12 Best Desserts to Ring in the New Year: Sweet Celebrations!

The excitement of ringing in the New Year often comes with the promise of fresh starts, sparkling celebrations, and of course, decadent desserts. I’m someone who believes that no celebration is truly complete without something sweet to indulge in.

That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the "12 Best Desserts to Ring in the New Year: Sweet Celebrations!" Whether you’re hosting a festive bash or having a quiet night in, these delectable treats are sure to make your New Year’s Eve memorable. So grab your apron and let’s dive into creating some of the most delightful desserts that will make everyone’s taste buds dance with joy!

1. Classic Tiramisu

Tiramisu is the epitome of Italian sophistication in a dessert. Its creamy texture and coffee-infused flavor make it irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 6 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
• 1 package ladyfingers
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions:

1. Beat the egg yolks and sugar together until thick and pale.
2. Add mascarpone cheese and mix until smooth.
3. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the mascarpone mixture.
4. Dip each ladyfinger into the coffee quickly and line the bottom of a dish.
5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
6. Repeat layers, ending with the mascarpone mixture.
7. Dust with cocoa powder.
8. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

2. New York Cheesecake

Nothing says indulgence like a thick slice of New York Cheesecake, especially when topped with fresh berries or caramel sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 2/3 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and press into the bottom of a springform pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, mixing until blended.
5. Stir in sour cream and heavy cream.
6. Pour batter over crust and bake for 1 hour.
7. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool inside for another hour.
8. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

3. Chocolate Lava Cake

For chocoholics, a molten chocolate lava cake with its gooey center will make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable.

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Grease and flour four custard cups.
3. Melt chocolate and butter in the microwave and stir until smooth.
4. Add powdered sugar and mix well.
5. Stir in eggs and egg yolks until blended.
6. Add vanilla and flour, mix until smooth.
7. Divide batter evenly among cups.
8. Bake for 13 minutes. Edges should be firm but the center soft.
9. Let stand for 1 minute, then remove from cups.
10. Serve immediately.

4. Panna Cotta with Raspberry Sauce

Elegant and creamy, Panna Cotta is a crowd-pleaser, especially when topped with a vibrant raspberry sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Heat heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan.
2. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into the cream and add the bean.
3. Bring to a simmer, remove from heat, cover, and enjoy the vanilla infusion for 30 minutes.
4. Remove bean, reheat cream if necessary.
5. Sprinkle gelatin over water, let stand until soft.
6. Stir gelatin into the hot cream until dissolved.
7. Pour into molds and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
8. To make the raspberry sauce, puree raspberries with sugar and lemon juice.
9. Strain and serve over Panna Cotta.

5. Red Velvet Cupcakes

Nothing screams celebration like red velvet cupcakes, with their rich color and luxurious cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
3. In another bowl, whisk oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
5. Divide the batter among the liners.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool and top with your favorite cream cheese frosting.

6. Lemon Bars

Zesty and refreshing, lemon bars are perfect for balancing out the savory New Year’s Eve snacks.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Beat butter and powdered sugar until light.
3. Add flour and mix until crumbly.
4. Press mixture into a baking pan.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Beat eggs with sugar, flour, and lemon juice.
7. Pour over the baked crust.
8. Bake for another 25 minutes.
9. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.

7. Apple Pie

A classic American dessert, apple pie is comforting and perfect for a New Year’s feast.

Ingredients:

• 2 pre-made pie crusts
• 6 cups thinly sliced apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Place one pie crust in a pie dish.
3. Toss apples with lemon juice, sugars, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Fill the pie crust with apple mixture.
5. Cover with the second crust, sealing the edges and cutting slits on top.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool before serving.

8. Coconut Macaroons

Chewy and sweet, coconut macaroons are light and perfect little bites to pop as you celebrate.

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold egg whites into the coconut mixture.
5. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets.
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool on wire racks.

9. Profiteroles

Light choux pastry filled with cream and topped with chocolate sauce make profiteroles a delightful New Year's treat.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup chocolate sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Heat water, milk, and butter until boiling, add flour. Stir until smooth and remove from heat.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Pipe or drop onto baking sheets.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, then cool.
6. Whip heavy cream with sugar until stiff peaks form.
7. Fill puffs with whipped cream.
8. Drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving.

10. Butter Cookies

Simple yet delicious, buttery cookies are a must for any dessert table.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add vanilla, mix well.
4. Add flour and salt, mix to combine.
5. Roll dough into balls, place on baking sheets.
6. Press with a fork to flatten.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden.
8. Cool on wire racks.

11. Brownie Bites

Fudgy and rich, brownie bites are perfect for those looking for a chocolate fix without overindulging.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease mini muffin tins.
2. Mix butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.
3. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. Spoon batter into muffin tins.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
6. Cool before removing from tins.

12. Champagne Sorbet

Sparkly and refreshing, this Champagne Sorbet is the perfect way to toast the new year.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups champagne
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Heat water and sugar until dissolved.
2. Let cool, then combine with champagne, lemon juice, and zest.
3. Pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to instructions.
4. Serve in chilled glasses with a splash of champagne.

Conclusion

Sweet treats are the perfect way to celebrate and add joy to the New Year. Whether you prefer classic favorites or something a bit more innovative, these 12 desserts are guaranteed to delight. Here’s to a year filled with love, laughter, and lots of delicious memories!