Today we are going to talk about Christmas sweets and cakes in different countries. What sweets are eaten in other countries as Christmas approaches? Join us on a sugary journey around the world!
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Fifteen types of Christmas sweets and cakes in different countries
Here we present fifteen sweets from different countries, all associated with Christmas. Some we have tried ourselves during our travels. Others we have yet to try. Please tell us in the comments section about Christmas sweets and cakes from different countries that you know of!
1. Spain: Turrón
Turrón is a traditional nougat eaten in Spain around Christmas. The treat, which can be varied in many different ways, can also be found in other Spanish-speaking countries and in Italy.
2. The United Kingdom: Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is a traditional pastry often eaten on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries associated with the British Commonwealth. The pudding usually uses dried fruit, raisins and nuts.
3. France: Christmas log
In France, and other French-speaking countries, the pastry 'Bûche de Noël' (Christmas log) is popular at Christmas. The pastry is made from a sugar cookie batter that is cooked like a rolled cake. The final result resembles a stump and is often decorated with icing sugar to resemble snow.
4. Germany: Christmas stollen
Stollen or Christstollen is a German Christmas cake made from a buttery dough and filled with almonds, nuts and dried fruit. The cake is shaped into a loaf and is often flavoured with raisins, rum, lemon zest, vanilla and cardamom.
5. Germany: Gingerbread
Lebkuchen is a German version of gingerbread that was originally made in German monasteries in the Middle Ages. The most famous ones came from Nuremberg, and today there is still the largest shop in Nuremberg where you can buy the signature cake 'Nuremberg Lebkuchen'. The cake is baked with hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, allspice, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom.
6. Finland: Joulutorttu
Joulutorttu (Christmas cake or poinsettia) is a Finnish puff pastry usually filled with plum jam. The cake is baked by making four cuts from the corners towards the centre of a square puff pastry sheet. Jam is clicked into the centre and the four corners of the dough are turned in towards the centre so that the pastry is shaped like a star.
7. Croatia: Fritule
Fritule is a round small Croatian pastry resembling small donuts. They are mainly baked on the coast and are especially eaten at Christmas and other holidays. You can often buy them at markets, where they are extremely popular.
8. New Zealand: Pavlova
Pavlova is a cake-like dessert made in both New Zealand and Australia. The cake consists of a meringue base and is topped with whipped cream and various fruits and berries. This pastry is not only eaten at Christmas, but is also popular at this time of year.
9. Hungary: Beigli
Beigli is a Hungarian roll cake filled with walnuts, poppy seeds or chestnut paste in sweet yeast bread. It is very popular, especially during holidays such as Christmas and Easter.
10. Hungary: Kürtöskalács
Kürtőskalács (Chimney cake) is made from sweet dough wrapped around a cone-shaped baking skewer and rolled in granulated sugar. The twist is roasted over hot coals and in the process the sugar caramelises and forms a shiny, crispy crust. This pastry is not only eaten at Christmas, but can be found at all Hungarian Christmas markets.
11. The Netherlands: Speculaas
Speculaas is a cookie that comes from Belgium, the Netherlands and western Germany. The cookies are similar to Swedish gingerbread and contain cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom and white pepper. This pastry is associated with Christmas and the celebration of Sinterklaas on 6 December, but can also be eaten at other times of the year.
12. Italy: Panettone
Panettone is an Italian Christmas cake, mainly found in Milan. The dough consists of sourdough, yeast, water, flour, sugar, butter and eggs. The filling varies, but can include candied orange, lemon peel and raisins.
13. USA: Polka dots
In the US, candy canes are often associated with Christmas. The classic candy canes are red and white, and flavoured with peppermint.
14. Denmark: Vanilla wafers
In Denmark, vanilla wreaths, a classic cake made with roasted almonds and real vanilla beans, are popular at Christmas.
15. Poland: Pierniczki świąteczne
Gingerbread is popular in Poland, and at Christmas, people like to eat Pierniczki świąteczne, Christmas gingerbread.
Christmas sweets and cakes in different countries - what are your experiences?
What are your experiences with Christmas sweets and cakes in different countries? What have you tried? Do you have any favourites?
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English (UK) 
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Polski
Only British says:
Belgium also makes speculoos with fewer spices than speculaas, not just for Christmas. Popular with coffee in restaurants and now marketed under the name of a manufacturer, Lotus, in Sweden with cream and stuff.
The UK also makes rolled cake, probably inspired by the French but called Yule Log. Otherwise, the big thing there is actually Mince pies which have nothing to do with minced meat but the small pies are filled with "mincemeat" of raisins and other things and spices. In Scotland and among those who do not like Plum pudding, Dundee cake with almonds is popular.
In Denmark they also eat æbleskiver, which do not have apples in them but may resemble them slightly. Round dough balls similar to Dutch "poffertjes" and served with jam and icing sugar at every market.
07 December 2022 - 10:14
Helena says:
Great to have more info and tips! I read about Yule Log and æbleskiver while researching for this article. Some other things were completely new to me. I think it's fun to have traditions like this!
08 December 2022 - 9:34
BP says:
Even though I am not a sweetie, I recognise all the goodies and have even tasted them. Except for Pavlova and the Hungarian pastries.
07 December 2022 - 17:35
Yossu says:
My mum always used to make poinsettias when there were a few more of us to help eat them.
I usually keep an eye on the city's annual Christmas market to see if the Finnish Association sells poinsettias and buy a few from there.
Otherwise, I have little more experience with Christmas sweets from other countries.
08 December 2022 - 20:17
Helena says:
Great to hear! I have never tasted the Finnish poinsettias, but they both look and sound good when described! 🙂
10 December 2022 - 11:47
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:
Turron in all its different flavours is delicious.
Christmas pudding, not bad either.
I also like Buche de Noel.
Stollen, yummy. I have always baked stollen before, but now I buy it from Lidl, delicious.
Lebkuchen is also part of Christmas and is also available at Lidl.
Speculaas are also good, but are more difficult to find in Sweden. I associate them with 6 December.
Pavlova I knew was not a Christmas treat, common dessert in UK.
Fun with different cakes from different countries.
Happy Advent weekend!
10 December 2022 - 11:01
Helena says:
Great to hear your experiences! Also interesting to hear that several of these pastries are available at Lidl! When it comes to Pavlova you are probably right. I think it can be eaten at any time of the year, but it also seems to be eaten during Christmas as I understand it.
10 December 2022 - 11:49