert recipes are made with gelatin.

  • 1 Lemon (Grate rind; squeeze out juice)
  • 5 Teaspoons unflavored gelatin
  • 5 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 Large can evaporated milk (Refrigerated until cold)
  • 1 Cup buttermilk
  • Pink food coloring (Few drops to desired color)
  • 1 Egg white
  • ½ Cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3-4 Cups fresh strawberries

Place lemon juice in a small saucepan; heat over low until hot.
Sprinkle gelatin over the top; stir in sugar and cool slightly.
Pour the cold milk into a large bowl; beat until thick and foamy.
Beat in the buttermilk, gelatin mixture, lemon rind and coloring.
Pour into a dampened 1 quart ring mold; chill until set about 4 hours.
Dip bottom of mold into hot water up to rim for a few seconds.
Unmold dessert onto a serving plate.
In small bowl beat the egg white until stiff; whip the cream until stiff.
Fold the cream into the beaten egg white; set aside.
Hull the strawberries and fit some in the center of the ring,
Pipe the cream mixture on top and around the base of the ring.
Decorate with remaining berries and serve immediately; serves 6.

CLEMENTINE TRIFLE

Trifles are popular Christmas dessert recipes in many countries.

  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 Tablespoons Grand Marnier
  • 12 Egg yolks
  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ Teaspoon grated clementine peel
  • 2 Loaves vanilla pound cake (Cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 8-10 clementines (Peel and separate segments)
  • 2 Containers (10 Ounces each) whipped topping

In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and Grand Marnier; set aside.
In top of double boiler combine yolks, sugar and vanilla.
Place over simmering water and whisk constantly to 140F degrees.
Add cornstarch mixture stirring until thickened; remove from heat.
Add grated peel stirring until mixture begins to cool.
FOR TRIFLE place a THIRD of the sauce in bottom of a large trifle bowl.
Layer a THIRD of the cake cubes on top of the sauce.
Top cake with a THIRD of the Clementine segments.
Top Clementine segments with a THIRD of the whipped topping.
Repeat layering until all ingredients are used; end with clementines on top.
Refrigerate until ready to serve; serves about 12.

PLUM PUDDING WITH BRANDY HARD SAUCE

Old traditional recipes for plum pudding are Christmas dessert recipes chosen by many.
Plum Pudding

  • ¼ Cup softened butter
  • 1/3 Cup sugar
  • 3 Eggs (Separated)
  • ¼ Pound ground suet
  • ½ Cup dark molasses
  • 2 ¼ Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ Teaspoon allspice
  • 1 ½ Cups raisins
  • 1 Cup diced pitted prunes
  • 1 Cup diced candied fruit
  • 1 Can whole berry cranberry sauce

Brandy Hard Sauce

  • 1 Cup butter
  • 1 Cup powdered sugar
  • Dash nutmeg
  • ½ Cup brandy

For flame

  • ¼ Cup brandy

FOR PUDDING combine butter and sugar in a large bowl.
Beat with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add yolks one at a time beating well after each addition.
Add suet and molasses beating mixture is light and fluffy.
Turn mixer to low speed; beat in flour, salt, baking powder and spices.
NOTE: When batter is well mixed it will be stiff.
Beat egg whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed.
NOTE: Always use clean bowl and beaters for egg whites.
Beat whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter.
With wooden spoon stir in raisins, prunes, fruit and cranberry sauce.
Spoon into well greased 2 to 2 ½ quart pudding mold; seal tightly with lid.
NOTE: Seal tightly with a lid or foil tied with string.
Place mold on trivet in large kettle.
Add boiling water to cover THREE FOURTHS up sides of mold.
Cover and steam over low heat 4 hours; add more boiling water if needed.
FOR BRANDY SAUCE combine butter and sugar in small mixing bowl.
Beat on medium speed of mixer until light and fluffy; add nutmeg.
Increase speed to high; gradually beat in brandy in a thin stream.
Beat about 3 minutes until brandy sauce is light and fluffy.
Spoon brandy sauce into a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate.
Carefully remove mold to a wire rack and uncover.
Place serving plate over the mold; carefully invert gently removing mold.
FOR FLAME heat brandy in a small heavy saucepan over medium low heat.
When vapor rises, ignite carefully; ladle flaming brandy over pudding.
Serve pudding with brandy sauce; serves 16.

AMARETTO CHANTILLY RECIPE

Amaretto liqueur makes such delicious Christmas dessert recipes.

  • 2/3 Cup DiSaronno Amaretto liqueur (This is the brand I use; it is so good)
  • 3 ¾ Cups miniature marshmallows
  • ¼ Teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ Cup chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 Cups heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ Cup slivered almonds (Toasted)

Combine the amaretto and marshmallows in top of double boiler
Bring the water in bottom to a boil; place top on.
Cook until marshmallows are melted stirring occasionally.
Stir in almond extract, cherries and lemon juice; cool slightly.
Beat the whipping cream to stiff peaks; fold into amaretto mixture.
Spoon evenly into pretty individual serving dishes; garnish with almonds.
Serves 8.

BREAD PUDDING AND BOURBON SAUCE

Bread puddings with bourbon make great Christmas dessert recipes or dessert for any time of the year.
Bread Pudding

  • 6 Cups sour dough bread cubes (Stale)
  • ¼ Cup melted butter
  • ½ Cup light brown sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon allspice
  • 1 Cup chopped pecans (Toasted)
  • 5 Eggs
  • 2 Cups milk
  • 1 Cup light raisins

Pecan Topping

  • ½ Cup chopped pecans (Toasted)
  • 1/3 Cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon cinnamon

Bourbon Sauce

  • ½ Cup dark brown sugar
  • ¼ Cup butter
  • 1 Teaspoon cornstarch
  • ¼ Cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Tablespoons bourbon

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; butter 8 inch square cake pan.
Place bread cubes in prepared pan; set aside.
FOR PUDDING combine in small bowl the melted butter and next 5 ingredients.
In a large bowl beat the eggs until frothy; add pecan mixture mixing well.
Stir in the milk and raisins; pour over the bread in prepared pan.
Toss bread gently; let stand about 35 minutes to soak up egg mixture.
TO MIX TOPPING combine pecans, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl; set aside.
Sprinkle topping over the pudding; bake another 10 minutes until set and lightly browned.
FOR BOURBON SAUCE melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in sugar and cornstarch; cook and stir until dissolved.
Whisk in cream and vanilla; cook and stir 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in the bourbon; cook and stir about another minute.
Remove sauce from heat and cool slightly; spoon over servings of pudding.
Serves 6-8.

CHRISTMAS DESSERT RECIPE YULETIDE CHOCOLATE DESSERT

What could be more delicious for Christmas dessert recipes than chocolate?

  • 2 Cups vanilla wafer crumbs
  • 1/3 Cup melted butter
  • ½ Cup softened butter
  • 1 ½ Cups sifted powdered sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • ¼ Cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 Cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Cup chopped pecans
  • 1 Fully ripe banana (mashed)
  • ¼ Cup maraschino cherries (Sliced)

Mix together melted butter and crumbs.
Set aside and reserve 2 tablespoons of the crumbs.
Press remaining crumb mixture in bottom of 9 inch square dish.
NOTE: Refrigerate about 15 minutes to firm crust.
Cream the ½ cup butter and powdered sugar together.
Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
Spread mixture over the crumb crust in dish.
Combine the sugar, cocoa and cream; beat until stiff.
Fold in nuts and fruits; spread over the mixture in dish.
Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over the top.
Refrigerate overnight or freeze; serves 10-12.

CRANBERRY APPLE CRISP RECIPE

Cranberries and apples together are great for Christmas dessert recipes.

  • ½ Cup sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 Teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2Teaspoon nutmeg
  • 5-6 Cups apples (Peeled, tart, cut in cubes
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • ½ Cup light corn syrup
  • 1 Teaspoon grated orange peel

Topping

  • ½ Cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/3 Cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ Cup softened butter

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg in large bowl.
Add apples, cranberries, corn syrup and orange peel; mix well.
Spoon mixture into 8 inch square baking dish.
FOR TOPPING combine the nuts, brown sugar and flour.
With pastry cutter cut in the butter until mixture is like coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle crumb mixture over the apple cranberry mixture.
Bake 50 minutes until apples are tender and juices bubbly.
Cool slightly and serve; serves 6-8.