6 Boozy Holiday Dessert Ideas with Spirit

Raise a glass (and a fork) for these mixologist-approved treats.

What does the perfect holiday party look like to you? What does it sound like? Smell like? For us, an ideal festive fête includes friends, family, laughter, a cozy fire, and a table full of foods that burst with flavor. And no celebration is complete without unforgettable drinks—and cocktail-inspired desserts that taste like pure holiday cheer.

This holiday season, we’re here to provide you with a bounty of boozy dessert recipe ideas imbued with true holiday spirit—and they’re guaranteed to impress guests. Plus, all of them feature goat cheese, which complements alcohol-infused dishes with decadent, creamy freshness.

Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Pumpkin Goat Cheese Topping

Smoky bourbon and sugary maple syrup bring new layers of flavor to classic pumpkin pie in this easy holiday dessert recipe from Burrata and Bubbles. This pie keeps things simple, with canned pumpkin purée and a pre-made crust—perfect for busy hosts. Top each slice with a cloud of whipped Pumpkin Goat Cheese for an elegant upgrade to standard whipped cream.

Pro tip: Make sure you get real pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling.

Cranberry, Cinnamon, and Lime Pie with Goat Cheese and Lime Liqueur

Okay, we really like pie, which is why we’re including another one. This festive pie recipe from Bon Appetit has the tartness of a key lime pie, but with the decadence of a luscious cranberry curd. Add half a package of Cranberry Cinnamon Goat Cheese and a splash of lime liqueur in step 5 of Bon Appetit’s recipe for extra lightness and tangy flavor.

Pro tip: Mix the goat cheese in well because clumps will ruin the pie’s texture.

Blueberry Limoncello Goat Cheese Ice Cream

The berry experts at Driscoll’s whipped up this blueberry goat cheese ice cream recipe, and we invite you to level up the blueberry flavor with our Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese as well as to add 1-2 tablespoons of limoncello for extra brightness and booziness. Goat cheese and ice cream go well together, not so surprisingly, because good ice cream needs to be, well … creamy.

 

Goat Cheese Mousse with Red Wine Caramel Crostini

Sweet, smooth, crunchy, and buzz-worthy, these Goat Cheese Mousse with Red Wine Caramel Crostini get their flavor from dry red wine, ruby port, strawberries, LaClare Creamery Original Goat Cheese, and toasted walnuts. Serve this on its own or as part of a grazing board.

Rum and Apple Cinnamon Goat Cheese Spice Cake

From Food & Wine comes this apple-rum spice cake recipe, complete with delicate chiffon cake layers and cream cheese frosting. Between the cake layers is an apple-rum compote that adds a little heat that lingers on your tongue. To ramp up the freshness, apple flavor, and tang of the frosting, swap half of the cream cheese for a log of our Apple Cinnamon Goat Cheese.

Fig Goat Cheese Prosciutto Bread Pudding with Rum Drizzle

For our savory folks, Café Sazón y Vida’s fig goat cheese and prosciutto bread pudding (Budin de Pan) hits every note—jammy figs, velvety goat cheese, and salty prosciutto. A drizzle of honey finishes this comforting dish. Boost the fig flavor by whisking our Fig & Honey Goat Cheese into the custard and make it boozy with a splash of dark rum added just before the honey drizzle. As the custard soaks in, the bread absorbs all that honey-rum richness, creating tender, sweet-savory bites of bliss.

 

No-Bake Cranberry Goat Cheese Dip

Everyone loves a good dip. The House of Elyn Ryn’s no-bake cranberry goat cheese dip is not only craveable—it’s effortless to prep and can be made days ahead of your gathering. A splash of Chambord (berry liqueur) adds depth, and our sweet-meets-tart Rolled Cranberry Cinnamon Goat Cheese brings an extra burst of cranberry flavor.

When in Doubt, Holiday Dessert Ideas Should Start with Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese

If the pumpkin pie didn’t convince you, we have more evidence that LaClare Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese is a must-have for your holiday parties. It’s fabulous in recipes, of course, but it can be enjoyed on its own as a simple spread or alongside juicy fruits like apples, Asian pears, and grapes. If you want to pair Maple Bourbon with a libation, we suggest stout, dark ale, or a Cabernet Sauvignon.

On that note, get more pairing ideas in our blog, Five of the Best Beer and Goat Cheese Pairings. And of course, stock up on LaClare Creamery Goat Cheese at a retailer near you. And, find dessert table decor ideas in our blog, Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas: How Goat Cheese Makes Family Meals Feel Extra Special.

Happy holidays!