30 Holiday Appetizers and Desserts That’ll Wow Guests

Get ready to dazzle your guests with this ultimate collection of 30 holiday appetizers and desserts. We’ve gathered everything from stunning, savory bites to decadently sweet treats and desserts that are sure to impress without requiring a ton of time in the kitchen!

Whether you need a quick, last-minute party appetizer or a spectacular dessert, you’ll find the perfect recipe right here in this list. Discover your new favorite holiday appetizers and desserts and make this season’s celebrations absolutely unforgettable.

Remember that holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be difficult. You can easily impress your guests with a top notch spread that’s both delicious and easy, and it’s often fun to just host an “appetizer night” or “dessert party.”

Holiday Appetizers and Snacks

Turkey and Cranberry Sliders

These sliders are a crowd-pleasing way to use holiday leftovers. Soft Hawaiian rolls are filled with thick-cut turkey, melted Provolone, and sweet-tart cranberry sauce for a comforting bite.

Find the full Turkey and Cranberry Sliders recipe here.

Cranberry Jalapeno Dip

This vibrant dip is a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and spicy. Fresh cranberries and diced jalapenos are mixed into a creamy, spreadable base for a truly festive appetizer. Serve with your favorite dippers!

Find the full Cranberry Jalapeno Dip recipe here.

Spinach Dip Crescent Wreath

This show-stopping wreath features a cheesy, savory spinach dip enveloped in flaky crescent rolls. It’s an impressive yet simple appetizer that is perfect for your spread of holiday appetizers and desserts.

Find the full Spinach Dip Crescent Wreath recipe here.

Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Plate

This is a fun, no-cook appetizer arranged to look like an adorable turkey! Have fun creating your edible turkey appetizer by customizing your board with your favorite deli meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruit – making a healthy and festive snack.

Find the full Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Plate recipe here.

Fig Crostini with Grapes

If you love crostini with fig jam, then you’ll love this fig prosciutto crostini with grapes, goat cheese, and fresh-chopped rosemary!

Find the full Fig and Grape Crostini recipe here.

Butternut Squash Appetizer

These crostini feature roasted, sweet butternut squash on a crispy base, topped with peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese, and a savory finish of bacon and honey.

Find the full Butternut Squash Appetizer recipe here.

Apple Endive Appetizer

A healthy, no-cook option that comes together in minutes. Crisp endive leaves are filled with a refreshing apple and blue cheese mixture, with an optional drizzle of honey. They’re also delish stuffed with walnuts and honey!

Find the full Apple Endive Appetizer recipe here.

Christmas Tree Appetizer

This fun, pull-apart pizza appetizer is shaped like a Christmas tree. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both delicious and a stunning centerpiece for any table of holiday appetizers and desserts.

Find the full Christmas Tree Appetizer recipe here.

Cranberry Pistachio Brie Appetizer

Baked brie becomes an elegant, quick appetizer topped with sweet cranberry sauce and crunchy pistachios. It’s a warm, creamy, and tangy bite that feels incredibly indulgent – perfect for the holidays!

Find the full Cranberry Pistachio Brie Appetizer recipe here.

Pear Walnut Crostini Appetizer

A seasonal and fresh appetizer featuring sweet pears and crunchy walnuts on a crisp crostini. It’s a simple, elegant way to celebrate fall flavors.

Find the full Pear Walnut Crostini Appetizer recipe here.

Layered Cream Cheese Spread

This Layered Cream Cheese Spread is layered with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, artichokes, almonds–the perfect red and green holiday spread. 

Find the full Layered Cream Cheese Spread recipe here.

Apple Blue Cheese Crostini Appetizer

Tart, sweet apples and pungent blue cheese come together on a crisp crostini. This beautiful appetizer is ready in just 20 minutes.

Find the full Apple Blue Cheese Crostini Appetizer recipe here.

Cranberry Pinwheels with Orange

These pinwheels are a delicious and festive make-ahead snack. Tortillas are filled with a creamy, tangy cranberry and orange zest mixture, then sliced into hand-held pinwheels that’ll have you coming back for more in no time.

Find the full Cranberry Pinwheels with Orange recipe here.

Charcuterie Skewers

Think of all your favorite charcuterie board ingredients (meats, cheeses, and nibbles) loaded onto convenient skewers. They are an adorable, tasty, and easy-to-eat cocktail snack that you can whip up for the holidays with minimal effort. 

Find the full Charcuterie Skewers recipe here.

Hummus Plate

A versatile and healthy option, this loaded hummus dip is topped with Greek ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives. Serve it with pita wedges or crackers for dipping. It’s a stunning holiday appetizer that will impress your family and party guests. 

Find the full Hummus Plate recipe here.

Laughing Cow Christmas Trees

These are a fun, no-bake appetizer where soft cheese wedges are decorated to look like Christmas trees. With pretzel sticks and cranberries, they’re a festive treat for all the cheese lovers out there!

Find the full Laughing Cow Christmas Trees recipe here.

Lettuce Cups Christmas Tree

A festive and fresh appetizer arranged as a Christmas tree. Crisp lettuce cups are filled with a BLT-inspired mixture of bacon, herby cheese, and tomatoes.

Find the full Lettuce Cups Christmas Tree recipe here.

Pigs In A Blanket Wreath

This is a cute and delicious twist on a classic appetizer, perfect for your lineup of holiday appetizers and desserts. Cocktail sausages are wrapped in crescent dough and baked into a festive wreath shape that everyone will go crazy for.

Find the full Pigs In A Blanket Wreath recipe here.

Holiday Desserts and Sweet Treats

Hot Cocoa Dip

This creamy, chocolatey dip is a major hit during this holiday season, made with cream cheese, Marshmallow Fluff, and hot cocoa mix. Served with fruit and cookies, it’s a fun, dippable centerpiece for holiday appetizers and desserts.

Find the full Hot Cocoa Dip recipe here.

M and M Christmas Cookies

These chunky, colorful cookies are packed with red and green M&Ms. Made with whole wheat flour, they are a slightly healthier but equally delicious holiday treat.

Find the full M and M Christmas Cookies recipe here.

Rocky Road

Millie’s Best Rocky Road Fudge is a chocolate candy made on the stovetop; add nuts and marshmallows. Refrigerate and cut into small pieces. 

Find the full Rocky Road recipe here.

Cinnamon Roll Pecan Cake

This cake has all the warm, cozy flavor of a cinnamon roll in an easy-to-serve cake form. It’s topped with a delicious maple-pecan icing for the perfect finish.

Find the full Cinnamon Roll Pecan Cake recipe here.

Holiday Rum Bundt Cake Recipe

A super moist and easy cake made with a boxed mix and pudding, soaked in a boozy, buttery rum glaze. It’s a classic, crowd-pleasing dessert that you can enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Find the full Holiday Rum Bundt Cake Recipe here.

Brownie Crinkle Cookies with Dates

These cookies are soft, fudgy, and taste just like a brownie! They are made from scratch with chopped dates and bake up with beautiful crackled tops, just like classic crinkle cookies.

Find the full Brownie Crinkle Cookies with Dates recipe here.

Candy Cane Pie

This festive, make-ahead pie is a stunning and delicious showstopper. Its creamy peppermint flavor is the perfect finale to any holiday meal.

Find the full Candy Cane Pie recipe here.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip

A fluffy, light, and pumpkin-y dip that is perfect for fall. Serve it in a small carved-out pumpkin with apple slices, pretzels, or cookies for dipping.

Find the full Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip recipe here.

Frozen Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert

The ultimate make-ahead dessert for your collection of holiday appetizers and desserts! It’s a frozen ice cream treat that’s layered with peppermint and chocolate. Drizzle with homemade chocolate sauce for a festive presentation.

Find the full Frozen Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert recipe here.

Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies

These rich, cocoa-based cookies are soft, festive, and rolled in colorful sprinkles. They are a merry, classic treat that’s fun to share and super easy to make. You’ll want to make a double batch of these cookies since they don’t last long!

Find the full Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies recipe here.

Maple Pecan Chocolate Pavlova

Looking for a stunning holiday dessert?! Maple pecan chocolate pavlova is an elegant and impressive dessert with a crisp shell and marshmallow-soft interior. Topped with chocolate, toasted pecans, and tart raspberries, it’s a sweet, cloud-like sensation.

Find the full Maple Pecan Chocolate Pavlova recipe here.

Sweet Potato Cheesecake

This elegant, make-ahead cheesecake is spiced and flavored with nutritious sweet potato. Topped with maple whipping cream, it’s the perfect, sophisticated way to round off your holiday dinner.

Find the full Sweet Potato Cheesecake recipe here.