Holiday Dessertsfrom Around the World
The holidays bring good times with family, tradition, fun, and most of all, food.
Food brings people together and is tied to our cultures, religions, and traditions we hold dear. Maybe there is a favorite dish you like making or look forward to during the holidays. Well, around the world, families and friends have been creating delicious desserts for their own celebrations. What better way to celebrate the holidays than to sit around the table and enjoy sweets together?
Join us this holiday season as we discover what makes each dessert meaningful and delicious.
Six Desserts
Six Continents
Six Celebrations
Ukraine
Europe
Kutia
kut-ya
This sweetened wheat berry dessert is one of the 12 meatless dishes served during a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner. Families would have fasted until Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper), where Kutia is the first meal served. Kutia consists of cooked wheat, sweetened with honey and garnished with walnuts, dried fruits, and seeds. The almond sweetness of poppy seeds, combined with honey and nuts, gives this wheat berry pudding a warm, rich, and full-bodied character.
Grain = eternal life
Poppy seeds = fertility and abundance
Honey = sweet existence
After Christmas Eve dinner, it is customary to leave some kutia for the spirits of deceased ancestors who visit on Christmas night. This is a ritual that combines Ukraine’s pagan and Christian roots. This tradition showcases Ukraine's vibrant cultural heritage and national identity that is still thriving today. This simple dish holds fond memories for Ukrainians who made this dish when they were young. They remember feeling the warmth of connection with family, culture, and God.
Веселого Різдва!
Merry Christmas!
South Africa
Africa
Malva Pudding
MAL-vuh PUD-ing
Although Malva pudding is enjoyed throughout the year, it is especially cherished as a Christmas dessert in South Africa. The country’s cuisine reflects a blend of diverse cultural influences, and this dish beautifully captures that harmony. It holds a special place in South African homes as a symbol of warmth, comfort, and hospitality. For many, it evokes fond memories of family gatherings, laughter, and the joy of sharing food with loved ones.
The pudding has a soft, spongy texture, similar to a marshmallow. Its name, Malvapoeding in Afrikaans, means “marshmallow pudding.” Sweet, rich, and soaked in a buttery caramel sauce, Malva pudding is a timeless favorite that continues to connect generations through flavor and tradition.
Beste wense!
Best Wishes!
Philippines
Asia
Bibingka
bi-BEENG-kah
This traditional Filipino rice cake embodies the distinct flavors and festive spirit of the Philippines. Made with sweet rice flour, coconut milk, and a touch of sugar, it symbolizes togetherness and celebration, allowing families to reconnect with their Filipino heritage. During Christmas, it’s wrapped in banana leaves like a gift brought to the table, often enjoyed after attending Simbang Gabi: the nine-day Night Mass leading up to Christmas.
Bibingka holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos, evoking memories of warmth, faith, and community. Though traditionally cooked in clay pots over hot coals, modern versions have introduced flavors like ube and cheese. Showing how each generation adds its own touch while preserving the essence of this beloved dessert.
Maligayang Pasko!
Merry Christmas!
Australia
Australia/Oceania
Pavlova
PAV-loh-vuh
Pavlova is considered a traditional dessert in both Australia and New Zealand, with each country proudly claiming its origin. Despite the friendly debate, both regard it as a cherished national dish and a symbol of celebration. Light and airy, it’s the perfect dessert for hot summer days, as Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere falls during summertime.
Traditionally, Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert with a crisp outer shell and a soft, marshmallow-like center. It’s topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit such as strawberries, kiwi, or passionfruit, adding a burst of color and flavor. Simple yet elegant, Pavlova continues to bring people together, embodying the festive spirit shared by both nations.
Merry Chrissy
Merry Christmas
Canada
North America
Pouding Chômeur
poo-ding sho-mur
Pouding Chômeur, a classic dessert from Quebec, originated during the Great Depression when families relied on simple, inexpensive ingredients to create something comforting and sweet. Early versions used stale bread or basic staples like butter, brown sugar, milk, and flour. Over time, the recipe evolved, and today it’s made with maple syrup and cream these ingredients reflect Canada’s rich regional traditions.
Rich yet humble, this pudding embodies the spirit of resilience and warmth. It reminds families that even in difficult times, a simple dessert can bring comfort, joy, and togetherness. Pouding Chômeur continues to be a beloved holiday treat across Quebec, connecting generations through the shared sweetness of tradition.
Joyeuses fêtes
Happy Holidays
Peru
South America
Turrón de Doña Pepa
too-ROHN deh DOH-nya PEH-pah
This traditional Peruvian dessert has been passed down through generations for its deep religious and cultural significance. It is most often prepared during Señor de los Milagros, one of Peru’s most important religious festivals. According to legend, an Afro-Peruvian woman who received a miraculous healing from Christ created these buttery cakes as an offering of gratitude to God.
Turrón de Doña Pepa is made from wheat flour, butter, sesame, and cloves, layered with fruit syrup and topped with colorful sprinkles. Sweet, rich, and full of meaning, it symbolizes faith, hope, and celebration. For many Peruvians, this dessert is not only a treat, but also a reminder of life’s blessings and the enduring power of miracles.
¡Feliz Navidad!
Merry Christmas
From the snowy winters of Ukraine to the sunny summers of Australia, each dessert tells a story of family, culture, and tradition.
These sweet treats are more than just food, they are memories passed down through generations.
We hope you’re inspired to create your own memories with these dishes, honoring the culture and history they bring to your table.
And don’t forget to share your own cultural dishes and favorite foods with the people in your life because the holidays are always sweeter when shared!
Links to recipes
