12 December Desserts That Travel Well for Parties

When preparing for holiday gatherings, finding desserts that travel well can make all the difference. Whether you’re attending a festive party or sending treats to loved ones, choosing desserts that maintain their flavor and texture during transit is key. From chewy bars to rich cookies and decadent cakes, these options are designed to hold up on the road while still delivering the delicious flavors that make holiday desserts so special. Perfect for any occasion, these sweets will ensure your treats arrive looking and tasting great.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a beloved holiday classic, and they travel particularly well thanks to their sturdy texture. These cookies are firm enough to endure a long journey without breaking apart. Their structure allows them to hold up well in transit, and they can be packed securely without compromising their shape or flavor. The spices, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, add a warm, festive flavor, making them ideal for holiday parties.

To make gingerbread cookies, you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, an egg, and molasses. Start by mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Once combined, roll out the dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool completely before packing them up to ensure they stay intact during transportation.

Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are a bright and tangy dessert that has a sturdy, buttery crust and a creamy, citrusy filling. They travel well because the filling is dense and doesn’t leak out, and the crust provides a firm base that holds up during transit. The refreshing lemon flavor adds a festive touch to any holiday party, making it a perfect dessert to bring along.

For lemon bars, you will need all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, butter, granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and baking powder. Start by preparing the crust by mixing butter, flour, and powdered sugar, then pressing it into the bottom of a baking pan. Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, then make the filling by whisking together sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and baking powder. Pour the filling over the crust and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting and packing for the trip.

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie bars bring the delicious flavor of a traditional pecan pie into a portable, bar-style format that is perfect for sharing. These bars feature a rich, gooey pecan filling on top of a buttery crust, creating a dessert that is as indulgent as it is easy to transport. The dense, sturdy base ensures they hold up well during transit without losing their shape or flavor, making them a reliable party dessert.

To prepare pecan pie bars, you will need ingredients like all-purpose flour, butter, sugar, eggs, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and, of course, pecans. Start by preparing the crust by mixing the flour, sugar, and butter, then pressing it into a baking dish. For the filling, beat eggs and mix them with corn syrup, sugar, and vanilla before adding the pecans. Pour the filling over the crust and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes. Let the bars cool completely before cutting and packaging for the party.

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is a festive, easy-to-make dessert that not only tastes great but also holds up very well during travel. This layered treat features dark chocolate, white chocolate, and crushed peppermint candies, offering a satisfying combination of flavors and textures. The hard chocolate layers ensure that the bark stays intact, even when packed in a gift box or tin for travel, making it a perfect treat for the holidays.

For peppermint bark, you’ll need dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint candies. Begin by melting the dark chocolate and spreading it in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, melt the white chocolate and pour it over the dark chocolate layer. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint over the top and refrigerate until set. Once hardened, break the bark into pieces and pack securely for easy transportation to your holiday gathering.

Carrot Cake Bars

Carrot cake bars are an excellent option for transport as they are dense and flavorful with the perfect balance of moisture and structure. The sweetness of the carrots and spices, combined with the richness of the cream cheese frosting, makes these bars a party favorite. The bar format ensures they maintain their shape and don’t crumble in transit, making them ideal for sharing at holiday parties.

To prepare carrot cake bars, you will need all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, eggs, oil, shredded carrots, and chopped walnuts. Start by mixing the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then combine them. Stir in the carrots and walnuts before spreading the batter into a greased baking pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes. Once cooled, top with cream cheese frosting and cut into bars for easy transport.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar cookie bars are an easy and fun way to enjoy sugar cookies without the hassle of rolling and cutting individual cookies. These bars are thick, chewy, and hold their shape well during transport. The soft, buttery texture of the sugar cookie bars, topped with a light frosting, makes them a crowd-pleasing treat for any holiday party, and they are perfect for packing in a tin for easy travel.

For sugar cookie bars, you will need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and a little milk. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl, and beat the butter and sugar together in another. Add the eggs and vanilla, then combine the wet and dry ingredients. Spread the dough into a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes. Once cooled, frost with your favorite frosting and cut into squares.

Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate fudge is a rich and indulgent dessert that holds up remarkably well during travel. Its dense, firm texture makes it perfect for transportation, and it doesn’t lose its freshness even after being on the road for hours. The combination of dark chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and a touch of vanilla creates a smooth, creamy treat that is sure to be a hit at any holiday party.

To prepare chocolate fudge, you will need dark chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Begin by melting the chocolate, butter, and condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat. Once smooth, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into a greased pan and refrigerate until firm. Once set, cut the fudge into squares, and it’s ready for packaging.

Caramel Apple Bars

Caramel apple bars are a delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of caramel with the tartness of apples, all in a sturdy bar format. These bars are perfect for transport, as the caramel layer stays intact without oozing out. The apples add a burst of flavor and moisture, but the bars maintain their shape and texture, making them ideal for parties and gatherings.

To make caramel apple bars, you’ll need apples, all-purpose flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs, baking soda, and caramel sauce. Start by mixing the dry ingredients together, then beat the butter and sugars before adding the eggs. Fold in chopped apples and pour the batter into a baking pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, drizzle with caramel sauce and cut into squares before packing for the party.

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a warm, comforting treat that can be made ahead of time and still taste fresh when they reach their destination. These rolls are soft yet sturdy, and the cinnamon-sugar filling ensures they hold their flavor during transit. Whether enjoyed at a breakfast gathering or as an afternoon treat, cinnamon rolls are always a hit during the holidays.

To prepare cinnamon rolls, you will need all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, butter, milk, yeast, and cinnamon. Start by preparing the dough and letting it rise. Once it has doubled in size, roll it out, spread with butter, and sprinkle with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Roll the dough into a log and slice it into individual rolls. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, and drizzle with icing before packing for transport.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are a classic dessert that is easy to make and perfect for traveling. Their chewy texture and rich flavor make them a crowd favorite, and their firm structure ensures they can be packed securely without crumbling. Chocolate chip cookies maintain their taste and freshness even after a long journey, making them a reliable treat for holiday parties.

To make chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Start by creaming the butter and sugars, then add the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the dry ingredients, followed by the chocolate chips. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes and allow the cookies to cool completely before packing them for transport.

Pumpkin Spice Blondies

Pumpkin spice blondies combine the warm flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon with the dense, chewy texture of a blondie. They hold their shape well during travel, making them an excellent choice for holiday parties. The richness of the pumpkin and the sweetness of the brown sugar create a comforting dessert that will stay fresh during transit and impress guests at any gathering.

To make pumpkin spice blondies, you will need all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and canned pumpkin puree. Begin by mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl, and the wet ingredients in another. Combine them, then fold in the pumpkin puree. Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes. Let the blondies cool, cut into squares, and they are ready to be packed.

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

Chocolate-covered pretzels are the perfect combination of salty and sweet, and they are incredibly easy to transport. The crunchy texture of the pretzels holds up well, even when coated in a thick layer of chocolate. These treats are also quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time, making them a great option for parties.

To make chocolate-covered pretzels, you will need mini pretzels and melting chocolate (dark, milk, or white). Begin by melting the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave. Dip each pretzel into the melted chocolate, coating it fully, and then place them on a parchment-lined tray to set. Allow the chocolate to harden at room temperature or refrigerate for quicker results. Once set, package the pretzels securely for transport.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.