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One of the most magical times of the year to travel is during Christmas. Traditional Christmas desserts around the world are often a site to behold! Having been in Europe during this time and discovering Christmas desserts at Christmas markets or in the bakeries when we lived in London was so special.
Window shopping for sweets and chocolate shops and bakeries around the world is one of my favorite things to do when traveling. Many of these treats are so artfully done, they make beautiful gifts!
And then there’s the taste – oh how I love gingerbread and a gorgeous Yule Log. I also love learning about the history and traditions that come with Christmas desserts. If you love to bake during Christmas, this year is the perfect one to add some new ideas. Here are 25+ Christmas desserts around the world to make as you count down the days until Christmas!
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Why Bake Christmas Desserts Around The World With Kids
If you have read my 101+ Kid-Friendly Recipes From Around The World, you will know how we love to incorporate food into teaching our kids about countries around the world. While food is a key part of most cultures around the world, during the holidays it is even more important.
Baking with kids at home is an excellent activity. Not only does it teach kids creativity, math, and science, but it is a great way to spend time during the holidays and learn about how Christmas is celebrated around the world.
When we have traveled during Christmas, we often bring home a souvenir to add to our Christmas decorations. Special items like Christmas tree ornaments from Austria, Santons from France, Christmas Crackers from England, and a Candle Carousel from Germany, add the gift of memories to our holidays.
Mixing in the flavors of Traditional Christmas desserts from around the world to our celebrations helps our kids learn even more about cultures around the world.
How To Make Christmas Desserts Around The World Educational
Making Christmas desserts from around the world isn’t just fun and delicious. Christmas themed, kid-friendly recipes from around the world can be included in your home teaching or distance learning. Here are some ideas:
Step 1: Research A Country Around The World
Choose a country your kids can study. You can take a day or week to learn about it.
As part of this discovery, inquire if Christmas is celebrated in this country. If so, find out about the Christmas traditions unique to that country. Are there special Christmas desserts that are enjoyed?
Step 2: Research The Christmas Desserts Of The Country or Research Christmas Desserts Around The World
You can ask:
- What are the common Christmas desserts of the country?
- Are there Christmas desserts enjoyed in many places around the world that are prepared differently?
- Where are they sold (at Christmas markets, bakeries, or are just made at home.)
- What do you notice about what ingredients they may use? Are they similar to ingredients used in other Christmas desserts around the world?
- Are there traditions related to the Christmas desserts (such as only enjoyed on Christmas eve or left out for Santa Clause).
Step 3: Research Christmas Traditions For Children In The Country
You can ask:
- Do they have a Santa Clause-type tradition of a special person who brings children gifts or candies?
- How are they called? (For example, in France, Santa Clause is called Père Noël .)
- Does the country have special Christmas decorations or participate in other holiday activities?
- What kinds of kid-friendly snacks around the world or in this country do the kids enjoy?
Step 4: Bake A Christmas Dessert Around The World or From The Country You Explored
You can make one of the desserts below or involve your kids in the cooking and baking process.
25+ Christmas Desserts Around The World To Make With Your Kids!
While I love to bake with my kids and enjoy Christmas desserts, I am no patisserie chef. So, I asked some expert food bloggers for their favorite Christmas recipes from around the world, and boy did they deliver.
Many of these desserts are traditions in the country from which they come. And while not every country is represented, and some of these are desserts inspired by flavors of a country, they will certainly bring you lots of Christmas joy!
Here are more than 25+ Christmas desserts around the world you can make with your kids!
Want to learn about Santa Claus Around The World? Get my Santa Claus Around The World Activity Pack for kids! 👇
But It Here
Canada
Butter Tardt Bundt Cake by Food Meanderings blog
Croatia
Croatian Kiflice by Sustain My Cooking Habit blog
Cuba
Bacardi* Rum Cake by Little Sweet Baker blog
*Adults should note: this recipe uses Rum.
Czech Republic
Black and White European Christmas Cookies from Foodal blog
England
Air Fryer Mince Pies by Recipe This blog
Gingerbread People Cookies by Baking Beauty blog
My Best Ever Mince Pies by Sum of Their Stories blog
No-Bake Easy Christmas Mincemeat Cheesecake by Fuss-Free Flavors blog
Traditional British Christmas Cake by Bake It With Love blog
Traditional Christmas Pudding by Supergolden Bakes blog
France
Gluten-Free Yule Log by Rhian’s Recipes blog
Instant Pot Rice Pudding With Caramel Sauce* by Little Sunny Kitchen blog
*Rice pudding is a dessert eaten all around the world. Because this recipe is with caramel sauce, the way it is served in France, we will put it here as a French delight!
Bûche de Noel (Yule Log) by Platter Talk blog
Read Santa Claus Around The World: Traditions of Christmas Around The World For Kids
Germany
Apfelstrudel by Barth Bakery blog
Cinnamon Ginger Lebkuchen Bars by The Monday Box blog
German Bee Sting Cake by Barth Bakery blog
German Holiday Bread (Stollen) by Foodal blog
Old German Honey Cookies by Barth Bakery blog
Pfeffernusse German Christmas Cookies by Platter Talk blog
Stollen Wreath by Amy Treasure blog
Hungary
Walnut Crescent Cookies by My Pure Plants blog
India
Chai Spice Apple Cake by Important Enough blog
Indian Date Rolls by The Winged Fork blog
Traditional East Indian Vanilla Cream Recipe by The Winged Fork blog
Italy
Italian Wedding Snowball Cookies by Strength & Sunshine blog
Italian Amaretto Cookies by Pink Fortitude blog
Grain-Free Amaretto Cookies by Strength & Sunshine blog
Grandma’s Italian Butterball Cookies by Wow, It’s Veggie?! blog
Vegan Chocolate Salami No Bake Dessert by Seven Roses blog
Lebanon
Three Ingredient Sesame Seed Crunch Candy by Strength & Sunshine blog
Mexico
Eggnog Flan Recipe by Living Sweet Moments blog
Sweet Tamale Recipe by 24 Bite blog
World Famous Snowball Cookies (also called Mexican wedding cookies) by Little Sweet Baker blog
Norway
Krumkake Recipe by Tikkido blog
Read Traditions of Holidays Around The World For Kids And Families
Poland
Vegan Kolaczki by Veggie Inspired blog
Puerto Rico
Coquito Tres Leches by Kids Are A Trip blog
Scotland
Delicate Shortbread Cookies by At Home With Kathy blog
Sweden
Spiced Rasberry Linzer Cookies by The Spice Train blog
Swedish Saffron Buns by Barth Bakery blog
USA
Sugar Cookie Truffles by Greedy Eats blog
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Fruitcake by Strength & Sunshine blog
Want to learn about Santa Claus Around The World? Get my Santa Claus Around The World Activity Pack for kids! 👇
Buy It Here
Final Thought On 25+ Christmas Desserts From Around The World
Baking is such a big part of Christmas around the world. It is a great time to fill your home with the warmth of traditions, with the smells and flavors of the holidays, and a great activity to involve the kids. Trying one of these delicious Christmas dessert recipes from around the world will be fun and delicious for your family, and a great way to introduce your kids to world cultures and countries around the globe.
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This is a wonderful collection. Thanks so much for putting in the work to assemble all of this.
So many ideas I don’t know what to try first. Thanks!
Thanks for the sharing info with us.
Hi! I love how informative and great your articles are.