Welcome to a hassle-free and delightful holiday season with our collection of 15 Easy Christmas Desserts (Recipes with No Bake Needed). In the spirit of festive joy, we’ve curated a selection of sweet treats that require no oven time, allowing you to focus on the joy of sharing delicious moments with your loved ones. From indulgent chocolate creations to refreshing fruity delights, these recipes are designed to make your Christmas celebrations stress-free and delicious. No-bake Christmas desserts are a great option for those who want to save time or avoid using the oven.
Get ready to elevate your holiday dessert game with minimal effort and maximum flavor! Here are 15 Easy Christmas Desserts (No Bake Needed):
- Peppermint Bark
- No-Bake Cookies
- Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Gingerbread Truffles
- Fruit Salad with Citrus Glaze
- No-Bake Cheesecake
- Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites
- Chocolate Peppermint Cups
- No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
- No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake Cups
- Tiramisu
- Mango Coconut Chia Pudding
- No-Bake Lemon Bar Parfait
- Zabaglione (Italian recipe of Zabaione) (My grandma’s recipe)
Let’s start with the first easy Christmas recipe:
Table of Contents
Peppermint Bark
- Melt white chocolate and spread it on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top.
- Let it cool and harden in the refrigerator.
- Break into pieces and enjoy!
No-Bake Cookies
- Combine rolled oats, peanut butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper and let them cool.
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
- Make traditional Rice Krispie treats, but add red and green food coloring.
- Cut them into festive shapes using cookie cutters.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Dip pretzel rods or twist them into melted chocolate.
- Sprinkle with holiday-themed sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
- Let them set on wax paper.
Gingerbread Truffles
- Mix crushed gingersnap cookies with cream cheese.
- Roll into balls and dip in melted white or dark chocolate.
- Decorate with a drizzle of contrasting chocolate.
Fruit Salad with Citrus Glaze
- Combine your favorite fruits in a bowl.
- Mix orange juice, yogurt, honey, and a bit of lemon zest for a citrus glaze.
- Pour the glaze over the fruit and toss.
No-Bake Cheesecake
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and whipped cream.
- Pour the mixture into a graham cracker crust.
- Chill in the fridge until set.
You have the option to serve the cheesecake either in a classic cake shape or elegantly portioned in individual glasses, allowing for a versatile and visually appealing presentation.
Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites
- Blend dried cranberries, pistachios, oats, and honey in a food processor.
- Roll into bite-sized balls and refrigerate.
Chocolate Peppermint Cups
- Melt dark chocolate and line mini cupcake tins.
- Add a layer of crushed candy canes and top with more melted chocolate.
- Chill until set.
Now, let’s see in detail the last six easy Christmas desserts to elevate your dinner.
No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs (cream removed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 24 oz (about 680g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups crushed Oreo cookies (cream included)
- 2 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- In a bowl, combine Oreo cookie crumbs with melted butter.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to create the crust.
- Place the crust in the refrigerator to set while preparing the filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until well combined.
- Gently fold in the crushed Oreo cookies.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese and Oreo mixture until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble and Chill
- Pour the filling over the chilled crust in the springform pan.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Sprinkle some additional crushed Oreo cookies on top for decoration, if desired.
- Refrigerate the no-bake Oreo cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
Step 4: Serve
- Once set, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan.
- Slice and serve chilled.
This no-bake Oreo cheesecake is a delightful and easy Christmas dessert with the beloved flavors of Oreo cookies.
Easy Christmas Peppermint Cheesecake (No-Bake)
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1.5 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (you can use pre-crushed cookies or crush your own)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup whipped cream
For Topping:
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs with melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of individual serving cups or a larger trifle dish to create the crust layer.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the whipped cream until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Spoon the cheesecake filling over the crust in each serving cup or spread it evenly in the trifle dish.
- Place the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours to allow it to set.
- Before serving, add some strawberry flavor sauce and sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies on top for a festive touch.
- Serve chilled, and enjoy your no-bake peppermint cheesecake cups!
This dessert is not only delicious but also has a refreshing peppermint flavor that makes it perfect for the holiday season.
Tiramisu
This is probably the best dessert that you can think of for a Christmas dinner. Tiramisu offers versatile serving options – whether elegantly presented in a cake form for a stunning centerpiece or individually crafted in glasses for a more intimate and personalized serving experience.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 3 tablespoons coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- Ladyfinger cookies
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix coffee and coffee liqueur.
- In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add mascarpone to the egg mixture and mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
- Dip ladyfinger cookies into the coffee mixture and layer them in a serving dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
- Repeat the layers and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Dust with cocoa powder before serving.
Mango Coconut Chia Pudding
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh mango slices
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix chia seeds, coconut milk, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Stir well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, top with fresh mango slices.
Easy Christmas Lemon Bar Parfait (No-Bake)
Traditional lemon bars typically involve baking to set the crust and the lemon filling. However, if you’re looking for a no-bake alternative, you can create a simplified version of lemon bars in the form of a chilled lemon bar parfait. Here’s a no-bake lemon bar parfait recipe for you:
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar
For the Lemon Filling:
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is preferable)
- Zest of 2 lemons
For the Topping:
- Whipped cream
- Lemon slices or zest for garnish
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Crust:
- In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom of serving glasses or a baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Filling:
- In another bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined.
- Pour the lemon filling over the crust in the serving glasses or dish.
Step 3: Chill: Place the parfaits or dish in the refrigerator to set for at least 2-3 hours or until firm.
Step 4: Serve: Once set, top with whipped cream and garnish with lemon slices or zest before serving.
This no-bake lemon bar parfait captures the essence of traditional lemon bars with a refreshing and citrusy flavor. It’s a quick and easy dessert that doesn’t require an oven.
Zabaglione (Italian recipe of Zabaione)
My grandma, who hailed from Piedmont, used to prepare this delightful dessert called zabaione in her hometown. It was a cherished tradition in our family, and she would lovingly whip up this delicious custard-like treat, infusing it with the warmth and flavors of her native region.
Ingredients:
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine
- 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh berries or grated chocolate for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.
- Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, creating a double boiler. Ensure that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
- Whisk the egg yolk mixture continuously until it becomes pale, thick, and forms ribbons when the whisk is lifted. This step helps to cook the eggs and partially create a custard-like consistency.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and continue to whisk for a minute to cool the mixture slightly.
- Gradually add the Marsala wine to the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
- In a separate bowl, whip the chilled heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the zabaione mixture until well combined.
- Divide the no-bake zabaione into serving glasses or bowls.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the dessert to set.
- Before serving, garnish with fresh berries or grated chocolate if desired.
This no-bake zabaione retains the creamy and luscious texture of the traditional version without the need to cook over heat. It’s a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that captures the essence of the classic Italian treat.
As we wrap up this collection of Easy Christmas Recipes, we hope these simple yet delectable creations bring joy to your holiday gatherings. May the warmth of these flavors and the ease of preparation add a touch of magic to your festive season. We are wishing you a season filled with love, laughter, and the sweetest of memories. Happy holidays!
Recommended seasonal recipes: The Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe for Oven and Crockpot and Crunchy Peanut Brittle Recipes.
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