New Year’s Eve desserts do not exist to be polite. They are the last bold move of the year, the plate you keep circling after you said you were done. This list of 17 New Year desserts leans hard into chocolate, butter, cream, and everything that makes midnight feel earned. If you are going to stay up, you might as well stay sweet.

A sliced apple tart with caramelized apple slices is displayed on a decorative dark plate atop a rustic wooden surface.
Apple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies

A plate of chocolate chip cookies partially dipped in chocolate, with text reading "Andes Crème de Menthe Chunk Cookies.
Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies bake in about 35 minutes with thick chocolate dough and melted mint chunks. We love how the cool mint cuts through all that cocoa.
Get the Recipe: Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies

Andes Mint Brownies

A stack of chocolate brownies is arranged on a white surface, with the text "Andes Mint Brownies" in green in the top right corner.
Andes Mint Brownies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Andes Mint Brownies take about 45 minutes and pack cocoa, butter, and mint into dense bars. They hit rich first and finish clean.
Get the Recipe: Andes Mint Brownies

Red Velvet Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

A frosted cake decorated with red candies sits on a light blue cake stand; a small red deer figurine is in the background.
Red Velvet Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Red Velvet Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting bakes in about an hour with cocoa, buttermilk, and oil for a soft crumb. The cinnamon frosting gives it a warm edge.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Puffs with Nutella Filling

Close-up of a cream puff filled with chocolate cream, placed on a textured surface with other similar pastries in the background.
Cream Puffs with Nutella Filling. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Cream Puffs with Nutella Filling come together in about 50 minutes with airy pastry and thick hazelnut filling. We never plan for leftovers with these.
Get the Recipe: Cream Puffs with Nutella Filling

Triple Peanut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

A stack of chocolate chip cookies sits on parchment paper with holiday decorations and string lights in the background.
Triple Peanut and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Triple Peanut and Chocolate Chip Cookies bake in about 30 minutes with peanut butter, chopped peanuts, and chocolate chips. The flavor is salty, sweet, and bold.
Get the Recipe: Triple Peanut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Bundt Cake

A chocolate bundt cake with chocolate glaze sits on a black cake stand, surrounded by red Christmas ornaments on a white cloth, against a red background.
Chocolate Bundt Cake. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Chocolate Bundt Cake bakes in about an hour with cocoa, malted milk, and a glossy glaze. It slices clean but eats rich.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Bundt Cake

White Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Two coconut cookies with cream filling sandwiched between them, resting on a cooling rack.
White Chocolate Coconut Cookies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

White Chocolate Coconut Cookies are ready in about 30 minutes with coconut and white chocolate chunks. They taste buttery with a soft chew.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

A tray with rectangular dessert bars drizzled with chocolate, placed on a wooden surface with some string nearby.
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies bake in about 35 minutes using butter, sugar, and chocolate pieces. We like how tender they stay past midnight.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks

A stack of chocolate chip cookies on a plate with blurred holiday lights and greenery in the background.
Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks take about 30 minutes with creamy peanut butter and big chocolate pieces. They land rich and salty.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chunks

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

A small stack of cookies with broken pretzel pieces on and around them, set on a plain white surface.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies bake in about 35 minutes with peanut butter dough and crushed pretzels. The salty crunch keeps every bite loud.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

Cherry Cheesecake Cookies

Close-up of several cherry-topped pastries with white icing drizzled on top, arranged in rows on a cooling rack.
Cherry Cheesecake Cookies. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Cherry Cheesecake Cookies are ready in about 40 minutes with cream cheese dough and cherry filling. They taste like dessert crossed with a bakery case.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cheesecake Cookies

Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes

Two chocolate cupcakes with whipped cream and cherries are in front of a white bowl filled with cherries. Text reads "Cherry Coke Float.
Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes bake in about 45 minutes using cherry soda, cocoa, and vanilla frosting. We always get asked what that flavor is.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes

Russian Tea Cake Cookies (Pecan Snowballs)

A red bowl filled with round, powdered sugar-coated cookies sits on a wooden surface, with more cookies visible nearby.
Russian Tea Cake Cookies (Pecan Snowballs). Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Russian Tea Cake Cookies bake in about 30 minutes with butter, powdered sugar, and toasted pecans. They melt fast but carry real nut flavor.
Get the Recipe: Russian Tea Cake Cookies (Pecan Snowballs)

Eggnog Cupcakes

A cupcake with white frosting sits on a plate surrounded by pinecones, with the words "Eggnog Cupcakes" written in pink script in the background.
Eggnog Cupcakes. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Eggnog Cupcakes are done in about 45 minutes with nutmeg, vanilla, and a spiced frosting. They feel like the holidays hanging on a little longer.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Cupcakes

Browned Butter Coffee Cake with Spiced Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

A bundt cake with white icing is displayed on a plate, with a slice cut out and placed on a cake stand; festive decorations are in the background.
Browned Butter Coffee Cake with Spiced Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Browned Butter Coffee Cake bakes in about an hour with nutty butter, cinnamon, and maple cream cheese frosting. The flavor is deep without feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Coffee Cake with Spiced Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade Banana Cream Pie

A cream pie topped with whipped cream and chopped nuts sits on a glass plate.
Homemade Banana Cream Pie. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Homemade Banana Cream Pie sets in about 4 hours with vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and whipped cream. We always cut into it before it is fully chilled.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Banana Cream Pie

Apple Upside Down Cake

A sliced apple tart with caramelized apple slices is displayed on a decorative dark plate atop a rustic wooden surface.
Apple Upside Down Cake. Photo credit: Pass The Sushi.

Apple Upside Down Cake bakes in about 55 minutes with sliced apples, brown sugar, and butter. It flips out glossy and sweet every time.
Get the Recipe: Apple Upside Down Cake

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivore®, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivore®, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

Learn more about GirlCarnivore

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