15 Last-Minute Christmas Desserts You Can Still Pull Off Today

Holiday surprises often demand a quick solution. In just a few minutes, 15 crowd-pleasing Christmas desserts are ready to back you up. Simple recipes work for busy evenings, potlucks, or last-minute gifting. Everyone deserves a shortcut when time is short and there’s still dessert to serve.

A close-up image shows a stack of four chocolate crinkle cookies covered in powdered sugar, revealing their cracked texture.
Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Christmas Brownies

Several brownies decorated with candy eyes, red candy noses, and pretzel antlers are arranged on a white surface to resemble reindeer faces.
Christmas Brownies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Holiday gatherings light up when this Christmas Brownies recipe lands on the table. Each square seems to pull everyone in for just one more bite. The cheerful look alone gets people reaching for another piece. If you need something sweet in a pinch, these brownies deliver joy fast.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Brownies

Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Several gingerbread cookies shaped like people, decorated with white icing and small colorful candies, are perfectly arranged on a piece of parchment paper.
Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Guests often linger close to the kitchen just to get another Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies. The comforting aroma fills the room and makes people feel right at home. These cookies have a nostalgic touch that feels perfect for December. Serving them often brings a warm, cheerful mood to any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Candy Cane Cookies

Twisted red and white candy cane cookies dusted with powdered sugar, surrounded by decorative snowflake and tree-shaped sprinkles.
Candy Cane Cookies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Sleek stripes and minty fragrance define this Candy Cane Cookies recipe every holiday season. Plates disappear quickly once these cookies arrive at any gathering. There is a playful twist in each bite that keeps everyone smiling. It is easy to see why these cookies are a December favorite.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Cookies

Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies

A close-up of a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips and small white marshmallows on top.
Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

The first batch of these Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies brings everyone around the table, especially on cold days. Every cookie delivers pure comfort that reminds people of cozy winter nights. The hint of cocoa makes each bite special without much fuss. They become a quick hit the moment you put them out.
Get the Recipe: Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies

Buttery Shortbread Cookies

Close-up view of a pile of Shortbread Cookies with visible small holes on the surface.
Buttery Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Melt-in-your-mouth moments come alive with these Buttery Shortbread Cookies on the dessert tray. Friends and guests are quick to reach for seconds, enjoying the simple charm. Their tender texture creates instant smiles at the table. No one minds when you bring out a plate on short notice.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Shortbread Cookies

Fudgy Cream Cheese Brownies

Brownies with a cream cheese layer in the center are cut into squares and arranged on parchment paper.
Fudgy Cream Cheese Brownies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A platter of Fudgy Cream Cheese Brownies never stays full for long during any festive get-together. Their rich look draws a crowd without even trying. These brownies deliver that extra touch of creaminess people remember. December rush or not, you will see these vanish before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Cream Cheese Brownies

Festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Green cookies topped with powdered sugar and red, green, and white candy shapes resembling trees and candy canes.
Festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bright and colorful, these Festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies bring a fun mood to the dessert spread. Kids and adults tend to grab these cookies with a grin every time. The playful colors add a pop of excitement to holiday gatherings. These cookies turn any ordinary table into something lively and memorable.
Get the Recipe: Festive Grinch Crinkle Cookies

No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

A stack of chocolate truffles with white icing, one cut open to reveal a peanut butter filling.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

A batch of No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls always comes together in minutes and disappears just as fast. These little bites are smooth and rich, perfect for last-minute needs. There is no worry about oven space with these treats in your lineup. The ease and flavor make them an obvious December win.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter

Three sugar cookies stacked on top of each other.
Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A tray filled with Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter is welcomed with curiosity and surprise. People enjoy the soft, pillowy texture without guessing what is missing. Sometimes, quick swaps bring out new favorites for everyone. In the holiday rush, these cookies prove that simple changes can make a difference.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Close-up of a classic peanut butter cookie with the iconic crisscross pattern on top, nestled among a delightful batch of similar peanut butter cookies.
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Friends notice when these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies show up on a plate, especially around Christmas. The chewy center creates a great contrast with a crisp edge in each bite. Fast to put together, these cookies always draw plenty of attention. Expect them to disappear before you have time to refill the tray.
Get the Recipe: Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Close-up of several pecan cookies on a white surface, with pecan halves on top and crumbs scattered around.
Butter Pecan Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bringing out a batch of Butter Pecan Cookies is a sure way to create a cozy holiday feeling. The mellow taste and tender crunch look perfect alongside other festive treats. Plates clear fast as guests sneak more than one. A simple recipe with big December comfort for both quiet evenings and busy events.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Mississippi Mud Pie

A slice of Mississippi mud pie on a plate.
Mississippi Mud Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Eyes light up when a Mississippi Mud Pie appears at a Christmas table. Its rich, inviting look offers something special for people craving chocolate. This dessert has a way of making everyone slow down to enjoy every forkful. Sharing it always sparks conversation and cheerful laughter.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Pie

Rich Chocolate Cream Pie

A slice of chocolate cream pie with a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, served on a black plate.
Rich Chocolate Cream Pie. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Every winter gathering becomes extra special when this Rich Chocolate Cream Pie greets guests. The smooth, velvety filling always draws attention. Slices vanish quickly as people can never have just one. It works perfectly as a quick show-stopper when you need something impressive in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Rich Chocolate Cream Pie

Sweet Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

A slice of apple cinnamon roll on a plate.
Sweet Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The comforting aroma of a Sweet Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie makes guests linger in the kitchen. People comment on the blend of apple and holiday spices. This dessert feels as festive and welcoming as Christmas lights. It is an easy way to bring a touch of home to any December get-together.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A close-up image shows a stack of four chocolate crinkle cookies covered in powdered sugar, revealing their cracked texture.
Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fans of chocolate gather around for these Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies every holiday season. Their powdered exterior gives each piece a wintry look that feels right at home in December. People usually go back for more when they see the plate. Bringing them to a party always leads to requests for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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