32 Holiday Desserts That Aren't Cookies

These desserts are anything but cookie cutter.

Caramel-Espresso Yule Log

A fluffy, tender cake that rolls effortlessly around a plush, stay-put filling, …

Chocolate Semifreddo

Italy'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 Cream

Pavlova is a drop-dead gorgeous dessert of marshmallowy, crisp-shelled meringue …

Lemon–Olive Oil Tart

Butter isn't always better. An unorthodox ingredient is the key to this simple, …

Pouding Chômeur

This maple syrup cake, otherwise known as Pouding Chômeur, was born of the Great…

Torta Caprese

Torta caprese often trades on cloying fudge-like density and one-note chocolate …

Gingerbread Layer Cake

Leave gingerbread people to the kids. The best vehicle for seriously sophisticat…

Chocolate-Espresso Dacquoise

This multilayered showpiece of meringue and buttercream coated in ganache might …

Chocolate-Toffee Bark

For a sweet treat that’s great for gifts, we make a buttery, nutty layer of toff…

Olive Oil Cake

Repurpose one of your favorite savory ingredients for a cake that’s light yet pl…

Gâteau Breton with Apricot Filling

Hailing from France’s Brittany coast, gâteau Breton boasts a bright jam filling …

Baked Alaska

The classic cake, ice cream, and meringue combo is a science experiment you can …

Chocolate-Raspberry Torte

To make this dessert more than a mere elegant centerpiece, we ditched the dull, …

Pear Crisp

Simply substituting pears for apples in this classic American dessert is a recip…

French Apple Tart

Classic form and good looks are compulsory for a holiday centerpiece, but they d…

Apple Galette

Getting a flaky crust and caramelized apples can make this simple French tart no…

Milk Chocolate Pots de Crème

Forget the water bath and slow baking. We found a way to make this classic Frenc…

Linzertorte

What's the secret to making a perfect version of this Old World tart?

Baked Raspberry Tart

Tart raspberries, rich custard, and a buttery crust are a classic, white-tablecl…

Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake

Some 30 cheesecakes later--that's more than 11,000 grams of fat and 150,000 calo…

Butterscotch Cream Pie

We 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 Trifle

Complementary textures and flavors make this chocolate-raspberry trifle stunning…

Double-Apple Bread Pudding

Granny Smith apples bring tangy freshness to a bread pudding that’s rich with cr…

Milk Chocolate Crémeux Tart

This crisp, elegantly slim, and shockingly simple pâte sucrée crust should be in…

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Dairy and eggs are the cornerstones of conventional chocolate mousse. Leaving th…

Cranberry Curd Tart with Almond Crust

Silky cranberry curd cradled in a nutty, buttery crust has the bracing punch of …

La Viña–Style Cheesecake

Who says cheesecake needs to be fussy? This version has just five ingredients, a…

Cranberry-Ginger Apple Tart

A stunning holiday dessert as easy as—no, easier than—pie.

Brown Sugar Pavlova with Stone Fruit

This dessert is as airy as a ballerina’s tutu, but it tastes way better.

Chocolaty Tiramisu

This classic dessert showcases Italian ingenuity at its most delicious.