14 Must-Try Holiday Desserts That Don't Require ANY Baking
The holidays are just around the corner, which means your calendar is likely to be filled with festive gatherings galore. With everything else that comes with the season (shopping for gifts, travelling out of town to see family, and decorating your place) baking isn't always in the cards. But your aunt just asked you to bring dessert to your family holiday dinner and you have to serve something when you host your annual festive bash. Fortunately there are bundles of desserts that require absolutely no oven, so there's no need to sweat it out in the kitchen before all your guests arrive.
Holiday staples like cookies and pies have gotten amazing no-bake upgrades and festive cheesecakes and mousses pack a sweet bite that even the pickiest of friends are sure to love. Whether baking was never really your thing, or you're looking to try something new, without the assistance of an oven, these easy and delicious holiday desserts are must-trys this season.
14 Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate oatmeal cookies are a classic; everybody loves them, especially around the holidays! Whip up this no-bake cookie recipe for your guests for a simple and tasty holiday treat.
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup soy milk, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, 3 cups quick-cooking oats, 1 cup dark chocolate (Xocai X Power Squares, chopped), 1 tsp vanilla
Combine sugar, butter and milk in a pan. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Pour mixture over nuts, oats, X Power Squares and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonful on wax paper or foil. Cookies will harden as they cool. Makes 24 Cookies.
13 Candy Cane Fudge
If you're craving something sweet, this candy cane fudge is one of the sweetest holiday indulgences. The combination of chocolate and candy cane will have you and your loved ones feeling extra festive.
Ingredients: 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup unsalted butter, pinch of salt, 11 ounces white chocolate chips, 7 ounces marshmallow cream, 1/2 cup peppermint candy cane, chopped
Combine sugar, cream, butter, and salt in pan. Heat and stir over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, while stirring. Remove from heat. In a large mixing bowl, add marshmallow cream and white chocolate chips. Pour hot butter mixture over, and turn mixer on low. Blend for 1-2 minutes. Fold in chopped candy (save 1 Tbsp to sprinkle over top). Pour into an 8inch square baking dish, lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with remaining candy. Allow to set, about 4 hours in refrigerator. Cut into pieces.
12 Gingerbread Cheesecakes
Gingerbread and cheesecake: two things so quintessentially “holiday”. These delicious little treats taste amazing and look great upon presentation. Just try not to eat them all yourself!
Ingredients: 12 Gingerbread Oreos, 8 ounces cream cheese (softened), 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 3/4 cup prepared Gingerbread Pudding (prepared according to package directions), 8 ounces Cool Whip, Additional Cool Whip for topping, Wilton Gingerbread Men for garnish
Pulse Gingerbread Oreos in the food processor until you have fine crumbs. Divide and press the crumbs into six parfait cups or small jars. In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, Gingerbread Pudding. Mix on low speed until well combined. Fold in Cool Whip until completely incorporated. Spoon or pipe cheesecake filling into each serving cup. If desired, pipe additional Cool Whip onto each mini cheesecake, then place one Wilton Gingerbread Man on top of the whipped cream for a festive look. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
11 Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn
So simple and incredibly mouthwatering, marshmallow caramel popcorn is a trio made in holiday heaven. Throw on your favourite festive movie and don't be shy to eat this by the handful.
Ingredients: 13- 15 cups popcorn, lightly salted, 1 cup butter, 16 oz bag mini marshmallows, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup mini m&m's (optional)
Melt butter and marshmallows in a large pan over medium/low heat. Once the butter is melted, stir in brown sugar until it is dissolved (only about 1 minute). Remove from heat and add popcorn. Stir until completely coated. Spread popcorn out onto wax paper and sprinkle with m&m's if desired.
10 Coconut Chocolate Mousse
Coconut. Chocolate. Mousse. Not much more needs to be said about this one. With just three ingredients and a few simple steps, this mousse is sure to be a go-to this holiday season.
Ingredients: 1 can of coconut milk (not lite), 5 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
Pour coconut milk into a bowl and let sit out in the fridge overnight to thicken up. Add the cocoa and the powdered sugar to the coconut milk. Pour the mixture into a bowl. With a mixer, whip the mixture until fluffy (It takes a couple of minutes- maybe even longer). Add the mousse to a frosting bag with a big tip. Pipe into sprinkle rimmed shot glass.
9 Peppermint Bark
This festive bark will be welcomed at all gatherings. Peppermint, white chocolate and dark chocolate, oh my. Bring this to your next holiday potluck or make it as a side gift to give along with your presents.
Ingredients: 1 pound bittersweet chocolate (roughly chopped), 1 cup crushed candy canes (divided), 1/2 cup chocolate wafer cookies (lightly crushed), 1 ounce white chocolate (melted)
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside. Melt the bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler and stir in 1/2 of the candy canes and the wafer cookies. Spread the chocolate mixture on the lined baking sheet until mostly even. Sprinkle the rest of the candy canes on top and drizzle with the melted white chocolate. Refrigerate for one hour, then break into pieces.
8 Peanut Butter Pie
This delectable pie requires absolutely no oven, but it looks just as good as your favourite baked tart. Maybe even better, I mean, peanut butter pie; what could be better than that?
Ingredients: 1 chocolate graham cracker or cookie pie crust, 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 c. peanut butter, 1/2 c. granulated sugar, 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract, 8 oz. frozen whipped topping (thawed), whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and grated chocolate; optional garnishes
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Blend in peanut butter and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon mixture into prepared pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, with a sprinkling of grated chocolate. Keep refrigerated.
7 Chocolate Almond Toffee
This is exactly how toffee was meant to be. Covered in chocolate and sprinkled with heavenly nuts. The combination of sweet and salty makes this one a showstopper.
Ingredients: 1 cup raw almonds, 1 cup unsalted butter (cubed), 1 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/3 cup pecans (chopped)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread almonds in an even layer. Place into oven and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, sugar vanilla and salt over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until butter has melted and mixture is almond brown in color, about 10-15 minutes. Immediately spread the hot caramel mixture evenly over the almonds. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. After 1-2 minutes, spread the chocolate chips in an even layer until smooth. Sprinkle with pecans. Let cool completely, about 2 hours. Break into pieces.
6 Mini Eggnog Cheesecakes
Mini eggnog cheesecakes are sure to be crowd pleasers. There are a few different steps for this one, but the end result will definitely be worth it. Eggnog cheesecake is good. But eggnog cheesecake with caramel sauce on top, even better.
Ingredients: Crust: 2½ Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs (18 crackers), 2 Tablespoons Ultrafine Sugar, 1/8 teaspoon Fresh Ground Nutmeg, 1/2 Cup Butter (melted) Cheesecake Filling: 24 ounces Full Fat Cream Cheese (softened), 1/3 Cup Ultrafine Sugar, 1/3 Cup Full Fat Eggnog Topping: Eggnog Caramel Sauce, Fresh Cracked Sea Salt
Insert 6 muffin liners into jumbo muffin tin. In food processor, grind graham crackers to crumbs. Add sugar and nutmeg. Pulse. Slowly add melted butter while processing. Evenly distribute crust mixture between 6 muffin cups. Press crust firmly, using a small cup or bowl. Refrigerate while prepping cheesecake filling. Beat cream cheese, sugar and eggnog for 2 minutes on high. Top each crust with cheesecake filling. Refrigerate 6+ hours. Allow to sit at room temp for 15 minutes before serving. Top with Eggnog Caramel Sauce and Sea Salt.
5 Salted Nut Squares
Another sweet and salty combination, these salted nut squares are delicious and only take about 15 minutes to make. They're perfect to give as a gift for the holidays, because they look and taste amazing.
Ingredients: 3 cups salted cocktail peanuts, 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, 2 cups peanut butter chips, 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups mini marshmallows
Line an 11x7 baking dish with parchment paper. Spread half the peanuts evenly in bottom of the pan. Melt butter and peanut butter chips in a saucepan over low heat. Once completely melted, add marshmallows and sweetened condensed milk. While stirring, continue to heat until marshmallows are completely melted. Pour peanut butter mixture over peanuts in pan then sprinkle remaining peanuts over top. Gently press peanuts into mixture to secure. Cover pan and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Use parchment paper to lift bars out of pan and cut into 1 inch x 2 inch bars.
4 Bourbon Balls
It wouldn't be the holidays without a little alcohol to keep us sane. These no-bake bourbon balls will give you and your guests a pick-me-up as the party gets started.
Ingredients: 3 cups crushed vanilla wafers , 1 cup finely chopped pecans, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons corn syrup, 1/2 cup bourbon, Powdered sugar
Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir in corn syrup and bourbon. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container.
3 Coconut Pecan Praline Cookies
Just one look at these cookies kick starts the overwhelming desire to whip up a batch right here and now. Crunchy, delicate and sweet, these no-oven goodies have it all.
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans, 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
In a medium sized bowl, combine coconut and pecans; set aside. In a heavy saucepan over medium high heat, stir sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup and butter. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a full rolling boil -- let boil and stir for 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and coconut and pecan mixture. Stir off the heat for about 4 minutes, until mixture starts to cool and thicken. Drop large spoonfuls on wax paper. Let harden completely -- about an hour to an hour and a half -- before serving.
2 White Chocolate Rice Krispie Pops
These rice krispie pops bring back childhood memories. Fun, tasty and easy to hold, rice krispies never go out of style. Plus, the addition of white chocolate and toppings like m&ms will give the pops an extra sweet and unique bite.
Ingredients: 2 (6.2 ounce) boxes Rice Krispie treats (a total of 16 bars), 16 popsicle stick, 1 package white chocolate chips, Sprinkles and decorating supplies of your choice
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap each of the Rice krispie bars and gently slide a popsicle stick into the center of each one. Place bars on prepared baking sheet. Microwave white chocolate chips in a large bowl for 30 seconds, stir, and microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the chocolate has just melted (careful not to burn it!). Coat each pop with white chocolate by dipping or spreading the melted chocolate onto the top of each bar. Place bars back on parchment paper and decorate with sprinkles before the chocolate sets. Place in refrigerator until chocolate is firm.
1 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars
These little bars are perfect for a large group, and who doesn't love chocolate chip cookie dough? If you're having the family over for a big holiday bash, these no-bake bars are just up your alley.
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter (softened), ¾ cup packed light brown sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 2 cup all purpose flour, 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk, 2 c. mini chocolate chips, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, ½ cup milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
In a large mixing bowl, mix together butter and brown sugar until it is fluffy; about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until combined. Turn the mixer to low and alternate the flour and the sweetened condensed milk until combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the 8×8 pan that has been lined with parchment paper. It will be sticky so lightly flour your hands if needed. Cover your bars with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight until firm. To make the topping, combine the peanut butter and ½ cup chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Stir every 30 seconds until smooth. Pour and spread over the top of the chilled dough and chill for at least 1 hour until firm. Let sit out for 5-10 minutes to soften before cutting into.
