Mouth-watering Christmas sweets from around the globe
A Christmas staple in both Spain and Italy, turrón is a nougat confection that comes in two main varieties: turrón blando (soft) and turrón duro (hard and crunchy). Made with almonds, honey, sugar, and egg whites, it strikes the perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and chewy.
A quintessential Canadian Christmas treat, butter tarts are small pastry shells filled with a gooey mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs. Variations include the addition of raisins, pecans, or a splash of maple syrup
This tall, dome-shaped sweet bread is a Christmas icon in Italy. Panettone is light and airy, studded with candied fruits, raisins, and sometimes chocolate chips. Its subtle sweetness and fluffy texture make it perfect for breakfast with coffee or as a dessert served with mascarpone cream
Often referred to as German gingerbread, lebkuchen are soft, spiced cookies made with honey, nuts, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. They’re sometimes coated in chocolate or decorated with icing
The Bûche de Noël, with origins in Franc but enjoyed in many countries, is a showstopping dessert shaped like a Yule log. Made from a light sponge cake rolled with buttercream or ganache, it’s decorated to resemble a real log with bark-like textures, meringue “mushrooms,” and powdered sugar “snow.”
Down under, Christmas falls in the summer, and pavlova is the dessert of choice. This meringue-based treat is crisp on the outside and soft, marshmallowy on the inside.
Translating to 'Christmas wreaths,' kerstkransjes are delicate, buttery cookies often adorned with slivered almonds or a sprinkle of sugar. Traditionally hung on Christmas trees in Dutch homes, they are enjoyed throughout the holiday season.