Ring in the New Year with Our Most Spectacular Desserts and Sweets

What better way to celebrate the end of the year (and the start of the new one) than with a special dessert? From elegant Chocolate Mousse Parfaits to fun caramel-nougat swirls, our New Year's Eve desserts, candies, and truffles are absolutely delicious and deserve a place at your festive gathering.

If you're hosting a New Year's Eve party, homemade candies are the perfect thing to present on a platter or gift as a favor to send home with guests. Pictured here are our easy-to-make chocolate-meets-dried fruit treats: We made a mix of chocolate-dipped figs, date bon bons, chocolate Mendiants, and Chocolate-and-Nut-Crusted Candied Orange, but you can dip a selection of your own favorites.

Having an elegant dinner party at home? Whether you're cooking for two or twenty, we have a few desserts here that are just right for this celebratory occasion. Cloud Cake is delicate and delicious, and it's just right for a group of at least eight people. It's sweet but not too sweet, creamy without being heavy, and just a touch crunchy. Creamy Chocolate Mousse Parfaits can be made in advance and prepared in individual bowls, and though the recipe makes two servings, it can easily be doubled or tripled if you have more guests. And on a cold night, there's nothing more comforting than our version of molten lava cakes. Martha's Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes are an extra-special treat to dig into as the ball drops.

Need a New Year's Eve dessert that is more casual and crowd-friendly? Our Lemon-Date Bars taste like pure sunshine, even when the temperatures are in the single digits. Dust them with powdered sugar for subtly sweet topping that just happens to look like freshly fallen snow.

So, before you kick off your healthy resolutions and count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, take a bite out of these indulgent New Year's Eve desserts. Who's ready to party?

Tropical-Fruit Crepe Cake

For a spectacular sweet finish, there's just nothing quite like a crepe cake. Make the crepes up to three days before and then assemble the cake with a coconut-infused pastry cream between the layers ahead to allow plenty of time for the cake to chill.

Dark Chocolate Truffles

If you can't make it to Times Square to see the real ball drop, these individual chocolate truffle balls should be just as exciting. Since the new year is often full of surprises, we have one, too—these truffles are vegan!

Chocolate-and-Vanilla Pudding Cake

The white-chocolate buttercream frosting gives this lovely layer cake a snowy look. Inside is dump-and-stir chocolate cake that bakes up light and moist, as well as a milk- chocolate pudding filling. Make this beauty ahead to allow the pudding and frosting time to set—and to give yourself time to get ready!

Lemon-Date Bars

Start the new year off on a sunny note with these lemon bars that are perfect for a crowd. Prep work is easy but they take a while to bake; make them the morning of (or even night before) your party, then wrap tightly until serving time.

Chocolate Mousse Parfaits

An elegant dessert for a very special day! If you're looking for a make-ahead dessert perfect for two, there's no better choice than these rich and creamy chocolate mousse parfaits.

Caramel-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

These ooey-gooey, sweet cookies have a rich caramel surprise that is sure to delight partygoers.

Cloud Cake

A total showstopper, this cake is sure to wow your guests. In between thick, luscious layers of meringue is a light sweet cream studded with finely chopped caramel. Talk about living on cloud nine!

Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Caramel Cereal Bars

If you're feeding a crowd, serve a platter of these over-the-top tray bakes. Our riff on the Brit classic millionaire's shortbread swaps the cookie base for an easy cereal and marshmallow base layer and doesn't skimp on the luscious caramel—which is flavored with peanut butter—or with the rich chocolate topping. A sprinkling of sea salt brings it all together.

Eggnog Caramels

Spice up classic caramels with warm ground allspice, nutmeg, cloves, plus a generous splash of brandy. Try to resist eating them before the party starts.

White Chocolate Fudge with Cranberries and Candied Citrus

Chocolate fudge is always a fan favorite, but using white chocolate allows specks of dried fruit to shine through. Tart cranberries and chopped citrus peels offset the super sweet, milky flavor of white chocolate.

Citrus-and-Spice Cheesecake

Citrus is in season, so stock up and layer the bright, warm-hued segments over the top of a creamy cheesecake.

No-Bake Chocolate-Eggnog Crème Brûlée

Our stovetop preparation of crème brûlée is an easy rendition of the classic French dessert. In keeping with the holiday spirit, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brandy flavor the crème mixture for a speedy DIY version of eggnog.

Coffee-Caramel Swiss Roll

The traditional Bûche de Noël cake is just as delicious and festive after the Christmas holiday. Make this rich, coffee-flavored version for New Year's Eve (you might need the caffeine to stay awake!).

Giant White-Chocolate Pecan Cookies

If you're looking for a more casual dessert to end the year, these jumbo nutty cookies should fit the bill.

Orange Curd Cupcakes

Filled with orange curd, decorated with vanilla buttercream, and crowned with dried orange slices, these orange cupcakes certainly sparkle.