Traditional New Year’s desserts in different countries: from croissants to stollen

Christmas of sweets: what desserts are popular around the world on the most anticipated holiday of the year

It won’t be long before the first festive lights will be on in the streets, the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla will be wafting from the kitchens, and the air will be filled with the unique flavor of winter holidays. It is at this time that housewives in every country of the world begin preparing to make traditional New Year’s sweets. Some people make flavorful stolen bread, others light, crispy croissants, and others delicate almond nougat.

Let’s find out what people around the world enjoy for Christmas. Get ready, because it’s going to be hot, sweet and, frankly, unrealistically delicious.

Germany: Stollen is the king of Christmas desserts

Let’s start with a country where Christmas baking has a long tradition.

The legendary German stollen (Stollen or Christstollen) is a classic that Germans cannot imagine Christmas without. It is a flavorful cake with nuts, dried fruits and lots of butter. This dessert begins to be prepared in early December so that it has time to “ripen” for the holiday. The pastry, covered with a generous layer of powdered sugar, not only tastes good, but also symbolizes the diapers of the baby Jesus.

There are many traditions associated with shtolen. For example, an almond nut is often hidden in the pie. Whoever finds it will be lucky in the new year. And in Dresden, a festival is held annually in honor of the advent.

France – croissants, of course, but with a twist!

Of course, France would not be France without its croissants. Although the New Year’s table here can be very diverse, one thing remains the same – a crispy puff pastry croissant with an incredible butter flavor.

However, for Christmas, the French prefer something more sophisticated – bûche de Noël. This is a festive chocolate roll in the shape of a log.

By the way, the Chocolate Blues cake from TM Nasoloda resembles the famous bûche de Noel. So, if you want to add a touch of French charm to your Christmas table, our confectionery will take your order.

Italy – there are no holidays without panettone

Let’s move on to sunny Italy, where the king of the Christmas table is the panettone, a tall, airy sponge cake with candied citrus fruits and raisins. Legend has it that this sweet bread was created by a baker in love who wanted to impress his beloved.

Why is panettone so special? The secret is in its recipe, which requires not only love but also patience. The dough ferments for almost a day to become airy and tender.

Portugal: Rabanada – sweet toast with honey

Португальський святковий стіл не обходиться без рабанади (порт. rabanada) — різдвяної версії French croutons. One of the variations of robinada is also considered a traditional Christmas pastry in Brazil.

This dessert is quite simple:

1. First, stale bread is soaked in milk and eggs.
2. Then it is fried in 83% butter.
3. At the end, it is generously sprinkled with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Sometimes rabanadas are drizzled with honey or wine, which gives them a rich flavor and makes them an ideal dessert for winter holidays.

Spain – Turrón, a sweet caramel masterpiece

In the south of Europe, in Spain, Turrón (Italian: torrone) is a dessert made from honey/sugar, egg white and almonds. Turrón can be soft or hard. It can also be topped with chocolate, fruit, coconut, etc. depending on the preferences of the hostess. The Spaniards love this delicacy, and it is a must-have attribute of holiday tables. Interestingly, the dish dates back to the times of Arab influence on Spain.

Great Britain is a Christmas pudding. Sweet, but… for a lover

Yes, pudding! You either love it or hate it. This rich pastry with a dense texture is filled with dried fruits, an incredible amount of spices and alcohol, namely brandy.

Usually, the pudding is prepared in advance to make its taste deep and rich. It is also served with flambe, which is set on fire to create a special magic on the festive table.

Japan – New Year’s sweets with attention to detail

What about Japan? Although the New Year is not accompanied by traditional Western desserts, the Japanese have their own special sweets. In the West, they are known as mochi, moti, or omochi. These are small rice cakes that are steamed. The Japanese believe that mochi brings good luck and longevity, so they are always eaten on New Year’s Eve.