Let’s be real, Christmas desserts aren’t always the showstopping finale to a marvellous festive spread that we’re so often promised.
The issue lies in the traditional nature of many Yuletide puds. Those with truly sweet teeth who eagerly await the arrival of a sugary treat at the end of the Christmas meal with bellies already filled to the brim (everyone knows that there’s a secret second stomach for dessert) are forced to grin and bear the arrival of a flaming, traditional Christmas pudding – or worse, a classic trifle.
We’re not judging anyone partial to the rather regal, raspberry-topped fancy, but here at ES Best we wholeheartedly believe that any Christmas dessert involving jelly should be left in the 1950s. That goes for Panna Cotta too. While spherical, spiced and fruity cakes soaked in brandy and set alight are certainly a sight to behold, we believe that anyone who claims to enjoy their inherently bitter flavour is lying – especially those who cover their sliver with dollops of custard or cream.
Luckily for us, there’s a marvellous myriad of classic Christmas desserts which have been adapted to modern sensibilities and tastes. Just because certain puddings are traditional, doesn’t mean you have to make or purchase them every year. Trust us, adults and little ones alike will be thanking you.
Instead of a jelly trifle, consider a sponge cake which embodies similar flavours without the old-fashioned texture. Rather than opting for an incredibly bitter figgy pudding, try a Belgian chocolate-infused option instead. Better yet, go for Christmas-themed classics like red velvet cupcakes, brownies, cookies and more.
The choices for made-to-order festive goodies are endless, so we’ve curated a selection of the best for your consideration below. Treat yourself to time-honoured classics with extra-sweet twists and save yourself the baking palaver this year.
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Asda Extra Special Raspberry Pistachio & Passion Fruit Pavlova Wreath 438g
Following a hearty festive feast, a light and fluffy meringue topped with fresh fruit never goes amiss. This brilliant option from Asda’s Extra Special range is complete with sweet and tangy passion fruit juice for added flavour. Suitable for freezing, you can keep this delicious wreath stored away for weeks in the run-up to the festive season for one less dish to worry about closer to the big day.
Buy now £7.00, Asda
Fortnum & Mason Christmas Teacakes
Beautifully festive and perfect with a cup of tea at the tail-end of Christmas celebrations, each of these delicious Fortnum’s teacakes is shaped like lovely baubles. The moreish creations include two red-themed milk chocolate shells which house a fluffy coconut marshmallow and white chocolate ganache. The green-tinted baubles have a spiced gingerbread caramel centre, spiced marshmallow and a milk chocolate shell. It’s most definitely time for tea.
Buy now £17.95, Fortnum & Mason
The Exploding Bakery Christmas Amaretti Letterbox Brownie
Though this mouth-watering letterbox brownie makes a brilliant gift, we’ll be ordering it for ourselves repeatedly throughout the festive season. Made by hand in Devon and yet still remarkably fresh by the time it landed on our doorstep in London, this limited-edition brownie has a fudgy gluten-free base topped with crunchy amaretti biscuits, a white chocolate drizzle and a scattering of pistachio nuts.
Buy now £14.95, The Exploding Bakery
Waitrose Christmas Cinnamon Bunettone
A delectable hybrid between a panettone and a cinnamon bun, this soft and airy cake comes with a sachet of cinnamon and cassia sugar for sprinkling before serving. It features pockets of sweet mascarpone sauce for a sticky and sweet twist. Say goodbye to stale, dry and fruity panettone for good.
Buy now £6.40, Waitrose
Sleigh Ride Colin the Caterpillar
We all know what a Colin the Caterpillar cake tastes like – a classic chocolate sponge with a swirl of decadent icing in the centre. As far as Christmas centrepieces are concerned, we don’t think it gets much better than Christmas Colin aboard his very own sleigh.
Buy now £15.00, M&S
Lola’s The Elf Collection: Mini Cupcake Box
The great thing about Lola’s cupcakes is that you can be sure they’ll not only look the part come Christmas day but taste delicious too. We find the selection of mini cupcakes is more than enough to treat a party of rather full guests to something sweet at the end of a jam-packed meal.
Buy now £25.80, Lola’s
Cutter & Squidge Christmas Trifle Cake
Though we’re not fans of traditional trifles here at ES Best, this showstopping trifle cake by Cutter & Squidge is a seasonal must-have. It’s rather akin to a posh Victoria sponge, with its airy layers of soft vanilla sponge cake raspberry buttercream and jam, cream cheese custard and crisp white chocolate pearls. A two-in-one dessert, it’s also surrounded by swirling slices of Yule log for some added wow factor.
Buy now £68.99, Cutter & Squidge
Crosta & Mollica Tiramisu Twin Pack
You needn't slave away in the kitchen, nor spend a fortune on made-to-order desserts in order to impress your dinner party guests. Instead, lean on Crosta & Mollica and this tasty tiramisu.
Buy now £4.50, Ocado
Belgian Chocolate Profiterole Stack (30 pieces)
Whether served with a hot chocolate sauce or as they come, profiteroles are a fan-favourite snackable dessert to be enjoyed over the holiday season and beyond. Sainsbury’s is offering a whopping 30 perfectly puffy profiteroles filled with sweetened cream and topped with Belgian chocolate sauce for just £9 this winter.
Buy now £9.50, Sainsbury’s
Tesco Finest Black Forest Christmas Puddings
The perfect Christmas pudding for those who can’t stand the bitter flavours of a traditional option, Tesco’s Finest Black Forest pud is filled to the brim with Belgian chocolate chunks. It’s also made with vine-ripened fruits, glace cherries and almonds which have been coated in a golden syrup sauce. All of the heritage, none of the dusty old taste.
Buy now £12.00, Tesco
Chocolate Torte
Nothing beats a chocolate hit. This vegan chocolate torte is the ultimate palette cleanser after a deliciously salty roast. The dessert combines a crunchy biscuit base with a rich, silky-smooth dark Belgian chocolate ganache and is hand-decorated with shards of dark chocolate. Sugar rush pending.
Buy now £15.00, M&S
Biscuiteers DIY Gingerbread House Kit
The priciest gingerbread option in our list comes from cult bakery brand Biscuiteers. Presented in the company’s signature biscuit tin, a peek inside will reveal perfectly baked house pieces, icing mix, red festive food colouring sprinkles and sugar pearls to take your creation to new heights. For best results, decorate the biscuit pieces flat on a table before you begin construction work.
Buy now £38.00, Biscuiteers
