15 Easy Holiday Desserts for a Crowd

The holidays are the one time of year when it feels totally acceptable to go all out on dessert. But when you’re baking for a party, potluck, or family gathering, you need recipes that make plenty, taste amazing, and don’t keep you chained to the kitchen all day.

These holiday desserts check every box: easy to prepare, big-batch friendly, and festive enough to impress. I’ve made a few of these myself (and yes, they were a hit), while others are on my must-try list this season.

Here are 15 easy holiday desserts that feed a crowd without the stress.

1. Peppermint Bark

This is one of the easiest desserts I make at Christmas — and honestly, people grab it faster than the fancy stuff. Just melt 12 oz dark chocolate, spread it on a parchment-lined pan, and chill. Then layer 12 oz white chocolate on top and sprinkle with 1 cup crushed candy canes. Once it sets, break it into shards. Simple, festive, and it keeps for days.

2. Gingerbread Sheet Cake

If you want something cozy that feeds a big group, this cake never disappoints. The batter comes together quickly with 2 ½ cups flour, 1 cup molasses, 1 cup hot water, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup melted butter, 1 egg, and warm spices. Bake it in a 9×13 pan at 350°F for 35–40 minutes. It makes the house smell incredible, and I love serving it with a dollop of whipped cream.

3. M&M Cookie Bars

I made these last year when I needed something fast for a holiday playdate, and they disappeared in minutes. Stir together a simple cookie dough (2 ¼ cups flour, 1 cup melted butter, ¾ cup brown sugar, ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp baking soda) and fold in 1 ½ cups red and green M&Ms. Bake in a 9×13 pan at 350°F for 25–30 minutes. They cut neatly into squares, which makes them perfect for sharing.

4. Eggnog Bread Pudding

This one feels like Christmas comfort food in a pan. Cube up a loaf of French bread and let it soak in a mix of 3 cups eggnog, 3 eggs, ½ cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla. Bake in a greased 9×13 pan at 350°F for 40–45 minutes. The eggnog makes it extra creamy, and it easily serves a dozen people.

5. Holiday Trifle

A trifle is one of those desserts that looks way more complicated than it is. Just layer cubed pound cake, prepared vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries all work). Repeat until the bowl is full. Chill before serving. It’s colorful, festive, and feeds a big crowd without much effort.

6. Pecan Pie Bars

Think pecan pie, but easier to slice and share. Start with a shortbread base, then pour over a filling of eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and chopped pecans. Bake in a 9×13 pan at 350°F for about 35 minutes. Once cooled, cut into bars. They’re rich, sticky, and perfect for potlucks.

7. Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

These are as simple as it gets but look festive on any cookie tray. Mix 1 box red velvet cake mix, 2 eggs, and ½ cup oil until smooth. Fold in white chocolate chips. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. Soft, chewy, and ready in no time.

8. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

This one’s more assembly than baking, which is great if your oven is already busy. Dip pretzel rods into melted chocolate, then roll in crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or mini M&Ms. Lay them on wax paper until set. They’re festive, crunchy, and make a big batch quickly.

9. Cranberry Bliss Bars

Inspired by the Starbucks version, these bars are always a holiday favorite. Bake a blondie base with white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Spread with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle more cranberries on top. Cut into triangles for that classic look. Sweet, tangy, and perfect for gifting.

10. Pumpkin Roll

This one always gets “wow” comments, but it’s easier than it looks. Bake a thin pumpkin sponge cake, then roll it up with a cream cheese filling. Chill before slicing. The swirl makes it look fancy, but it feeds a crowd and holds up well in the fridge.

11. Rice Krispie Christmas Treats

A nostalgic favorite that’s easy to dress up for the holidays. Melt butter and marshmallows, stir in Rice Krispies, then press into a pan. While warm, add red and green sprinkles or cut into tree shapes with cookie cutters. They’re fun, colorful, and make a big batch fast.

12. Chocolate Peppermint Trifle Cups

These look elegant in clear cups but are so simple to layer. Alternate crushed chocolate cookies, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes. Keep layering until full. They’re creamy, crunchy, and easy to scale up for a crowd.

13. Apple Crisp for a Crowd

Warm, spiced apples with a crunchy oat topping — this one never lasts long. Slice 8–10 apples, toss with cinnamon and sugar, then top with a mixture of oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar. Bake in a 9×13 pan at 350°F for 40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream if you want it extra cozy.

14. Chocolate Sheet Cake

Rich, fudgy, and made to feed a big group. Mix a simple batter of cocoa, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and buttermilk. Bake in a 9×13 pan and pour warm chocolate frosting over the top. It’s one of those desserts that everyone comes back for seconds of.

15. No-Bake Cheesecake Bars

Perfect when you need a quick dessert that still feels special. Combine crushed graham crackers with melted butter for the base, then top with a cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped cream mixture. Chill for at least 3 hours before cutting into squares. Creamy, light, and surprisingly easy.

Conclusion

Holiday desserts don’t need to be complicated to impress a crowd. With big-batch bars, festive trifles, and no-bake treats, you can put together a dessert table that feels special without spending days in the kitchen. These recipes are simple, shareable, and guaranteed to keep the sweet side of your holiday gatherings covered.