12 Luscious Fruit Desserts for Christmas

By Vanessa Greaves
Updated December 16, 2020
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine

Christmas desserts are the holly jolliest desserts of the year, especially when they feature the bold colors and fresh flavors of the holiday season. Here are a dozen Christmas fruit desserts that showcase apples, pears, cranberries, and winter citrus in all their seasonal glory, perfect for your winter feasts.

Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Poached Pears Belle Helene

Credit: Chef John
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This absolute stunner of a fruit dessert can be prepped ahead of time so the poached pears have time to soak in all the flavor of their vanilla-scented lemon water bath. When you're ready to serve, just dip the pears in hot fudge sauce and spoon a little more over the top. "Definitely will make this dessert again," says Judylee. "Easy, pretty and delicious."

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Blood Orange Tart

Credit: kim
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a gorgeous way to showcase winter citrus fruit. For a colorful effect, top this brightly flavored tart with a mix of thinly sliced blood oranges and navel oranges.

3 of 12

Crustless Cranberry Pie

Credit: Blair Blanks
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This red and white dessert is color-coded for Christmas. "So good and easy," says Mommy Dearest. "This is not a pie, at all. But it is the best cake in the world! I double the recipe and add more walnuts. Bake in your regular cake pan. Delish! So pretty for the holidays!"

Advertisement

4 of 12

Berry Panna Cotta

Credit: kim's cooking now
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Silky panna cotta is a deceptively easy but impressive dessert. Paired with fresh berries, this creamy, lemony dessert makes an elegant ending to your Christmas dinner.

5 of 12

Nanny's Steamed Cranberry Pudding

Credit: doughgirl8
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"This was unbelievable," says Yummum. "I wowed my entire extended family at Christmas dinner with this recipe. I followed the recipe exactly -well, I coarsely chopped the crans first to spread out the tartness a bit- and it came out perfectly. The caramel sauce was amazing, it will be my new standard for sure (mine crystalized, but I just stirred in more cream to smooth it out.) Pretty much everyone who has tried this has asked me for the recipe."

6 of 12

Hasselback Pear Tart

Credit: Nicholio
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fancy-looking tart is so much easier to make than it looks. Thinly sliced pear halves are nestled onto a layer of sweetened cream cheese and baked atop frozen puff pastry dough. For best visual results, use three or four different kinds of pears with their skins on.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

French Apple Tart (Tarte de Pommes a la Normande)

Credit: caroline a
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Peter Lovering shared this recipe, saying, "My mother used to cook this for us all, usually to go with Sunday dinner. I was hooked. Haven't had it in ages and I was wanting to bake something special for a special someone so I asked mum for the recipe. Tried it out today, and it's just as I remember. The thing that makes it for me is the frangipane. Hope you like it as much as me."

8 of 12

Pavlova with Winter Fruits

Credit: lauraf
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's one to impress your gluten-free guests. "Light, gorgeous, delicious," says Nancy S. "Loved it as did the dinner party. I added some berries and diced papaya for color and it was a hit! Turned out perfect!"

9 of 12

Cranberry Clafouti

Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Try this holiday take on a traditional French custard dessert called clafouti (pronounced claw-foo-TEE). "Made this elegant dessert for our New Years Eve dinner," says reviewer Denise Nielsen. Yummy and easy dessert."

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Fig-Hazelnut Cheesecake with Honey-Bourbon Drizzle

Credit: sandra garth
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"If you're looking for a decadent dessert, this may be the one for you," says recipe creator Sandra Garth. "This fig and hazelnut cheesecake has a vanilla cookie crust and is topped with toasted hazelnuts and a honey-bourbon drizzle."

11 of 12

Easy Pear Clafouti

Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's another seasonal take on clafouti, which can be baked with any fruit you like. You'll love how quick and easy it is to pull together with a handful of everyday pantry ingredients.

12 of 12

Persimmon Cheesecake with Blueberries

Credit: anastasiaskitchen
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll get a double helping of winter persimmon in this luscious cheesecake. There's persimmon purée in the mix and spread over the top. Sprinkle fresh blueberries — or any berry you like — for a colorful contrast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Vanessa Greaves