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Peppermint Bundt Cake

If you're on the hunt for an easy holiday dessert, this peppermint bundt cake with white chocolate glaze is the way to go. It's packed with Christmas cheer, looks awesome, and tastes just as great as it looks. Fair warning, though. Once you make it, your family will request it every holiday season.

A slice of peppermint oreo cake on a plate with the rest of the cake behind it.

The post for this white chocolate peppermint Oreo cake was first published in December 2015. It was updated and republished in December 2015.

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If December had an official flavor in my kitchen, it would be peppermint. As soon as candy canes hit the store shelves, I start making minty snowball cookies and peppermint Oreo bark.

This week, I discovered an extra cake mix in the cupboard. So I decided to make a peppermint bundt cake. To give the vanilla dessert a little more flair, I used peppermint creamer, cookie chunks, and candy pieces.

To top it off, I added a white chocolate peppermint glaze and some candy cane crunch. It definitely made the cake feel way more festive than just a regular ganache!

The cake is rich, moist, and bursting with peppermint flavor. It's the perfect holiday dessert to serve with peppermint hot chocolate.

Why Make A White Chocolate Peppermint Cake

  • Easy to make. It's made with simple ingredients and goes from bowl to oven in no time at all.
  • Festive holiday flavor. The peppermint is bold but not overpowering. It has just the right amount of cool, minty flavor in every bite.
  • Pretty finish. A white chocolate glaze and red candies transform your dessert into a peppermint masterpiece.
  • Party worthy. Be prepared for all the attention when you bring this creation to Christmas parties.
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Chocolate Christmas Cookies

Whether you are baking for Santa or treating yourself, these stuffed chocolate Christmas cookies are a great holiday dessert. Once you find that molten chocolate center, you'll understand why they are one of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes.

If you love stuffed cookies, try these salted caramel brownie cookies or these lemon cake mix cookies.

Chocolate Christmas cookies stacked in a pile with a bite out of the top showing the gooey center.
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I don't know about you, but this time of year, I love using baking shortcuts to create festive cookies. That's why these Christmas cookies made from a chocolate cake mix are among my favorites.

Surprise-inside cookies are some of my favorites to bake. It all started with my cinnamon Rolo cookies. This year, I decided to hide a candy bar inside chocolate cookies. It's so much fun to see everyone smile when they find that gooey chocolate surprise.

If you want a simple and fun treat to make for Santa's cookie plate or for last-minute holiday parties, this recipe is for you.

Why You'll Love Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

  • Molten chocolate surprise. A hidden candy bar inside each cookie gives you an ooey-gooey moment at the first bite.
  • Cake mix base. Using a chocolate cake mix means you skip all the measuring of the dry ingredients. All you add are a few wet ingredients, and you are ready.
  • Soft texture. Our secret ingredient keeps the cookies extra soft for days, without being cakey.
  • Fun holiday flair. A drizzle of melted chocolate and colorful sprinkles adds a festive look to the treats.
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Eggnog Dip

This fluffy eggnog dip is the quickest Christmas appetizer ever! I'll show you how to make this light, no-bake dessert dip in just 10 minutes. It uses simple ingredients like eggnog, instant pudding, and whipped topping.

If you love that creamy holiday drink, try an eggnog cake or eggnog cupcakes for parties and events.

A bowl of eggnog dip garnished with nutmeg and a gingerbread man, with a bowl of Christmas cookies and holiday decorations in the background.
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Once the holidays arrive, I always buy a carton of eggnog. It just feels like Christmas to me. Usually, I start with an eggnog latte, then use the rest to bake treats or make holiday desserts.

This easy eggnog dip is a light, fluffy dessert dip that I can throw together in minutes, without the oven or even a mixer. It's a perfect last-minute appetizer or dessert for Christmas parties and get-togethers.

I add a little rum extract and nutmeg, and this creamy pudding dip tastes just like classic nog. Serve it with gingerbread men and shortbread cookies, and watch the bowl get scraped clean! 

Reasons to Love This Easy Eggnog Dessert Dip

  • Simple ingredients. This dip needs three main ingredients: eggnog, a tub of Cool Whip, and a box of vanilla pudding mix. So easy!
  • Authentic eggnog flavor. I use real eggnog and flavor this dip with a hint of rum extract and nutmeg. It tastes just like the classic holiday drink.
  • Perfect for holiday parties. I love serving this eggnog dip on a Christmas dessert board with our favorite cookies and dippers.
  • Ready in minutes. Best of all, this dip is made in one bowl. Just mix, chill, and serve!
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Cranberry Coffee Cake

This cranberry coffee cake with a crunchy spiced oatmeal streusel and orange glaze is perfect for the holidays. If you are planning a holiday brunch or hosting family, this easy coffee cake recipe can be made ahead of time.

If you love the orange berry combo, add our cranberry orange scones to your baking plans.

A white plate with a piece of cranberry coffee cake and a fork on it.
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I love baking coffee cakes. It's the perfect treat because you can serve it for breakfast or dessert. This soft cranberry coffee cake has a delicious combo of sweet and tart berries and a spiced oatmeal crumble. Basically, everything you want in a cozy pastry.

This year, I was looking for a way to use up extra bags of cranberries. So I decided to give my apple butter coffee cake a festive twist. Since oranges and cranberries work well together, I added orange zest to the cake and an orange glaze on top.

Everyone will think you bought it at a bakery, but it will be our little secret. However your kitchen will smell like Christmas morning as it bakes, so I think they will know.

Why You'll Love an Orange Cranberry Coffee Cake

  • Sweet and tart berry filling. The fresh cranberries in the middle of the cake give it the perfect holiday flavor.
  • Crispy oatmeal crumble. The buttery oat topping gets golden and crunchy when baked.
  • Cozy orange flavor. The citrus glaze ties everything together and gives the coffee cake that extra festive sparkle.
  • Perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch. Coffee cake always tastes better the next day. So bake it ahead of time and save yourself some stress on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning.
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Black Forest Cheesecake

This Black Forest Cheesecake is a creamy chocolate cheesecake swirled with cherry pie filling, baked on top of the fudgiest chocolate cake! Add a topping of whipped cream for the perfect finish.

If you love the black forest flavors in this homemade cheesecake recipe, also try our chocolate cherry cobbler and chocolate cherry cookies.

A slice of black forest cheesecake on a plate, showing the chocolate cheesecake and cake layers, topped with whipped cream and more cherries.
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I'm taking a break from pie baking to share this family-favorite black forest cheesecake recipe! This is a fudgy chocolate cake topped with creamy chocolate cheesecake swirled with cherry filling.

It's sort of like a full-sized version of this cherry chocolate cheesecake recipe, baked over a layer of dark chocolate cake. I'm already thinking this black forest cheesecake would make a fun Yuletide dessert.

Of course, I topped the cake with fluffy whipped topping for a classic black forest finish.

Why You'll Love This Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe

  • Layers of classic flavor. With layers of chocolate, juicy cherry pie filling, and a topping of fluffy whipped cream, the flavors are everything you love about a traditional black forest cake.
  • No fussing. You don't need to bake the chocolate cheesecake in a water bath.
  • Easy ingredients. I use ready-made cherry pie filling and a few baking staples to make this dessert. Save time with a box of chocolate cake mix for the cake layer, if needed.
  • Holiday-ready. Since you'll bake the cake layer ahead of time and chill the finished dessert in the fridge, this is a wonderful holiday dessert to make ahead.
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Pumpkin Pecan Cookies

Fall in love this season with these Pumpkin Pecan Cookies. The warm spices combined with a sweet coffee glaze transform them into a fancy bakery-style treat. And that sea salt sprinkle? It's pure magic!

If you are a fan of pumpkin treats, try my pumpkin snickerdoodles and pumpkin bundt cake.

Pumpkin pecan cookies with a coffee glaze stacked on a white plate.
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Make a Cinderella latte and cozy up with one (or more) of these pumpkin pecan cookies. With soft centers, crunchy pecans, and a sweet drizzle on top, these chewy cookies taste like fall in every bite.

I actually created this recipe a few months ago while visiting my nieces in Texas. They were so excited to learn about baking. So we spent an entire afternoon testing variations of these cookies together. It was a fun day of learning and finding the right combination of ingredients and bake time.

But when I got home and made them again, I couldn't just stop at plain cookies. I just had to add a coffee glaze and a pinch of sea salt. It took them from delicious to absolutely amazing!

  • Soft and chewy texture. These cookies stay tender in the center with the right amount of chew, thanks to the pumpkin and oats.
  • Filled with warm spices. Every bite has cozy fall flavors from the cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Loaded with crunchy pecans. The chopped nuts add the perfect contrast to the soft cookie.
  • Jazzed up bakery-style. A quick drizzle of coffee glaze gives these cookies a rich, cafe-style finish.
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Cranberry Orange Muffins

These Cranberry Orange Muffins have the perfect mix of sweet citrus and tart berries. Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing as they bake. It's an easy holiday recipe to enjoy for breakfast or as a snack.

If you love sweet-and-tart recipes, also try my cranberry orange scones and apple cranberry cake.

Orange muffins with cranberries on a plate and wire rack.
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One of my favorite holiday combos is orange and cranberry. And since all the stores have fresh cranberries in stock right now, I couldn't resist giving my glazed orange muffins a holiday twist.

I bought a bag of berries, chopped them up, and folded some into the batter. A sprinkle of sanding sugar on top transformed my easy muffin recipe into a festive treat.

Each one is bursting with fresh orange flavor and tart pockets of berries, making them perfect for cozy mornings this season.

Why You'll Love This Cranberry Orange Muffin Recipe

  • Bright and festive. The fresh cranberries and orange zest give it a vibrant pop of flavor.
  • Sparkly holiday shimmer. The sanding sugar on top of the muffins adds a fun sparkle and crunch to every bite.
  • Great any time of day. Enjoy the soft, moist muffins for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
  • Easy to make ahead. Freeze a batch so you have Thanksgiving or Christmas morning muffins ready to go.
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Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Nothing beats a warm, flaky homemade chicken pot pie for comfort food. This easy recipe has a thick, creamy chicken filling topped with a golden crust. Why go out to eat when you can make a cozy meal at home?

If you love making restaurant food at home, try my broccoli cheese soup and crockpot chicken and dumplings.

A big slice of easy homemade chicken pot pie on a white plate.
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There are certain foods I can't resist, and chicken pot pie is one of them. Whenever I see it on a diner menu, I order it. That thick creamy filling paired with a buttery, flaky crust is my idea of pure comfort food!

I finally decided to make a homemade chicken pot pie in my kitchen. I couldn't believe how easy it was! In under 30 minutes, I had cooked the filling, assembled the pie, and had it in the oven.

When I pulled the dinner from the oven, the crust was perfectly golden and the chicken filling was bubbling through the edges. After one bite, I wondered why I had waited so long to make chicken pot pie at home.

Why You'll Love This Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

If you love warm, cozy food, give this homemade recipe a try. You'll never go back to store-bought pot pies again.

  • Uses simple ingredients. No fancy shopping list here, just basic ingredients that come together for a delicious home-cooked meal.
  • Ready to bake in 30 minutes. This recipe comes together quickly. It's perfect for nights when you want a homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Family-friendly. Everyone at your table will love it, and you will love how easy it is to make and clean up.
  • Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers. Swap the chicken in the recipe for chopped or shredded turkey.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

This easy chocolate peanut butter pie recipe is a no-bake dessert that takes just 15 minutes to prepare! It has layers of rich peanut butter filling, instant chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream, all in a crunchy Oreo cookie crust. 

If you love a chocolate and peanut butter combo, also try my peanut butter cup cheesecake and chewy chocolate peanut butter chip cookies. 

A slice of chocolate peanut butter pie with Reese' candies on top.

The post and recipe for this chocolate peanut butter cream pie were first published in April 2019. It was updated and republished in November 2025.

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A while ago, I was in the car listening to the radio when the announcers started talking about their favorite pies. One of the hosts mentioned a pie with creamy layers of peanut butter and chocolate pudding.

Right away, my mind went to my peanut butter pudding pie and this no-bake chocolate pie, which I'd made before. I took it as a sign to combine these two desserts into one easy, no-bake chocolate peanut butter pie.

With layers of fudgy peanut butter filling, silky chocolate pudding, and whipped cream, boy, this dessert did NOT disappoint!

Why You'll Love This No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

  • Decadent layers. This pie has a crunchy cookie crust filled with a (semi) homemade peanut butter layer and instant chocolate pudding.
  • A classic flavor combination. This is a crowd-pleasing dessert for peanut butter and chocolate lovers alike.
  • No baking. The best part is, this pie doesn't need an oven! It only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on prep.

The chocolate and peanut butter combo is fabulous! I added a little espresso powder to the chocolate pudding layer and used a prepared crust to save some time. It came together quickly, and everyone loved it. Will definitely make again.

- DeAnne

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Cinnamon Apple Bars

These cinnamon apple bars are packed with sweet shredded apples, wholesome oats, and spices. Top these chewy squares with creamy homemade cinnamon frosting to take them from breakfast to dessert!

If you love the cozy fall flavors in these easy apple squares, try my apple bundt cake and cinnamon apple baked oatmeal recipes. 

A slice of frosted cinnamon apple bar on a plate.

The post for these frosted cinnamon apple bars was first published in April 2015. It was updated and republished in October 2025.

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Are you looking for a delicious apple dessert for Thanksgiving? I think you're going to love these cinnamon apple bars! These bars are less gooey than my apple pie bars and caramel apple bars. Instead, they're thick and chewy with hearty oats, shredded apples, and spices.

To take these apple bars from breakfast to dessert, I've added a layer of fluffy homemade cinnamon frosting. I just love enjoying a soft square and a pumpkin cream cold brew for a cozy fall treat.

Things to Love About This Cinnamon Apple Bars Recipe

  • Full of fresh apples and cinnamon. The combination of fresh shredded apples, brown sugar, and cozy cinnamon fills these apple cinnamon bars with fall flavor.
  • Easy to make. Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately, combine, and bake! The dessert is ready in under an hour, making it a great option for last-minute fall baking.
  • Eat them frosted, or not. Cinnamon frosting makes these bars perfect for dessert (served like a slice of apple cider cake topped with vanilla bean ice cream). Meanwhile, the unfrosted squares make a fantastic breakfast bar with a cup of coffee.
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