Southern Christmas desserts bring more than just sweetness to the table—they carry tradition, warmth, and the heart of Southern hospitality.
If you’re searching for Christmas desserts that combine rich flavors with cherished family traditions, these recipes are for you.
Whether it’s the tang of a citrus-glazed pound cake, the creaminess of a layered trifle, or the crunch of a pecan pie straight from grandma’s recipe box, each sweet bite tells a story.
Southern holiday baking isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about slowing down, savoring the season, and bringing loved ones together around the table.
Before you start baking, check out these other Christmas recipes to make your menu even more memorable!
These Christmas Dinner Recipes are full of cozy main dishes and festive sides that bring everyone to the table.
Check out these easy crowd-pleasing Christmas party recipes that are perfect for any type of holiday celebration!
Keep your holiday organized with printable baking checklists, schedules, and gift tags for stress-free holiday baking in this printable Christmas baking planner!
These classic holiday treats are known for their rich, comforting flavors and timeless pantry staples that bring warmth to every bite. Many of the ingredients reflect the South’s deep food traditions and love for bold, homemade goodness.
Pecans: A Southern baking staple used in pies, pralines, and cakes.
Sweet Potatoes: Featured in pies, casseroles, and breads for natural sweetness.
Coconut: Adds flavor and texture to cakes, frostings, and puddings.
Buttermilk: Creates moist cakes, tangy biscuits, and tender textures.
Cornmeal: Sometimes used in cobblers or old-fashioned puddings.
Brown Sugar & Molasses: Give depth and caramel-like sweetness to cookies and pies.
Butter: Essential for flaky crusts, creamy fillings, and rich flavor.
Bourbon or Rum: Adds a warm, boozy note to bread pudding, glazes, and truffles.
Vanilla Extract: Brings out the sweetness and rounds out classic flavors.
Citrus (Lemon, Orange, or Lime): Adds brightness to frostings, cakes, and glazes.
Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves): Define that signature Southern holiday flavor.
What are traditional southern desserts?
These dessert recipes are known for being rich, comforting, and often passed down through generations. Some of the most traditional include:
1
Old Fashioned Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe
This moist and velvety cake is a Southern classic everyone loves. With its rich cocoa flavor, fluffy crumb, and tangy cream cheese frosting, this red velvet cake is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you’re craving something special.
A true Southern favorite, this hummingbird cake is bursting with banana, pineapple, and pecans in every bite. Topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect dessert for any celebration or Sunday supper.
Creamy, dreamy, and layered with vanilla wafers and fresh bananas, this old-fashioned banana pudding is comfort food at its best. It’s an easy dessert that tastes like it came straight from Grandma’s kitchen.
Juicy, ripe peaches are baked inside a flaky, buttery crust for a pie that’s pure Southern comfort. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic summer treat.
This rich Texas-style chocolate pecan pie combines gooey chocolate filling with crunchy pecans for the ultimate indulgence. Just mix, pour, and bake—no fuss, all flavor!
Smooth, spiced, and sweet, this old-fashioned sweet potato pie is a must-make for holiday gatherings. It’s like a cozy hug in pie form, perfectly paired with whipped cream.
Moist chocolate cake meets gooey coconut-pecan frosting in this irresistible German chocolate Bundt cake. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make.
This tropical twist on a Southern classic is rich, buttery, and perfectly sweet. The combination of pineapple and cream makes every bite moist and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Golden, buttery crust and juicy peaches come together in this easy Southern peach cobbler. Enjoy it warm with a dollop of ice cream for a dessert that never goes out of style.
Easy Christmas Bread Pudding With Raisins And Brandy Sauce
Filled with warm holiday spices, sweet raisins, and a drizzle of brandy sauce, this Christmas bread pudding is the ultimate festive dessert. It’s cozy, comforting, and perfect for your holiday table.
This light and fluffy coconut layer cake is a tropical dream with its soft layers and creamy coconut frosting. It’s a stunning dessert that’s guaranteed to impress at any gathering.
Sweet-tart cherries baked inside a golden, flaky crust make this the best cherry pie you’ll ever taste. It’s a timeless dessert that’s perfect for summer picnics or family dinners.
Moist, buttery, and soaked in a sweet vanilla glaze, this Kentucky butter cake is pure comfort on a plate. It’s simple to make but tastes like something straight from a bakery.
Loaded with pecans, walnuts, and warm spices, this Southern holiday nut cake is a festive favorite. It’s rich, moist, and full of old-fashioned charm that tastes like tradition.
This classic Southern chess pie has a perfectly sweet, custardy filling inside a crisp, buttery crust. It’s simple, nostalgic, and impossible to resist.
Juicy blueberries bubble beneath a buttery biscuit topping for a cobbler that’s bursting with flavor. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.
Rich, fudgy, and perfectly sweet, this Southern chocolate chess pie is heaven for chocolate lovers. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast at every gathering.
Bright, tangy lemon flavor meets soft, buttery cake layers in these easy lemon bars. Made with cake mix, they’re the perfect quick dessert when you’re short on time.
This classic Texas sheet cake is rich, moist, and topped with warm chocolate frosting that melts into every bite. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for parties, potlucks, or holidays.
Sweet and tart with a fluffy golden meringue topping, this old-fashioned lemon meringue pie is sunshine in dessert form. It’s a timeless recipe that never fails to impress.
Reesa Lewandowski is the creator of Momma Lew, a New Jersey-based food blog where she shares easy, family-friendly recipes inspired by everyday life. A mom of two teenagers and a self-taught cook and baker, Reesa has spent over a decade developing simple, approachable meals—from quick weeknight dinners to festive desserts—all tested in her own kitchen. Her recipes focus on comfort food with a modern twist, seasonal favorites, and stress-free baking. Drawing inspiration from her Jersey roots, Reesa’s goal is to help busy families enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
