Fact: Gingerbread is to Christmas what pumpkin pie is to Thanksgiving. You could celebrate without it, but it really wouldn't be the same. And why would you want to? Gingerbread is fantastic! Aside from its namesake ginger, the quintessential Christmas flavor typically features cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, and other spices, making it rich, warming and spicy. Whether you're a superfan or just a regular fan, odds are that the family will expect at least one or two gingerbread treats on to your Christmas menu. Now, you could just bake (or buy) a few gingerbread cookies, and maybe toss up a gingerbread house and call it a season. But there's so much more you can do with this flavor that we wanted to inspire you to think outside the cookie cutter. So we've rounded up all kinds of easy gingerbread dessert recipes that put a playful spin on the traditional sweet.
Try your hand at our gingerbread cheesecake with pecan-graham crust, opt for something a little more elegant with a gingerbread pear loaf, or introduce children to the flavor with gingerbread-chocolate chunk no-churn ice cream. The wonderful thing about gingerbread is that you can make it the dominant taste of a Christmas dessert recipe, or simply incorporate it as more of a supporting player if your Christmas dinner guests have a more sensitive palate. Whichever route you choose, make sure at least one gingerbread recipe is on your table. It just wouldn't be the holidays without it.
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1
Ginger Pumpkin Pie
With a gingersnap crust and three different kinds of ginger in the pie itself, this spicy take on pumpkin pie is a surefire gingerbread lover's dream.
Get the recipe.
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2
Gingerbread Cheesecake With Pecan-Graham Crust
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3
Gingerbread Pear Loaf
You can dress up a loaf pan with a strip of parchment paper, tinsel, and vintage ornaments to turn it into a lovely Christmas food gift.
Get the recipe.
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4
Gingerbread Eggnog
Eggnog fans and gingerbread lovers can agree this Christmas cocktail is downright delicious.
Get the recipe.
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5
Gingerbread-Chocolate Chunk No-Churn Ice Cream
Celebrating Christmas somewhere warm? Cool off after dinner with this gingerbread no-churn ice cream.
Get the recipe.
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6
Gingerbread Rolls
You could make these gingerbread rolls for your neighbors...or you could just eat them yourself. (No judgement.)
Get the recipe.
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7
Mini Gingerbread Bundt Cakes
These sweet, bite-sized treats are cute as can be, and perfect for dessert or a snack!
Get the recipe at Brown Sugar.
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8
Gingerbread Souffle with Maple Creme Anglaise
Possibly the only thing tastier than gingerbread is maple, and this rich, impressive, and sneakily easy-to-make dessert has both, plus a whole bunch of cream! What's not to love?
Get the recipe at Brown Sugar.
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9
Butterscotch Gingerbread Trifle
The only thing better than gingerbread trifle is gingerbread trifle with butterscotch in it.
Get the recipe at The Gold Lining Girl.
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10
Chocolate Chunk Gingerbread Cookies
Santa will go nuts for these gingerbread cookies.
Get the recipe at The Food Charlatan.
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11
No Bake Gingerbread Cream Pie
Save your precious oven space for cookies, casseroles, and other festive foods this holiday season by whipping up a pan of this rich no-bake pie.
Get the recipe at Homemade in the Kitchen.
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12
Gingerbread Boy Granola
Snap out of your snack time rut with this crunchy and sweet granola.
Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
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13
Gingerbread Cookies with Eggnog Icing
You better double—or even triple!—this recipe because these eggnog-flavored treats are going to fly off the plate.
Get the recipe at Life, Love, and Sugar.
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14
Gingerbread Swirl Fudge
This flavorful fudge will melt in your mouth just like your favorite molasses cookies.
Get the recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction.
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15
Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting
Enjoy the flavors of three delicious treats—gingerbread cookies, brownies, and eggnog—in one Christmas dessert with this easy recipe.
Get the recipe at Carlsbad Cravings.
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16
Gingerbread Cheesecake
A molasses mousse topping perfectly complements this Christmas cheesecake's gingerbread filling and cookie accents.
Get the recipe at Life, Love, and Sugar.
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17
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Caramele Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
You can choose to make this caramel and gingerbread combo in either cupcake or cake form–or both if you've got a large crowd to feed this Christmas!
Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.
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18
Gingerbread Poke Cake
This buttermilk and gingerbread Christmas cake gets extra flavor from sweetened condensed milk, plus cinnamon, caramel sauce, and gingerbread PEEPS, all of which are layered on top.
Get the recipe at Something Swanky.
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19
Nutella-Stuffed Gingerbread Deep Dish Cookie
In every bite of this deep dish cookie you'll taste rich Nutella, spicy gingerbread, and sweet molasses.
Get the recipe Cafe Delites.
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20
Homemade Gingerbread Loaf
Drizzle this Christmas dessert loaf with a simple vanilla glaze and sprinkle some cranberries on top before serving with coffee or tea.
Get the recipe at She Wears Many Hats.
