Quick & Easy

32 Christmas desserts to end your feast on a high

The perfect ending.
Women's Weekly Christmas desserts

It wouldn’t be the festive season without deliciously sweet treats, especially when they’re gobbled up after a big family lunch of dinner. But it’s not all steamed puddings and fruit mince pies (not that these aren’t delicious).

Here, we’ve pulled together a selection of our best ice-cream cakes, pavlovas, tarts and cookies for you to share with your friends and family. You’ll also find recipes for homemade shortbread, rum balls and white Christmas rocky road, perfect for wrapping up as gifts.

decorating a chocolate yule log

01

Easy Christmas yule log

Easy Christmas yule log

This fuss-free Christmas dessert is the perfect last-minute addition to your festive feast.

02

Honeycomb and hazelnut frozen parfait pudding

Honeycomb and hazelnut frozen parfait pudding

Make dessert the centrepiece this Christmas with our frozen honeycomb and hazelnut parfait pudding.

03

Eggnogg bavarois cake

Eggnogg bavarois cake

This stunning creation is the perfect addition to your Christmas dessert line-up.

tropical meringue pavlova christmas tree

04

Tropical pavlova Christmas tree

Tropical pavlova Christmas tree

Pavlova is a central part to any Christmas celebration in Australia, and you can make it spectacular with this towering tropical meringue tree.

trifle torta

05

Trifle torta

Trifle torta

Layers of booze-soaked sponge, custard, raspberries, jelly and cream come together in this trifle-cake hybrid.

Christmas trifle

06

Rosé and raspberry trifle

Rosé and raspberry trifle

Everyone will love this grown up trifle featuring a light homemade sponge, rosé jelly and fresh raspberries. Sweet, light and delightfully grown up.

07

Christmas coffee wreath cake

Christmas coffee wreath cake

This stunning cake is shaped like a Christmas wreath to make your festivities even more special. Your loved ones will love how it looks, but obsess over how it tastes. The rich coffee mascarpone filling is utterly delicious.

Chocolate cherry BERRY PAVLOVA

08

Chocolate cherry berry pavlova

Chocolate cherry berry pavlova

This decadent chocolate, cherries and mixed berry pavlova is the perfect way to end a dinner party, birthday celebration or date night.

Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

09

Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

Sweeten up the festive season with this decadent chocolate cherry bombe alaska! The perfect dessert to share with family or friends.

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Women’s Weekly Food Choc Cherry Bombe Alaska Recipe

11

Santa Claus Christmas ice-cream cake

Santa Claus Christmas ice-cream cake

This adorable Christmas-themed cake is perfect for festive celebrations. The cream-filled strawberry Santas will be a favourite with the kids, plus the creamy ice-cream filling, of course.

12

Festive caramel nut tart

Festive caramel nut tart

There was usually a tin of condensed milk in the fridge at home when I was growing up and my guilty pleasure was drinking it out of the can!

Frozen Christmas ice-cream cake

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Christmas ice-cream cake

Christmas ice-cream cake

This quick recipe for frozen Christmas ice-cream cake is loaded with fruit, berries and brandy. Make it the night before for a hassle-free Christmas spent with your friends and family.

14

Cheat’s frozen Christmas puddings

Cheat’s frozen Christmas puddings

These deliciously sweet frozen puddings are perfect for a hot Australian Christmas celebration. We’ll show you the quick way to make these impressive desserts with minimal effort.

orange and sweet pea cake

15

Sweet pea, cinnamon and orange cake

Sweet pea, cinnamon and orange cake

Citrus-lovers will adore this sweet pea and orange cake layered with decadent orange buttercream. Indulging in this one is an utter delight.

16

Christmas coffee wreath cake

Christmas coffee wreath cake

This stunning cake is shaped like a Christmas wreath to make your festivities even more special. Your loved ones will love how it looks, but obsess over how it tastes. The rich coffee mascarpone filling is utterly delicious.

White christmas rocky road

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White Christmas rocky road

White Christmas rocky road

Wouldn’t be the festive season without a plate of this!

raspberry panettone

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Panettone with mascarpone and raspberries

Panettone with mascarpone and raspberries

Enjoy this traditional sweet panettone dish, complete with creamy mascarpone and fresh raspberries. A perfect way to end Christmas lunch or dinner.

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Gluten-free Christmas cakes

Gluten-free Christmas cakes

Classic Christmas trifle

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Classic Christmas trifle

Classic Christmas trifle

Imagine this stunning dessert as your centrepiece

honey muscat cake with orange syrup

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Honey muscat cake with orange syrup

Honey muscat cake with orange syrup

Drizzled with orange syrup and topped with Greek yoghurt and fresh grapes, this cake is both delicious and stunning.

chocolate, honey and red berry parfait

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Chocolate, honey and red berry parfait

Chocolate, honey and red berry parfait

Parfait means ‘perfect’ in French and there’s a lot about this chocolate, honey and red berry version that is perfect. For starters, it’s easy to make and doesn’t melt too quickly which means it’s great for entertaining. It also looks amazing.

23

Classic rum balls

Classic rum balls

Sweet and fragrant, these rum-infused treats are rolled in toasted coconut and served up at Christmas time.

Women's Weekly Christmas desserts

24

Coconut and mascarpone cake

Coconut and mascarpone cake

This impressive-looking dessert combines the beautiful creaminess of mascarpone cheese with sweet and tart strawberries and raspberries. This cake is lovely served at Christmas time or for birthday celebrations.

raspberry, yogurt and strawberry terrine with berry and mint salad

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Raspberry, yoghurt and strawberry terrine with berry and mint salad

Refreshing raspberry, yoghurt and strawberry terrine with a sweet berry and fresh mint salad – a show-stopping dessert for your next dinner party!

26

Choc-meringue and turkish delight torte

Heavenly choc- meringue and turkish delight torte, served with sweet raspberries, smooth cream, and crunchy pistachios – so deliciously indulgent!

27

Macadamia and fig Christmas pudding

Macadamia and fig Christmas pudding

The addition of sweet and juicy figs and crunchy Australian macadamia nuts puts a delightful twist on the classic steamed Christmas pudding. Cut yourself a big slice and serve warm with a drizzle of cream.

chocolate drambuie fruit cakes

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Chocolate drambuie fruit cakes

Chocolate drambuie fruit cakes

Drambuie is a whisky-based liqueur infused with honey, spices and herbs. Soaking the fruit in the liqueur adds depth and richness to these divine cakes.

Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

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Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

Chocolate and cherry bombe alaska

Sweeten up the festive season with this decadent chocolate cherry bombe alaska! The perfect dessert to share with family or friends.

fruit cake 'n' eggnog cheesecake

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Fruit cake and eggnog cheesecake

Fruit cake and eggnog cheesecake

With a fruitcake base, creamy cheesecake filling and fruit topping drizzled with toffee, this Christmas dessert is a wonderfully decadent treat.

31

Mango and passionfruit pavlova

Mango and passionfruit pavlova

This iconic Australian dessert is made even more delicious with the addition of fresh tropical fruits. Whip up this gorgeous pavlova for a special occasion, birthday party or Christmas celebration.

chocolate chestnut cake

32

Chocolate chestnut cake

Chocolate chestnut cake

This gorgeous layered cake is the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. It’s the perfect celebratory cake to serve at Christmas time.

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