There’s something magical about the smell of Christmas baking, isn’t there? That moment when peppermint, cinnamon, and chocolate fill the air—it just feels like the holidays to me. I’ll never forget the year my grandmother let me help make her famous Christmas dessert for the first time. My little hands were covered in flour, and I may have sneaked a few extra white chocolate chips into the batter (don’t tell!). That’s when I fell in love with creating easy Christmas desserts that pack big festive flavors without all the fuss.
This recipe has become my go-to when I need something special but simple—because who has time for complicated baking during the holidays? With just 35 minutes from start to finish, you get five incredible flavors in one delicious dessert: rich cocoa, cool peppermint, tart cranberries, sweet white chocolate, and warm cinnamon. It’s the perfect easy Christmas dessert for cookie exchanges, last-minute guests, or just treating yourself after a long day of holiday shopping.
What I love most is how forgiving this recipe is. Forget perfect presentation—those slightly messy edges just mean more room for extra crushed candy cane on top! Whether you’re a baking pro or just starting out, this dessert brings all the holiday cheer without any stress.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Dessert
Trust me, this dessert is about to become your new holiday favorite—here’s why:
- Faster than wrapping presents: Just 10 minutes of prep means you can focus on what really matters (like sneaking bites of batter).
- Five flavors in one bite: Peppermint zing, cocoa richness, cinnamon warmth—it’s like Christmas exploded in your mouth (in the best way possible).
- No fancy skills needed: If you can stir ingredients together, you’ve already mastered this recipe.
- Endlessly adaptable: Out of cranberries? Swap in dried cherries. Nut allergy? Skip ’em or use sunflower seeds instead.
- Always disappears first: I’ve brought this to every cookie swap since 2018—it’s the only dessert that never has leftovers.
Seriously, this dessert checks all the boxes—easy, festive, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like Santa’s workshop.
Ingredients for Easy Christmas Dessert
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this festive treat (plus my favorite substitution tricks, because holiday baking should be stress-free):
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – Spooned and leveled, not packed (or use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour if needed)
- 1/2 cup sugar – I often use half brown sugar for extra depth
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder – Dutch-processed gives richer flavor, but regular works too
- 1/2 tsp baking powder – Make sure it’s fresh for best rise
- 1/4 tsp salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness
- 1/2 cup milk – Any kind works, I’ve even used eggnog for extra holiday cheer
- 1/4 cup melted butter – Unsalted is best, cooled slightly (microwave in 15-second bursts)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – The real stuff makes all the difference
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy – Candy canes work great—smash them in a bag with a rolling pin!
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional) – Pecans or walnuts are my go-to, but omit for allergies
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries – Soak in warm water for 5 minutes if they’re extra dry
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips – Or chop up a baking bar for better meltiness
- 1 tsp cinnamon – The secret weapon that ties all the flavors together
See? Nothing complicated here—just pantry staples plus a few festive extras. Now let’s make some holiday magic!
Equipment You’ll Need
Grab these basic tools—you probably already have most in your kitchen:
- 8×8-inch baking dish – My trusty Pyrex works perfectly every time
- Mixing bowls – One for dry ingredients, one for wet (or wash one quickly like I sometimes do)
- Whisk – A fork works in a pinch, but whisks blend better
- Spatula – For scraping every last bit of that delicious batter
- Measuring cups/spoons – Eyeballing works, but measurements matter for baking
That’s it! No fancy gadgets needed—just simple tools for simple holiday happiness.
How to Make Easy Christmas Dessert
Okay, let’s get baking! This is where the holiday magic happens—mixing all those wonderful flavors together into one irresistible treat. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have your house smelling like Christmas in no time.
Step 1: Prep Dry Ingredients
First things first—preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab a big bowl and whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. I like to sift the cocoa powder first—it gets rid of any stubborn lumps and makes everything blend so smoothly. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks like rich, chocolaty snow.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl (or just wash that first one if you’re lazy like me sometimes), mix the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. The key here is to make sure your butter isn’t too hot—you don’t want it cooking the milk! Stir until it’s completely smooth and smells heavenly. This is my favorite part—that first whiff of vanilla always makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
Step 3: Fold in Festive Flavors
Now for the fun part! Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined—a few lumps are totally fine. Then gently fold in all those festive add-ins: the crushed peppermint, soaked cranberries, white chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Be gentle here—you want to keep those chocolate chips whole and distribute all the flavors evenly without overmixing. The batter should look like a party with all those colorful bits peeking through!
Pour this beautiful batter into your greased baking dish and pop it in the oven. In about 25-30 minutes, you’ll have the perfect easy Christmas dessert—check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), you’re golden! Let it cool a bit before diving in… if you can wait that long.
Tips for Perfect Easy Christmas Dessert
After making this dessert more times than I can count (okay fine—I may have taste-tested a few extra batches), here are my foolproof tips:
- Mix with love, not muscle: Overmixing makes tough desserts—stop stirring as soon as the flour disappears. A few lumps are your friends!
- High altitude hack: Living in the mountains? Add 1 extra tablespoon of flour and reduce baking powder to 1/4 tsp.
- Patient slicing pays off: I know it’s hard, but wait at least 15 minutes before cutting—those clean edges are worth it!
- Peppermint pro tip: Crush candies between parchment paper—no chasing runaway bits across the kitchen.
- Double the joy: This recipe doubles perfectly for a 9×13 pan—just add 5 extra minutes to baking time.
Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll get perfect results every single time—even when you’re baking in your pajamas at midnight (not that I’ve done that… often).
Variations for Your Easy Christmas Dessert
The beauty of this recipe? You can mix and match flavors like holiday ornaments! Here are my favorite twists that keep things exciting:
- Orange & Dark Chocolate: Swap white chips for dark chocolate and add 1 tbsp fresh orange zest—it’s like eating a Terry’s Chocolate Orange in cake form!
- Gingerbread Spice: Replace cinnamon with 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp allspice, and 1/4 tsp cloves for cozy gingerbread vibes.
- Caramel Apple: Skip peppermint, use chopped dried apples, and drizzle with caramel sauce after baking—heavenly warm.
- Eggnog Edition: Substitute milk with eggnog and add a pinch of nutmeg for instant holiday nostalgia.
See? One recipe, endless holiday possibilities—just follow your tastebuds! If you are looking for other festive drink pairings, check out this easy Hugo Spritz recipe.
Serving and Storing Easy Christmas Dessert
Now for my favorite part—making this dessert look as festive as it tastes! Right before serving, I dust the top with powdered sugar using a fine mesh strainer (it looks like fresh snow!). For extra holiday wow factor, sprinkle on some extra crushed peppermint or drizzle melted white chocolate in pretty swirls.
Leftovers? Ha! Just kidding—if by some miracle you have any, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cranberries keep everything surprisingly moist! For that just-baked warmth, pop a slice in the microwave for 10 seconds—just enough to make the chocolate chips gooey again. Pro tip: This dessert actually tastes even better the next day as all those flavors mingle together! For another great holiday flavor profile, try this blue and red velvet cake recipe.
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note—these numbers are estimates since ingredients vary by brand (and let’s be honest, who actually measures those extra chocolate chips?). Each generous slice has about 220 calories, with that perfect balance of sweet and satisfying. Remember, holiday treats are about joy first—nutrition labels second! If you are interested in learning more about the role of salt in baking and diet, you might find this article on the Oprah pink salt trick recipe interesting.
Common Questions About Easy Christmas Dessert
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about this holiday favorite—here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I freeze this dessert? Absolutely! Wrap cooled squares tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. They’ll keep happily in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight on the counter—no microwave needed!
What’s the best nut-free option? Simply skip the nuts or swap in sunflower seeds for crunch. Bonus: The cranberries and white chocolate still give amazing texture contrast.
Does cocoa powder type matter? For deepest flavor, go Dutch-process. But regular cocoa works great too—just don’t use hot chocolate mix (learned that the hard way one desperate December!).
Can I make this ahead? You bet! Bake it up to 2 days before serving. The flavors actually improve as they mingle. Just add fresh garnishes right before serving.
Help—my peppermint melted into the batter! No worries—that just means every bite has minty magic. For visible candy pieces, fold them in right at the end next time.
Share Your Festive Creation
Did you make this easy Christmas dessert? I’d love to see your masterpiece! Snap a photo (peppermint sprinkles optional but encouraged) and tag me on Instagram—or leave a comment below telling me which festive twist you tried. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your holiday baking adventures!
Print
5-Ingredient Easy Christmas Dessert That Wows Every Time
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple yet delicious Christmas dessert featuring five festive flavors. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Fold in peppermint candy, nuts, cranberries, white chocolate chips, and cinnamon.
- Pour batter into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Replace nuts with seeds for a nut-free option.
- Adjust sugar based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: easy christmas dessert, festive flavors, holiday baking, quick dessert, seasonal treat