25 Mini Christmas Desserts That Are Equal Parts Delightful and Delicious

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, <500 calories

Not only are they fun-sized, they’re also light, airy and moist (unlike the dry, boring store-bought kind).

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

It’s two desserts in one bite. And just look at those Instagram-worthy caramel drips. (You’ll start with store-bought pie crust, no worries.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly

They might be mini, but they sure are sticky. Pass the napkins. You can make the dough yourself, or buy a pizza dough in the frozen section.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly

These little guys take all of ten minutes to assemble, but they’re packed to the brim with flavor.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
• Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion–worthy

Tonight, sharing is optional. That gorgeous crust? It’s frozen puff pastry.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients

You can start with store-bought cookies to save yourself some time, and no, you don’t have to tell anyone.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Try not to ogle over how cute they are. You still have to drizzle them with caramel sauce.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients

They look like a fancy bakery treat, but they have a secret. (It’s that ingenious frozen puff pastry again. That’s the secret.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

You’re about to win the lunchbox snack game. For a festive (and kitschy) twist, try tossing the coconut in a touch of green or red food dye before coating the cakes.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, <10 ingredients, make ahead

Don’t mind if we tirami-do. These require a 45-minute chill before serving, but feel free to keep them in the fridge overnight.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
• Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy

Banoffee is a combination of banana and toffee. Never had it? You’re in for a treat.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

If you haven’t already, it’s time to bust out the seasonal candy. (Fair warning: The tinier the cookie, the faster they disappear.)

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Because they’re mini, they’re also easy and quick to bake. You could whip them up every week, but that might get dangerous...

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

We’ve always wanted to stroll through a forest of tiny, sugary trees. The “trunks” are peanut butter cups and the tops are coconut macaroons.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, plus drying time
• Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly

They’re sturdy enough to rest on the rim of a hot cup of tea, but not so sturdy that they taste like cardboard—an important consideration when it comes to gingerbread.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why We Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, <500 calories, special occasion–worthy

The winter fruit selection can feel bleak, but don’t forget all the citrus. For an eye-catching effect, use a mix of different colors, from blood oranges and tangerines to grapefruit.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Mini thumbprints call for mini thumbs. Read: It’s time to get the kids involved.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, gluten free

We love the combination of melt-in-your-mouth meringue cookies and rich, sweet Nutella. For a shortcut, go ahead and use store-bought cookies.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours, 25 minutes
• Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, make ahead

Introducing your new favorite party dessert and holiday gift. Everyone will be so impressed.

• Time Commitment: 48 minutes
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, <500 calories

Who needs a whole loaf when you can have a cake all to yourself?

• Time Commitment: 3 hours
• Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy

These aren’t just any chocolate cupcakes. Nope, they’re topped with a huge mound of minty marshmallow frosting and covered with a thin layer of chocolate glaze. (Yum.)

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes, plus chilling time
• Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, gluten free

Psst: It’s a three-ingredient dessert, but it doesn’t taste like it. (It’s also a great way to use up leftover eggnog, but we digress.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, gluten free

These classic candies are easier to make at home than you think, plus you’ll need something to do while you watch Christmas Vacation for the third time.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour, plus overnight chilling time
• Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead

They don’t have a traditional pie crust, but that’s not holding them back. Anything can be pie (or a tart) if you have the right mindset. The brioche dough can even be made ahead and frozen for up to a month.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser

Before you get lost in those swoops and swirls, dust off your trusty (albeit underused) muffin tin.