19 Holiday Sweet Bites That’ll Disappear Before the Main Course

When it comes to holiday gatherings, sweet treats are always a crowd favorite, especially when they’re small enough to grab before the main course. These holiday sweet bites are easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to disappear fast. Whether you’re hosting or attending, these bite-sized desserts will be the star of the table. Get ready to see these treats vanish as soon as they’re served.

Spiced Shortbread Cookies

These spiced shortbread cookies combine the buttery goodness of classic shortbread with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. They take about 30 minutes to make, offering a crumbly texture with a cozy hint of spice. Perfect for the holiday season, they’ll disappear before you know it. These cookies are a simple treat that pairs well with coffee or tea.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Shortbread Cookies

Salted Bourbon Caramel Shortbread Cookies

These shortbread cookies are topped with a rich bourbon caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt for the perfect blend of sweet and salty. Ready in about 30 minutes, the buttery shortbread contrasts beautifully with the smooth caramel. The bourbon adds depth, while the sea salt enhances the flavor. These bite-sized treats are irresistible for any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Salted Bourbon Caramel Shortbread Cookies

Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme

Three blackberry pots de creme lined up on a wooden board next to silver spoons. — Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These pots de crème feature a silky white chocolate base topped with a vibrant blackberry sauce for a rich and fruity dessert. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare, with the creamy white chocolate offering a sweet contrast to the tart berries. The smooth texture makes each bite feel luxurious. This dessert is a perfect way to impress your guests before the main course.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry White Chocolate Pots de Creme

Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

This key lime pie combines a tart lime filling with a light coconut whipped cream, creating a tropical twist on a classic dessert. It takes about 30 minutes to make, with the zesty lime and creamy coconut coming together for a refreshing bite. The graham cracker crust adds a bit of crunch. It’s a sweet, tangy treat that’ll be gone before dinner starts.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream

Blackberry Crumble Pie

This blackberry crumble pie offers a juicy berry filling with a buttery, crumbly topping that’s hard to resist. It takes about 40 minutes to make, with the blackberries providing a sweet and tart flavor balanced by the rich crumble. The golden crust adds a satisfying crunch. This pie is perfect for any holiday dessert table and will be gone in no time.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Crumble Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

This strawberry rhubarb crisp features a sweet and tart filling of fresh strawberries and rhubarb, topped with a buttery oat crumble. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, with the fruit bubbling beneath the golden topping. The contrast of flavors and textures makes it a hit for any holiday spread. It’s a classic dessert that will disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Lemon Sugar Cookies

These lemon sugar cookies bring together the sweetness of sugar cookies with a bright, zesty lemon twist. They take about 30 minutes to make, with a soft, chewy texture and a refreshing citrus flavor. Each bite is light and crisp, making them perfect for snacking. These cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sugar Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter pecan cookies combine rich, buttery dough with crunchy toasted pecans for a satisfying bite. They take about 25 minutes to make, offering a soft and chewy texture with a hint of caramelized pecan flavor. The buttery richness makes them hard to stop at just one. These cookies will be a favorite at any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Peach Crumble Bars

Peach crumble bars feature a buttery crust topped with sweet peach filling and a crumbly oat topping. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare, with the juicy peaches adding a burst of flavor to each bite. The crumble topping adds a satisfying crunch. These bars are perfect for holiday parties and will likely be gone before the main course even begins.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Horizontal overhead shot of a platter of chocolate chocolate chip cookies. — Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These double chocolate chip cookies are rich, chewy, and packed with chocolate, perfect for any sweet tooth. They take about 25 minutes to bake, with melted chocolate chips creating a fudgy texture. The deep chocolate flavor makes them a hit for chocolate lovers. These cookies are sure to be a favorite at any holiday event.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Halloween Bark

A plate of chocolate bark with spider webs and plastic spiders on it. — Halloween Bark. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This Halloween bark layers rich chocolate with festive toppings like candy and sprinkles, making it a fun and tasty treat. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare, with a mix of textures from crunchy candy to smooth chocolate. The colorful toppings make it a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. This treat will vanish from the table long before the main meal.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Bark

Strawberry Crème Brûlée

A glass cup of creamy, fresh and fruity dessert topped with sliced strawberries sits next to a chocolate-covered strawberry and a glass of white wine on a dark surface. Small candy hearts are scattered nearby. This delightful scene evokes the sweet indulgence of a summer vacation. — Strawberry Crème Brûlée. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This strawberry crème brûlée layers a rich vanilla custard with a sweet strawberry base, topped with a crispy caramelized sugar crust. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare, with the strawberries adding a fresh twist to the creamy custard. Each bite offers a perfect balance of smooth and crunchy textures. This dessert is elegant and will be devoured before the main course arrives.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Crème Brûlée

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies feature a soft chocolate cookie filled with rich caramel for a sweet, gooey center. They take about 30 minutes to make, with the caramel offering a buttery contrast to the chocolate base. Each bite is rich and satisfying. These cookies are sure to disappear quickly from any holiday dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Butter

A spoonful of thick green sauce is lifted from a glass jar, evoking the zest of summer desserts, with another jar partially visible in the background. — Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Butter. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This bourbon apple butter combines the sweetness of apples with the warmth of bourbon and spices, perfect for spreading on toast or as a dessert topping. It takes about 6 hours in the slow cooker, with cinnamon and nutmeg adding a cozy fall flavor. The bourbon adds a subtle kick to the mix. It’s a versatile treat that will be gone before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Butter

Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries

Slices of strawberry-topped frosted brownies on a cooling rack, with fresh strawberries nearby. — Glazed Strawberry Brownies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

These strawberry brownies are dense and fudgy, topped with a sweet strawberry glaze for a fruity twist on a chocolate classic. They take about 35 minutes to make, with the strawberries adding a fresh pop of flavor to the rich brownies. The glaze gives them an extra layer of sweetness. These brownies are so delicious, they won’t last long at any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries

Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches

This butterscotch peach crisp features juicy peaches and a buttery, crumbly topping with the added richness of butterscotch. It takes about 40 minutes to make, with the peaches offering a sweet, tangy contrast to the caramel-like flavor of the butterscotch. The topping is crisp and golden. This dessert is sure to be a hit, disappearing from the table in no time.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Peach Crisp with Fresh Peaches

Butterscotch Apple Crisp

This butterscotch apple crisp combines tender, spiced apples with a sweet, buttery crumble and a hint of butterscotch. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, with the apples providing a tart base and the crumble adding a golden, crunchy top. The butterscotch flavor brings warmth to each bite. This dessert is perfect for fall gatherings and won’t stick around for long.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Apple Crisp

Vanilla Creme Brûlée

Overhead view of three servings of vanilla creme brulee on white plates and napkins with a blue background. — Vanilla Creme Brûlée. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This vanilla crème brûlée features a rich vanilla custard base topped with a crisp, caramelized sugar layer. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare, with the smooth custard offering a delicate sweetness that contrasts with the crunchy top. The simplicity of the flavors makes it a timeless favorite. It’s a dessert that will be devoured before the main course even starts.
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Creme Brûlée

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

These gingerbread cookies are packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, making them a festive holiday treat. They take about 30 minutes to make, with a soft texture and a sweet, spicy flavor. The rich molasses adds depth to every bite. These cookies are perfect for sharing, but don’t expect them to last long at your holiday party.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gingerbread Cookies