International Christmas Desserts

1. Lovers of cherries and chocolate will love this lighter Dutch version of Black Forest cake more than any other dessert with cherries they had before. .....

Mazariner Sweden

2. These delicious Swedish Almond Tarts are thought to be a different variation of the Italian crosata di mandorle and their heritage is apparent in their etymology. They are named after the Italian French cardinal and politician Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino, or Jules Mazari (1602 .....

Bolo Rei Portugal

3. Bolo Rei, also known as the Kings Cake, is traditional Portuguese sweet bread with nuts and crystallized (candied) fruit, served at Christmastime and on January 6th, which is Kings Day in the country. .....

Dulce de Leche Argentina

4. Dulce de leche is the pride of Argentina. Its a combination of milk and sugar that has been slowly cooked until the sugar caramelizes, producing a thick, creamy, intensely flavored spread. Literally translated, it means something like candy made of sweet milk. .....

Christmas pudding United Kingdom

5. No British Christmas is complete without a Christmas pudding and despite this wildly popular dessert (outside the UK, too) not being as delicious as some might imagine, it has become an ultimate Christmas symbol, at least throughout the UK. .....

Tiramisu Italy

6. Tiramisu is a famous coffee flavored Italian dessert that is made from ladyfingers dipped in espresso coffee, layered with a mixture of whipped eggs, sugar, and delicious mascarpone cheese, flavored with cocoa on top. The recipe has been adapted into a variety of cakes and other desserts around the world thanks to its global success. .....

Kanafeh Middle East

7. Many different Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria, and northern Egypt claim to be the original creators of this delicious dessert but no one can say for sure where it originated. The Greeks make a similar dessert called kadaifi, which however, doesnt include soft white cheese inside and thats what makes it different from the Mid East version. .....

Banoffee pie England

8. Arguably the best and tastiest dessert in all England Banoffee pie is simply irresistible. Made from bananas, cream, and toffee from boiled condensed milk placed on a pastry base or made from crumbled biscuits and butter, Banoffee pie will definitely make you a happier and fatter person. .....

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9. In Iceland, this layered prune torte is made for the winter holidays (especially Christmas) and nibbled on all season, thanks to its long shelf life. The greatest thing about this cake is that most recipes are completely different from one another so our best advice is next time youre in Iceland try as many as you can. .....

Gulab Jamun India

10. Gulab Jamun is among Indias most popular desserts and consists of dumplings traditionally made of thickened or reduced milk, soaked in rose flavored sugar syrup. They sure do look good and we bet they taste even better. .....

Cranachan Scotland

11. This traditional and elegant looking Scottish dessert of oats, cream, whiskey (), and raspberries is a delicious alternative to trifle and a great way to impress your guests. The fact that it includes whiskey makes things a little weird but lets be honest, this shouldnt be shocking since its Scotland were talking about here. .....

Rocky Road Dessert Australia

12. Rocky Road is an Australian dessert made with milk chocolate and marshmallow and is usually served in individual portions such as a cupcake or brownie. The dessert has become increasingly popular in the US where it is usually served with ice cream. .....

Chocolate Guinness Cake Ireland

13. Irish people have their own way of celebrating St. Patricks Day and Christmas and naturally alcohol could never be absent from an Irish party, not even when it comes to dessert. When all is said and done, chocolate and beer dont taste as good together in any other form as they do in this cake. .....

Tres Leches Cake Mexico

14. Tres Leches cake gets its name, which means three milks cake, from being soaked in three different types of milk. Even though Mexico is widely known for its heavy but delicious cuisine, Tres Leches cake is one of the lightest and least harmful (in terms of calories) desserts and is ideal even for those on a diet. .....

Devils Food Cake USA

15. Devils Food is a cake made with dark chocolate and gets its name because it is supposedly so rich and delicious that it must be somewhat sinful, although the association is clearly humorous. The only sure thing is that if you have it once you will want to have it again and again. .....

Dobostorta Hungary

16. Dobosh Torte, also known as drum torte, is a rich Hungarian sponge cake consisting of seven layers filled with rich chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel. It was invented by and named after Hungarian pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos in 1884. Since then it has seduced everyone who has been lucky enough to taste it. .....

Brazo de Gitano Spain

17. When literally translated Brazo de Gitano means gypsys arm, and is the Spanish name for a Swiss roll. Strangely, the Swiss roll was not designed either in Spain or Switzerland and is most likely to have been found somewhere in central Europe. However, this dessert has become an interesting homemade staple in Spain, and one that is commonly found at family meals and celebrations such as Christmas. .....

Buche de Noel Belgium France

18. B che de No l is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. It is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream. Traditionally, B che de No l is decorated with confectioners sugar to resemble snow on a yule log. .....

Melomakarona Greece

19. These small honey cookies (which you can never eat just one of) are the most popular treats throughout Greece during the Christmas holidays and their intense homely smell makes every house smell like Christmas. Unfortunately, the only bad thing is that bakeries usually make them only during Christmas and for the rest of the year they are not easy to find. The Melomakarona covered with milk chocolate are by far the best. .....

Profiterole France

20. Profiterole is arguably one of the best desserts in the world with millions of hard core fans around the globe. This French dessert consists of several choux pastry balls filled with whipped cream or pastry cream and showered with lots of hot or cold milk chocolate that wont fail to add hundreds of calories to your standard diet. .....

Black Forest Cake Germany

21. Called Schwarzw .....

Cheesecake Ancient Greece USA

22. This authentic creamy dessert promises to add a taste of New York to any Christmas dining experience regardless of where you are, even though this desserts history is way older than most of us think. The earliest attested mention of a cheesecake goes back to fifth century BC Greece, where the Greek physician Aegimus wrote a book on the art of making cheesecakes. Crazy, huh? .....

Panettone Milan Italy

23. Arguably the most famous Christmas sweet bread loaf all across Europe the past few decades, Panettone originated in Milan, where its one of the most representative and significant symbols of the Italian city. Nowadays you can find different variations of it in most of Europe, South America, Japan, and the United States. .....

Pavlova New Zealand

24. Dont let the name mislead or fool you this is not a Russian dessert but instead of New Zealand origin. The famous meringue based dessert borrows its name from legendary Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova but other than that its all Kiwi. .....

Sachertorte Austria

25. The Original Sacher Torte has been one of the most famous chocolate cakes in the world since it was created in 1832 by Austrian Franz Sacher. The basis of the confection is a chocolate cake thinly coated by hand with top quality apricot jam. The chocolate icing on top is the crowning glory. .....

KURISUMASU KEKI JAPAN

26. For their Christmas cake, the Japanese break away from the fruit cake mold and instead opt for a sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries. The cake, which is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve, is also topped with chocolate Santas. The term kurisumasu keki isn t all about holiday spirit, however. It has also been used as slang in Japan for an unmarried woman over 25, with the logic that like a Christmas cake, after the 25th they re sp .....

Kringla SWEDEN

27. Drawing inspiration from the pretzel, the Swedish Kringla is a knotted pastry with an almond filling and almond icing. Unlike Danish Kringle, the Swedish variety doesn t have nuts or raisins. The key to a great kringla is an exorbitant amount of butter... just the way a dessert should be. .....

Christopsomo GREECE

28. The early form of the cross that decorates the top of the Christopsomo loaf (a.ka. Christ s bread) makes this holiday dessert arguably the most religious on our list. In that vein, Christopsomo bakers take their charge very seriously and often cross themselves before baking the bread, which is full of raisins, nuts, and winter spices. .....

Bejgli HUNGARY

29. Like the French, Hungarians appreciate a good dessert roll. What it lacks in icing, Bejgli makes up for in delicious walnut or poppy seed filling. Can t get enough of this roll? You re in luck it s traditionally eaten at Easter too. .....

PIERNIK POLAND

30. Unlike all of those fruit cakes and nut loaves, Poland mixes things up with a dark gingerbread topped with chocolate frosting. Gingerbread baking guilds have existed in Poland since the Middle Ages, and there s even a museum in Torun that showcases the ancient baking molds. .....

Vinetarta ICELAND

31. Icelanders are the only people brave enough on this list to celebrate Christmas by eating lots of mashed up prunes. Vinetarta a cake that consists of cookie like layers held together by prune filling is a tradtional part of any Icelandic Christmas celebration. .....

ROSCON DE REYES SPAIN

32. We know, we know this is technically a King s Day cake (January 6th), not a Christmas cake, but we ll let it slide since it s appropriately festive. Like the King Cake served on Mardi Gras, this King s Cake which is baked in the shape of a ring (a king s ring, get it?) has a tiny baby Jesus figurine baked into it. Whoever finds the figurine is king or queen of the party (the less fun prize is that he she also has to take it to church on Februa .....