No Cutting, No Crumbs, No Fighting Over Slices: 17 Mini Christmas Desserts in Cups, Jars and Bites

Instead of one big cake nobody wants to cut, make a tray of tiny desserts. Every guest gets their own, nobody fights over the corner piece, and the whole table looks like a bakery case. These mini Christmas desserts come in cups, jars and bite size pieces, most can be made a day ahead, and several need no oven at all. Pick three or four for your holiday party, or let the kids help make a whole tray. Which little treat would you grab first..

Peppermint Chocolate Mousse Cups, the Mini Christmas Desserts Everyone Grabs First

Silky chocolate mousse in a small glass, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane, is the star of any dessert tray. This version takes about 20 minutes and no oven. A drop of peppermint extract gives it that holiday taste without being too strong. Make them the night before and keep them in the fridge, then add the candy cane right before serving so it stays crunchy.

You will need: 6 oz semisweet chocolate (chopped), 1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream (divided), 1/4 tsp peppermint extract, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, whipped cream for topping, 3 candy canes (crushed). Makes 8 small cups.

How to make it: 1. Melt the chocolate with 1/2 cup cream in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring until smooth; cool 10 minutes. 2. Whip the remaining 1 cup cream with the powdered sugar and peppermint to soft peaks. 3. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate in two parts. 4. Spoon into small glasses and chill at least 2 hours. 5. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane just before serving.

Mini Berry Cheesecakes

These little cheesecakes bake in a regular muffin pan with paper liners, so there is no springform pan and no water bath to worry about. A buttery graham crust, a creamy vanilla filling and a spoon of berry or cherry topping make them look festive on any tray. Like all good mini Christmas desserts, they are easy to pick up, easy to serve and gone in about two bites. Which topping would you choose: cherry, blueberry or raspberry?

You will need: 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp melted butter, 16 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/2 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 cup cherry or berry pie filling.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 325 F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Mix the crumbs and butter and press 1 tbsp into each liner. 3. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream until smooth. 4. Fill the cups and bake 18 to 20 minutes until just set. 5. Cool, chill 2 hours and top with pie filling.

Mini Gingerbread Men, Cozy Mini Christmas Desserts

Nothing smells more like Christmas than a tray of gingerbread in the oven. Molasses, ginger, cinnamon and a pinch of cloves make a soft, spicy little cookie, and a simple white icing gives each tiny man buttons and a smile. Use a small cutter so they are true one bite treats. Here is a holiday poll: are you (A) a gingerbread lover, (B) a sugar cookie fan or (C) all chocolate, all the time?

You will need: 3 cups flour, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup powdered sugar plus 1 to 2 tbsp milk for icing.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the flour, spices, baking soda and salt. 2. Beat the butter and brown sugar, then the egg, molasses and vanilla, and mix in the dry ingredients. 3. Chill the dough 1 hour, then roll 1/4 inch thick and cut small shapes. 4. Bake at 350 F for 7 to 9 minutes. 5. Cool and pipe on the icing.

Pecan Pie Bars, Among the Easiest Mini Christmas Desserts

Pecan pie is wonderful, but a full slice is a lot after a holiday dinner. These bars give you the gooey, caramel-like filling and crunchy pecans on a buttery shortbread crust, cut into small squares that are easy to grab. No rolling pie dough at all. They travel well too, like most mini Christmas desserts, so they are great for a cookie exchange. Did someone in your family always bring the pecan pie?

You will need: Crust: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup cold butter (cubed). Filling: 3 eggs, 3/4 cup light corn syrup, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp melted butter, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, 2 cups chopped pecans.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a 9×13 pan with parchment. 2. Pulse the crust ingredients into crumbs, press into the pan and bake 18 to 20 minutes. 3. Whisk the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and salt, then stir in the pecans. 4. Pour over the hot crust and bake 25 to 30 minutes until set. 5. Cool completely and cut into small squares.

Eggnog Custard Tarts (No Alcohol)

If you love the flavor of eggnog but not a big glass of it, these little custard tarts are for you. Store bought eggnog, egg yolks and a little nutmeg bake into a silky, golden custard inside crisp pastry cups made in a muffin pan. They are kid friendly because there is no alcohol at all. Serve them warm or cold with an extra dusting of nutmeg. Is eggnog a yes or a no in your house?

You will need: 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed) or 1 refrigerated pie crust, 1 1/4 cups store bought eggnog (non-alcoholic), 4 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg plus more for topping.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425 F and grease a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Cut the pastry into 12 rounds and press into the cups. 3. Whisk the eggnog, yolks, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and nutmeg until smooth. 4. Fill the cups three quarters full. 5. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until the custard is set and lightly browned, then cool and dust with nutmeg.

Red Velvet Cake in a Jar, Mini Christmas Desserts to Give

Cake in a jar is part dessert and part gift. Soft red velvet cake gets layered in little jars with tangy cream cheese frosting, so every spoonful has a bit of both. The red and white layers look made for Christmas. Tie a ribbon around the lid and they make a great homemade gift for teachers, neighbors or the mail carrier. Who on your list would love a cake in a jar?

You will need: 1 box red velvet cake mix plus the eggs, oil and water it calls for, 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/2 cup soft butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 8 small jars with lids.

How to make it: 1. Bake the cake in a 9×13 pan as the box says and cool completely. 2. Beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy. 3. Crumble or cut small rounds of cake to fit the jars. 4. Layer cake and frosting twice in each jar. 5. Sprinkle a few cake crumbs on top, close and keep chilled.

Iced Star Sugar Cookies

Little star shaped sugar cookies with pale blue or white icing look like snowflakes on the dessert table. The dough is simple, it rolls easily, and kids love the decorating part most of all. Set out bowls of icing and sprinkles and let everyone make their own. They keep for a week in a tin, so you can bake them early. What is your favorite sprinkle: red, green, white or all of them?

You will need: 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup soft butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp almond extract, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, a drop of blue food coloring, sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. 2. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then the egg and extracts, and mix in the dry ingredients. 3. Chill 1 hour, roll 1/4 inch thick and cut small stars. 4. Bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes and cool. 5. Mix the powdered sugar, milk and color, ice the stars and add sprinkles.

Cranberry White Chocolate Parfait Cups

Tart cranberry sauce, sweet white chocolate cream and buttery cookie crumbs layered in clear cups look like a holiday ribbon. The red and white layers are so pretty that guests always take a picture first. Leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving works perfectly here. It is one of the no bake mini Christmas desserts you can put together in 20 minutes the morning of your party.

You will need: 1 cup cranberry sauce, 4 oz white chocolate (melted and cooled), 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 1 cup heavy cream (whipped), 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup crushed shortbread or graham crackers, sugared cranberries for garnish.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and white chocolate until smooth. 2. Fold in the whipped cream. 3. Put a spoon of crumbs in each cup. 4. Add layers of cream and cranberry sauce, then repeat. 5. Chill at least 1 hour and top with sugared cranberries.

Mini Pavlovas With Winter Berries

Mini pavlovas look like little snowdrifts: crisp outside, soft and marshmallowy inside. Topped with whipped cream, berries and pomegranate seeds, they are naturally gluten free, which makes them a kind choice for guests who cannot have flour. The meringues can be made two days ahead and kept airtight, which makes them handy mini Christmas desserts for busy hosts. Assemble right before serving so they stay crisp.

You will need: 3 egg whites (room temperature), 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup heavy cream (whipped), 1 cup mixed berries, 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 250 F and line a baking sheet. 2. Beat the whites to soft peaks, then add the sugar a spoon at a time until stiff and glossy. 3. Beat in the cornstarch, vinegar and vanilla. 4. Spoon 8 rounds and press a dip in each; bake 1 hour, then cool in the oven. 5. Fill with cream, berries and pomegranate.

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Homemade peanut butter cups taste better than the ones in the orange wrapper, and they are easy enough for kids to help. Melted chocolate goes into mini cupcake liners, then a creamy peanut butter center, then more chocolate on top. Add a pinch of flaky salt or a few holiday sprinkles. They are perfect for the cookie tray next to your other mini Christmas desserts. Have you ever made your own candy at home?

You will need: 12 oz semisweet or milk chocolate chips, 1 tbsp coconut oil, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp soft butter, pinch of salt, holiday sprinkles.

How to make it: 1. Line a mini muffin pan with 24 paper liners. 2. Melt the chocolate with the coconut oil and spoon a little into each liner; chill 10 minutes. 3. Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter and salt and press a small disk into each cup. 4. Cover with the rest of the chocolate. 5. Add sprinkles and chill 30 minutes until firm.

Chocolate Cake Pops, Mini Christmas Desserts Kids Can Roll

Cake pops look like something from a fancy bakery, but they start with a simple box cake. Crumble the cake, mix it with a little frosting, roll it into balls and dip them in melted chocolate, then add red, green or gold sprinkles before the coating sets. Kids love the rolling part. Stand them in a jar of sugar or a block of foam for a pretty centerpiece on the dessert table.

You will need: 1 baked and cooled chocolate cake (from a box mix), 1/2 cup chocolate frosting, 16 oz chocolate candy melts or chopped chocolate, 1 tbsp coconut oil, holiday sprinkles, 30 lollipop sticks.

How to make it: 1. Crumble the cake into fine crumbs. 2. Mix in the frosting until it holds together and roll into 1 inch balls. 3. Chill 30 minutes. 4. Melt the chocolate with the oil, dip a stick into it and push it into each ball, then dip the whole pop. 5. Add sprinkles right away and let set upright.

Mini Apple Crumble Cups

Warm apple crumble in a mini cup feels like a hug after a long day of holiday shopping. Diced apples with cinnamon get a buttery oat topping and bake right in a muffin pan, so every guest gets a crispy top. Serve warm with a tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you love cozy fruit desserts, see our fruit crumbles, cobblers and crisps for more ideas.

You will need: 3 apples (peeled and finely diced), 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup oats, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 6 tbsp cold butter (cubed), pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice and fill each cup halfway. 3. Rub the flour, oats, brown sugar, butter and salt into crumbs. 4. Pile the crumble on top of the apples. 5. Bake 22 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Christmas Tree Brownie Bites, the Cutest Mini Christmas Desserts

A pan of fudgy brownies cut into triangles turns into a forest of little Christmas trees with a squiggle of green frosting, a few sprinkle ornaments and a pretzel stick trunk. They are easy, cheap and so cute that people hesitate to eat them for about two seconds. This is a great project for kids on a snow day or the weekend before Christmas.

You will need: 1 box brownie mix plus the eggs, oil and water it calls for, 1 cup vanilla frosting tinted green, small candy sprinkles, 1 star sprinkle per tree (optional), 12 pretzel sticks (halved).

How to make it: 1. Bake the brownies in a 9×13 pan and cool completely. 2. Cut into 4 long strips, then into triangles. 3. Pipe a zigzag of green frosting on each one. 4. Add sprinkles for ornaments and a star on top. 5. Push half a pretzel stick into the bottom for the trunk.

Vanilla Panna Cotta Cups With Cranberry

Panna cotta sounds fancy but it is one of the easiest make-ahead desserts there is. Warm cream and sugar get set with a little gelatin, poured into small glasses and chilled until silky. A spoon of bright red cranberry sauce on top makes it look like a Christmas ornament. It is cool and light, which makes it one of the most welcome mini Christmas desserts after a heavy holiday meal.

You will need: 1 envelope (2 1/4 tsp) unflavored gelatin, 3 tbsp cold water, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, 3/4 cup cranberry sauce.

How to make it: 1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it sit 5 minutes. 2. Warm the cream, milk and sugar until steaming, not boiling. 3. Stir in the gelatin until dissolved, then the vanilla. 4. Pour into 8 small glasses and chill at least 4 hours. 5. Top with cranberry sauce before serving.

Mini Chocolate Lava Cakes

Nothing gets a gasp like a fork breaking into a warm cake and chocolate flowing out. Mini lava cakes bake in small ramekins or a muffin pan in just 12 minutes. The batter can be made hours ahead and kept in the fridge, so you only bake them while everyone finishes dinner. Dust with powdered sugar and add a raspberry. Would you share one, or keep it all to yourself?

You will need: 4 oz semisweet chocolate, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks, 1 tsp vanilla, 6 tbsp flour, pinch of salt, cocoa powder for the cups, raspberries.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425 F and butter and cocoa dust 6 small ramekins. 2. Melt the chocolate and butter together and whisk in the powdered sugar. 3. Whisk in the eggs, yolks and vanilla, then the flour and salt. 4. Divide among the ramekins and bake 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are set and the centers jiggle. 5. Rest 1 minute, turn out and dust with sugar.

Mini Cranberry Orange Bundt Cakes

Little bundt cakes always look special, and cranberry with orange tastes like Christmas morning. Fresh cranberries pop into tart little jewels in a tender orange cake, and a simple orange glaze drips down the sides. A mini bundt pan makes six, but a muffin pan works too. Wrap them in cellophane with a bow and they make the sweetest little gifts.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 cup fresh cranberries, 1 cup powdered sugar plus 2 tbsp orange juice for glaze.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and grease a mini bundt pan. 2. Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs and zest. 3. Mix in the dry ingredients with the sour cream and juice. 4. Fold in the cranberries, fill the pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes. 5. Cool and drizzle with the orange glaze.

Mini Cherry Hand Pies

Hand pies are the most fun way to eat pie: no plate, no fork, just a flaky little pocket of cherry filling. Store bought crust and canned cherry filling make them quick, and a sprinkle of sanding sugar makes them sparkle. Cut a little star or tree in the top crust for a holiday touch. They are a hit with kids and grown-ups alike, and the perfect last stop on this list of mini Christmas desserts.

You will need: 1 package refrigerated pie dough (2 crusts), 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling, 1 egg (beaten), 2 tbsp sanding sugar, small star or tree cookie cutter.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet. 2. Cut the dough into 3 inch circles and cut a small star from half of them. 3. Spoon 1 tbsp of cherry filling on the plain circles, leaving the cherries mostly whole. 4. Cover with the star circles and press the edges with a fork. 5. Brush with egg, sprinkle sugar and bake 15 to 18 minutes.