Traditional Christmas Dessert Recipes from Around the World

What better time of the year than the holiday season to pander to your sweet tooth and enjoy a traditional Christmas dessert. Fortunately, there are hundreds of fine recipes from around the world to choose from, many of which are not as fattening as you might think they are.

Australian Christmas Pudding

In the land of Oz where the Christmas season falls in the middle of summer, they make a wonderful Christmas pudding that is sure to delight folks from around the world.

Ingredients:

• Five eggs
• 1/4-cup brandy
• 1/4 lb breadcrumbs
• 1/4 lb plain flour
• 1/2 lb butter
• 1/2 lb brown sugar
• 1/2 lb currants
• 1/2 lb seedless raisins
• 1/4 lb lemon peel
• 1/8 lb almonds
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

Preparation:

Beat the eggs well and stir in the brandy, then blend in the butter and sugar. Chop up the almonds. Stir in the fruit and add flour. Mix well then add the breadcrumbs and almonds.

Bake the mixture in a pan at 375F/177C for about three hours. Check by poking with a fork. When the mixture is gelatinous not liquid, it is about done. Scoop up a spoonful and cool to test.

Sachertorte Recipe from Austria

In Europe, a torte is a type of cake and Sachertorte is the traditional ‘cake’ from Austria that will be appreciated and enjoyed by lovers of desserts around the world.

Ingredients for the Torte:

• Eight eggs
• 1/2-cup butter
• 3 oz chocolate
• 1/2-cup confectioner's sugar
• 1/2-cup flour
• 2 tbsp apricot jam
• Vanilla

Ingredients for the Frosting:

• 1/2-cup water
• 4 oz chocolate
• 1/2-cup sugar

Preparation:

Blend the eggs, while the chocolate melts in a pan at low heat. Then pour on the flour and mix well. Add butter and stir, then add the sugar and repeat. Add a dash of vanilla. Pour the cake mix into a pan that will make a layer about an inch thick.

Bake at 300F/150C for an hour. Let the torte cool for an hour and then brush with apricot jam.

While it is cooling, prepare the frosting. Boil the water and add sugar, stirring continuously. Melt the chocolate over a low heat and pour in, stirring continuously. Frost to taste.

Christmas Gingerbread Recipe

Gingerbread is a traditional American Christmas treat, which will go down well in any country

Ingredients:

• Two eggs
• 1/4-cup molasses
• 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1/2-cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4-cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Spices - Ground cloves, ginger, cinnamon

Preparation:

Separate the eggs and beat the yolks over heat until thickened. Add molasses and butter and mix well. Then, beat the whites in a separate bowl until they are foamy and add the sugar. Mix the two bowls together and fold gently.

Bake at 375F/177C for ten minutes in a pan where the gingerbread batter is about 1/2 inch thick. A six-inch by eight-inch pan will do nicely. Test with a toothpick or by pressing lightly with a spoon until springy.

Sprinkle with dashes of the spices. This recipe should serve five – hopefully!