21 Festive Holiday Desserts You Can Make This Year That Don't Require Cream Cheese

Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Our Test Kitchen recommends following the steps exactly in this recipe to make sure the frosting doesn't deflate. 

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake Crinkle Cookies

While most Red Velvets desserts require cream cheese, these crinkle cookies don't.

Recipe: Eggnog Bundt Cake

If desired, you can substitute the bourbon for heavy cream. 

Recipe: Christmas Fudge

We've included a secret ingredient to ensure this fudge has a creamy texture and won't crumble or crystallize. 

Recipe: Santa's Kitchen-Sink Cookies

You can follow this recipe exactly, or tailor to your family by adding your favorite mix-ins. 

Recipe: Snowball Cake

A biscuit cutter will allow you to make these miniature snowball cakes from a simple sheet cake. 

Recipe: Gingerbread Latte Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting

Brewed coffee gives this gingerbread cake the same flavor as your favorite holiday latte.

Recipe: Old Fashioned Gingerbread

Fresh, homemade gingerbread will fill your home with the smell of the spices of the season. Plus, it's simple to make. 

Recipe: Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks

Not only are these triple stacks cute, but they can also be assembled up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Recipe: Peppermint Cake with Seven-Minute Frosting

A peppermint buttercream gives the inside of this cake a pop of color and mint flavor. 

Recipe: Chocolate-Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies

If you tend to prefer the taste of chocolate over gingerbread, give this recipe a try. 

Recipe: Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake

We topped this chocolate cake with Magnolia cake flowers, but you can decorate however you'd like. 

Recipes: Hot Chocolate Brownies

When it's time to cut these brownies, dusting the knife with powdered sugar between each cut will help each square come out perfectly. 

Recipe: Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies

Whether you give them as a gift, bring them to a party, or just make them for your family, these sprinkle cookies are sure to be a hit.

Recipe: White Chocolate-Peppermint Blondies

Peppermint extract and crushed peppermints make sure these blondies have plenty of minty flavor. 

Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts

This recipe makes five dozen, so they're great to gift or serve a larger crowd. 

Recipe: Buche de Noel

If you want to try your hand at something other than a layer cake this year, this festive yule log is for you.

Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

A dessert that needs just four ingredients and doesn't even require turning on the oven is our kind of recipe. 

Recipe: Mint Meringue Christmas Trees

Baking these tree cookies at a low temperature for two hours will allow the meringue to dry out and stand firmly. 

Recipe: Nicola Blaque's Christmas Rum Cake

This is one cake that you'll want to make sure you prepare a day in advance of serving. It needs at least 8 hours (or up to 24 hours) to soak up the rum. 

Recipe: Linzer Tree Cookies

Poking holes in the cookies and sandwiching a red jam, such as raspberry or strawberry, between the two pieces lends the appearance of ornaments.