7 Desserts Even Your Picky Relatives Will Love
The holidays are about giving thanks, spending time with loved ones, and letting those around you know that you care.
Sometimes it's also about keeping the peace by baking something great. Especially when your cousin Andrea tells you for the fourth time about how her juice cleanse changed her life (and then she wants to know when you'll do one with her...).
It's the holidays, and what everyone really wants is a fabulous dessert to ring in the new year. Even if they're usually too disciplined for dessert (which, okay, isn't a bad thing), this is one time of year when a thick slice of cake, or chewy chocolate-laden cookie, will bring the whole family together.
Here are seven desserts that you can make to "wow" your friends and family this holiday season. They're all crazy impressive, and they're all actually not that hard to make (but we won't tell if you won't).
Mom's Triple Layer Carrot Cake
Any cake that comes with three layers is instantly impressive. This one also includes a homemade cream cheese frosting that tastes amazing and is actually very easy to make. Assemble this cake the day before you take it to a family function, if you want. The frosting will keep it moist, and the flavor will only intensify. It's a total win.
Get the recipe here: Mom's Triple Layer Carrot Cake.
Cranberry Sour Cream Almond Cake
This gluten-free cake is still worthy of the title "amazing holiday dessert." It's a great cake to make if you or someone you're close to eats a grain-free diet (or even if they don't!). All joking aside, one of the best ways to prove that you're awesome is to show your friends and family that their needs are important to you. This is a delicious way to do just that.
Get the recipe here: Cranberry Sour Cream Almond Cake.
Nutmeg Wine Cake with Fig Buttercream Frosting
Whoa! A good way to please basically everyone is to put alcohol in your baked goods. This classy wine cake looks absolutely amazing, with its fluffy clouds of buttercream frosting. No one needs to know that this jaw-dropping frosting method is actually one of the easiest to do. Just make it now.
Get the recipe here: Nutmeg Wine Cake with Fig Buttercream Frosting.
Vegan Pecan Pie
Impress everyone at your house with this vegan pecan pie recipe. It's classic. It's gooey. It's a dessert that your family will be talking about until next year (so be ready to make it again).
Get the recipe here: Vegan Pecan Pie.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
You knew this list had to include a best-ever Christmas cookie recipe, right? Sugar cookies are great, but you can really impress everyone in your squad with these ultra-chocolatey peppermint cookies. They're easy to make, they look amazing, and you can make them ahead. Check, check, and check.
Get the recipe here: Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.
Lazy Cinnamon Roll Cake
Christmas morning is one of the best opportunities to "wow" the crowd. And you'll accomplish that with this cinnamon roll cake. It's like your favorite cinnamon roll recipe, but it's 50% more delicious and 50% easier. We'll take both of those things as a win.
Get the recipe here: Lazy Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Cinnamon Challah Bread
And here's one more holiday favorite that no one will be able to resist. It's classic, bursting with flavor, and oh so perfect for enjoying all season long. Plus, you HAVE to see the cute way the blogger packages the finished bread for the holidays. It's absolutely irresistible.
Get the recipe here: Cinnamon Challah Bread.
Happy holidays, everyone. Enjoy the family time, days off of work, and delicious desserts!