32 Holiday Desserts That Aren't Cookies

These desserts are anything but cookie cutter.

Caramel-Espresso Yule LogA fluffy, tender cake that rolls effortlessly around a plush, stay-put filling, …
Chocolate SemifreddoItaly's elegant alternative to gelato (and ice cream) is rich and decadently cre…
Apricot, Vanilla, and Cardamom Pie with Rye Lattice...For a new type of summer fruit pie, we piled vanilla-scented fresh apricots into…
Orange, Cranberry, and Mint Pavlova with Whipped CreamPavlova is a drop-dead gorgeous dessert of marshmallowy, crisp-shelled meringue …
Lemon–Olive Oil TartButter isn't always better. An unorthodox ingredient is the key to this simple, …
Pouding ChômeurThis maple syrup cake, otherwise known as Pouding Chômeur, was born of the Great…
Torta CapreseTorta caprese often trades on cloying fudge-like density and one-note chocolate …
Gingerbread Layer CakeLeave gingerbread people to the kids. The best vehicle for seriously sophisticat…
Chocolate-Espresso DacquoiseThis multilayered showpiece of meringue and buttercream coated in ganache might …
Chocolate-Toffee BarkFor a sweet treat that’s great for gifts, we make a buttery, nutty layer of toff…
Olive Oil CakeRepurpose one of your favorite savory ingredients for a cake that’s light yet pl…
Gâteau Breton with Apricot FillingHailing from France’s Brittany coast, gâteau Breton boasts a bright jam filling …
Baked AlaskaThe classic cake, ice cream, and meringue combo is a science experiment you can …
Chocolate-Raspberry TorteTo make this dessert more than a mere elegant centerpiece, we ditched the dull, …
Pear CrispSimply substituting pears for apples in this classic American dessert is a recip…
French Apple TartClassic form and good looks are compulsory for a holiday centerpiece, but they d…
Apple GaletteGetting a flaky crust and caramelized apples can make this simple French tart no…
Milk Chocolate Pots de CrèmeForget the water bath and slow baking. We found a way to make this classic Frenc…
LinzertorteWhat's the secret to making a perfect version of this Old World tart?
Baked Raspberry TartTart raspberries, rich custard, and a buttery crust are a classic, white-tablecl…
Spiced Pumpkin CheesecakeSome 30 cheesecakes later--that's more than 11,000 grams of fat and 150,000 calo…
Butterscotch Cream PieWe investigate each crucial component of these luscious pies--custard filling, p…
Struffoli (Neapolitan Honey Balls)Tiny fried dough balls coated in honey and colorful sprinkles, struffoli will ma…
Chocolate-Raspberry TrifleComplementary textures and flavors make this chocolate-raspberry trifle stunning…
Double-Apple Bread PuddingGranny Smith apples bring tangy freshness to a bread pudding that’s rich with cr…
Milk Chocolate Crémeux TartThis crisp, elegantly slim, and shockingly simple pâte sucrée crust should be in…
Vegan Chocolate MousseDairy and eggs are the cornerstones of conventional chocolate mousse. Leaving th…
Cranberry Curd Tart with Almond CrustSilky cranberry curd cradled in a nutty, buttery crust has the bracing punch of …
La Viña–Style CheesecakeWho says cheesecake needs to be fussy? This version has just five ingredients, a…
Cranberry-Ginger Apple TartA stunning holiday dessert as easy as—no, easier than—pie.
Brown Sugar Pavlova with Stone FruitThis dessert is as airy as a ballerina’s tutu, but it tastes way better.
Chocolaty TiramisuThis classic dessert showcases Italian ingenuity at its most delicious.