Holiday Desserts from Around the World | Geddy’s
Gather with us as we explore holiday desserts from around the world. These festive foods are sure to make the holidays merry and bright. So, sit back, relax and savor these traditional favorites as we travel the globe from North America to Europe to the Middle East.
1. Tarte au Sucre (Sugar Pie) – Canada
This luscious French-Canadian dessert is a holiday tradition in Quebec. What makes it so delicious? In short, brown sugar and maple syrup are the key ingredients of this custardy pie. Therefore, it’s sure to sweeten-up your holiday season.
2. Biscochito – New Mexico
Designated as the New Mexico state cookie in 1989, the Biscochito is a shortbread cookie. It’s flavored with anise and cinnamon and only served on special occasions and during the holidays. The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without these tasty buttery holiday treats.
3. Temleque – Puerto Rico
For coconut lovers, you’re sure to enjoy this light and refreshing coconut pudding, garnished with cinnamon. After all, the custardy holiday dessert brings a special “”jiggle” to the Christmas season.
4. Christmas Pudding (Plum Pudding, Figgy Pudding) – Great Britain and Ireland
This famous Christmas dessert dates from the 17th Century. The pudding consists of thirteen ingredients, symbolizing Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. The recipe includes dried fruits, spices … and lots of brandy. Typically, the pudding is aged from one month to a year. Its high alcohol content prevents it from spoiling. Before serving, the dessert is doused with brandy and flamed in a spectacular holiday display – symbolizing the love and power of Jesus. Also, coins or other tokens are often baked into the pudding – representing good fortune to the person who finds them. So, “…bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer …”
5. Buche de Noel (Yule Log) – France
Buche de Noel is a French Christmas sponge cake, resembling a Yule Log. Typically, one end of the cream-filled log is cut-off and set atop the cake – representing a branch. Furthermore, its chocolate frosting symbolizes tree bark, and its edible decorations reflect leaves, holly or other parts of nature. In addition, powdered sugar, dusted on top, resembles snow. So, be sure to inspire the holiday spirit with this festive and yummy Yule Log.
6. Christstollen (Christ Stollen, Stollen) – Germany
This beloved holiday fruit cake originated in the 14th Century. In short, Christstollen is a buttery and dense yeast bread – laden with raisins, dried fruit, candied citrus peels, nuts and spices. The loaf-shaped symbolizes the body of Christ. Also, powdered sugar coats the bread, representing Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. Throughout Germany, Stollen is a popular Christmas tradition – often sliced and served with butter, honey, or jam. In other words, sugar and spice and everything nice can be found in this holiday dessert.
7. Piernik – Poland
A popular gingerbread dessert that dates from the Middle Ages – layered with prunes, almonds, and chocolate, then, dusted in powdered sugar. So, what makes Piernik so tasty? It’s because Poland is located on the historic spice route from Asia to Europe. In addition, the area is abundant with fertile soil and honeybees. Coincidentally, honey, flour and spices are also the three main ingredients of gingerbread. Perhaps, Piernik could also explain the popular Polish saying, “What does Gingerbread have to do with a Windmill?”
8. Diples – Greece
Diples are a sweet crispy dessert from the Peloponnese in Southern Greece. The thin sheet-like pastry is folded and fried, typically in a spiral shape. After that, the pastry is dipped in a sugar or honey syrup and, then, sprinkled with cinnamon and chopped walnuts. During the Christmas season, Diples are a popular holiday favorite throughout Greece – the birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games, … and Diples.
9. Vanilice – Serbia
These small vanilla sandwiches consist of two nutty, vanilla and walnut cookies held together with a dollop of apricot or rose hip jam, then, dusted with powdered sugar. Almost always, the cookies are served around the Christmas season, New Year’s, and other holidays. Furthermore, Vanilice is believed to be a cousin of the Linzer cookie, when the northern part of Serbia was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The Serbs adapted the recipe to encompass local ingredients, like lard and walnuts.
10. Sufganiyah – Israel
This round jelly doughnut is eaten during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Almost always, the doughnut is deep-fried and filled with jam or custard and, then, topped with powdered sugar. In fact, legend has it that sufganiyah were feed to Adam and Eve , to cheer them up after being thrown out of the Garden of Eden. So, cheers to jelly doughnuts.
Above all, the holidays are a time of gathering together with family and friends, enjoying traditional foods passed down from generations … and savoring festive desserts to brighten your spirits.
May your holidays be blessed with joy, laughter, love … and sweet memories, 🙂
Heather
Geddy’s
