Fed up of Christmas pudding? Try these festive alternatives
- Dec 12, 2017
- 2 min read
We all know that feeling. Christmas day is approaching and it’s time to do some meal planning. Main course is easy; who doesn’t love a good roast dinner with all the trimmings? But then it comes to deciding on dessert, and a mutter of ‘Christmas pudding, surely’ is met with a collective groan. Who actually likes Christmas pudding?! Yes, it’s traditional, but that’s no reason to stick with it. There are plenty of festive alternatives out there that make equally worthy table centerpieces. Time to get creative and change it up a bit!
Yule Log or Bûche de Noël
This festive dessert originated in France, and is essentially a roulade decorated to resemble a log. The basic recipe calls for a genoise sponge (chocolate or vanilla flavoured) to be filled with whipped cream or icing, rolled into a cylinder and covered with icing. These days, there are many variations on this Christmas favourite: take a look at these recipes for gingerbread bûche de Noël and salted caramel yule log for a truly spectacular festive centerpiece.
Decadent Sticky Toffee Pudding
So you’re looking for something Christmas-pudding shaped that isn’t Christmas pudding? Look no further. Indulgent and warming, what’s not to love? This version is infused with chai and drizzled in toffee and brandy sauce for a truly special dessert. Maybe not one for when you’ve had a few too many roast potatoes with your turkey.
Ice Cream Bombe
Some people may call you crazy for eating ice cream in winter. Those people are wrong: an ice cream bombe is the perfect palate-cleansing dessert for when you’re looking for something slightly lighter but no less spectacular. Opt for a festive and fruity version with panettone and pistachios, or the classic combination of caramel and chocolate in this millionaire’s ice cream bombe.
Festive Cheesecake
The perfect compromise when you have a war between the Christmas-pudding-lovers and Christmas-pudding-haters in the house. Start peace negotiations by offering this Christmas pudding cheesecake: dried fruits and festive spice combine with a creamy filling and crunchy ginger base that will pacify even the most heated of household arguments.
Christmas Pavlova
Another option for when you’ve overdone the Yorkshire puds, pavlova is deliciously light and equally stunning. Pipe your meringue into a wreath shape if you’re feeling extra festive, and decorate with berries and sprigs of holly.
Fancy a year off from making the dessert? We’ve got you covered. Our favourite alternative desserts this year include this chocolate, miso and salted caramel tart, Bailey’s chai spice cake and this gorgeous dark chocolate ganache and blackberry cake decorated with macarons.
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