Mini angel food cupcakes, topped with fresh raspberries and a snowy dusting of powdered sugar, will melt in your mouth, while sparkly vanilla bean macarons with three different festive fillings (white chocolate peppermint, eggnog marshmallow, and spicy chocolate mocha) will disappear from your holiday dessert table in a flash. It doesn’t get any cuter than individually-sized cheesecakes made with gingerbread Oreos and gingerbread pudding, each topped with a tiny gingerbread man. (Even better, the recipe doesn’t require any baking.) Or dress up hot chocolate or coffee with a miniature version of a gingerbread house that sits right on top of the mug, just waiting to be dunked and eaten. Sweet meets savory in chocolate pretzel sandwich bites made with your favorite mini candy bars and decorated with red sprinkles for the season. And who could resist bite-size petit fours with layers of peppermint bark and cake, all covered with vanilla frosting and holiday-themed sweet garnishes? Don’t let their small size fool you—these tiny sweets will be the star of any holiday party. Freshly grated lemon zest brightens up a traditional batter, and a swirl of sweetened whipped cream makes them party-ready. A garnish of a single fresh raspberry and a snowy sprinkle of powdered sugar adds that final festive touch. Their light and fluffy texture (and individual size) ensure you won’t end Christmas feeling overly stuffed—that is, as long as you can eat just one. Consider yourself warned. Get the recipe: Snow Angel Cupcakes If you prefer a firmer, more shortbread-like cookie, bake for a minute or two longer. Once cooled, homemade chocolate frosting is poured into the well, and colorful sprinkles are added for a festive finish. When the frosting has set, serve the cookies or store them in tins as needed, though we bet these won’t stick around for long. Get the recipe: Mini Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies A spoonful of pumpkin pie spice further amps up the flavor. Store-bought ingredients help speed up prep, and there’s no additional chilling time required. The best part? Because these cheesecakes are no-bake, they won’t take up oven space, and you can ease day-of stress by making them in advance and storing them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Get the recipe: Gingerbread Oreo No Bake Mini Cheesecakes If not, an extra dusting of cinnamon is a good idea, too. Bake in small ovenproof ramekins until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, then let cool slightly before serving. Your guests will be delighted to have their own personal holiday dessert—no sharing allowed! Get the recipe: Mini Cranberry Apple Crisps They’re topped off with vegan-friendly icing made from cashews, coconut oil, and vanilla, along with a fresh cherry for garnish (though you can skip this or substitute another fruit). They’re great for breakfast on Christmas morning, too. Get the recipe: Mini Paleo Christmas Puddings Get the recipe: Mini Cinnamon Wreaths Get the recipe: Mini Gingerbread Houses Get the recipe: Sparkly Vanilla Bean Macarons Get the recipe: Mint Chocolate Mini Cakes Get the recipe: Cranberry Swirl Mini Cheesecakes Once you’ve assembled your layers of cake, peppermint chocolate, and marzipan, pour vanilla icing over the mini cakes and sprinkle on your desired decorations while the icing is still wet. Nonpareils, dragées, and mini sugar snowflakes are all pretty options. Or wait for the icing to dry and then pipe on designs with colored frosting. Each one-bite cake is like a sweet little Christmas present—completely irresistible. Get the recipe: Peppermint Bark Petit Fours Slightly melted mini chocolate candy bars (think Snickers and Milky Ways—use your favorites) are sandwiched between square pretzels, then allowed to harden. Make them festive by dipping half the pretzel sandwich into melted white chocolate and adding a dash of red sprinkles. Once they’re set, you’re ready to indulge. Crunchy, chewy, chocolatey, and savory all at once, they just might be the perfect bite. Get the recipe: Candy Bar Pretzel Bites Instead of traditional cake, fruit, and custard, this version stars rich brownies and an airy chocolate pudding lightened with whipped cream. For a prettier presentation, pipe the pudding into the glasses using a pastry bag. (A resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off will do in a pinch.) Finish it off with a sprinkle of brownie crumbs or chocolate curls. Get the recipe: Chocolate Mousse and Brownie Trifles
