The Ultimate Guide To Traditional Christmas Desserts From Around The World

Christmas desserts are more than just yummy treats, they are a reflection of history, culture and family traditions that bring people together at this time of year. Around the world every country adds its twist to holiday desserts, so many different flavors and textures to try. Whether it is the rich fruity Christmas pudding of the UK, the nutty honey-soaked baklava of Greece or the flaky almond filled banketstaaf of the Netherlands, these desserts tell a story of celebration and joy.

You may be familiar with the comforting warmth of spiced cakes and pastries but have you tried the tangy sweet layers of an Australian pavlova or the chocolatey charm of Italy’s pandoro?

Each dessert has its charm, tied to seasonal ingredients and recipes that have been passed down through generations. From Europe to Asia and everywhere in between these desserts are a sweet escape into the heart of holiday traditions.

Complete The Christmas Feels With Fruit Cake

Fruit cake is a Christmas classic enjoyed everywhere, rich and dense with dried fruits, nuts and spices. It gets better with age, the flavors meld beautifully..

Ingredients

• 250g mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, apricots, dates)
• 250g chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios)
• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 250g brown sugar
• 250ml orange juice
• 375g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 60g candied ginger, finely chopped
• 60g dark rum
• 15g lemon zest

Method

1. Soak the dried fruits in orange juice (and rum, if using) for a few hours or overnight. This will help soften the fruits and infuse them with flavor.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
4. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the soaked fruits, chopped nuts, candied ginger and lemon zest. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
7. Grease and line a 23cm round or square cake tin with parchment paper. Pour in the batter and smooth the top.
8. Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F). Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool completely before slicing. You can also wrap the fruit cake in foil and let it sit for a few days for more flavor.

6 Christmas Treats from Around the World

1. Stollen (Germany)

Stollen is Germany’s favorite Christmas bread, packed with dried fruits, nuts and marzipan, and dusted with powdered sugar. It is shaped like the baby Jesus, with its oblong shape and powdered sugar being the swaddling clothes. The dough is filled with a mix of dried fruits like raisins, sultanas and currants, and a layer of marzipan in the middle.

2. Yule Log (France)

The Yule Log, or "Bûche de Noël", is a French Christmas tradition made from a rolled sponge cake filled with chocolate buttercream. The cake is shaped into a log, dusted with powdered sugar to look like snow, and often topped with meringue mushrooms and holly leaves. It’s said to represent the Yule log that was once burned in the hearth to bring good luck for the year to come.

3. Panettone (Italy)

Panettone is a sweet, fluffy Italian bread studded with dried fruits and often citrus zest. It is a Christmas and New Year’s tradition in Italy and beyond. The dough is naturally leavened with yeast so it rises into a dome shape. After baking it’s often glazed and sugar dusted. Best enjoyed in wedges with a warm drink like coffee or hot chocolate.

4. Mince Pies (UK)

Mince pies are small, tasty pastry things filled with a spiced mixture of dried fruit, suet and sometimes brandy or rum. Traditionally eaten throughout the Christmas period in the UK, they have a long history dating back to medieval times. The filling, mincemeat, does not actually contain meat anymore, just currants, raisins, sultanas and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

5. Kue Cubir (Indonesia)

Kue Cubir is an Indonesian Christmas dessert, a colorful and tasty layered cake made from glutinous rice flour, sugar and coconut milk. The cake layers are often colored in bright red, green and yellow, so it’s a festive treat for the Christmas period. These chewy cakes are cut into small bite sized pieces, so perfect for sharing.

6. Puto Bumbong (Philippines)

Puto Bumbong is a Filipino Christmas tradition that is only served during the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve. Made from glutinous rice steamed in bamboo tubes, this purple rice is topped with butter, grated coconut and brown sugar. It is a sweet and sticky treat sold by street vendors during Christmas.