Ready to take your taste buds on a world tour without leaving the comfort of your cozy kitchen? Christmas isn’t just about the presents and the tree; it’s also about family, fun, and, yes, FOOD! And what could be better than a selection of divine Christmas sweets from around the world? We’ve got your ticket to a global sweets extravaganza, with top-notch recipes from the crispy, spicy gingerbread cookies of Germany to the fluffy, fruity Panettone of Italy. Get your apron on, turn up your favorite holiday jingles, and let’s dive spoon-first into a world of delightful Christmas confections. And if you’re looking for more recipes for Christmas eve and Christmas day, check out our best Christmas no-bake desserts and best vintage Christmas dessert recipes.
Prepare for a sugar-spiced journey that will take you from the North Pole to the South, one scrumptious cookie at a time
Here are the best Christmas sweets recipes from around the world:
SPITZBUBEN COOKIES (GERMAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES)
Source: Cinnamon & Coriander
Christmas in Germany isn’t complete without the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of Spitzbuben cookies. A buttery delight with a tangy jam heart that’s hard to resist. Add a sprinkle of ground nuts to the dough for an extra rich, tender, and flavorful treat.
Related Post: Best German Cookie Recipes
CZECH VANILLA CRESCENT COOKIES
Source: Cook Like Czechs
Feast your senses on the traditional Czech Christmas cookies, Vanilkove Rohlicky. Imagine buttery dough mixed with ground nuts, shaped into crescents, and baked to perfection. Don’t forget to roll them in vanilla sugar while still warm – it’s the secret to their irresistible taste!
KOURABIETHES (GREEK CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD COOKIES)
Source: Real Greek Recipes
Get ready Greek Christmas Shortbread Cookies, a delight beyond traditional Scottish shortbread! Loaded with toasted almonds, a hint of brandy, and a dusting of icing sugar, these cookies offer a crumbly texture packed with a punch of buttery flavor.
MILLE FEUILLE CREAM PASTRY
Source: Of Batter & Dough
Step into a world of indulgence with the classic French mille-feuille. Flaky puff pastry layered with creamy vanilla cream – elegance in every bite! This pastry defines the French love for simple yet delicious desserts.
TURRÓN DE JIJONA
Source: The Storied Recipe
Embark on a Spanish adventure this Christmas with Turrón de Jijona. A classic holiday treat from Alicante that boasts various forms of almond nougat. You’ll love the contrasting textures – while some are soft like peanut butter, others snap with a firm bite!
SANS RIVAL
Source: Belly Rumbles
Indulge this Christmas with Sans Rival, the Philippines’ decadent cashew meringue cake. Imagine layers of light, toasty cashew meringue slathered with rich, creamy French buttercream. A sweet sensation that’s unmissable!
MEXICAN BUÑUELOS
Source: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
Experience the crunch of Mexican Buñuelos, traditional fritters that taste like heavenly bites. Topped with cinnamon and sugar, these fritters are a holiday must-have that’ll make your taste buds dance in delight!
ICELANDIC CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Source: Veggie Desserts
Whip up traditional Icelandic Christmas cookies for a delicious treat. Made with cornflakes and salted chocolate, these easy-to-make sweets are simply delightful. Safe to say, Marens Kornflexkokur are a festive delight you can prepare with just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes!
DANISH HAVREGRYNSKUGLER
Source: Adamant Kitchen
Welcome the holidays with Danish Havregrynskugler. A classic oat balls treat that can be tailored in endless delicious ways, even with some adult twists. Perfect for those looking for a flexible yet traditional Danish Christmas delicacy.
VEGAN CHRISTMAS CAKE (IRISH-STYLE)
Source: The Fiery Vegetarian
Recreate Darina Allen’s fabulous Irish cake with a vegan twist this Christmas. A dark, luscious cake that’s well worth the effort to make. This vegan delight is sure to be the star of your festive table!
AUTHENTIC LINZER COOKIES
Source: Cinnamon & Coriander
Get your hands on the authentic Austrian Christmas Cookies – Linzer Cookies. The dough is enriched with ground hazelnuts and almonds, and loaded with Christmas spices. An easy-to-make recipe perfect for the holiday season!
DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
Source: Boots & Hooves Homestead
Want a sweet treat that’s also healthy? Try Dark Chocolate Truffles, a French-inspired dessert that’s packed with antioxidants. A delicious temptation that proves desserts can be healthy and delectable at the same time!
PFEFFERNÜSSE SPICE COOKIES
Source: Saving Dessert
Enjoy the old-world charm of Pfeffernüsse Spice Cookies. A traditional holiday treat popular across the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of nostalgia to your Christmas celebrations!
BREUDHER CAKE WITH BLOOD ORANGE GLAZE
Source: The Flavor Bender
Taste the traditional Sri Lankan Breudher Cake. A yeasted cake that’s popular all-year-round, especially during festive times. With its unique flavor and texture, it’s bound to become a household favorite!
INSTANT POT ARROZ CON DULCE
Source: Beyond Mere Sustenance
Taste the creamy richness of the Instant Pot Arroz con Dulce. This Puerto Rican Rice Pudding is fragrant with warm spices and ginger. The best part? It’s gluten and dairy-free, perfect for those with dietary restrictions!
SOUTH AFRICAN MALVA PUDDING
Source: Bigger Bolder Baking
South African Malva Pudding is a sweet, moist cake recipe that’s bursting with flavors of apricot jam and heavy cream. A traditional South African dessert that’ll add a unique touch to your Christmas spread!
GERMAN HONEY BARS
Source: Flour On My Face
Travel back in time with Lebkuchen, a festive treat cherished since the 1300s. These German Honey Bars make the perfect Christmas gift or a delightful addition to your Christmas cookie exchange.
Related Post: Best German Christmas Recipes
ENGLISH CHRISTMAS TRIFLE
Source: What A Girl Eats
English Christmas Trifle is a classic dessert with layers of pound cake, creamy custard, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. A beautiful and delicious dessert that captures the spirit of an English Christmas!
BOLO REI
Source: Wander Cooks
Celebrate the season with Bolo Rei, a fluffy, lightly spiced Christmas cake from Portugal. Filled with fruits and nuts, this cake is super easy to bake at home. Make your own King’s Cake crown this holiday season!
APPLE AND FIG POLENTA TORTA
Source: All That’s Jas
Experience the unique flavors of Apple and Fig Polenta Torta. This ancient cake from San Marino is traditionally prepared in a fireplace and served during winter holidays or Sundays. It’s a secret recipe cherished by Romagna housewives!
COZONAC (ROMANIAN SWEET BREAD)
Source: Where Is My Spoon
Cozonac is a soft, sweet bread with a rich walnut filling that’s a traditional Romanian treat. One bite of this pastry, and you’ll understand why it’s a popular choice during the festive season!
STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING
Source: House of Nash Eats
Taste the classic British dessert, Sticky Toffee Pudding. A moist, date cake drenched in warm butterscotch-toffee sauce. Popular in Scotland, England, and Ireland, it’s a classic British dessert that you must try!
Related Post: Best Christmas Pudding Recipes
BRIGADEIRO
Source: TornaDough Alli
Whip up Brigadeiros, delicious Brazilian treats, with just four ingredients. These easy-to-make sweets offer an intense chocolatey flavor that’s hard to resist. Perfect for those chocolate lovers!
VEGAN COCONUT BARFI
Source: Shahzadi Devje
Coconut Barfi is a popular Indian sweet. This vegan version uses blue spirulina for a stunning blue color. Free from added sugar, it’s a delicious sweet you can make in just 15 minutes!
RISALAMANDE
Source: Fab Food 4 All
Experience the Danish traditional dessert, Risalamande. This creamy and delicious rice pudding is laced with sherry and almonds, then served with a sweet, warm cherry sauce. A dessert that’s as delightful as it is comforting!
PECAN DATE BARS
Source: The Storied Recipe
These Pecan Date Bars offer a healthier twist on the traditional Pecan Pie. Infused with Parisian, Middle Eastern, and American influences, they’re a perfect dessert for those wanting to switch things up!
NATILLA COLOMBIANA
Source: My Colombian Recipes
Indulge in the popular Colombian Christmas dessert, Natilla. Each family has its own unique recipe, giving you various flavors to explore and enjoy!
CREMA DE FRUTA
Source: The Unlikely Baker
Experience the Filipino delight, Crema de Fruta. This dessert features layers of soft fluffy cake, creamy custard, and fruits enveloped in gelatine. The perfect addition to any festive celebration!
NORWEGIAN KRUMKAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Source: Ramshackle Pantry
Krumkake, a Norwegian treat that’s part cookie, part waffle, is a delectable dessert the whole family will love. The perfect way to add a touch of tradition to your Christmas celebrations!
JAPANESE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
Source: Drive My Hungry
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake or Japanese Christmas Cake is a soft, fluffy dessert that’s a favorite during festive times. With red strawberries, white whipped cream and a dusting of powdered sugar, it looks as good as it tastes!
BUTTER TARTS
Source: Cook The Story
Butter Tarts, a quintessential Canadian treat, are a decadent addition to any holiday dessert tray. Easy to make and delightfully sweet, they’re a treat you’ll want to make again and again!
GUYANESE SPONGE CAKE
Source: Metemgee
Indulge in the rich flavor of Guyanese Sponge Cake. Similar to pound cake, this decadent dessert is usually swirled with vibrant colors and enjoyed during celebrations like birthdays and Christmas!
We’ve mixed, baked, and sprinkled our way across diverse cultures, bringing the magic of global Christmas traditions right into our homes. Nothing says ‘holiday cheer’ quite like sharing these delicious international sweets with our loved ones. Infusing our festive season with unique flavors from around the world has made this Christmas extra special. Remember, it’s not the destination, it’s the joyful journey of baking and sharing these treats that makes everything worthwhile. Keep these recipes close, because they’re sure to become cherished traditions in your home too. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Related Posts:
- Best Christmas Cake Recipes
- Best Vegan Christmas Dessert Recipes
- Yummy Christmas Cupcakes
Some CHRISTMAS-THEMED KITCHEN ITEMS You Can Buy
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- Pretty gifts for families, kids, friends, they can decorate mini gardens, home party by themselves
- Making an incredible micro garden with pine trees, snowmen, deer, chairs and lamps, create a happy winter atmosphere
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