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Desserts have a way of making any gathering feel special, and the right recipe can turn any get-together into a true celebration. Whether you’re baking a tray of fudgy brownies, folding cinnamon-spiced apples into a turnover, or whipping up cookies that travel beautifully, these recipes are designed with sharing in mind. Easy to transport and simple to serve, each one offers a balance of nostalgic comfort and crowd-pleasing flavor. From chocolate brownies to indulgent bars, these treats deliver big on taste with minimal fuss, making them the perfect finale for any occasion that calls for something sweet.
Pan-Banging Chocolate Chip Cookies
Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food styling by Christina Daley / Prop styling by Torie Cox
These dramatic cookies bring instant holiday cheer to any dessert spread. Their rippled edges and chewy centers make them impossible to resist, while the rich chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with coffee or mulled wine. Baked in big, bakery-style rounds, or into smaller bite-sized cookies, they look impressive stacked high on a platter and are easy to grab during a party.
Chai Cherry Cheesecake Blondies
Food & Wine / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey
Warm chai spices and tart dried cherries transform these cheesecake-swirled blondies into a standout treat. The blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger gives them a cozy holiday feel, while the creamy cheesecake layer adds indulgence. Cut into neat squares, they’re easy to serve and transport, making them perfect for potlucks.
Banana-Chocolate Chip Snack Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Antonis Achilleos
This nostalgic snack cake gets a holiday-ready upgrade with a rich peanut butter frosting that feels both playful and decadent. Moist banana cake studded with chocolate chips keeps the flavors balanced and crowd-pleasing, while the sheet-pan style makes it simple to cut and serve.
Hot Buttered Rum Biscotti
Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Thom Driver
These biscotti capture the cozy, boozy essence of the classic winter cocktail in a crisp, dunkable cookie. Perfect alongside coffee or hot chocolate, they’re both festive and sophisticated. Their sturdy texture makes them easy to transport and ideal for potlucks, while the buttery, spiced flavor profile ensures broad appeal.
Lemon Bars
Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling by Annie Probst / Prop Styling by Gabe Greco
Bright, tangy, and dusted with powdered sugar, lemon bars bring a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of a holiday spread. Their sunny flavor feels unexpected yet festive, and the buttery shortbread crust gives them an elegant finish. Cut into large or small squares, they’re effortless to serve at potlucks and always popular with guests.
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Photo by Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Lexi Juhl
All the beloved flavors of pumpkin pie in an easy-to-serve bar make this dessert a holiday essential. A buttery crust anchors the smooth, spiced filling, while their neat, handheld size eliminates the need for slicing.
Rocky Road Brownies
Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Joshua Hoggle / Food Styling by Marianne Williams
Loaded with marshmallows, nuts, and rich chocolate, rocky road brownies bring festive fun to any dessert table. Their chewy, gooey texture feels indulgent, while the rocky road topping adds both flair and crunch.
Thumbprint Molasses Cookies
Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners /Â Prop Styling by Phoebe Hauser
Spiced cookies get a festive upgrade with jewel-toned fillings like apricot jam or raspberry preserves. Their soft, chewy texture and deep molasses flavor feel cozy and seasonal, while the decorative centers make them look like ornaments.
Fun and Fancy Macarons
Sarah Crowder / Food Styling by Drew Aichele
Delicate, colorful, and endlessly customizable, macarons add instant sophistication to any holiday potluck. Their crisp shells and luscious fillings showcase flavors like chocolate, raspberry, or pistachio, making them as beautiful as they are delicious. Though dainty, they’re easy to transport in boxes and look stunning when displayed on a platter.
Pistachio-Rose Brittle
Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Christine Keely
This jewel-toned brittle combines toasted pistachios with a fragrant hint of rose, creating a dessert that feels both festive and refined. Its glossy shards look stunning on a holiday dessert table and can be broken into shareable pieces for easy serving. Portable and long-lasting, it’s an upscale potluck option that doubles as a beautiful edible gift.
Caramel-Pecan Hand Pies
Dana Gallagher
A Southern-inspired holiday gem, these hand pies combine buttery pastry with gooey caramel and crunchy pecans. Their individual size makes them party-friendly, with no cutting or serving utensils required.
Pistachio Cookie Cups
Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle
Use a mini muffin tin to shape this simple brown butter chocolate cookie dough into miniature cups so you can fill them with Sicilian pistachio cream. The sweet and salty treats are eye catching in any dessert spread.
Praline Brownies
John Kernick
Decadent and rich, these brownies are layered with a glossy praline topping that adds crunch, sweetness, and a touch of holiday sparkle. They strike the perfect balance between classic comfort and upscale indulgence.
Caramelized Cinnamon Doughnut Cake
Food & Wine / Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless
Draw a crowd with spiced, buttery, and toasty aromas from this doughy mashup dessert. Mashed russet potato gives it a soft, chewy texture and subtle richness. The pillowy dough’s buttery brown sugar–cinnamon topping caramelizes in the oven and forms a crisp, crackly crust over the tender crumb beneath.
Baked Sweet Potato Doughnuts
Con Poulos
Sweet potato purée gives these baked doughnuts a seasonal flair and a naturally rich flavor. Lightly spiced and glazed to perfection, they make an eye-catching addition to any dessert spread. Healthier than fried versions but still indulgent, these doughnuts capture the warmth of holiday baking in every bite.
Eli’s Golden Apple Turnovers
Dana Gallagher
Flaky, golden pastry wrapped around tender, cinnamon-spiced apples makes these turnovers an elegant handheld dessert. A dusting of sugar adds sparkle, making them as beautiful as they are delicious. This autumnal classic easily carries into festive holiday and winter gatherings.
Chocolate Buttermilk Snack Cakes
David Malosh
Moist, rich, and deeply chocolaty, these individual snack cakes feel both homey and upscale, thanks to their perfectly portioned size. The tang of buttermilk keeps them light, while a simple glaze or dusting of cocoa makes them party-ready.
