Discover how to make some of the best Christmas Desserts Around the World. These sweet treats are the perfect way to add an international twist to your Christmas dessert table. From cookies to cakes and more, there’s a lot to choose from, so start making your list!
Christmas is celebrated differently around the globe and that’s especially true when it comes to festive Christmas desserts.
With this collection of some of the most popular recipes, you’ll be able to make and enjoy delicious traditional Christmas desserts from France, Italy, Poland and more!
Get the kids involved making these typical Christmas desserts from different regions of the world. Maybe you can even work in a little history lesson at the same time as you discuss the different ways countries celebrate Christmas day.
For instance, children in Germany leave their shoes out on Christmas Eve and wake up to find small toys and other small Christmas treats inside.
In Italy, as well as many other European countries, a holiday tradition is to serve fish as a main course (we love these tilapia recipes), where here in the United States it’s centered around turkey and ham.
I hope you’ll enjoy your trip around world with these delicious recipes and that they’ll help create a few new traditions for you and your loved ones during the holidays.
International Holiday Recipes
Sacher Torte Recipe (Austria)
Sacher Torte is chocolate cake originating in Vienna Austria. It's somehow rich and light at the same time, and you won't believe how easy it is to make.
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Chocolate Rolled Cake Easy Recipe (France)
Bûche de noël is a delicious, rolled cake that's one of the most quintessential Christmas desserts. Also called a yule log cake, it's hard to believe this Christmas cake is actually easy to make and only has 7 ingredients! It's a beautiful traditional treat that resembles a tree branch that always gets rave reviews.
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Delicious Christmas Donuts (Germany)
Created with the gingerbread cookies in mind, these delicious donuts will be the highlight of Christmas breakfast! They make a wonderful gift, too!
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Easy White Chocolate Biscotti Recipe (Italy)
Traditional Italian biscotti is so delicious and easy to make, but we've taken the recipe and used cake mix for a super simple last-minute Christmas treat for this time of year.
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Crispy Snickerdoodle Cookies (Germany)
These delicious Snickerdoodle cookies are so easy to make. They're the perfect winter cookie and popular Christmas dessert made with just 10 ingredients!
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Italian Amaretti Cookies Recipe (Italy)
These bakery style Italian amaretti cookies are so delicate, chewy, and delicious! This recipe is definitely one of my favorites treats after Christmas dinner.
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Coquito Tres Leches Cake Recipe (Puerto Rico)
This easy to make Coquito Tres Leches sweet cake is perfect for your holiday events. Full of flavor, this is a delicious cake we are sure everyone will be asking for seconds!
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Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe (Italy)
Classic and welcome anytime of the year, Italian Tiramisu – this authentic recipe can be made ahead of time and gets better with time, making it the ideal Christmas time dessert!
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Scandinavian Rosette Cookies (Scandinavia)
This traditional Scandinavian Rosette Cookie recipe is a great way to celebrate Norwegian or Swedish heritage, but more importantly, these crispy cookies are delicious. #christmas #scandinavian
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How To Make Czech Linzer Cookies (Czechia)
Adorable and delicious Czech cookies are made from a traditional recipe and are little butter cookies sandwiched between fruit jelly.
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Melomakarona (Greece)
Melomakarona are traditional Greek Cookies drenched in a honey syrup. This cookie recipe is one of the Christmas traditions made in Greek homes.
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Polish Kolachki Cookies (Poland)
These yummy, jam-filled Kolachki Cookies are a traditional dessert and Polish favorite around the holidays. Fill them with your favorite flavors of jam for beautiful and tasty Christmas cookies.
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Recipe for Kourabiedes (Greece)
This recipe for Kourabiedes is a family favourite producing the most delicious traditional Greek butter cookies. Easy to make, studded with roasted almonds and always a favorite during the Christmas season, although they are also enjoyed year-round!
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Claudia Roden’s Orange And Almond Cake (Spain)
This is one of our favorite winter cakes during orange season. The fresh citrus flavour and pudding-like texture make this easy Spanish cake such a great way to end a rich meal or family feast at Christmas or other special occasions.
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Best Authentic Pfeffernusse Cookie Recipe (Germany)
Pfeffernusse cookies are a staple for Christmastime in Germany! A simple, spice cookie that ships great and is delicious dipped in a cup of coffee or tea.
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Sherry Trifle (Great Britain)
This British Sherry Trifle is made with layers of delicate ladyfinger cookies, raspberry preserves, homemade vanilla custard, plenty of sherry-wine, and mounds of vanilla whipped cream. Edible holly berries and leaves are the perfect decoration for an elegant Christmas dessert.
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Melomakarona Recipe (Greece)
Melomakarona are traditional Greek Cookies drenched in a honey syrup. This cookie recipe is traditionally made every Christmas in Greek homes.
Check out this recipe
Canestrelli – Italian Egg Yolk Cookies (Italy)
This Italian Canestrelli uses a secret ingredient to make ultra tender and buttery shortbread cookies! They delicious holiday desserts that you'll see on the Christmas table in Italian homes
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Krumkake Norwegian Christmas Cookie (Norway)
The Krumkake is a delicious Norwegian cookie made with a specialty iron and is a great Scandinavian recipe tradition. Often times it has a cardamom flavor and its cone shape is perfect for a whipped cream filling with fresh fruit.
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Grandma’s Rum Balls (Germany)
Grandma’s Rum Balls are the German version of the popular Danish Christmas treat and is much easier than making a whole rum cake. And yes, you can taste the rum!
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Bebinca – Layered Goan Cake with Spices (India)
Bebinca is a layered cake from Goa India. Nutmeg and Cardamom make this custard-like cake a special treat during the holiday season in the former Portuguese colony of Goa in India.
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Arroz con Leche Recipe (Mexico)
Arroz con Leche (or Mexican Rice Pudding) is a delicious Mexican dessert made from simple ingredients including rice, milk, cinnamon, and sugar. This Christmas pudding can be served hot or cold and is guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth during the holidays.
Check out this recipe
I’m betting you’ll also like these 30 Best Christmas Desserts, Best Chocolate Desserts for Christmas, and Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies.
For those watching those calories (though I read they don’t count at Christmas, right?!) check out these Weight Watchers Christmas Cookies and Delicious Weight Watchers Christmas Cupcakes!
Tips for Serving Christmas Desserts
A festive platter makes all the difference when serving a pretty dessert.
If you have people bringing desserts, you can stack them on small boxes you can find around the house for a layered look to your Christmas table.
And remember to have some festive drinks for your guests like this White Christmas Mimosa, Cranberry Mimosa, or Cranberry Moscow Mule.
Serve a few of these party appetizers before dessert, or have a rotating party where you go to different houses.
Enjoy these desserts and have a wonderful holiday!
More Christmas Desserts
Choose an international Christmas dessert.
Gather the ingredients needed to make it.
Create a sweet and delicious Christmas dessert.
