8 Traditional Christmas Desserts from Around the World

With the winter holidays right around the corner, families all over the world are planning elaborate feasts. One of the most important elements of every successful dinner is the dessert. And when it comes to Christmas desserts, every country has their own take. Here’s a look at eight holiday desserts from around the world.                

Mexico’s Buñuelos de Rodilla (Christmas Fritters)

These wheat-based pastries are often filled with anise, an herb that tastes sweet like black licorice. Once the yeast dough is rolled out and shaped into balls or discs, it’s fried and usually topped off with something sweet. Try your hand at making these popular Mexican desserts.

England’s Christmas Pudding

If you want a more Dickensian Christmas, you can serve your guests traditional Christmas pudding. This popular English holiday dessert has a more cake-like consistency. This sponge cake is generally made from dried and candied fruit peels and citrus zests. From there you can flavor it any way you’d like with brandy, rum, or cinnamon for a sweeter taste. Ready to stir up some Christmas goodness? Try out this recipe.   

Germany’s Christollen 

Christollen is a bread enjoyed during the Christmas season by families all over Germany. It’s typically made with dried fruit and candied citrus peels, and a variety of nuts and spices. It’s topped off with a snow-like dusting of powdered sugar. If you want to fill your home with the sweet smell of this fresh-baked bread, give this recipe a shot.

Denmark’s Risalamande 

This traditional Danish rice pudding is served at Christmas dinner or lunch. Typically, whipped cream, sugar, vanilla, and chopped almonds are mixed into the pudding and then topped with cherry sauce. For even more versatility, it can be served warm or cold. Serve up a little taste of Scandinavia for the holidays. 

France’s Bûche de Noël 

What could be more festive than a chocolate cake shaped like a Yule log? This traditional French dessert is rolled with chocolate whipped cream and sprinkled with a few pinches of sugar to give it an even more wintery feel. If this brings out the baker in you, here’s a recipe to try out.  

Brazil’s Flan

Flan is a traditional Latin American dessert that’s quite popular in other parts of the world including the U.S. It’s particularly popular during Christmas time. In Brazil, this egg custard dessert with caramel topping uses condensed milk. It’s also baked in a bundt pan. That’s why whenever you see a flan with a hole in the center, you can be pretty sure it has Brazilian roots. To add a little Latin flavor to your holiday, check out this recipe. 

The Philippines’ Bibingka

These sweet rice cakes can be topped with a variety of things but salted egg is a favorite among the locals. Want to give your holiday party guests an unexpected treat? Here’s a recipe to get you started.

Australia & New Zealand’s Pavlova

You might be surprised that Pavlova is a traditional Christmas dessert. After all, it was named after Anna Pavlova, the famous Russian ballerina. This meringue cake is made out of whipped egg whites and sugar. For a light, crisp Christmas treat, check out this recipe. 

Of course words can’t really do any of these desserts justice. You’ll have to try them for yourselves. If recipes aren’t enough and you want to take a trip or two to taste the real thing, VisitorsCoverage has you covered.