The best time of the year to bake is around the holiday season. From spectacular holiday cakes to chocolate sweets served after a grand Christmas meal, the number of options for holiday desserts can seem endless. We genuinely look forward to the variety of Christmas sweets all year long. But we’re here to inform you that baking for the holidays isn’t just about cookies. Many more options are available that go far beyond the beloved Christmas cookie. Here are 10 popular Christmas desserts that can make your holidays even more enjoyable.
Bûche de Noël (Yule Log Cake)
A 19th-century French Christmas custom is eating bûche de Noel cakes. It is customary to decorate it in the shape of a log. But you can also experiment with a wide range of icing and topping combinations; the main focus is the stunning swirl, so whatever else you manage is a bonus. It may seem absurd to roll a warm cake in a towel, but doing so is the most incredible way to prevent the cake from cracking when you frost it.
Gingerbread House
Making a gingerbread house is a delightful Christmas ritual that is both artistic and delicious. When you can grab a kit, building a gingerbread house from scratch might seem like a big task, but it’s not! It is a fun activity allowing you to be imaginative and concentrate on the decoration.
Fun fact: Gingerbread was already famous in the 1800s, but the German bakers took it a step further by modeling their dessert after the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” about two abandoned children who find an edible home.
Struffoli – 10 Popular Christmas Dessert Recipes
Italian struffoli are made by dipping small dough balls in honey, deep-frying them till crisp and light, and flavoring them with citrus zest and a little wine. The balls are then formed into a wreath and dusted with rainbow nonpareils if this wasn’t already a joy. It is the pinnacle of holiday extravagance and should serve as the dessert table’s focal point.
Brownie Brittle
This brownie brittle will quickly become your new favorite treat if you enjoy candy brittle and are a fan of brownies like many people. This sweet treat bark is both ridiculously simple to prepare and tasty. It is crisp and crunchy with an intense cocoa taste. The fantastic aspect of this brownie brittle is how easily it can be tweaked.
This recipe may be enhanced for the holidays by adding white chocolate drizzle and crushed candy canes. You can omit them and use M&Ms, almonds, pretzels, festive sprinkles, or anything else you like! You won’t be able to stop at just one piece, so watch out!
Bourbon Balls
The first bourbon balls originated in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1938. These no-bake cookie truffles are made with finely chopped nuts, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and bourbon, so the flavor of the whiskey is enhanced while the burn is subdued.
These bourbon balls are just what you need if you’re searching for a boozy treat to get the party going. The alcohol will remain because these truffles aren’t baked. According to some recipes, you must soak the pecans in bourbon overnight; you don’t have to.
Still, you are welcome to soak your pecans if you like. Make sure that kids don’t reach out for these delicious sweet treats!
Sticky Toffee Pudding – 10 Popular Christmas Dessert Recipes
This dessert, which is often a date-studded sponge cake with a thick toffee sauce on top, is ideal for special events or holiday feasts. The perfect way to serve this dessert is still warm from the pan with additional toffee sauce poured on top. It is undoubtedly a treat like no other. People, young or old, will love it, and it will be the highlight of the Christmas dinner for sure.
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
This lemon meringue cheesecake recipe is excellent if you’re searching for a show-stopping, delectable dessert to impress dinner guests. Even before they take their first mouthful, everyone will be tizzy thanks to the layers of a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, bright yellow lemon curd, and a large swoop of toasted meringue.
Insanely delicious and gorgeous desserts are both characteristics of this dish. Despite the intimidating appearance, the process only needs a few simple steps and patience.
White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Biscotti
Many pastries call themselves coffee or tea buddies, but none compare to the simple biscotti’s crispy, crunchy delight. These contain the traditional cranberry and orange flavor combo and have been coated in white chocolate and chopped pistachios for a little extra decadence.
The Roman Empire gave rise to biscotti, which were once used as a snack while traveling. The word biscotti means “twice-cooked” and comes from the second heating of the cookie, which dried it out sufficiently to make it mold-resistant and ideal for lengthy journeys.
Fruitcake – 10 Popular Christmas Dessert Recipes
Fruitcake is a traditional holiday treat that doesn’t always receive the praise it merits. But this is the one you ought to gamble on. This delicious fruitcake is exquisite, studded with pecans, dry fruit, and gently flavored. After the cake has chilled, add glaze to the cooled cake. Although it is optional, the glaze is an essential and tasty addition.
Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding
We urge that you start making Christmas pudding, even if it’s not a treat you usually cook. Given that this one is gluten-free, you may take a break from all the rich (but wonderful) desserts being served. What’s not to love about a dish stuffed with almonds and dried fruit and drizzled with brandy sauce? Additionally, Christmas pudding can be prepared up to three months ahead! So store it well, wrap it up nicely, refrigerate it, then bring it to room temp before enjoying it.