Christmas Desserts From Around the World

Christmas is known and celebrated around the globe in different ways. With diverse traditions, of course, come unique foods. Alongside the exchanging gifts and the time spent with loved ones, a great Christmas should include plenty of sweet treats!

Everyone has a favourite traditional Christmas pudding, often connected to some childhood reminiscence.

In this article, we’ll explore some classic traditional Christmas desserts from around the world.

Panettone, ITALY

Panettone is a sweet bread loaf from Italy, which is crammed with a variety of creams, raisins and candied fruits; and often topped with candied sugar or nuts. Though it originates in Milan, panettone can be found in every region of Europe; though particularly in the south. This soft, fluffy bread takes a minimum of twelve hours to rise, but it’s certainly worth the wait.

Traditional Christmas Pudding, AUSTRALIA

Though Christmas in Australia comes at one of the hottest months of the year, and most Aussie families accompany their meals with traditional English foods. In the heat of summer, traditional Christmas puddings perfectly compliment Christmas lunches and dinners. Stephen’s Fine Foods make this pudding using a delicious family recipe.

Lebkuchen, GERMANY

Lebkuchen is the most famous traditional Christmas treat to come out of Germany. Originally made by monks, the traditionally baked treat dates all the way back to the 1300s. This treat has become an emblem for the vacation season in its native country. They are heavily spiced and get their sweetness from honey and a layer of icing on top.

Szaloncukor, HUNGARY

Hungarian families have been decorating their Christmas trees with an adorning candy referred to as szaloncukor for over a hundred years. The tradition dates back to the nineteenth century. The custom is that the kids will eat all of the candies on the tree before the Christmas season is over. The candies are available in dozens of flavours; strawberry, hazelnut, vanilla and coconut are all popular. Traditional Szaloncukor candies were wrapped in real paper, but these days the candy comes in shiny wraps.

There are a lot of things that make Christmas great alongside the amazing foods. The smell of the Christmas tree and decorations around the house is difficult to describe.

Fritule, CROATIA

Fritule is Croatian fried pastry, resembling tiny doughnuts. Compared to doughnuts, however, fritule is a lot easier to form. While old-fashioned fritule were made with yeast, contemporary versions make use of baking powder, as it is simpler and faster. Fritule are made with rum, citrus zest and raisins, lidded with granulated sugar.

Butterscotch Pudding, U.S.A

People who have a sweet tooth are assured to love Butterscotch Pudding Day, which takes place every year on September 19th. The exact origins of Butterscotch Pudding Day is unknown, records show that this dessert has been since at least 1848. This day is celebrated in the USA. This particular day is the perfect excuse to indulge in the delicious butterscotch pudding. This dessert is effortless to make and uses brown sugar, butter, sugar and treacle. Many other ingredients such as cream, corn syrup, vanilla and salt are part of the ingredients which is applied to make butterscotch puddings. Butterscotch is in most cases used as a flavour for items such as sauces, candies, and frostings.

Speculaas, Belgium and the Netherlands

Take one bite of Speculaas, and you’ll understand why it’s famous among Belgians and the Dutch. Made with cinnamon, clove and cardamom, speculaas tastes of butter and caramel. The fresh biscuit is generally consumed before St. Nicholas’ feast in Belgium and the Netherlands.

You can explore the world from the comfort of your kitchen. To get Christmas recipes from around the world watch out this video.

Any of these desserts will undoubtedly stand out so, why not consider serving one of them for your vacation meal? Or why not more than one? It’s nearly impossible to picture a Christmas without plenty of desserts — they’re so profoundly connected in history and family tradition.