Ah, Christmas in Australia… where the sun shines bright, the seafood is fresh, and dessert tables are stacked with sweet, colourful creations. While the Northern Hemisphere tucks into steaming puddings by the fire, we Aussies are often enjoying chilled treats under the shade of a verandah. But whether it’s cool and fruity or rich and spiced, our Christmas desserts have one thing in common: they bring people together.
Let’s explore some of the most delicious, traditional, and downright irresistible desserts that make an Australian Christmas special. From tropical twists to timeless classics, take a festive trip through the flavours of Christmas.
Flavours of Christmas
In Australia, Christmas flavours are a beautiful blend of European tradition and summer freshness. Many of our holiday recipes were inspired by British and European settlers, bringing with them recipes for puddings, gingerbread, and fruit cakes. Over time, we’ve adapted these to suit our sunny climate, adding tropical fruits like mango, passionfruit, and berries, or swapping hot custard for chilled cream.
Juicy summer stone fruits, fluffy meringue, rich chocolate, fragrant spices, and the satisfying crunch of a biscuit base all make up the classic taste of Christmas in Oz. It’s a season where cold desserts often take centre stage, but heritage favourites still hold their place at the table.
The Best Christmas Australian Desserts
Christmas Pudding
A nod to our British roots, Christmas pudding – also called plum pudding – is rich, dense, and deeply flavoured with dried fruits, citrus zest, warm spices, and often a splash of brandy. Traditionally, it’s steamed for hours and served with brandy butter or custard.
While it might seem more suited to a winter Christmas, many Aussie families still enjoy it as a nostalgic tradition. For a local twist, some swap out traditional currants and raisins for native fruits like Davidson plums or macadamias.
Key ingredients: dried fruits, suet or butter, brown sugar, breadcrumbs, eggs, flour, brandy, mixed spice.
Mango Pavlova
Few desserts scream “Aussie summer” like a pavlova. Named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (though Aussies and Kiwis still debate who invented it), this meringue-based dessert is crisp on the outside, soft and marshmallowy inside, and topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
At Christmas, mango is the star – its golden sweetness pairs beautifully with passionfruit pulp and berries, making it the ultimate festive centrepiece.
Key ingredients: egg whites, caster sugar, vinegar, cornflour, cream, mango, passionfruit, berries.
White Christmas
This no-bake slice became popular in the 20th century and remains a beloved retro treat. Traditionally made with copha (vegetable shortening), Rice Bubbles, desiccated coconut, dried fruit, and powdered milk, it’s set in the fridge until firm.
Its snowy-white colour, speckled with glacé cherries and green jelly bits, makes it instantly Christmassy. It’s also a fantastic make-ahead sweet for gifting or adding to a party platter.
Key ingredients: copha, Rice Bubbles, desiccated coconut, powdered milk, dried fruit, glacé cherries.
Choc Ripple Cake
This simple yet decadent dessert is the definition of Aussie ingenuity. Layers of Arnott’s Choc Ripple biscuits are sandwiched with whipped cream and chilled overnight until the biscuits soften into a cake-like texture.
It’s infinitely customizable – add a splash of Baileys to the cream for an adults-only version, sprinkle with crushed Peppermint Crisp, or decorate with fresh cherries for a festive look.
Key ingredients: Choc Ripple biscuits, whipped cream, sugar, vanilla extract.
Iced VoVo Cheesecake
Inspired by Arnott’s iconic pink-iced, coconut-dusted biscuit, the Iced VoVo cheesecake is a playful modern addition to the Aussie Christmas table. It often features a buttery biscuit base, creamy cheesecake filling, frozen raspberries, a raspberry jelly layer, and a fluffy pink topping with a sprinkle of coconut.
The result? A nostalgic dessert that makes adults smile and kids’ eyes light up.
Key ingredients: biscuits (for base), cream cheese, sugar, gelatin, frozen raspberries, raspberry jelly, shredded coconut.
Gingerbread
Whether it’s a house, tree ornaments, or simple spiced biscuits, gingerbread is a festive staple. Its roots go back centuries in Europe, but Australians have embraced it wholeheartedly.
Perhaps the best part about the gingerbread tradition is the spicy-sweet aroma that fills the kitchen on family baking days. Decorate with royal icing and sprinkles for a fun Christmas activity.
Key ingredients: flour, butter, brown sugar, golden syrup, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, bicarb soda, eggs.
Black Forest Cake
Originating from Germany’s Black Forest region, this rich chocolate sponge cake layered with cherries and whipped cream has found a permanent place in Australian celebrations. For Christmas, it can be made with fresh summer cherries instead of jarred ones, giving it a lighter, seasonal feel.
A little kirsch (cherry brandy) adds an extra festive kick.
Key ingredients: chocolate sponge cake, cherries, whipped cream, kirsch, chocolate shavings.
Trifle
The Aussie Christmas trifle is a showstopper with layers of sponge cake or jelly roll, custard, fruit, jelly, and whipped cream, all assembled in a large glass bowl to showcase its colourful stripes.
Every family seems to have its own trifle tradition – some stick to classic sherry-soaked sponge, others go tropical with pineapple and passionfruit. Either way, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Key ingredients: sponge cake or jam roll, custard, jelly, cream, fresh fruit, sherry (optional).
Fruit Mince Pies
Fruit mince pies are a sweet symbol of the season. Despite the name, there’s no meat involved – just a filling of dried fruits, spices, citrus zest, and sometimes a splash of brandy or rum, all encased in buttery shortcrust pastry.
Best enjoyed slightly warm with a dusting of icing sugar, they’re perfect for afternoon tea.
Key ingredients: shortcrust pastry, mixed dried fruits, apple, brown sugar, spices, citrus zest, brandy.
Shop for Cake Decorating Supplies in Our Shop!
If you’re feeling inspired to whip up one (or several) of these Aussie Christmas favourites, you’ll find everything you need for Christmas baking supplies in our shop. From baking mixes and edible essentials to Christmas sprinkles, icings, edible toppings, and cookie boxes, Christmas lollies and chocolate, to Christmas party supplies our collection makes festive baking easier (and more fun!). We even have grazing boxes perfect for gifting homemade treats or transporting desserts to parties.
Looking for even more inspiration? Browse our Traditional Australian Desserts collection for recipes and ideas to add to your festive repertoire.
This Christmas, create something delicious, share it with the people you love, and make your dessert table a true celebration of Aussie holiday cheer.