7 Iconic Sweets That Any Christmas Dinner Table Is Incomplete Without

Planning an elaborate feast this Christmas? Make sure to include these time-tested sweet treats that are iconic to every holiday season. These snacks not only taste great but also include ingredients that are comforting against the winter chills. From globally enjoyed dishes like puddings and cookies to their Indian variations, here are all the best-known delicacies made for Christmas.

Figgy Pudding

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, now bring us the figgy pudding!" This delicious, moist delicacy originated in the United Kingdom and is a favourite festive dish in the British royal family. It is filled with dry fruits and nuts that are soaked in rum or wine for a long period, giving it a rich, tart flavour.

Plum Cake

Plum cake is somewhat of a variation of the figgy pudding, filled with sharp-tasting fruits and nuts. In some parts of India, a similar dish called Allahabadi cake is adapted to the desi palate with ingredients like petha (ash gourd), ghee, saunf (fennel), kewra (screwpine) and gulkand (rose petal marmalade).

Rum Balls

Rum balls are irresistible, boozy cake pops (for grownups) made of crushed cake or cookies, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, sprinkles, and of course, rum. They are simple, no-fuss treats that are easy to put together (and eat!), making them the perfect option for your next dinner party or potluck. 

Rose Cookies

Rose cookies, also known as achappam, achu murukku, or rosettes among other names, are must-have Christmas treats in many regions of India. These deep-friend snacks shaped like flowers are a balance between sweet and savoury, making them binge-worthy and easy on the palate. 

Kulkuls

Kulkuls, or kidyo, are mildly sweet cookie-like snacks that are a favourite in every Kuswar (traditional Christmas snacks) in India's Goa and coastal Karnataka. These treats are made of flour, milk and sometimes eggs, and shaped into the form of small shells and fried in ghee or oil. They are sometimes sprinkled with icing sugar.

Sugar Cookies

You know Christmas is around the corner when social media is filled with cookie-decorating videos! Sugar cookies are another iconic treat that includes a simple biscuit coated with royal icing. Not only do they make for a delicious snack but they're also a creative canvas for playful, vibrant designs. 

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a sweet-and-spicy cookie shaped into festive figures such as houses or gingerbread men. The flavour has an aromatic bite that's both slightly tangy and sweet. It is often decorated with icing or candies, making it a fun and creative holiday treat.