10 Quick & Easy Christmas Desserts You Can Make in Under an Hour

2025-12-16

The festive season is full of rich food, late nights, visitors and back-to-back events. Dessert should be the fun part — not something that keeps you in the kitchen for hours. The good news is you don’t need complicated pastries or fancy equipment to end Christmas meals on a sweet note. With simple ingredients like biscuits, fruit, chocolate, coconut, peanuts and ice cream, you can create impressive desserts in very little time.

Here are 10 quick and easy Christmas dessert ideas that are big on flavour, light on stress and perfect for warm-weather celebrations, family gatherings and last-minute guests.

1. No-Bake Chocolate Biscuit Fridge Cake

This is a classic “no stress” dessert: chocolatey, crunchy and chilled.

How to make it:

Crush plain biscuits into chunks.
Melt butter, sugar, cocoa or chocolate powder, and a splash of milk.
Stir in the biscuits (and peanuts if you like).
Press into a lined dish and chill until firm, then slice into bars.

You can decorate the top with grated chocolate or sprinkles for a festive look.

2. Coconut & Vanilla Rice Pudding Cups

Turn leftover cooked rice into a creamy dessert.

How to make:

Simmer cooked rice with coconut milk, a little sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt until thick and creamy.
Spoon into small glasses and let it cool slightly.
Top with toasted coconut flakes or chopped roasted peanuts.

Serve warm or chilled — both are comforting and delicious.

3. Fast Pineapple Ginger Upside-Down Cake

This tastes like a tropical Christmas in cake form.

How to make:

Arrange pineapple slices in a greased pan and sprinkle with brown sugar.
Place a quick one-bowl vanilla cake batter on top (flour, sugar, eggs, oil, baking powder, vanilla).
Bake until golden and springy.
Turn out while still warm so the pineapple caramel sticks.

Grate a little fresh ginger into the batter for a gentle kick.

4. Caramelised Plantain Pan Dessert

Think of this as a super fast, skillet dessert.

How to make:

Slice ripe plantain and fry in butter or oil until golden.
Sprinkle with brown sugar or honey and a pinch of cinnamon.
Let it bubble for a minute so it caramelises.

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoon of thick yoghurt for contrast.

5. Simple Christmas Trifle in Glasses

A layered dessert that looks fancy but is very easy.

How to make:

Layer cubes of plain sponge cake or vanilla biscuits in glasses.
Sprinkle with fruit juice or a little syrup.
Add a layer of custard or vanilla pudding.
Top with whipped cream or yoghurt and fresh or tinned fruit.

Repeat the layers if your glass is tall. You can prepare these a few hours before guests arrive.

6. One-Bowl Vanilla Sheet Cake with Quick Glaze

Perfect for feeding a crowd.

How to make:

In one bowl, mix oil or melted butter, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla.
Add flour and baking powder, mix gently and bake in a rectangular pan.
For the glaze, mix icing sugar with a little milk and vanilla, then pour over the warm cake.

Cut into squares and sprinkle with crushed nuts or coloured sugar for a festive finish.

7. Chilled Yoghurt & Fruit Dessert Cups

Light, refreshing and ideal after a big meal.

How to make:

Mix thick yoghurt with a little honey or sugar and vanilla.
Layer in glasses with chopped mango, pineapple, berries or grapes.
Add granola or crushed biscuits on top for crunch.

It’s like a dessert and a breakfast parfait in one — great for holiday brunches too.

8. Crunchy Peanut Brittle Shards

Sweet, crunchy and addictive — and surprisingly fast.

How to make:

Toast peanuts lightly in a dry pan.
In another pan, melt sugar on medium heat until it turns golden.
Quickly stir in the peanuts and a pinch of salt, then pour onto an oiled tray.
Let it cool completely before breaking into shards.

Serve in bowls or use pieces to decorate other desserts like ice cream, cakes or trifles.

9. Baked Cinnamon Apples with Raisins & Nuts

A warm dessert that fills the kitchen with a festive smell.

How to make:

Core whole apples or halve them and remove the centre.
Stuff with a mixture of raisins, chopped nuts, sugar or honey and cinnamon.
Dot with a little butter and bake until soft.

Serve with custard, yoghurt or ice cream. This is especially lovely on cooler evenings.

10. Festive Ice Cream Floats & Sundaes

Perfect for hot Christmas afternoons or after a spicy meal.

Ideas:

Vanilla ice cream topped with cold fruit juice or soda for a float.
Ice cream sundaes layered with crushed biscuits, chocolate or Milo powder, nuts and syrup.
Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a cherry or piece of fruit on top.

These are fun to assemble at the table — kids and adults both enjoy building their own.

Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Desserts

Choose recipes you can make ahead: fridge cakes, trifles, brittle and yoghurt cups sit well in the fridge.
Use what you already have: leftover rice, cake, cookies or fruit can easily become dessert.
Play with texture: combine creamy (yoghurt, custard, ice cream) with crunchy (nuts, biscuits, brittle).
Keep portions small: many people are already full from the main meal — mini desserts are perfect.

Conclusion

Christmas desserts don’t have to be complicated to feel special. With a few pantry staples and some quick ideas, you can create sweets that look festive, taste amazing and fit easily into busy holiday schedules. From no-bake chocolate fridge cake to caramelised plantain, peanut brittle and fruit-yoghurt cups, these 10 quick and easy desserts bring joy to the table without exhausting the cook.

Serve one or mix and match a few, and you’ll have a dessert spread that keeps everyone smiling long after the main meal is finished.