19 Treats That’ll Have You Forgetting the Awkward Family Talk
These 19 treat recipes are perfect for adding a sweet escape to your holiday gatherings. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing desserts that keep everyone focused on the good stuff instead of awkward conversations. From classic sweets to fun, unexpected flavors, these treats are just right for all ages. Serve them up, and they might just become the favorite part of the day.
Vanilla Creme Brûlée
Vanilla creme brûlée is a rich and creamy dessert with a crisp caramelized sugar topping. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, with the main ingredients being heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar. The smooth custard and crunchy top create a delightful texture contrast. Perfect for family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Creme Brûlée
Spiced Shortbread Cookies
These spiced shortbread cookies are buttery and subtly sweet, featuring a warm mix of spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Ready in under an hour, these cookies use simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter. Their crumbly texture pairs well with tea or coffee, ideal for avoiding awkward conversations.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Shortbread Cookies
Cookies and Cream Hot Chocolate Bombs
Cookies and cream hot chocolate bombs offer a rich, creamy drink perfect for a cozy moment. Made with white chocolate, cookies, and cocoa powder, they take about 20 minutes to assemble. Drop them in hot milk for a decadent burst of cookie flavor. Ideal for warming up while avoiding holiday stress.
Get the Recipe: Cookies and Cream Hot Chocolate Bombs
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Lemon sugar cookies are light, zesty treats with a touch of sweetness. Ready in about 25 minutes, they feature lemon zest, sugar, and butter. The cookies have crisp edges and soft centers, offering a refreshing balance. A perfect way to distract from any family drama.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sugar Cookies
Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies
Cranberry chocolate chunk oatmeal cookies combine the tartness of cranberries with rich chocolate. They take about 30 minutes to make, with ingredients like oats, cranberries, and chocolate chunks. The chewy texture and bursts of flavor make these an irresistible treat for keeping dessert the focus at the table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies
Mini Apple Pies
Mini apple pies pack all the flavor of a full-sized pie into bite-sized portions. They take about 45 minutes to make, with apples, cinnamon, and pie crust. These pies are perfect for sharing (or not). Their spiced filling will keep everyone focused on dessert instead of small talk.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pies
Salted Bourbon Caramel Shortbread Cookies
Salted bourbon caramel shortbread cookies combine buttery shortbread with rich caramel and a hint of bourbon. These cookies take about 50 minutes to prepare. The sweet and salty mix makes them a standout dessert. They’re a sophisticated way to keep the holiday mood festive and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Salted Bourbon Caramel Shortbread Cookies
Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust
Easy lemon bars with shortbread crust are a bright, tangy dessert. These bars take about 45 minutes to make, featuring fresh lemon juice and a buttery shortbread base. The creamy lemon filling pairs perfectly with the crumbly crust. A refreshing option to cut through holiday’s heavy dishes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust
Homemade Cinnamon Twists
Homemade cinnamon twists are sweet, flaky pastries coated in cinnamon sugar. They take about 40 minutes to make, using puff pastry, cinnamon, and sugar. The buttery layers and warm spice make these twists a comforting snack. Ideal for enjoying with coffee while avoiding family chatter.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Twists
Strawberry Crème Brûlée
Strawberry crème brûlée combines creamy custard with a caramelized sugar topping and fresh strawberries. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare. The strawberries add a fruity twist to the classic custard dessert. Perfect for when you need a sweet distraction during family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Crème Brûlée
White Chocolate Fudge
White chocolate fudge is a rich, creamy treat with a smooth texture. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare, using white chocolate, condensed milk, and vanilla. The sweet fudge melts in your mouth without being overwhelming. An easy option to satisfy your sweet tooth during holidays.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Fudge
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Homemade strawberry shortcake features fluffy biscuits topped with sweetened strawberries and whipped cream. This dessert takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The combination of soft biscuits and juicy strawberries makes it a classic comfort food. Perfect for sweetening up any family gathering.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
Peach Crumble Bars
Peach crumble bars combine juicy peaches with a crumbly oat topping. They take about 40 minutes to make, using fresh peaches, sugar, and oats. The sweetness of the peaches and the crispy topping make these bars hard to resist. Perfect for lightening the mood during family bondings.
Get the Recipe: Peach Crumble Bars
Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream
Key lime pie with coconut whipped cream is a creamy, tangy dessert with a tropical twist. It takes about 35 minutes to prepare, with key lime juice and a graham cracker crust. The coconut whipped cream adds a light, tropical flavor. A refreshing choice to balance out holiday’s heavy dishes.
Get the Recipe: Key Lime Pie with Coconut Whipped Cream
Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries
Glazed strawberry brownies are rich and fudgy with bursts of strawberry flavor. They take about 35 minutes to prepare, using frozen strawberries and cocoa powder. The chocolate and strawberry combination creates a sweet and tart balance. These brownies are a crowd-pleasing holiday dessert.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Strawberry Brownies with Frozen Strawberries
Ice cream sandwiches with chocolate drizzle
Ice cream sandwiches with chocolate drizzle are a cool, creamy dessert perfect after dinner. They take about 25 minutes to make, using vanilla ice cream and shortbread cookies. The cold ice cream and crisp cookies create a satisfying combination. Ideal for a sweet, no-fuss treat.
Get the Recipe: Ice cream sandwiches with chocolate drizzle
Citrus Dream Tart
Citrus dream tart is a zesty dessert with a buttery crust and creamy filling. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, using fresh citrus juice, sugar, and eggs. The tart citrus flavor contrasts with the sweet crust. Perfect for balancing out heavier holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Dream Tart
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Double chocolate chip cookies are rich and chewy, packed with chocolate flavor. They take about 30 minutes to prepare, using cocoa powder and chocolate chips. The soft centers and crisp edges make them a classic comfort food. These cookies are a must-have for any holiday dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Strawberry rhubarb crisp offers a balance of sweet and tart flavors with a crunchy oat topping. It takes about 40 minutes to make, with fresh strawberries and rhubarb. The warm filling contrasts perfectly with the crisp topping. A great dessert to lighten the mood after a heavy meal.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
