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Five Easy Holiday Desserts

Hey friends! Can you believe Halloween has come and gone and now we’re officially into the holiday season, with Thanksgiving only three weeks from this Thursday, and Christmas fast approaching after that? I don’t know about you but on an annual basis after the holidays I swear that I will be more on top of my game the next year. And then Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around and I’m scrambling once again.

 

For this month’s My Five Favorites series, we thought you might enjoy some of our favorite recipes that you can turn to instead of searching at the last minute for something fabulous to make for holiday get togethers! Kris of Driven By Decor is sitting this round out because she’s knee deep in the One Room Challenge (catch up on her room in progress here!)  but Pam of Simple Details, Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles and I are so excited to have one of our favorite friends and bloggers, Mary Ann of Classic•Casual•Home  to guest host with us today!!

In addition to being a talented designer, Mary Ann has an affinity for entertaining and shares lots of gorgeous recipes on her blog, all stylishly served of course!
A grapefruit martini recipe by Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home.
{Mary Ann’s Grapefruit Martini}
 
We’re so glad you’re here, welcome Mary Ann!
 
 
Mark and I love to cook and bake (and eat!), but around the holidays I have learned to simplify. I turn to recipes that are tried and true, and do not have 37 ingredients that necessitate special trips to the store. This time of year doesn’t need to be any zooier, right? So that being said, I offer to you a roundup of some of my favorite low-stress/high-gratification desserts for all the social engagements or special occasion food needs you may encounter this holiday season!

Tried and true holiday desserts for all your holiday needs!

one
 
TO MAKE MEMORIES WITH CUTE KIDDOS
Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispy Treats With Sprinkles
Chocolate dipped Rice Krispy treats with sprinkles are fun to make with the kids!
Premake a batch of Rice Krispy Treats and cut them up, then have the little ones do the dipping and sprinkling (which we all know will end up far and wide across the kitchen, but all in good fun right??) Putting the dipped RKTs into the fridge for a bit hardens the chocolate IF you can hold off eating them all up when they are fresh!
Rice Krispy treats are made a little more special with the addition of melted chocolate and sprinkles.
GET THE RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE DIPPED RICE KRISPY TREATS HERE.
Dipping anything in chocolate elevates it to a whole new level – try my coconut macaroons too!
two
 
TO GIVE TO YOUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORS
Decadent Chocolate Truffle Cookies
Decadent chocolate cookies make a wonderful holiday treat.
 These package up beautifully and are perfect to bring to holiday parties or in gift bags to neighbors. I usually double the recipe so we have some to keep (my kids would be in physical pain if I baked them and gave them all away!)
GET THE RECIPE FOR DECADENT CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE COOKIES HERE.
three
 
TO SERVE AT A HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY
Individual Chocolate Molten Cakes
Individual chocolate molten cakes are a decadent and satisfying end to a special dinner.
 
These can be made ahead of time; just throw the ramekins into the oven 20 minutes before you want to serve. They pop out quickly onto a dessert plate. Sliced strawberries or raspberries, vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream simply and deliciously accompany these luscious little cakes.
GET THE RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKES HERE.
 
four
 
TO ADORN A HOLIDAY BUFFET
Apple Upside Down Cake 
This apple upside down cake is finished with a caramel sauce and is a delicious addition to a holiday buffet.
 
That bite right there is as moist and flavorful as you imagine it to be. For all those chocolate die-hards out there, I get you. Nine times out of ten I’d choose a chocolate dessert too, but when you pour an ooey gooey caramel sauce all over a cake it’s kinda hard to resist. This is a crowd-pleaser my friends, great for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
GET THE RECIPE FOR APPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE HERE. 
five
 
TO FREEZE AND SAVE YOUR SANITY IN THE MIDST OF THE HOLIDAYS
The Best & Easiest Chocolate Cake Ever
A chocolate cake that is so rich and moist that it doesn't need frosting.
 
This chocolate dessert is based on a cake mix that has been tricked out and is sooooo good that it doesn’t even need frosting. Highly recommend warming it up by the slice for 20 seconds or so and serving to guests with a dollop of good vanilla ice cream, and maybe a mint leaf if you’re feeling fancy.
GET THE RECIPE FOR THE BEST & EASIEST CHOCOLATE CAKE HERE.
A bonus make and freeze….
carrot-cake
 

Until I met this beauty I was totally and completely “meh” about carrot cake. My mother-in-law brought this version into my life and rocked my world. I can’t get enough of the fact that the outside of the cake is slightly crusty and the inside is sweet and tender. And the frosting. I just can’t even. The combination is divine!

Carrot cake with cream cheese buttercream frosting.

Make and freeze the cake, and then defrost in the midst of a chaotic holiday season when you need something fabulous to bring or serve in a pinch. All you’ll have to do is whip together the frosting. A gorgeous homemade dessert without much fuss!

You can save or print this recipe right here (it prints without the photo or ad).
[mpprecipe-recipe:1]
What are your go-tos during the Thanksgiving and Christmas social season? I’d love to hear! Be sure to pay a visit to these smart cookies because I guarantee they’ll have some delicious ideas for you too!
 
Pam of Simple Details
 
Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles 
 
and Mary Ann of Classic•Casual•Home
 

Wishing you a happy November friends!

Pin to save these ideas for later!

A collection of great desserts for the holidays.

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