I Asked 5 Pro Bakers for Their Favorite Holiday Dessert—These Are The 9 They Swear By

The holidays are in full swing! Whether you’re hosting the family or heading out of town for the festivities, we’re sure there is some baking happening along the way. While we’re big proponents of using store-bought shortcuts to make holidays easier, there’s something special about making a homemade dessert for—and with—your family members.

Even professional bakers who spend all day in the kitchen swear by homemade treats. I asked five professional bakers for their favorite holiday desserts. Here are the nine they’re always bringing to get-togethers.

Our Panel of Baking Experts

Juliana Hale, a recipe tester and developer at Dotdash Meredith
Emily Nienhaus, a culinary specialist and recipe developer at Dotdash Meredith
Julia Levy, a recipe tester and developer at Dotdash Meredith
Susan Reid, a chef and wrtier of The Well Plated Life
Laura Kanya, a freelance recipe developer and tester

Crusted Cinnamon Walnuts

If you’re in need of an easy holiday gift, Hale recommends our Crusted Cinnamon Walnuts recipe. While she usually uses lavender spices for her candy-coated walnuts, she says, “Any spiced nut recipe would be great for gifting, or to put out for nibbling when you have family and guests.”

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

ALLRECIPES / ABBEY LITTLEJOHN

Imagine: it’s Christmas morning and everybody is gathered around to open their presents while the smell of warm cinnamon wafts through the air. What could it be other than a batch of ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls? With our quick recipe, you’ll spend more time with your family and friends rather than in the kitchen.

Hot Cocoa Mix

Oana Ennis/Allrecipes

“I like to give homemade hot cocoa mix as gifts during the holidays,” Levy says. This recipe makes 15 cups of hot cocoa mix, so you can divide it into Mason jars, add a festive bow, and give the gift of warm, creamy hot chocolate all season long.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

ALLRECIPES / DIANA CHISTRUGA

Kanya swears by our Saltine Cracker Toffee recipe—and with more than 1,100 5-star reviews, she’s not the only one. “I have made this for two years now at Christmas time. I am a lazy baker/candy maker. This is the EASIEST recipe and it is delicious just like what you buy at a department store. Wonderful toffee,” says reviewer gtollinda.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Dianne

Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics, which is why Kanya loves to add these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies to her holiday cookie plate. They’re deliciously chocolatey and are sure to disappear in minutes.

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Sure, you could make regular sugar cookies that everybody will know and love, but Reid recommends trying out this version that adds fluffy cream cheese to the dough. They’ll have a soft and chewy texture when baked and the dough makes them perfect for cutting out those festive shapes.

Best Brownies

Kim

If you want to elevate your regular ol’ brownie and get into the festive spirit, Reid recommends making peppermint patty-stuffed brownies. Simply layer peppermint patties into the center of your brownie mix. Then, once baked, top the decadent dessert with crushed candy canes for an extra bit of mintiness.

Gingerbread Cookies

Nika

Oh, gingerbread. The magnum opus of holiday bakes. Kanya loves to bake these traditional cookies, but she also recommends swapping out the spices for pumpkin pie spice and decorating with candied ginger for a new flavor.

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

“I think cheesecake is the unsung, surefire holiday dessert,” Reid says—and Kanya can’t help but agree. While this lemon meringue-topped cheesecake may be slightly unconventional for the holidays, it’s a nice way to bring a tart flavor to the otherwise sweet dessert table.