What is the sweetest holiday of the year? Is Easter Sunday with its colorful chocolate eggs? Perhaps! Is it Halloween and all the candy you can get by trick-or-treating? Possibly! Or is it Christmas with all the sweet holiday treats from around the world? Bingo! Since the holiday season is all about spending time with friends and family, you can never go wrong with serving desserts. And fortunately, the world has all sorts of amazing treats that are perfect for this time of year. From France's Bûche de Noel and Italy's Pane-tonne to Australia's Pavlova and the Philippines' Bibingka, the sky's the limit on what you can indulge in this Christmas!
Bûche De Noël from France
If you've had a yule log cake before, then you've had Bûche De Noël, the chocolatey Christmas cake from France. They're actually the same thing and are commonly served on Christmas Eve. It's said that the cake emerged in France in the 19th century, eventually spreading to nearby countries like Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and beyond. Because so many other places have adopted it, not a lot of people know of its French origins now. What most people think as the French holiday cake is the
Galette des Rios, which is a New Year's traditional treat.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pierniczki Świąteczne from Poland
As far as Christmas cookies go, Poland's Pierniczki Świąteczne ought to be as popular as gingerbread cookies. They're just as scrumptious and come in all sorts of fun holiday shapes. They'd typically bake them in the forms of a five-point star, a Christmas tree, snowflakes, and even gingerbread men. They're adorable treats that are perfect to give as gifts, especially to the little ones. And of course, they work well as desserts after a big holiday feast too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pfeffernusse in Germany
If you're dreaming of a white Christmas but snow hasn't fallen down yet, perhaps some Pfeffernusse will be of comfort. These
German Christmas cookies never fail to put a smile on people's faces, especially at first bite. Made with molasses, pepper, anise, and a few seasonal spices for good measure, it's a slightly tangy treat that combines a scintillating spiciness with a sweet sensation. It's the confection sugar coating, however, that brings on the white Christmas fantasies.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Dan Phiffer.
Sekahedelmäkeitto from Finland
In a place like Finland, a traditional Christmas treat has to do more than just sweeten your senses. Cakes and cookies are good and all, but when you're freezing to death, you won't appreciate their deliciousness as much as you want. Perhaps a bowl of their Sekahedelmäkeitto would do the trick! This Finnish fruit soup is made by mixing dried fruit with seasonal spices, resulting in a rich but fulfilling taste. You can go lighter by using canned fruit bits instead, the kind used in fruit salads, or different berries. And for some texture, add some rice pudding too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Panettone from Italy
Among all the
Italian desserts out there, the Panettone is most associated with the Christmas season. Originally from Milan, it's a kind of sweet bread made with either raisins or dried fruits. Italians usually serve it on Christmas Eve, with each slice topped with either mascarpone cream or powdered sugar or paired with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The taste is light and airy, with the raisin or fried fruit bits adding a bit of a zing.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
English Trifle from The UK
With so many
British holiday treats to choose from, which one is a definite must-try? The classic English trifle, of course! Multiple layers of cream, jam, custard, and more await those who want to have a sweet Christmas this year. And since it's a big dish, it's also perfect to serve as dessert during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner. Though, there's also no stopping you from making a smaller version at home that's just for yourself.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bunuelos from Latin America
If you plan to spend Christmas in Latin America, prepare to eat as many Bunuelos as you can. From Mexico and Costa Rica to Argentina and Venezuela, this continent loves Bunuelos, especially during a holiday. And what better holiday is there for sweets than Christmas? Everyone in the family can indulge in these fried dough treats, commonly drizzled with sweet syrup or sprinkled with confection sugar. In a way, they're a lighter version of the famous Munchkin Donuts from Dunkin' Donuts.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pan de Pascua from Chile
People in Chile won't just serve you Bunuelos for your Christmas dessert. They also have Pan de Pascua, their own local version of the classic fruit cake. Made with fried fruits or berries, it's a scrumptious treat that's easy to enjoy. Perhaps even give it as a gift too. Topped with cream, powdered sugar, or syrup, each bite is more satisfying than the next. It's mostly because the Pan de Pascua is a bit more crumbly than your ordinary fruitcake.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pavlova from Australia
If there's one place where you truly won't have a white Christmas, it's Australia. The land “down under” is known for its summer season during the holidays. While the rest of the world is covered with snow and snuggles up in sweaters on Christmas, Australians are putting on sunscreen, going to the beach, and enjoying some Pavlova cake. This meringue dessert is the whitest Australia can get during the holiday season, yet the fruit and berry toppings harken back to the warm season too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bibingka from The Philippines
One of the
most unique holiday traditions in the world is eating Bibingka in the Philippines. In fact, Bibingka itself is quite a unique dessert too. Perhaps it's because it's not all sweet and saccharine. It's made with salted duck eggs, after all, which give it a more savory kick. Only when slathered with melted butter or topped with grated cheese does it taste like the dessert that it is. Just make sure to eat it when it's hot. That's when it's most scrumptious!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Don't know what to serve for dessert in your upcoming Christmas dinner yet? Consider any of these delectable holiday treats from around the world. They'll add a unique but sweet punch to your holiday feast this year!
