When it comes to festive feasts, Christmas hams tend to get all the glory, but the saying “there’s always room for dessert” never rings more true than it does on Christmas Day.
End the holiday festivities on a high with one of our decadent Christmas dessert recipes. From a towering trifle or a rich Yule log to a fluffy pavlova crowned with bright summer fruit, there are no wrong answers.
If you’re on dessert duty this year and looking for Christmas dessert ideas that will impress even the fussiest relative at the table, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got everything from traditional Christmas favourites – think puddings, mince pies, trifle, fruit cake, Christmas cookies and pavlova wreaths – to show-stopping creations like a theatrical croquembouche for that extra wow factor.
When in doubt, turn to these festive sweets, and you won’t be disappointed.
Here are our best recipes for Christmas desserts.
The best Christmas dessert recipes 2025
Berry and pistachio stacked pavlova
This three-tiered berry and pistachio pavlova is a real showstopper.
Frozen spiced chocolate pavlova
Dark chocolate semifreddo is topped with a cinnamon, clove and nutmeg-spiced pavlova for a show-stopping finish to a meal.
Watermelon-rose pavlova wreath
This wreath-shaped pavlova ramps up the festivity factor. A cream made with a simple drained yoghurt makes a change from the more usual cream topping and cuts through the sweetness of the pav.
Bert’s passionfruit and elderflower pavlova
A heavenly pavlova recipe by Jordan Toft, head chef at Bert’s in Newport, Sydney.
Mango, macadamia and spiced white chocolate pavlova wreath
Inspired by the flavours of Australian summer, this stunning pavlova wreath is the perfect festive centrepiece. Begin this recipe the day before.
Gingerbread stars with buttermilk icing
These gingerbread biscuits will be the stars of your Christmas.
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Dark gingerbread cake with mandarin compote
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for dark gingerbread cake with mandarin compote.
Spiced pumpkin creams with gingerbread crumb
Spiced pumpkin creams with gingerbread crumb recipe – Preheat oven to 180C. Spread pumpkin in a small roasting pan, add 100ml water, cover tightly with foil and roast until very tender (50 minutes to 1 hour).
Cherry and gingerbread bombe Alaska
For dessert with drama.
Chocolate-cherry marquise
Emma Knowles recipe for chocolate-cherry marquise.
Philippa Sibley: White Christmas mendiants
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for white Christmas mendiants by Philippa Sibley.
Black Star Pastry’s strawberry and watermelon cake
The iconic cake from Black Star Pastry with layers of dacquoise, watermelon and rose-scented cream.
Cinnamon-chocolate fruit mince tarts
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas dessert recipe for cinnamon-chocolate fruit mince tarts.
Plum and cherry fruit mince tart
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas dessert recipe for plum and cherry fruit mince tart.
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Burnt-butter fruit mince tartlets
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for burnt butter fruit mince tartlets.
Fruit mince tarts
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas dessert recipe for fruit mince tarts.
Sour cherry and chocolate fruit mince tart
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for sour cherry and chocolate fruit mince tart.
Parrozzo
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Parrozzo
Mince pies
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas recipe for mince pies
Panettone
Australian Gourmet Traveller Italian Christmas dessert recipe for panettone.
Double plum pudding with brown sugar hard sauce
Christmas recipe for double plum pudding with brown sugar hard sauce.
Verbena-scented bread and butter pudding, peaches, raspberries
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for verbena-scented bread and butter pudding, peaches, raspberries by Philippa Sibley.
Philippa Sibley’s panettone bread and butter pudding with poached peaches
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for panettone bread and butter pudding with poached peaches by Philippa Sibley.
Traditional Christmas pudding with Pedro Ximénez and brown sugar and fig ice-cream
Recipe for traditional Christmas pudding with Pedro Ximénez and brown sugar and fig ice-cream.
Corn cake trifle with butterscotch, bananas and toasted meringue
Definitely not traditional, but still just as satisfying.
Peter Gilmore’s quince, pecan and crème caramel trifle with Gretchen’s honey cream
A showstopping dessert from the Quay and Bennelong executive chef.
Mango and coconut trifle
All the tropical flavours you crave in summer, in trifle form.
Warm pear and brandy winter trifle
Why keep all the trifle fun for summertime? This version will keep you warm during the winter months.
Victor Liong’s rose tea and red fruit trifle with vanilla cream and osmanthus
A festive Lunar New Year treat combining Chinese flavours with a classic Aussie dessert.
Peach pavlova trifle with brandy custard
Two favourite desserts combine in this peach and pavlova trifle.
Neil Perry’s mascarpone, peach and Sauternes trifle with almond praline
Light, indulgent and perfectly suited to festive tables — a modern trifle to remember.
Raspberry and peach butterscotch pudding
A summery Australian version of the Christmas classic.
Scottish Eggnog
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Scottish Eggnog.
Panettone, apricot and mascarpone trifle
If you’ve started your Christmas with panettone, you might as well finish your day with it too.
Nectarine, muscat and yoghurt trifle
This bright and summery trifle that’s made for an Australian Christmas.
Nougat and chocolate semifreddo
Need a Christmas dessert that combines the traditional and the modern? This one ticks the boxes.
Black sesame and mango tart
O Tama Carey recipe for black sesame and mango tart.
Dark-chocolate cherry trifle
This dark chocolate trifle is too easy to make, ready in just over 20 minutes. Pitted cherries on top ensure it’s a delight.
Pitta ‘mpigliata
Crisp, chewy, sweet and nutty all in one bite, plus pretty as a rose. It’s no wonder these scrolls appear at both Easter and Christmas.
Flour and Stone’s trifle with madeleines, lemon curd and peaches
Nadine Ingram of Sydney’s Flour and Stone shares her showstopping Christmas dessert.
Pfeffernüsse
These spiced German biscuits are a traditional treat come Christmas, but really, we love them any time of year.
Passionfruit and mango pavlova
This recipe features a crisp, lime-scented meringue topped with layers of tart passionfruit curd. The finishing touch? Summer’s sweetest mangoes, of course.
Frozen bûche de Noël
This hazelnut-semifreddo version of the classic Yule log is here to save your Australian Christmas.
Flour & Stone’s stollen with sour cherries
This recipe makes two loaves of the spiced German fruit bread – keep one for Christmas Day, and give the other as a gift.
How to make trifle
Catherine Adams breaks down the trifle step-by-step, sharing how to create a winning trinity of sponge, fruit and creaminess.
Gingerbread
Our quick and easy recipe for the sweet, spiced biscuit.
Lauren Eldridge’s brown-sugar pavlova with mango, hibiscus, hazelnut and coconut cream
It’s everything you could want in a pav.
A step by step guide to making this cranberry, pistachio and almond nougat
Sweet sticky nougat isn’t difficult to make, but timing is essential to its success.
Lauren Eldridge’s apricot, honey, coffee and macadamia trifle
The Berowra Waters Inn pastry chef is known for her original take on desserts, and this trifle is her latest Christmas-ready offering.
A brief history of eggnog, plus a recipe
This fluffy white libation looks innocent enough, but it can pack a hearty festive punch.
Lauren Eldridge’s brunkager (spiced Danish gingerbread biscuits)
Make a double batch of these biscuits. They’ll disappear in a snap.
Lauren Eldridge’s white chocolate and pistachio profiterole wreath
For a Christmas dessert to remember.
Eggnog ice-pops with milk crumb
The traditional Christmas treat receives a very Australian makeover.
Lauren Eldridge’s eggnog custard tarts
Portuguese tarts meet bourbon-spiked eggnog in this Christmas-ready treat.
Jaclyn Koludrovic’s gluten-free fruit mince crostata
The pastry chef’s dietary-inclusive take on a Christmas treat.
Vincotto berry and amaretto cream trifles
Supersize me: For an impressive festive dessert, simply assemble in a large trifle dish and dress with extra summer berries.
Spiced plum, cherry and coffee trifle with cardamom crumb
Need a Christmas dessert to impress? Look here.
How to make fruit mince tarts
Pâtissière extraordinaire Lorraine Godsmark of Sydney pâtisserie Lorraine’s reveals the secrets to her highly sought-after Christmas tarts.
Panettone
The Italian fruit-studded sweet bread, all wrapped up for Christmas.
Mango macadamia merveilleux with Dulcey cream
This meringue spectacle is sure to be the star at Christmas lunch.
How to build a gingerbread house
Baker? Builder? This Christmas, you can be both.
Eton mess
Whether its creation was a happy accident or divine design, this thoroughly English dessert is heaven in a bowl.
Cardamom-pistachio pavlova with rose cream
As showstopper desserts go, this pavlova takes out the cakes.
How to make semifreddo
The lesser known sibling of gelato makes for a cool and colourful Christmas centrepeice. Plus, it’s easy to prepare ahead.
How to make a Yule log (bûche de Noël)
Roll up this fresh take on a traditional Yule log, with fresh raspberries and pistachios.
Panettone and mango trifle with lemon verbena and verjuice jelly
Christmas calls for a trifle. And this panettone and mango trifle, topped with torched meringue, is just the ticket.
Champagne and peach jelly with crème fraîche panna cotta
This dessert will definitely wow a crowd.
Gingerbread cake with yoghurt, dates and burnt-orange caramel
Sugar and spice make this layer cake an impressive festive dessert.
Philippa Sibley: Christmas biscuits
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Philippa Sibley’s Christmas biscuits.
Caribbean Christmas cake
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Caribbean Christmas cake
Ma Harvey’s Christmas cake
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Ma Harvey’s Christmas cake
Classic boiled Christmas pudding
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for classic boiled Christmas pudding.
Christmas pudding ice-cream
Pudding and ice-cream in one. Could this be the best dessert ever?
Rodney Dunn’s Christmas pudding
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas recipe for Christmas pudding
Golden peach Christmas cakes
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for golden peach Christmas cakes.
Frozen Christmas pudding
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for frozen Christmas pudding.
Adriano Zumbo: Gingerbread Christmas trees
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas dessert recipe for gingerbread Christmas trees by Adriano Zumbo.
Adriano Zumbo: Gianduja Christmas crackers
Australian Gourmet Traveller Christmas dessert recipe for gianduja Christmas crackers by Adriano Zumbo.
Christmas pudding semifreddo
If there’s a better way to use up leftover Christmas pudding, we’ve yet to find it.
Rich Christmas pudding with muscat custard
A traditional pudding, rich with dark fruit and spiked with muscat.
What are traditional Christmas desserts?
When we think of Christmas desserts, our minds usually jump to festive sweets like: Christmas puddings, mince pies and tarts, fruit cake, pavlovas and gingerbread. But straying from traditional is always welcome on Christmas Day. A Christmas pudding-inspired semifredo goes down a treat, as does Black Star Pastry’s famed watermelon cake.
What are some Christmas desserts in Australia?
Every Christmas table looks different, but we think a fluffy pavlova crowned with jewel-bright summer fruits is always a winner. Otherwise, a classic fruit cake, mince tart or Christmas pudding round out your usual suspects.
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