Feeling like eating sweets? Let's discover some Christmas baking and sweets from around the world!
With so many festive treats and delicious dishes to be enjoyed over the holidays, December dieters can often find their healthy eating plans go out of the window fast. We say, enjoy yourself. To get you in the mood for festive feasting, we've assembled 15 of the most popular Christmas baking and sweets from around the world.
FRANCE
Gallette de roi
In its native France, King Cake is usually eaten just after Christmas itself, but we'll allow it into this list just on account of how delicious it is. It gets its name from the nativity itself, after the famed kinds who arrived bearing gifts for Christ on January 6. This flavour packed puff pastry dish is stuffed with jam, fruit, cream, chocolate and occasionally, cheese.
Le Revellion
A regional twist of this popular yuletide favourite is commonly enjoyed in Italy, but in France. Easily prepared, this Christmassweets staple is made from cookie dough, covered and stuffed with chocolate.
SPAIN
Polvorón
These cookies are a Christmas Eve tradition in Spain and are renowned for their crumbly consistency. This relatively easy recipe is made from flour, lard, sugar, cinnamon, ground almonds and a hint of lemon zest.
Turrones
The Spanish enjoy many local varieties of nougat, but Turrón de Jijona remains one of the most reached for at Christmas time. This nougat is deliciously soft, and made with a hint of cinnamon powder for a familiar festive taste.
Roscón de Reyes
Commonly eaten on January 6, this mouth-watering Spanish donut is packed with candied fruit and other treats.
GERMANY
Lebkuchen
This celebrated Christmas cookies aren't just popular in their native Germany. Some of the most popular recipes originate in Nuremburg, while the heart spices and seasonings will instantly put you in festive spirits.
Plätzchen
A platter of Plätzchen is a December tradition in Germany. There's countless local variations of the perfect Plätzchen, while home cooks are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and put their own twists on their cookie recipes.
ITALY
Torrone
You'll find plenty of Spanish and Italian nougats for sale around Christmas, but if you want a true taste of Italian luxury, opt for nougat made with almonds and honey.
Pandoro
This typical Veronese dessert is a favourite of Italian youngsters. This cake is known for its softness and sweetness.
Panettone
This Milanese dish is traditionaly made with candied fruits and raisins, but of late has enjoyed a resurgence in bold new twists and flavour combinations, including fresh cream, chocolate and fruit.
USA
Christmas Pudding
This favourite of English dinner tables was quickly adapted by the Americans. Make your own with eggs, almonds, candied fruit, seasonal spices and a hint of rum. It's a calorie catastrophe, but certainly worth it.
Brownies
Chocolate brownies are popular throughout the year, but there's no matter time to break out the tried and tested family recipe than at Christmas.
Mince Pies
Only the most loyal mince pies recipes contain any actual meat. Today, most pies are made with simple pastry bases and filled with spiced fruits, then glazed with icing sugar for an extra kick of sweetness.
MEXICO
Buñuelos
These crispy Mexican pancakes are a staple of breakfast menus across the country, but a sought after favourite come Christmas. Easily made in batches to feed even the biggest broods.
AUSTRALIA
Pavlova
Australia opts for a more tropical cake for dessert, with a base of meringue, topped with whipped cream, berries, kiwis and strawberries. As Christmas falls during summer down under, this fruity concoction is perfect for keeping cool in after the main meal itself.
Do you know any other Christmas baking or sweets? Share them with us in the comments!