The 17 Holiday Desserts You Only Make Once a Year—And It’s Finally Time

Feels like the season when all those holiday traditions start calling again, especially the treats we break out only once a year. I’ve been craving those cozy flavors that instantly remind me why some desserts are worth making only on special occasions. It’s funny how each dish feels like a little celebration, almost as if the holidays wouldn’t be the same without them. All those desserts we make once a year suddenly feel extra magical when the time finally rolls around.

Irresistible Peppermint White Chocolate Blondies

Peppermint blondies on parchment paper. — Peppermint White Chocolate Holiday Blondies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Decadent white chocolate blondies with festive peppermint frosting are a must-bake this holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint White Chocolate Holiday Blondies

Holiday White Chocolate Pretzel Bark

White Chocolate Bark. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet, salty, and crunchy—this white chocolate pretzel bark is the ultimate holiday treat to gift or serve.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Bark

Festive Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Candy Cane Cookies with a mug of hot chocolate. — Christmas Candy Cane Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chewy candy cane sugar cookies baked with crushed peppermint make the perfect holiday centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Fudgy Peppermint Holiday Brownies

Peppermint Fudge Bars for Holiday Nights. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These fudgy peppermint brownies are a nostalgic holiday treat that everyone will fight over.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Fudge Bars for Holiday Nights

Chewy Lemon Snowflake Cookies

Lemon crinkle cookies on a cooling rack. — Lemon Snowflake Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Bright and tangy lemon snowflake cookies add a refreshing twist to your holiday dessert lineup.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Snowflake Cookies

Rich Salted Vanilla Caramels

Soft Homemade Salted Caramels. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Silky, buttery salted caramels that make the perfect homemade gift or festive indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Soft Homemade Salted Caramels

Spiced Eggnog Bundt Cake

Eggnog Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

Warmly spiced eggnog bundt cake with a luscious glaze, ideal for festive breakfasts and gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Bundt Cake

Quick Marshmallow Peppermint Fudge

Easy Marshmallow Peppermint Fudge. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Festive peppermint fudge with marshmallows that’s simple to make and perfect for gifting this season.
Get the Recipe: Easy Marshmallow Peppermint Fudge

Gluten-Free Christmas Wreath Cake

Christmas Wreath Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Create Kids Club.

Spiced holiday bundt cake made gluten-free with almond flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for festive cheer.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Wreath Bundt Cake

Decadent Graham Cracker Toffee Bark

Close-up of chocolate toffee pieces scattered on a dark surface. The toffee is topped with a layer of hardened chocolate and sprinkled with chopped nuts. Some pieces are broken into irregular shapes, and the overall appearance is appetizing and crunchy. — Graham Cracker Toffee Recipe (Chocolate Bark). Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Crunchy graham cracker toffee covered in chocolate and nuts makes a sweet, salty, and festive holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Graham Cracker Toffee Recipe (Chocolate Bark)

Moist Raspberry Ricotta Holiday Cake

A raspberry ricotta cake sprinkled with powdered sugar. — Super Moist Raspberry Ricotta Cake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Deliciously moist raspberry ricotta cake is festive, fruity, and perfect for your holiday dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Super Moist Raspberry Ricotta Cake

Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies to Try

A baking tray filled with decorated holiday sugar cookies, including Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars, a bell, a gingerbread person, and a snowman, all with colorful icing and sprinkles. — Make-Ahead Holiday Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Soft, cut-out sugar cookies perfect for decorating—start your holiday baking with this festive recipe.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Holiday Sugar Cookies

Festive Christmas Puppy Chow Mix

Easy Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This festive puppy chow Chex mix is sweet, crunchy, and perfect for holiday parties or gift baskets.
Get the Recipe: Easy Christmas Puppy Chow Recipe

Creamy Peanut Butter Holiday Fudge

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe With Evaporated Milk. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Ultimate peanut butter fudge with marshmallow creme—sweet, creamy, and perfect for holiday gifting.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe With Evaporated Milk

Citrus Lemon Jello Poke Cake

A square piece of lemon poke cake with frosting and mint leaves on top sits on a stack of white plates. The background shows a baking dish with the remainder of the cake, additional mint leaves, and a whole lemon. — Decadent Lemon Jello Poke Cake. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Bright and tangy lemon poke cake soaked with Jell-O and topped with lemon frosting makes a festive dessert.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Lemon Jello Poke Cake

Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe

Discover the joy of Christmas with this delicious chocolate covered strawberries recipe! These treats are perfect for sharing to add some holiday cheer.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe

3 Ingredient Oreo Balls

3 Ingredient Oreo Balls are an easy no-bake dessert! Perfect for the holidays or any time of year. Decorate with sprinkles!
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Oreo Balls

31 Holiday Desserts That Look Straight Out of Grandma’s Cookbook

The holidays just don’t feel complete without something sweet cooling on the counter. These desserts could have come straight from Grandma’s handwritten cards, the ones dusted with flour and sugar.
Grab it here: 31 Holiday Desserts That Look Straight Out of Grandma’s Cookbook