Food is an essential part of the festivities at Christmas. Although some people hate to eat Brussels sprouts and turkey, most people will agree that festive Christmas desserts are delicious.
After stuffing yourself full of roast veggies, there’s nothing like a dessert table to tempt you out of your Christmas food coma. Below, we have compiled 6 must-try Christmas desserts that will leave everyone in awe.
Ideally, you will want most of the Christmas dessert work done in advance, so prep-ahead desserts are best. You don’t want to add more kitchen time to your Christmas Day, so make sure you get to enjoy some downtime with your family, too.
You’ll also need to be mindful of fridge and freezer space. You don’t want the fridge overloaded with Christmas treats, leaving you no room to store drinks and other items.
The holidays are filled with festive treats like hot chocolate, candy canes, gingerbread houses, classic sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies and figgy pudding. Whether you make these things from scratch or enjoy a store-made version is really not important. What matters is a wonderful time spent with family, sharing food and making memories.
What is the most popular Christmas desserts?
If you’re making the puddings this year, you’re probably wondering which Christmas dessert is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s also worth considering which desserts people want to see on the table.
If you cook for traditionalists, they might not be happy unless they can have a bowl of Christmas pudding after dinner. Other people will have the opposite view, finding dishes like Christmas pudding and Christmas cake too rich and heavy after a big meal. Keep reading for some popular Christmas dessert recipes to help you prepare for the big day.
What sweets are a must for Christmas desserts?
One way to guarantee a successful Christmas dessert is to find out what your guests like in advance. Are people hoping for particular Christmas desserts? If so, provide them. Try to offer Christmas treats, including simple things like ice cream for kids and fresh fruit salads for those wanting a healthier option. There are so many Christmas dessert recipes out there, you’re guaranteed to find something to suit every tastebud.
Don’t forget about yourself; sometimes, as hosts, we spend so much time worrying about everyone else’s preferences we forget about our own. Even if you’re the only person who likes your fave dessert, make sure there is one. After all the hard work you put into Christmas, you deserve to sit back and enjoy a bowl of your favourite sweet at the end of the day.
Best Christmas dessert recipes
Whether you’re looking for traditional Christmas desserts or a modern take on a Christmas classic, we’ve got you covered. So keep reading for six tasty Christmas dessert recipes that will leave your guests in awe this holiday season. Whether you want an easy Christmas dessert or an epic festive creation, take a look at the easy and fun way recipes below.
1. Trifle
Would it be Christmas without trifles? No, it would not. A trifle is a traditional festive pudding, though you can update this classic dish with modern flavours quickly enough. The recipe listed below features Baileys, for an extra dash of Christmas magic. You can switch the fruits for whichever fruits you like best, to create a show-stopping trifle. You can even go for Pecan Pie Trifle.
This time-saving recipe uses Swiss jam rolls, so you don’t need to bake a sponge for the bottom layer. Trifle is one of those dishes that can be as easy or as complex as you like, so give yourself a break and cut some corners this year. With trifle as a Christmas dessert, you can’t go wrong.
Find the recipe here.
2. Rum balls
Chocolate rum balls are a popular Christmas tradition in Australia. This is arguably one of the easiest Christmas dessert recipes out there. These tasty little holiday treats are insanely easy to make; you don’t even need to melt any chocolate. These delicious morsels are the perfect after-dinner treat after your Christmas meal, featuring just a handful of ingredients and no baking.
All you need are some of your favourite biscuits or cookies, some cocoa powder, condensed milk and some vanilla extract. To make the rum balls, you’ll need to add some rum, though you can skip this ingredient if you’re making them for kids or would prefer a non-alcoholic option. A dash of salt and some desiccated coconut complete the recipe, giving the rum balls a cute festive aesthetic.
They’re straightforward to make; you can get the whole family involved in the production process. These rum balls will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, so you can make them long before the stress of Christmas Day. You can even make extra to take with you to holiday parties over the Christmas season.
Find the recipe here.
3. Fruit cake
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a moist, delicious Christmas fruit cake. This recipe is jam-packed with dried fruit for a rich, moist cake that will leave you wanting more. This scrumptious cake features dried fruits, including raisins, sultanas, prunes and glace cherries for a sweet, fruity flavour. The cheeky drizzle of brandy gives you a blast of Christmas warmth with each mouthful.
The best thing about a traditional Christmas cake is that it can be made in advance. Once it’s cooked and cooled, wrap the cake tightly in plastic and then in foil. The cake can be kept in a cool, dark place for up to three months. You can even freeze it if you prefer.
Fruit cake is one of those Christmas dessert recipes that is handed down in families from generation to generation. You might have some fond memories of holiday baking with your parents and be keen to repeat these traditions as a parent. Don’t forget to make a wish as you mix the ingredients together!
Is there anything nicer than enjoying a slice of home made Christmas cake under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree?
Find the recipe here.
4. Gooey fruit meringue
It wouldn’t be an Aussie Christmas without a glorious-looking fruit meringue taking centre stage on the Christmas table. This mouth-watering dessert looks and tastes fantastic, making it the perfect festive indulgence. You can choose whichever fruit you like best or provide a selection so your guests can choose their own. This dessert is almost healthy – if you ignore the sugar and the cream.
If you want to make it extra festive, you could use the recipe to make mini meringues and lay them out in a wreath shape on the plate. Be sure to add fruit artistically atop your sugary wreath. Alternatively, you could make mini meringues and create tiny meringue snowmen.
The meringue can be made in advance and will keep for up to a week in an airtight container. All you need do is prepare the whipped cream and chop the fresh berries and fresh fruit on Christmas Day, and you have a crowd-pleasing Aussie Christmas dessert.
Find the recipe here.
5. Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding is a tradition that dates back to the 14th century – although the recipe has improved a lot since then. Traditionalists will argue a Christmas is incomplete without this traditional dish but others would rather have a lighter dessert after their Christmas feast.
A Christmas pudding is an old-fashioned dessert, but that doesn’t mean it’s fallen out of favour. Many people buy pre-made Christmas puddings, to save the hassle, but if you’re keen to make one yourself, the recipe below is easy to knock together.
This recipe can be made in advance and frozen, so you can make it weeks beforehand and save yourself some stress over the Christmas holidays. This dessert would traditionally be served with boozy brandy butter – although some prefer cream or vanilla ice cream for a lighter option.
Find the recipe here.
6. Vegan sticky toffee pudding
With the rising number of vegans and people suffering from dairy intolerances, you might be looking for a vegan-friendly dessert this holiday season. Instead of doing a vegan-only dessert to please the minority, why not veganize one of your usual desserts so that everybody can enjoy it?
This vegan sticky toffee pudding is a moist and delicious dessert that will win over even the most ardent anti-vegan. It’s perfect for special occasions and is surprisingly easy to make.
You can make the vegan sticky toffee pudding in advance, making it a fool proof recipe for a stress-free Christmas Day. Even the sauce can be prepared ahead of time and reheated on the day. For extra decadence, serve with ice cream (vegan, for vegan guests). This tasty Bosh recipe is bound to be a hit with your plant-based guests.
Find the recipe here.
If you’d like to read more about Christmas family traditions, read our article 10 Family Christmas Traditions That Don’t Break The Bank.
