Finger food and festive sweets work best when they’re simple, shareable, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Here’s what you’ll find below:
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Classic Christmas desserts made easy: Dress up tarts and cakes in minutes
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Creative twists and no-bake favourites: Fun recipes and ideas for stress-free desserts
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Dessert platters and planning tips: How to serve, store, and style your spread
The season of giving (and grazing) is here, and nothing brings more joy than a table full of festive treats. But between shopping, wrapping, and trying to remember where you put the scissors, baking from scratch can feel like one job too many.
That’s where Bakers Delight comes in. With our ready-made Christmas treats and recipes you can whip up in no time, creating Christmas desserts that look like you baked them from scratch is easier than ever. Whether you’re planning a big family feast, a backyard BBQ, or a relaxed summer picnic, these easy Christmas dessert ideas will wow your guests, no stress required. Let’s dive in.
What is the most popular dessert during Christmas?
It depends who you ask (and how big their sweet tooth is), but in Australia, favourites like Fruit Mince Tarts, pavlova, trifle and Christmas Cake top the list every year. They suit warm weather and big gatherings: think pav with summer fruit, trifle layered in clear bowls, and tarts you can pass around with one hand. If you want a quick upgrade, try lemony curd on pavlova, a splash of custard over cake, or a berry coulis for trifle.
What are some traditional Christmas treats?
Christmas traditions lean classic and comforting: Fruit Mince Tarts warm from the oven, rich Christmas Cake (often with brandy sauce), and old-school trifle crowned with cream and berries. These are the flavours many of us grew up with and they shine when served simply on a platter with cherries, nuts, and a dusting of icing sugar. Keep the ritual, keep the nostalgia, and let the classics do the talking.
Classic Christmas desserts made easy
Love the classics but want something a bit more special? Grab these fresh favourites and your guests will be cheering.
Fruit Mince Tarts with a twist
As far as Christmas sweet treats go, you can’t go past this beloved classic. Warm up Bakers Delight Fruit Mince Tarts and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, custard, or even a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. For a little extra flair, sprinkle crushed pistachios or edible glitter on top.
Make it a platter moment: arrange them on a board with fresh cherries and chocolate shards for a festive centrepiece.
Christmas Cake with cream and berries
Our rich Traditional Christmas Cake is delicious as-is, but you can turn it into a showpiece in seconds. Slice and layer with whipped cream and berries for a lighter spin, or drizzle with brandy sauce for something a bit more grown-up.
Hosting tip: Cut the cake into cubes and serve in mini trifle cups with custard and fruit. It’s perfect for parties and looks great on your Christmas table.
Lemon Tarts for a citrus kick
Bright, zesty and ready to serve, our Lemon Tarts are the ultimate instant dessert. Dress them up with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries, or crown each one with a mini meringue kiss for a cheat’s lemon meringue. Feeling fancy? Lightly sprinkle with sugar and brûlée the tops, or crumble a few meringues over the tray for an Eton-mess vibe in seconds.
Make it a platter moment: Arrange tarts on a board with sliced mango, passionfruit pulp and mint leaves for a sunny, Aussie-summer finish.
How can I make store-bought desserts look homemade?
The secret? Layers, toppings, and presentation. Warm up tarts, dust with icing sugar, or top with whipped cream and berries for that fresh-from-the-kitchen look.
Add a drizzle of melted chocolate, a scatter of nuts, or ribbon of citrus zest for an Insta-worthy spread.
Pro tip: Serve desserts on wooden boards or festive platters. It’s an easy way to give bakery treats that extra wow factor.
Zesty Christmas Pavlova
No Christmas dessert list is complete without pavlova. Layered with whipped cream, crumbled Lemon Tarts, and summer fruits, it’s a colourful way to celebrate the season. The bright citrus cuts through the sweetness, which is ideal after a hearty festive meal. Add a few mint sprigs and it’s the perfect centrepiece for your Christmas table.
Creative Christmas Desserts for last-minute hosts
In a pinch and need something that looks impressive without hours in the kitchen? These clever desserts come together fast, with just a little chill time where needed. Start with bakery favourites, then do the fun bits: layering, drizzling and decorating. Whether you’re gifting a sweet treat, bringing a plate, or aiming for a low-stress show-stopper, these ideas deliver festive flair with minimal fuss.
Lemon Tart Trifle
Light, creamy and refreshingly zesty, our Lemon Tart Trifle takes the classic dessert and gives it a summer spin. Layers of whipped cream, crumbled Lemon Tarts, crushed meringue and fresh berries create a vibrant mix of texture and flavour with no baking required. It’s the kind of dessert that looks impressive but comes together in minutes, making it perfect for warm-weather entertaining.
Lemon Tart Eton Mess
If you like the idea of a trifle but want something easier to dish up, this is the perfect dessert. Crushed Lemon Tarts, whipped cream, lemon curd, and fresh berries. This Christmas-themed Eton mess is zesty, messy, and guaranteed to impress. Serve it in small glasses or jars for a make-ahead dessert that’s light, bright, and perfect for hot Christmas weather.
Fruit Mince Tart Rocky Road
Looking for a Christmas rocky road that’s also perfect for gifting? Try this festive twist: chunks of our Fruit Mince Tart 6 Pack mixed with chewy marshmallows, raspberry lollies, crunchy peanuts and coconut, all set in creamy milk chocolate. It’s colourful, nostalgic and easy to slice into shareable bars. Pop pieces into cellophane bags, tie with red twine and add a gift tag for a thoughtful homemade-style present that everyone will love.
What are the best Christmas desserts for hot weather?
Ice cream is everyone’s summer favourite, and with a few simple twists, it goes from scoop-in-a-bowl to unforgettable masterpiece.
Here are a couple of our favourite Christmas treats to cool you down.
Fruit Mince Tart Ice Cream Pudding
For a cool twist on tradition, fold crushed Fruit Mince Tarts into softened vanilla ice cream, shape into a pudding bowl, and freeze overnight. Unmould and drizzle with melted chocolate or brandy sauce before serving.
Millionaire's Ice Cream Bombe
Meet your grand finale: a frozen feast layered with chocolate ice cream, chunks of our Traditional Christmas Cake, and a biscuit-caramel shell for crunch. Once it’s set, cloak the dome in silky chocolate ganache and press on Maltesers for the wow factor. It’s make-ahead, slice-clean, and gloriously indulgent: the kind of dessert that earns applause before the first bite.
Planning your Christmas dessert menu
A little planning goes a long way: think balance (something creamy, something crunchy, something fruity), the weather (cool, no-bake Christmas treats for hot days), and timing (what you can prep the day before). Start with bakery heroes like our Lemon Tarts, Fruit Mince Tarts, and Traditional Christmas Cake, then add a couple of make-ahead stars and one wow moment for the table.
What is a good dessert for a Christmas party?
For the perfect Christmas party dessert, go for shareable and low-fuss. Think mini pavlovas, fruit-topped tarts, or brownie bites with cream and cherries. Desserts like rocky road or ice cream sandwiches also score major points: they look fancy, feed a crowd, and free you up to enjoy the party.
What desserts can I make ahead for Christmas?
Make-ahead desserts are the secret to stress-free hosting. Anything chilled or frozen like ice cream puddings, Lemon Tart trifle, mousse cups, or cheesecake bars can be prepared a day or two in advance. Even Fruit Mince Tarts and Christmas Cake keep beautifully in airtight containers, leaving you more time for the fun part: decorating (and taste-testing).
Christmas dessert platter ideas
Nothing says festive feast like a dessert platter. It’s visually stunning, easy to pull together, and lets everyone graze at their own pace. If you’re wondering what to put on a Christmas dessert platter though, more is definitely more.
Start with Bakers Delight Lemon Tarts, Fruit Mince Tarts, and Traditional Christmas Cake slices for structure. Then scatter in some more texture and colour:
- Crunchy: shortbread, pretzels, or praline
- Creamy: chocolates, mini meringues, or marshmallows
- Fruity: fresh berries, cherries, or dried citrus slices
- Festive flair: candy canes, sprigs of rosemary, or edible glitter
Pro tip: Add a small bowl of warm caramel or berry coulis for drizzling. It instantly makes your platter feel interactive and luxurious.
How do I display my festive desserts?
To make your display, start with a hero piece that will centre it. Our Traditional Christmas Cake on a stand, or something colourful like a Christmas Tree Cob will work well. Then play with layers and heights: set Lemon Tarts on boards at mid level, and tuck in small bowls of cherries, chocolates or nuts for colour and crunch. Fill any gaps with edible decor like gingerbread stars or fruit skewers. Finish with simple festive touches like mint sprigs, fairy lights, ribbons or a light dusting of icing sugar. Then simply tidy, top up, and repeat (because a good dessert table never really closes).
Make Christmas extra sweet with Bakers Delight
A good Christmas dessert should make you smile before you even take a bite. With Bakers Delight, it’s easy to mix tradition with a little creativity, whether that’s a twist on Mince Tarts, a lemony pavlova, or a show-stopping dessert platter.
However you celebrate, a little sweetness goes a long way. So fill your bag with fresh treats at your favourite local bakery, add the finishing touches, and pass around the cheer.
After more ideas to help you win Christmas this year? Check out our festive blogs for more simple recipes, entertaining tips and easy ways to make it feel special.
