(Family Features) If holiday gatherings have started to feel more overwhelming than celebratory, it's time to go back to the basics with seasonal desserts that are easy yet elegant.

Wow your crowd this year with a mouthwatering Hummingbird Cake or Coconut Cake that call to mind holidays past without requiring hours spent in the kitchen (like grandma used to do). Or for a classic take on an old favorite, these Christmas Cinnamon Cookies can even let the kiddos get involved - just make the dough then have your little helpers use their favorite cookie cutters to make festive shapes before the oven does the rest of the work.

Find these recipes and more from "Cookin' Savvy" at Culinary.net.

Hummingbird Cake

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"

1 spice cake mix1 cup sugar1 cup banana cream Greek yogurt3 eggs1 cup crushed pineapple1 cup crushed pecans1 cup all-purpose flour2 tablespoons melted butter

Frosting:

1 stick butter, softened1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup heavy whipping cream5 cups powdered sugar1 package pecans (optional)Heat oven to 350 F.In mixing bowl, mix spice mix and sugar. Blend in yogurt, eggs and pineapple. In separate bowl, mix pecans, flour and butter then add to cake mixture.Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan then bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing.To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.Ice cake then decorate with pecans, if desired.

Coconut CakeFeatured Local Savings

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"

1 vanilla or white cake mix1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup sugar1 cup coconut Greek yogurt1 cup milk2 tablespoons melted butter3 eggs

Frosting:

1 stick butter, softened1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened1/4 cup heavy whipping cream5 cups powered sugar2-4 cups shredded coconutHeat oven to 350 F.In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour and sugar. Blend in yogurt, milk, butter and eggs.Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan and bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing.To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.Ice cake then pat shredded coconut gently into icing.

Christmas Cinnamon Cookies

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"

1 2/3 cups self-rising flour2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon1/4 teaspoon ginger1/8 teaspoon cloves1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1 egg2 tablespoons water (optional)1 cup powered sugar (optional)In mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, brown sugar and egg to make dough. If dough is too dry to form into ball, add water. Form into log and wrap in parchment paper. Refrigerate 1 hour.Heat oven to 350 F.Roll dough out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper and bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool on rack then dust with powdered sugar, if desired.