Desserts That Will Wow the Entire Family

No Southern table is complete without these holiday dessert recipes from our Test Kitchen. Of course when it comes to Christmas desserts, we’re known for our Big White Cakes, but we also have charming cheesecakes, crowd-pleasing pound cakes, and layer cakes from coconut to gingerbread with buttermilk frosting. If you’re looking for holiday desserts that stop the show, look no further than our Praline Cream-Beignet Tower or Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle. We also have you covered on holiday desserts that we like to call “easy wow” perfect for toting to a cookie swap–like white chocolate chip cookies–or holiday party from Ambrosia Streusel Bars to Layered Eggnog Blondies. These fabulous holiday dessert recipes taste divine and will absolutely dazzle on your Christmas dessert table. Prepare to impress!

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Holiday Mocha Fudge

This Holiday Mocha Fudge is a decadent treat for the Christmas season.

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Cherry-Spice Cake Trifle

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cherry-Spice Cake Trifle

Thaw Holiday Spice Cake layers and prepare the recipe through Step 3. Assemble trifle in the morning, and refrigerate. Remove 1 hour before serving.

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Praline Cream-Beignet Tower

Photo: Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Praline Cream-Beignet Tower

Make the praline filling and dough up to two days ahead.

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Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle

Effortless to pull off? Check. Tastes better the longer it sits? Check. Make this beauty up to one day before company arrives.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

Don't worry if your cheesecake cracks; the light and fluffy layer of whipped cream will cover it.

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Gingerbread Baked Alaska

Photo: Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Gingerbread Baked Alaska

The mixing bowl from a heavy-duty stand mixer makes a perfect mold for assembling the cake and ice cream. Be sure your plastic wrap extends well beyond your bowl to completely cover your cake and ice cream mixture.

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Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks

Allow plenty of time to make fillings, and immediately assemble stacks. You can chill the assembled stacks up to 24 hours ahead of time.

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Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

Lightly toasting the macadamia nuts brings out their rich, buttery flavor.

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Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread

Making shortbread with melted butter skips the wait for it to soften.

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Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisu

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisù

Make Ahead: Loosely wrap baked and cooked tiramisu in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Red Velvet Fudge

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Red Velvet Fudge

If you like red velvet cake, you'll love this fudge.

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White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

Top this cake with Sugar-Coated Orange Slices and Sparkling Cherries.

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Ambrosia Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Ambrosia Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust

Use the foil as a handle to remove the cooled batch from the pan for easy slicing.

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Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

Warm spices and molasses blend beautifully with tangy buttermilk frosting.

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Hidden Kiss Cookies

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Hidden Kiss Cookies

We love using mint kisses and candy cane kisses for the holidays.

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Coconut Pudding

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut Pudding

Try unsweetened coconut flakes for a not-too-sweet topping.

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Cookie Press Sandwiches

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cookie Press Sandwiches

Pick your favorite filling for this classic sandwich cookie: We tested with peppermint, orange, and lemon extracts and used food coloring to match each flavor.

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Milk Punch Tres Leches Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Milk Punch Tres Leches Cake

Bake this a day before serving so it soaks up the creamy syrup. Make mini cakes with a round cutter. Top with whipped cream and a grating of nutmeg.

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Wreath Macaroons

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Wreath Macaroons

Use your fingers to make a small hole in the center of each cookie.

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White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

This cake will be the star of your holiday meal. Your guests will be begging for the recipe.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle

Top this rich trifle with a sprinkle of chocolate curls.

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Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Use food coloring gel in a squeeze bottle or a food-safe paintbrush to make lines in the piping bag. Once meringues are cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

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Mississippi Mud Medallions

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Medallions

You can substitute mini marshmallows for espresso beans.

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Mocha Balls

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mocha Balls

Coat in chocolate two at a time. Put these confections on the table and they'll be going, going, gone.

Watch: How To Make Mocha Balls

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Minted White Chocolate Balls

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Minted White Chocolate Balls

These festive nibbles are the perfect giftable treat.

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Layered Eggnog Blondies

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Layered Eggnog Blondies

These treats have a split personality: 1 part blondie, 1 part eggnog cheesecake. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container up to one week.

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Triple Gingersnappers

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Triple Gingersnappers

You can chill the dough for these gingersnappers up to three days before baking.

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Peppermint-Pretzel Bark

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peppermint-Pretzel Bark

Make even larger quantities for gifting this easy microwave treat by skipping the jelly-roll pan and covering your counter with parchment. It'll take longer to harden at room temperature, but you can make large batches without pans or the refrigerator.

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Pecan Linzer Cookies

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pecan Linzer Cookies

Use your favorite jams to vary the flavor and color of these beauties.

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Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

Whimsy meets elegance in all five layers of this red velvet-white chocolate wonder.

Watch: Assembling Our White Layer Cake

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Layered Eggnog Cream with Puff Pastry

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Layered Eggnog Cream with Puff Pastry

Any seasonal berry works with this dessert.

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Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings

Any remaining sauce makes a great topping for ice cream.

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Red Velvet Marble Bundt Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Red Velvet Marble Bundt Cake

The trick to creating looping swirls is to gently layer the batter around the Bundt pan with a small cookie scoop. No need to swirl with a knife; it will marble as it bakes. Finish it off with a Snowy White Vanilla Glaze.

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Gingerbread Soufflés

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Gingerbread Soufflés

This impressive dessert isn't difficult, but do plan ahead. Preheat the oven, and just before sitting down to dinner, pop the soufflés in. When done, serve them all puffed up and gorgeous.

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Milk Punch Frozen Custards

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Milk Punch Frozen Custards

For a formal fête, freeze the custards in elegant wine glasses or brandy snifters. For a casual gathering, use small milkshake glasses or punch cups.

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Charlotte Russe

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Charlotte Russe

Chill any remaining custard, and serve it with the remaining ladyfingers for dipping.

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Cherries Jubilee Cakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cherries Jubilee Cakes

Santa's secret: No one will ever guess these elegant little cakes came from a box of white cake mix and a can of cherries.

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Peppermint Ice-Cream Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peppermint Ice-Cream Cake

This is a towering peppermint-lover's dream. Clear about 14 square inches of room in your freezer before you begin.

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Coconut Snowballs

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Coconut Snowballs

If the melted white chocolate is too firm after it is heated, stir in about 1/4 tsp. coconut oil.

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Glazed Fruitcake Bars

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Glazed Fruitcake Bars

These dense, chewy fruitcake bars are a fresh version of the kind passed around at holiday parties. We love raisins and dried cherries in this recipe, but use your favorite combinations.

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Ambrosia Coconut Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Ambrosia Coconut Cake

Make the Ambrosia Filling and Vanilla Buttercream frosting up to 2 days ahead. Then, build the cake, and chill up to 24 hours.

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Red Berry Pavlova Tower

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Red Berry Pavlova Tower

Layer and fill this meringue turret up to one hour before serving for the best contrast of crunchy, chewy, and creamy textures. The irresistable Cheesecake Icing sets this over the top.

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Caramel Cream Cake

Recipe: Caramel Cream Cake

This three-layer butter cake has a pecan-pie filling in between the cake layers, a rich cream cheese frosting, and a topping of sweet coconut and chopped pecans. It's a great dessert for holiday entertaining.

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Pecan Squares

Recipe: Pecan Squares

If you like the taste of pecan pie, you'll love this easy alternative. Serve the squares with vanilla ice cream for an over-the-top dessert.

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Double Coffee Tiramisù

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Double Coffee Tiramisù

For festive holiday flair, prepare these individual desserts in mugs or ramekins. This chilled dessert recipe makes three servings, so plan to enjoy the two extra servings the next day.

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Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Chocoholics are sure to love this ultra-rich cheesecake, which features traditional cheesecake filling sandwiched between a chocolate-pecan brownie base and a thick, homemade chocolate glaze.

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Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

Start with refrigerated sugar cookie dough to make these adorable reindeer cookies. Kids can help place Rudolph's eyes, mouth, and antlers.

Step-by-Step: How To Make Reindeer Cookies

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Chocolate-Mint Cake

Recipe: Chocolate-Mint Cake

This rich holiday cake is a show-stopper that will become a family holiday classic recipe. Don't be tempted to substitute peppermint extract for the peppermint oil used in this recipe. Peppermint oil, available from cake-supply stores, has an intense, highly concentrated flavor like that found in chocolate-covered peppermint patties.

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Fig Cake

Photo: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Fig Cake

A delicious twist on our favorite Hummingbird Cake, this recipe is so simple to make you won't believe you started from scratch. This recipe can be made with fresh figs or with good quality preserves. Sweet cream cheese frosting covers the cake and is a nice balance to the spicy fall flavors.

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Chocolate-Citrus Cake With Candied Oranges

Christmas Dessert Recipes: Chocolate-Citrus Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate-Citrus Cake With Candied Oranges

A rich Whipped Ganache Filling is the happy surprise when you slice into this decadent chocolate layer cake. Frost with a Seven-Minute Frosting and decorate with festive Candied Oranges, citrus leaves and cranberries.

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Double Citrus Tart

Southern Living

Recipe: Double Citrus Tart

Easy as icebox pie, this party-pretty tart pairs the bright fresh flavors of lemon and orange with a crisp gingersnap crust. It's just the right finish for a rich holiday meal, and freezes beautifully.

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Raspberry Tiramisù Bites

Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Raspberry Tiramisù Bites

There are crisp Italian cookies also called ladyfingers, but be sure to use soft ones in this recipe. Look for them in the bakery or produce section of your supermarket.

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Chocolate Velvet Cake With Coconut-Pecan Frosting

Recipe: Chocolate Velvet Cake With Coconut-Pecan Frosting

A lavish amount of melted chocolate and sour cream gives these moist cake layers a tender, velvet-textured crumb. You'll find lots of imaginative ways to bake and frost the cake layers listed with the recipe for the batter.

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Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

Photo: J. Savage Gibson

Recipe: Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

A New Orleans specialty, this simple but ethereal dessert is nothing short of spectacular. It takes just minutes to put together, and bakes while everyone enjoys the main meal.

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White Chocolate-Cranberry Crème Brûlée

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cranberry Crème Brûlée

A burst of sweet-tart cranberry sauce lies at the bottom of these creamy, double-rich custards. Prepare the custards a day ahead, and chill. Crisp, paper-thin crusts of caramelized sugar are added just before serving—all it takes is a few minutes under the broiler. For the best flavor and texture, choose a quality white chocolate with cocoa butter listed as the primary ingredient.

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Banana Pudding Trifle

Recipe: Banana Pudding Trifle

This classic English layered pudding dessert goes Southern with banana pudding and bourbon-soaked vanilla wafers.

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Noel Pound Cake Loaf

Recipe: Noel Pound Cake Loaf

Still warm from the oven or tucked away to season in a secret hiding place, golden-crusted pound cakes are loved by everyone. We serve them any time of day or night, and have even been known to butter and toast a slice or two for breakfast. A colorful confetti of red and green maraschino cherries makes this merry little cake a hit with all ages.

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Pumpkin-Spiced Profiteroles With Warm Cranberry Compote

Photo: Charles Walton IV

Recipe: Pumpkin-Spiced Profiteroles With Warm Cranberry Compote

A star-tipped pastry bag makes quick work of piping these festive little cream puffs, but you can also shape small dollops of dough with a pair of teaspoons. Bake them up to a month ahead; cool completely, and freeze in zip-top plastic bags. We chose vanilla bean ice cream as a filling, but butter-pecan or dulce-de-leche are also a great match for the compote. Or, change the flavor combination and use coffee ice cream and caramel sauce to create a fun twist on the popular pumpkin spiced latté.

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White Chocolate-Almond Cake

Recipe: White Chocolate-Almond Cake

A decadent trio of dark chocolate cake layers is the delicious surprise inside this festive package. There's no need to worry about picture-perfect swirls of frosting—just spread it on. Then decorate like a pro simply by pressing finely chopped white chocolate and almonds into the top and sides of the cake. Tie on a ribbon, and you have a stunning dessert that tastes every bit as good as it looks.

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Triple Mint Sundaes

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Recipe: Triple Mint Sundaes

Three mints combine to create a top-notch ice cream sundae. Drizzle on our Hot Fudge Sauce and garnish with your favorite toppings to make it a "just for you" treat. Serve in mint julep cups.

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Mindi's Doughnuts and Easy Raspberry Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Mindi's Doughnuts and Easy Raspberry Sauce

Doughnuts are a true passion for Mindi–she even asks for them instead of birthday cake. "This recipe is an awesome sweet to add to your brunch menus too," says Mindi.

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Sweet Potato-Buttermilk Pie

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Buttermilk Pie

Top with whipped cream and this sweet potato pie is sure to be a hit.

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Snowy Chocolate Baby Cakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Harget

Recipe: Snowy Chocolate Baby Cakes

Make these mini chocolate cakes by starting with a devils' food cake mix and baking in muffin pans. The festive holly garnish is simply red cinnamon candies and fresh bay leaves. Top with a super-easy Winter White Glaze.

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Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

Swirl chocolate and yellow cake batter together in this marble sheetcake recipe and top with a rich mocha frosting.

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Sugar-and-Spice Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Sugar-and-Spice Cake

Make a classic white cake for Christmas this year. This recipe starts with boxed mix, then adds a few key ingredients to make the end result light, fluffy, and totally delicious.

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Red Velvet Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Cheesecake

Our red velvet brownies are a bite-size version of the classic red velvet cake. Top them with cream cheese frosting for the ultimate holiday dessert.

Step-by-Step Video: Red Velvet Cheesecake

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Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

We replicated the flavor profile of Mexican chocolate using semisweet chocolate and cinnamon. If you prefer to use Mexican chocolate, look for it with the hot drink mixes or on the Hispanic food aisle. This moist pound cake is equally delicious without the Mexican Chocolate Sauce.

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Red Velvet Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Brownies

Our red velvet brownies are a bite-size version of the classic cake. Top them with a decadent cream cheese frosting for the ultimate dessert.

Step-by-Step Video: Red Velvet Brownies

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Tipsy Spiced Fruit Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tipsy Spiced Fruit Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream

The bourbon-soaked fruits and bold flavors in this rustic pie make it an adults-only dessert. Splurge for a premium brandy or bourbon—it’s worth it.

Step-by-Step: How To Make a Fabulous Fruit Tart

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Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Let this elegant chocolate cheesecake be the centerpiece of your holiday tablescape featuring a gorgeous White Chocolate Snowflake in the center.

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Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Red Velvet Soufflés with Whipped Sour Cream

These snazzy red velvet soufflés are not only eye catching, but drool-worthy desserts that will dazzle any holiday table.

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Praline Bundt Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Praline Bundt Cake

This praline bundt cake gets raves for being moist, flavorful and beautiful! Something about it evokes a feeling of Southern nostalgia.

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Hummingbird Cake

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

This ultimate recipe is the most requested in Southern Living magazine history and frequents covered dish dinners all across the South, always receiving rave reviews.

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Cheesecake Squares

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cheesecake Squares

Save time and stress with this elegant make-ahead dessert your guests will love.

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Red Velvet Trifle

Recipe: Red Velvet Trifle

This trifle has a unique mixture of flavors and textures from the creamy yogurt and cream cheese and the moist red velvet cake. Top this dessert with raspberries for a light and satisfying treat.

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Heavenly Holiday Desserts

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Holiday Mocha Fudge

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Cherry-Spice Cake Trifle

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Praline Cream-Beignet Tower

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Cranberry Dreamsicle Trifle

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Chocolate-Peppermint Cheesecake

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Gingerbread Baked Alaska

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Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks

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Coconut-Macadamia Nut Pound Cake

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Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread

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Pumpkin-Espresso Tiramisu

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Red Velvet Fudge

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White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream

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Ambrosia Streusel Bars with Shortbread Crust

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Gingerbread Cake with Buttermilk Frosting

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Hidden Kiss Cookies

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Coconut Pudding

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Cookie Press Sandwiches

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Milk Punch Tres Leches Cake

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Wreath Macaroons

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White Cake with Cranberry Filling and Orange Buttercream

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Mexican Hot Chocolate Trifle

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Peppermint Meringue Cookies

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Mississippi Mud Medallions

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Mocha Balls

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Minted White Chocolate Balls

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Layered Eggnog Blondies

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Triple Gingersnappers

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Peppermint-Pretzel Bark

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Pecan Linzer Cookies

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Red Velvet-White Chocolate Cheesecake

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Layered Eggnog Cream with Puff Pastry

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Banana Brownie Sticky Toffee Puddings

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Red Velvet Marble Bundt Cake

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Gingerbread Soufflés

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Milk Punch Frozen Custards

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Charlotte Russe

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Cherries Jubilee Cakes

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Peppermint Ice-Cream Cake

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