Skip to Content

60 New Year’s Desserts That'll Guarantee 2025 Is Extra Sweet

Festive, fancy, and fun.

By
fudge topped with espresso powder and coffee beans
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Now that 2025 is coming towards us fast, we think the year should kick off on the sweetest note possible (and not just on those 12 grapes...). So if you're looking to ring in the New Year in style, you’ll need drinks, of course, and appetizers, but don’t forget to include desserts too. After all, they say what you drink and eat on New Year’s Eve reveals what the rest of the year will hold for you. We don’t know about you, but we’re not taking any chances. Join us in a toast to more sweet things to come in 2025!

And we’re not just talking about stuffy after-dinner options. New Year’s Eve is a party after all, so while there’s a time and place for showstoppers (see below), we also know sweet bites, dessert dips, and creative cookies might be even better than a cake. Looking for poppable, cocktail party options? Try our bourbon balls, our Prosecco grapes, our gingerbread truffles, or our golden Oreo truffles. Want something as easy as chips and dip but with a sugary spin? Try our cannoli chips and dip or our funfetti dip. Craving cookies? Check out our vegan sugar cookies, our potato chip cookies, or our cookies 'n' cream millionaire shortbread. They’re all familiar yet special, perfect for sending off last year.

Don’t worry, we’ve also got a couple of standout centerpiece-worthy desserts on this list too. Want something you can bring out at midnight, adorned with sparkler candles to elicit oohs and ahhs? Try our firecracker cake, our triple-chocolate trifle, our cinnamon roll cheesecake, or our spumoni ice cream cake. They might just be more impressive than the Times Square ball drop.

We’ve also included a number of coffee desserts on this list, because we know as well as the next person how much harder it gets to stay up late as we get older. Try our affogato (espresso over gelato, mm), our espresso martini fudge, our tiramisu cake, or our tiramisu truffles. They’ll help keep you partying 'til dawn (or, y'know, 12:30 😂).

1

White Russian Cupcakes

white russian cupcakes topped with chocolate shavings
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These White Russian cupcakes bring a coffee flavor that will have you reminiscing about a decadent White Russian cocktail. Adding Kahlúa to the buttercream frosting will emphasize the espresso in the cake while providing a hint of cream and sweetness, with more chocolate shavings adding to the richness of it all. These cupcakes do contain alcohol, so while they’re not kid-friendly, they sure will be the perfect addition at your next cocktail party!

Get the White Russian Cupcakes recipe.

2

Prosecco Grapes

grapes covered in a sugar mixture
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Give grapes a festive upgrade with New Year's appropriate Prosecco (though any sparkling wine will work). We went for green, but any type of grape you like is great for these.

Get the Prosecco Grapes recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Limoncello Tiramisu

limoncello tiramisu
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Tiramisu lovers, prepare to take your favorite coffee-soaked dessert to a world of lemon. Limoncello, lemon curd, and lemonade take full rein of this dessert, turning it into a summertime dream.

Get the Limoncello Tiramisu recipe.

4

Confetti Cookie Dough Ball

chocolate chip cookie dough ball rolled in sprinkles served with pretzels and nilla wafers
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Drop this confetti cookie dough ball on the table this New Year's Eve, and watch it disappear before the clock strikes midnight. All you need to do to create this edible cookie dough masterpiece is to create a cream cheese-chocolate chip cookie dough mixture, then roll it in the sprinkles of your choice. The beauty of this sweet appetizer? It works for any occasion! Switch up the sprinkles for your desired holiday, and you've got a showstopping, easy dessert idea to use all year long.

Get the Confetti Cookie Dough Ball recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Espresso Martini Fudge

fudge topped with espresso powder and coffee beans
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If you're still obsessed with the iconic coffee cocktail, then you're going to be doubly in love with this recipe. We created this espresso martini version because coffee just makes everything better, especially when paired with melty, smooth chocolate and our favorite Irish cream liqueur. Plus, who can say no to that adorable coffee bean garnish?

Get the Espresso Martini Fudge recipe.

6

Rum Crumb Cake

rum crumb cake drizzled with icing
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The centerpiece of every holiday gathering from now should be this rum cake. Our recipe was modeled after the classic Bacardi version with cake mix, instant pudding, and lots of rum. This pound cake takes all of the best parts of the OG and makes everything just a little more decadent. Don't be surprised when family members sneak bites throughout the day, long before it's time for dessert.

Get the Rum Pound Cake recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Cannoli Icebox Cake

layered cannoli icebox cake
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

With the not-too-sweet creamy filling inside a crispy shell, cannoli are a nearly perfect dessert. Making your own is a fun little project but a little time consuming, and frying the shells can be intimidating. This easy cake is a great alternative. The filling is similar: sweetened ricotta and orange zest combine with whipped cream to make the cake even lighter.

Get the Cannoli Icebox Cake recipe.

8

Aperol Spritz Trifles

a stemless wine glass filled with vanilla cake, whipped cream, aperol spiked jam, and pudding with an orange slice on the rim
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This trifle draws inspiration from everybody’s favorite summer cocktail: the Aperol Spritz. This popular beverage fuses effervescent Prosecco, a bittersweet and bright Italian aperitivo, and fresh orange. We include all three of those ingredients in this layered dessert. It’s like an adult version of an orange Creamsicle!

Get the Aperol Spritz Trifles recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Biscoff Trifle

a trifle dish filled with layers of spice cake, caramel, cookie butter mousse, whipped cream, and biscoff cookies
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

You may be most familiar with these cookies as a beloved Delta in-flight snack. In fact, Biscoff’s partnership with the airline is what first introduced American consumers to the cookie in the 1980s. We love eating them all year long, but especially around the holidays. So we decided to celebrate speculoos with this festive, show-stopping trifle.

Get the Biscoff Trifle recipe.

10

Espresso Martini Icebox Cake

layers of chocolate graham cracker, coffee chocolate ganache, and espresso whipped cream
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Our espresso martini icebox cake has layers of chocolate graham crackers, coffee chocolate ganache, and espresso whipped cream stacked in a loaf pan and chilled until set and sliceable. The top is decorated with cocoa powder and chocolate-covered espresso beans for an added crunch and a hint about the flavors hiding inside.

Get the Espresso Martini Icebox Cake recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Cookie Brittle

cookie brittle
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Cookie brittle is a particularly great hack for the holidays or any time you’re entertaining when you don’t have time or the oven space to bake multiple trays too. Think of it like a faster, easier way to make a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. 😍

Get the Cookie Brittle recipe.

12

Gingerbread Truffles

gingerbread truffles covered in crushed gingersnaps and icing
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Truffles are the ultimate one-bite wonder, and these gingerbread ones have a delightful touch of holiday magic in each bite. These truffles are loaded with gingerbread flavor that instantly warms you to the core, and they’re rolled in crushed gingersnaps for a zippy ginger bite and a pleasingly crunchy texture.

Get the Gingerbread Truffles recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Tiramisu Whoopie Pies

chocolate whoopie pies with cream sandwiched between
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Whoopie pies have endless possibilities, and this tiramisu version might be one of our favorites. The filling is a mascarpone and coffee whipped cream, giving it all of the flavors you’d normally find in a tiramisu and also that silky, whipped texture that makes it so decadent. These treats are great for cold-weather gatherings, but no one will complain about them in the heat of the summer either.

Get the Tiramisu Whoopie Pies recipe.

14

Hot Chocolate Fudge

hot chocolate fudge topped with mini marshmallows
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Rich, decadent, and topped with fluffy marshmallows (of course), hot chocolate is a fan-favorite winter drink. We love it so much, we decided to take the flavors of this classic bev and incorporate them into one of our other favorite holiday treats: fudge.

Get the Hot Chocolate Fudge recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Cannoli Bites

individual cannoli bites topped with chocolate chips, crushed pistachio and powdered sugar
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

In these cannoli bites, frozen phyllo tart shells steps in for the cannoli shell, while a simple mix of ricotta, sugar, orange, and vanilla create our decadent filling that nails a perfect balance of rich and sweet.

Get the Cannoli Bites recipe.

16

Sugar Cookie Bars

sugar cookie bars
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STLYING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Somewhere between a blondie and cookie, these sugar cookie bars are thick and soft with buttercream spread on top. They take less time than scooping individual cookies and are just as good.

Get the Sugar Cookie Bars recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Affogato

affogato
Erik bernstein

Affogato is a simple Italian dessert—just espresso poured over a scoop of gelato—but sometimes the easiest things require the most attention to detail. Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, but in reality the ideal bite will have some cold gelato and a pool of warm espresso on the spoon.

Get the Affogato recipe.

18

Funfetti Cheesecake

funfetti cheesecake with sprinkles
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

With the creaminess of cheesecake and the fluffiness of birthday cake, this two-in-one treat has it all. Plus, it couldn't be easier to make: The crust is made with the cake mix—you bake the cheesecake filling directly on top after it cools—and the cheesecake is topped with simple vanilla frosting.

Get the Funfetti Cheesecake recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Tiramisu Truffles

tiramisu truffles
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Craving a sweet pick-me-up at the end of a meal? These tiramisu truffles are for you. Luscious espresso and mascarpone white chocolate ganache is coated in a crisp chocolate shell for a dreamy bite-sized dessert that’s sure to delight every coffee lover.

Get the Tiramisu Truffles recipe.

20

Peppermint Ice Cream

pink peppermint ice cream with crushed peppermint candy
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

It's time for ice cream to take center stage for the holidays, specifically this peppermint ice cream. It's delicious served plain, topped with chocolate sauce, or layered into a holiday sundae with brownies, whipped cream, and shards of peppermint bark.

Get the Peppermint Ice Cream recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below