Christmas Magic In Every Bite: 12 Traditional Treats And Recipes To Impress Your Friends And Family

Christmas Magic in Every Bite: 12 Traditional Treats and Recipes to Impress Your Friends and Family

Christmas magic in every bite, the aroma of sweet spices, the twinkling of lights, and the warmth of loved ones gathering together – Christmas is a time for magic, and what better way to spread that magic than through the universal language of food? This holiday season, why not impress your friends and family with a selection of traditional Christmas treats from around the world?

Traditional Treats From Around The World

1.Almond Antlers Biscuits (Mandelhörnchen)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch of salt
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, confectioners’ sugar, and salt.
Whisk together butter, egg, and almond extract in a large bowl.
Gradually add the dry and wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

2. Panettone Italian Christmas Sweet Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup warm milk
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup candied fruit, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe:

In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and yeast mixture.
Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Punch down the dough and add raisins, candied fruit, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
Place the dough in a greased and floured panettone mould or a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Bake for 40-50 minutes until golden brown.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Biscuits)

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup olive oil
1 cup honey
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons brandy or cognac (optional)
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, sugar, eggs, and brandy (if using).
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes.
Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

4. Christmas Pavlovas Wreath

Ingredients:

3 large egg whites
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
Fresh fruit, for topping

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until well combined.
Add the softened butter and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
Spoon the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a circular shape.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours until crisp and dry.

5. Jamaican Black Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup dried fruit (currants, raisins, cranberries)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark rum
1 cup red wine

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
In a large bowl, combine dried fruit, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and spices.
In a separate bowl, whisk together butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
Stir in rum and red wine.
Pour the mixture into a greased and floured 10-inch (25cm) tube pan.
Bake for 2 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

6. Povitica Bread Recipe (with Walnut Cinnamon Swirl)

Ingredients:

1 cup warm milk
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add melted butter, sugar, flour, and salt to the bowl. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes.
Roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
Spread the walnut and cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough.
Roll the dough into a tight log and place it in a greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Bolo Rei (Portuguese Christmas Kings Cake)

Ingredients:

1 cup warm milk
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts)
1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries or cherries)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add melted butter, sugar, flour, and salt to the bowl. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 10 minutes.
Roll out the dough into a large circle.
Place the chopped nuts and dried fruit in the centre of the dough.
Fold the dough over the filling and shape it into a ring.
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

8. Ghraybeh Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups semolina flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup rose water
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
In a large bowl, whisk together semolina flour, sugar, and baking powder.
Add softened butter and rose water to the bowl. Mix until a dough forms.
Beat in the egg until well combined.
Roll out the dough into small balls.
Flatten each ball into a disk shape.
Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

9. Butter Tarts

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and sugar.
Add cold butter to the bowl and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the mixture into a 9-inch (23cm) tart pan with a removable bottom.
Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden.
In a separate bowl, whisk together corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Stir in chopped nuts

Scandinavian Delights

10. Peppermint Christmas Truffles

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup crushed candy canes (optional)

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, peppermint extract, and salt. Beat until smooth.
Fold the whipped cream into the butter mixture until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form the mixture into balls.
Roll each ball between your hands to shape it into smooth spheres.
Place the crushed candy canes (if using) on a plate or tray. Roll each truffle in the crushed candy canes to coat.
Place the truffles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Serve chilled.

11. Risalamande (Danish Christmas Rice Pudding)

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked white rice
3 cups whole milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup cherry preserves or jam

Instructions:

Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the milk is hot but not boiling.
Add the rice to the milk mixture and stir to combine.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped almonds.
Transfer the rice pudding to a serving dish or individual cups. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Serve the rice pudding chilled, topped with a spoonful of cherry preserves or jam.

North American Favorites

12. Creamy Frozen Cranberry Salad Bites

Ingredients: