Save Room for Dessert: A Very Southern Christmas

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Discover the best Southern Christmas desserts, from pecan pie and rich chocolate brownies to old-fashioned cakes, cobblers, cookies, and holiday candy.

Christmas Comes in Waves

Christmas Day at our house isn't exactly a one-and-done affair. Around here, we believe in stretching the celebration out as long as humanly possible. And if that means eating our weight in prime rib, pecan pie, and mint chocolate brownies, well, that's just the price we pay for a good old-fashioned Southern Christmas.

Our family starts the day in our own homes, celebrating Christmas morning with our immediate families. But around noon, everybody starts making their way to Randi and Zach's house, where the real festivities begin.

There are kids everywhere, snacks on the counter, and plenty of laughter as we settle in for the day. Meanwhile, Zach is busy working his magic on the grill, preparing the prime rib that has become the star of our Christmas dinner.

And let me tell you, we eat. And eat. And then eat some more.

Once we've convinced ourselves we couldn't possibly swallow another bite, it's time to open presents. Before long, the living room looks like a wrapping-paper factory exploded. The kids are playing with their new treasures, the grown-ups are visiting, and everyone is settling into that wonderful Christmas afternoon feeling.

And then somebody mentions dessert.

Funny how quickly a person can go from "I couldn't eat another bite" to "Well, maybe just a little piece of pecan pie."

Of course, at our house, that's only the beginning.

By late afternoon, friends start arriving, bringing a whole new round of laughter, presents, appetizers, and—you guessed it—more desserts. It's almost as though we start Christmas all over again, only this time with an even bigger crowd and considerably less room in our stomachs.

And by nine o'clock, when we've eaten enough mint chocolate brownies and pie to render ourselves practically comatose, somebody inevitably suggests a group game. Not a nice, quiet game where you sit comfortably in your chair, mind you. Oh, no. The kind where you have to get up in front of everybody and perform.

At nine o'clock. On Christmas night.

We're pretty wiped out at that point, but the party's just beginning!

Still, we wouldn't trade these Christmas celebrations for anything. There's something wonderful about a house full of family and friends, children laughing, presents scattered everywhere, and a dessert table that keeps calling us back for just one more bite.

And that's what we're celebrating today.

Because here at Backyard Texas Grill, we know a thing or two about a good Southern feast. But we also know that no Christmas dinner is complete without something sweet to finish it off.

So loosen that belt buckle, put on another pot of coffee, and pull up a chair.

We're saving room for dessert.

Save Room for Pie

Now, I don't know how things work at your house, but around here, a Southern Christmas dessert table without pie just wouldn't seem right. You can have all the fancy cakes and cookies you want, but somebody had better show up with a pecan pie.

And if that pie happens to be baked in a cast-iron skillet? Even better.

Here are a few favorites that deserve a place on your Christmas dessert table.

Cast-Iron Skillet Pecan Pie

There's something wonderfully Southern about a pecan pie baked in cast iron. With its rich, gooey filling, crunchy pecans, and buttery crust, this is the kind of dessert that has people coming back for another sliver, even when they swore they were finished eating.

Old-Fashioned Cast-Iron Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie might get most of its attention at Thanksgiving, but there's no reason it can't make a second appearance at Christmas. This old-fashioned favorite brings warm holiday spices and a creamy filling to the table, all baked in a trusty cast-iron skillet.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Can't decide between chocolate and pecan pie? Why should you have to? These rich little bars bring together two wonderful flavors in a dessert that's easy to slice, serve, and sneak off the platter when nobody's looking.

They're especially handy when you've got a houseful of people coming and going throughout the afternoon.

Texas Trash Pie

Now, don't let the name fool you. Texas Trash Pie might not sound particularly elegant, but that's part of its charm. This sweet, loaded-up pie is exactly the sort of thing that gets people talking around the dessert table.

And really, isn't there something wonderfully Texan about serving a dessert called Trash Pie on your best Christmas dishes?

Somebody Brought a Cake

You know how it goes at a Southern family gathering. Somebody walks through the door carrying a cake, and suddenly everybody wants to know what's under that lid.

And Christmas is no exception.

Some folks bring beautifully decorated layer cakes. Others show up with something baked in a trusty cast-iron skillet. And then there's always that one person who brings a cake that's been in the family for generations.

Around here, we're not particular about how fancy a cake looks. We're much more interested in how it tastes!

Southern Hummingbird Cake

If ever there was a cake made for a Southern celebration, this is it. With its wonderful combination of banana, pineapple, warm spices, and cream cheese frosting, hummingbird cake is rich, moist, and downright irresistible. It's the kind of old-fashioned favorite that looks right at home on a Christmas dessert table.

Orange Cranberry Skillet Cake

Now here's a cake that practically dresses itself for Christmas! The bright, tart cranberries and sweet orange flavor make a lovely combination, and baking it in cast iron gives it that wonderful down-home touch. It's especially nice when you want something a little lighter and fruitier after a heavy holiday meal.

Skillet Applesauce Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

This cozy, old-fashioned cake brings together the comforting flavors of apples, cinnamon, and a sweet glaze. It's the sort of dessert that makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful and pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee on Christmas afternoon.

Pig Pickin' Cake

Don't let the name throw you! This Southern classic is famous for its light, fruity flavor and creamy topping. Traditionally made with mandarin oranges and pineapple, it's a refreshing change of pace after a rich Christmas dinner.

And let's face it, a dessert called Pig Pickin' Cake is bound to get a few conversations started.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

There's something wonderfully nostalgic about a pineapple upside-down cake, especially when it's baked in cast iron. Those caramelized pineapple rings and bright cherries make it festive without a single Christmas sprinkle in sight.

It's proof that some of the prettiest holiday desserts are the old-fashioned ones we've loved for years.

The Warm Stuff Nobody Can Resist

There's something about a warm dessert on Christmas Day that makes everybody feel right at home. Maybe it's the smell of cinnamon drifting through the kitchen, or the sight of a bubbling cobbler coming out of the oven. Whatever it is, these are the desserts that make people put down their coffee cups and reach for another plate.

And around here, we firmly believe that a scoop of vanilla ice cream can make just about anything better.

Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Vanilla Sauce

If you're looking for a true Southern comfort dessert, this one belongs near the top of the list. Tender bread pudding topped with a rich brown sugar vanilla sauce is the kind of old-fashioned treat that never goes out of style. Serve it warm, and don't be surprised if somebody asks for seconds.

Caramel Apple Dumplings

Sweet apples wrapped in tender pastry and baked in a buttery caramel sauce? Yes, please! These little beauties are especially wonderful during the holidays, when everybody's in the mood for something cozy and comforting.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you've got yourself a dessert worth saving room for.

Cast-Iron Skillet Cobbler

There's nothing quite like a homemade cobbler bubbling away in a cast-iron skillet. Whether it's filled with peaches, berries, or another favorite fruit, that combination of sweet fruit and golden topping is pure Southern comfort.

And if somebody wants to argue about whether cobbler should be served with ice cream or whipped cream, well, that's the sort of Christmas disagreement we can live with.

Spiced Apple Dump Cake

Sometimes the simplest desserts are the ones everybody loves most. This easy apple dump cake brings together tender apples, warm spices, and a buttery topping for a dessert that tastes like you've been working in the kitchen all afternoon.

Nobody needs to know how easy it was to make. That's between us.

For the Chocolate People

Now, we've talked about pies, cakes, and all those wonderful warm Southern desserts, but let's not forget the folks who believe a proper dessert ought to involve a generous helping of chocolate.

We're not naming names, but we might fall in that group.

There's something about a rich, fudgy brownie or a big piece of chocolate cake that makes even the fullest person reconsider that whole "I couldn't possibly eat another bite" business.

And at Christmas? Well, all bets are off.

Texas Sheet-Cake Skillet Brownies

If you love a good old-fashioned Texas sheet cake, just wait until you try the brownie version! These rich, fudgy brownies are baked in a cast-iron skillet and topped with that wonderful chocolate-pecan frosting we Texans know and love.

They're perfect for sharing with a crowd, although I can't promise there won't be a little competition over who gets the last piece.

Cowboy Brownies

These are the sort of brownies that don't believe in doing anything halfway. Rich, chocolatey, and downright indulgent, they're a natural fit for a Christmas dessert table where nobody's counting calories anyway.

Cut them into smaller squares for a holiday gathering, and watch how quickly people convince themselves that three little brownies don't count as one big one.

Cowboy Blondies

Okay, technically these aren't chocolate brownies, but we're making room for them anyway. Blondies bring their own buttery, brown-sugar goodness to the party, and they're a wonderful alternative for anyone who prefers something a little different.

Besides, every good Southern dessert table needs a little variety.

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

All the wonderful chocolate flavor of a Texas sheet cake, tucked into a cookie you can pick up and eat while visiting with family and friends.

These are especially handy for our Christmas celebrations, when people are constantly coming and going, opening presents, and wandering back through the kitchen looking for just one more little something.

And Then There Are the Mint Chocolate Brownies...

Now, I have to mention one of the treats that has made more than a few appearances in our family's Christmas celebrations: mint chocolate brownies.

There's something about that combination of rich chocolate and cool peppermint that just tastes like Christmas. And when they're especially rich and fudgy, it's awfully hard to stop at one.

By the end of Christmas Day, after we've made several trips past the dessert table, those brownies have usually contributed significantly to our collective food coma.

Which makes it all the more remarkable that anyone expects us to get up and play games later that evening.

But we'll get to that.

The Mint Trifle That Deserves Its Own Moment

Speaking of chocolate and mint, we have to tell you about a Christmas dessert we served one year that we still talk about.

It was a mint chocolate trifle, and oh, my goodness. That thing was delicious!

There's something about the combination of rich chocolate, cool mint, and creamy layers that makes a trifle feel especially festive. And when you serve it in a big glass bowl where everybody can see all those beautiful layers? Well, you've practically got a Christmas centerpiece.

We love desserts like that. They're impressive enough for a holiday gathering but made for sharing, which is exactly what we need when the house is full of family and friends.

That particular trifle was one of those desserts that stick in a person's memory long after Christmas is over. You know the kind. The ones you find yourself thinking about the following December and wondering why you haven't made them again.

And really, when you've got a crowd of people wandering through the kitchen all afternoon, there's something awfully convenient about a big bowl of chocolatey, minty goodness waiting in the refrigerator.

Just grab a spoon and a bowl.

But maybe save a little for the company that's about to arrive.

And Then the Friends Start Arriving...

Just when you think Christmas Day might be winding down, the doorbell starts ringing again.

By late afternoon, our friends begin arriving, and suddenly we're celebrating all over again. There are more hugs, more presents, more laughter, and, naturally, more food.

Because apparently one enormous Christmas feast wasn't quite enough.

The appetizers come back out, somebody makes another pot of coffee, and before you know it, we're all wandering through the kitchen looking for something to nibble on.

This is where we especially love having little sweets available. The big pies, cakes, and cobblers are wonderful for the family meal, but when friends start coming and going, it's nice to have cookies, fudge, candy, and other treats that don't require a plate and fork.

You can grab a cookie while catching up with someone you haven't seen in a while, sneak a piece of fudge between conversations, or nibble on something sweet while watching the kids show off their Christmas presents.

And since this is Christmas in the South, nobody's particularly concerned about whether we're eating dessert before appetizers or appetizers after dessert.

At this point, we've pretty much abandoned the rules.

If it's on the table, it's fair game.

Looking for Christmas Cookies & Candy?

Now, you didn't really think we'd get through Christmas without talking about cookies and candy, did you?

We might know our way around a grill here at Backyard Texas Grill, but when it comes to Christmas cookies, homemade fudge, and all those sweet little treats that disappear from the kitchen counter, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, too.

Christmas sweets are a pretty big deal in our neck of the woods.

In fact, our sister site, Out of the Box Baking, has put together an entire collection called The Ultimate Christmas Dessert Hub: Cookies, Cakes, Candy & Holiday Treats, filled with festive recipes for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, Christmas gift tins, and family gatherings.

But if you're looking for a few old-fashioned Southern favorites to add to your Christmas dessert table, here are five wonderful places to start.

Snowball Cookies

These buttery little cookies, rolled in powdered sugar, look like tiny snowballs and practically melt in your mouth. They're a Christmas classic, and they look especially pretty tucked into a holiday cookie tray.

Homemade Peanut Brittle

Crunchy, buttery, and loaded with peanuts, homemade peanut brittle is one of those old-fashioned candies that brings back memories of Christmases past. Break it into pieces and set it out in a pretty dish for everyone to enjoy.

English Toffee

Rich, buttery toffee topped with chocolate is the kind of Christmas candy that disappears faster than you can say, "I was saving that piece!" It's also wonderful for packaging in little tins to share with friends and neighbors.

Old-Fashioned Divinity

Now here's a true Southern Christmas favorite! Light, fluffy, and sweet, divinity has been showing up on holiday candy trays for generations. It's one of those treats that feels a little extra special because somebody took the time to make it from scratch.

Homemade Fudge

And of course, we can't forget the fudge. Whether you prefer classic chocolate fudge or something with nuts, there's always room for a few rich, creamy squares on the Christmas dessert table.

These little sweets are especially handy when friends start arriving later in the afternoon. No slicing, no serving utensils, and no need to interrupt a good conversation.

Just grab a little something sweet and keep celebrating.

And if five treats aren't nearly enough, you'll find plenty more Christmas baking inspiration over at Out of the Box Baking!

By Nine O'Clock, Things Get Dangerous

By nine o'clock on Christmas night, we've been celebrating for approximately nine hours. We've eaten Zach's prime rib and all the fixings, opened presents, enjoyed pie and mint chocolate brownies, welcomed another round of friends, eaten more appetizers, opened more presents, and somehow found room for another helping of dessert.

At this point, we're all relatively comatose.

This would be the perfect time to sink into the sofa, admire the Christmas tree, and quietly reflect on what a wonderful day we've had.

But no.

Somebody inevitably suggests a game.

And I'm not talking about a nice, peaceful board game where you sit comfortably in your chair and move little pieces around. Our crowd seems to enjoy the kind of group games that require you to get up in front of everybody and perform.

At nine o'clock.

On Christmas night.

After we've eaten enough mint chocolate brownies to put ourselves into a sugar-induced stupor.

We do our best to participate in whatever fun and crazy activity the game requires, laugh along with everybody else, and eventually make our way back to our chairs.

Where, naturally, we reward ourselves with another brownie.

Because we've earned it.

Save Room for What Matters Most

All kidding aside, there's something awfully special about the way our family celebrates Christmas. It's not just one big meal or one round of presents. It's an entire day of people coming together, sharing food, telling stories, laughing, and making memories.

By the end of the evening, the wrapping paper has mostly been gathered up, the kids are still enjoying their new toys, and there's probably a stray dessert plate or coffee cup sitting somewhere it doesn't belong.

The house has been full. The food has been plentiful. And we've spent another Christmas surrounded by people we love.

That's what makes these Southern Christmas traditions so sweet.

So whether your holiday dessert table is filled with pecan pies, old-fashioned cobblers, homemade fudge, or a big bowl of mint chocolate trifle, I hope you'll make room for a little something extra this Christmas.

Another cup of coffee. Another slice of pie. Another hour around the table with the people who matter most.

Because the best part of Christmas isn't what's on the dessert table. It's who's gathered around it.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Backyard Texas Grill!