If you're looking for alternative Christmas dessert ideas, then check out these fabulous show stopping dessert recipes. There's sure to be something for everyone!
Although I'm a huge fan of Christmas Puddings, I'm completely aware that they aren't to everybody's liking and that includes some of the members of my family too. So as Christmas is a time for indulgence I always like to serve a choice of desserts. That way everyone is happy and that's the main thing.
So, with that in mind, I have gathered together some amazing alternatives to the traditional Christmas Pudding courtesy of some top food bloggers to share with you.
There is sure to be something for everyone in this collection now the only difficulty may lie in narrowing it down to just one or two!
Trifle
I'm kicking off this round-up with a selection of trifles to choose from. Trifle on Christmas day is a must in our household. I can not remember a Christmas without one from the jelly and blancmange based trifles of my childhood to the more sophisticated concoctions I serve today they probably remain my all time favourite dessert.
Meringue Desserts
Desserts made of meringue fruit and cream are also very popular with my family. They are just pure indulgence so are just perfect for a Christmas day offering. There is plenty of variety to choose from. Crisp layered meringue desserts to pavlova with its delicious chewy meringue or perhaps warm meringue contrasting with cold ice cream The choice is yours.
Chocolate Desserts
Then again chocolate almost goes as hand in hand with Christmas as it does at Easter. Tarts are great to make ahead. Or maybe the Christmas pudding shape Chocolate bombe (ice cream cake) will peak your fancy this year.
Festive Cheesecakes
And who can resist a cheesecake, these have a lovely festive feel to the flavours and style.
Cake for Dessert
Or maybe cake is more your thing. These cakes are so decadent they feel more like a dessert but if you can't find space after Christmas dinner you can of course serve them later with a cuppa by the fire.
Light Desserts
For those who want something much lighter after the usually massive main course then these lighter fruit desserts may be just what you are looking for.
Christmas puddings and alternative ways to serve it
Then again if it is not Christmas without Christmas pudding how about one of these.
For those who like to serve a traditional pudding, this traditional Christmas pudding recipe is the one I have been using for years. Or for something a little lighter you may like to try this Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding recipe which is a modern twist on the traditional Christmas pud!
What will you be having for dessert over the festive period?
Helen - Cooking with my kids says
I'm not a huge fan of Christmas pudding so this is a great list of alternative Christmas desserts - there's loads to choose from.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
If you remember do pop back and let me know which ones you tried.
Cat | Curly’s Cooking says
I like Christmas pudding but I would definitely prefer having most of these as a real treat. So much deliciousness!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I love Christmas pud too but we always have a choice of desserts, after all, it is Christmas that and I'm a bit of a pig when it comes to dessert 😉
Denise Browning says
Thank you for including my hot chocolate trifle among these amazing holiday desserts. All of them look so delicious and festive that would be hard to pick only one. Merry Christmas!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Yes indeed it is very hard to decide which to make from such a lovely selection and I certainly have my eye on your delicious trifle (I love trifle!) I have a feeling it will go down very well.
Michelle Rolfe says
So many to choose from! I’ve marked a few to make over the holidays. Thanks for including our trifle and pavlova!☺️ Merry Christmas! Michelle x
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
Some great recipes here Angie!! I particularly love the Chocolate tart with cranberries ,orange and pistachios! Will have to check a couple of these!
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Ooh desn't that tart look epic! And so incredibly easy to do too 🙂
Angela x
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
Dessert is the best thing about Christmas Dinner..... I always look forward to it! There are so many choices here though..... where to start?? x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Hahha, I'm glad it's not just me Johanna who really looks forward to dessert!
Angela x
Monika Dabrowski says
So many amazing dessert ideas in one place, if they were all on a table in front of me I really wouldn't know which one to try. Thank you for bringing this delicious collection to #CookBlogShare:)
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
I know just what you mean Monika - they really do look very tempting 🙂
Angela x
Donna Dundas says
I can't stand christmas pudding, so i'm always looking for different ideas. Pinning this, thanks! #CookBlogShare
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
You're more than welcome Donna, I hope you've seen a few ideas which work for you and your family 🙂
Angela x
Eb Gargano says
What an amazing roundup - and such a great idea! I am very much a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas...it't got to be Christmas pudding for me! But I have a hard time persuading the rest of my family...who would all much prefer my chocolate tart - thanks so much for including it 🙂 I like the look of a lot of these, but I think my favourite has to be Bintu's amazing Orange Bundt Cake! Just WOW...and did someone say whisky?? 😉 Eb x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
I completely agree Eb, it has to be Christmas Pudding for me too - but there's so many people which don't share our love of it so I thought it be great to pull a lot of alternatives together.... this all said you're family definitely have a point about Chocolate Tart! I mean how shiny is that ganache! Gorgeous! Hahaha, doesn't Bintu's bundt cake just look AND sound amazing!
Angela x
Lucy says
Wow what an amazing roundup of Christmas desserts! I think I’ll have to give Jacqui’s christmas pudding ice cream a go, it sounds perfect. And then try the rest of them too! Thanks for including my pavlova.
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Hahaha, I like your thoughts there Lucy 🙂 You're welcome, it looks so gorgeously festive with the colours of the fruit.
Angela x
Lucy Parissi says
Thanks for including my cake - there's so many fantastic ideas here! Must get baking and baking some more!
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
You're welcome Lucy, your cake is an absolute stunner! Haha, yes...and a bit more baking too 🙂
Angela x
Camilla Hawkins says
Loving all this alternative festive inspiration! Thanks for including my recipe:-)
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
I love the sound of your Danish recipe Camilla - I'm a huge fan of rice pudding
Angela x
Recipes From A Pantry says
OMG the Christmas layer cake is so so stunning - I need a slice or two.
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Isn't it just Mabintu - it has Christmas written all over it with those colours 🙂
Angela x
Corina Blum says
Such fantastic ideas and so much to choose from! I'm really looking forward to having a look at some of these and am beginning to crave trifle which I haven't had for years! Thanks so much for including my apple carpaccio x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
There really is so many ideas isn't there! I love the idea of your Carpaccio - Christmas Dinner can be so filling so a simple byt effective fruit platter is a great idea 🙂
Angela x
Helen - family-friends-food says
What a selection! YUM ?
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Yum indeed!
helen says
thank you for including my cheesecake Angela. There are some fab alternatives here - my family usually insist on Christmas pud though, as long as it's got custard with it!
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
You're more than welcome, your cheesecake sounds seriously amazing!
We were the same Helen, it always had to be Christmas Pudding when we were young, with custard like you say! But since getting married we've had different things for Christmas dessert cos hubby claims he doesn't like it (though he cleared off the portion of homemade Xmas pud pretty swiftly the other day!)
Angela x
REBECCA SMITH - Glutarama says
Cor blimey! Where to start that's the problem, such a delicious array of festive goodies. Thankyou for featuring my salted caramel tart too xxx
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
I know - so much choice isn't there! You're more than welcome Rebecca your tart would be a great crowd pleaser 🙂
Angela x