60 Best New Year's Eve Desserts for the Sweetest Countdown
Cookies, cupcakes, and lots of sprinkles.
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Staying up until midnight is easy when you have a smorgasbord of New Year's Eve desserts. Just put out a platter of bite-sized sweets, some elegant chocolate desserts, or even sparkly champagne cupcakes for the best way to celebrate in style. If you’re still not sure you can make it to the final countdown, try a coffee-based dessert like tiramisu cake. There are also plenty of rich and decadent desserts that would pair perfectly with a refreshing glass of champagne.
Bakers looking to impress can try a show-stopping chocolate trifle or warm lava cakes for a cozy winter dessert. And if your New Year's Eve party consists of all small bites, consider one of The Pioneer Woman's New Year's Eve cookie recipes for your crowd. Between the snickerdoodle bars and the hot chocolate cookies, there are tons of sweet options. Or if you're planning a smaller elegant affair, try panna cotta or chocolate mousse!
Not only will these desserts pair perfectly with your New Year's Eve dinner menu, but they'd also make for a great after-midnight snack! So go ahead and pour yourself a champagne cocktail, start a playlist of New Year's songs, and scroll through this list of New Year's desserts. It'll be the sweetest year yet!
Bear Claw Pastry
No need to visit your local bakery on New Year's—you can make your own bear claw pastries from scratch. Each one is topped with sliced almonds and drizzled in a sweet glaze.
Get Ree's Bear Claw Pastry recipe.
Butterscotch Pie
Butterscotch has a caramel-like sweetness that's oh so comforting on winter nights. This homemade pie is topped with toasted meringue.
Get Ree's Butterscotch Pie recipe.
Butterscotch Pudding Cookies
What's the secret to these rich, chewy cookies? It's pudding mix. White chocolate chips and chopped pecans add a satisfying crunch to every bite.
Get the Butterscotch Pudding Cookies recipe.
Christmas Sheet Cake
True, December 25th has come and gone. But this sheet cake is a festive dessert idea for hosting a crowd between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Get the Christmas Sheet Cake recipe.
No-Bake Eggnog Pie
Yes, the traditional holiday drink inspired this homemade pie! You don't even need a whole carton of it—just a cup. It's light, fluffy, and perfect for New Year's Eve.
Get Ree's No-Bake Eggnog Pie recipe.
Fruitcake Cookies
Love or hate it, fruitcake is a traditional dessert this time of year. Why not try these cookies? Each one is studded with candied fruit and nuts, then drizzled in a citrusy brandy glaze.
Get Ree's Fruitcake Cookies recipe.
Holiday Haystacks
These nostalgic treats are so easy that the kids can help make them in the early hours of the evening. Just swap the red and green sprinkles for New Year's Eve colors like gold and silver.
Get Ree's Holiday Haystacks recipe.
Oreo Fudge
If you haven't had your fill of fudge over the holidays, prepare a batch of this Oreo fudge. It's a cookies and cream lovers' delight, and there's no candy thermometer required.
Get Ree's Oreo Fudge recipe.
Potato Candy
Ever heard of potato candy? This recipe has been passed down for generations as a great way to use up leftover mashed spuds. That includes New Year's Eve dinner!
Get the Potato Candy recipe.
Tiramisu Cake
This dessert is everything you love about classic tiramisu including the coffee flavor and fluffy whipped mascarpone cream. It's a show-stopping layer cake!
Get the Tiramisu Cake recipe.
Sugar Cookie Biscotti
Homemade biscotti with its colorful rainbow sprinkles is a perfect dessert for New Year's Eve. If you have extra, it makes a sweet treat on the morning of New Year's Day.
Get the Sugar Cookie Biscotti recipe.
Jeweled Divinity Candy
This pretty holiday dessert will add a pop of color to your New Year's Eve spread. Just look for rainbow gummy candies to make the old-fashioned treat shine!
Get Ree's Jeweled Divinity Candy recipe.
Flourless Chocolate Cake
If you're looking for a sophisticated take on chocolate cake, try this flourless version that's extra rich and moist. The best part is—it’s finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. No fancy decorating skills required!
Get the Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe.
Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
The strikingly beautiful color of these thumbprint cookies will make them stand out from the crowd. They're even better when filled with cream cheese frosting.
Get Ree's Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies recipe.
Chocolate Eclairs
This elegant French pastry is made with a whipped vanilla filling and a layer of chocolate glaze on top. You can serve it up on New Year's Eve or even for brunch on New Year's Day.
Get the Chocolate Eclairs recipe.
Bourbon Balls
Not a fan of champagne? Try making dessert with bourbon instead! These boozy bites are easy to whip up in 20 minutes or less.
Get the Bourbon Balls recipe.
Baklava Bites
The nutty, sticky, and sweet flavors of baklava are even easier to eat in bite-sized form. All you need are those frozen phyllo shells from the supermarket.
Get the Baklava Bites recipe.
Salted Caramel Cupcakes
This recipe starts with boxed cake mix and jarred salted caramel sauce so it couldn't be easier. But your guests will love the fun and whimsical addition of caramel popcorn on top!
Get the Salted Caramel Cupcakes recipe.
Turtle Tart
Take turtle candies to the next level by making this decadent chocolate tart loaded with toasted pecans and gooey caramel. It's the most satisfying slice of the holiday season!
Get Ree's Turtle Tart recipe.
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
These sparkling star shaped cookies are packed with warm spices, like gingerbread, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Then they're sandwiched together with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Get Ree's Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies recipe.
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