Chocolate Pudding to Strawberry Mousse: Transform Your Christmas Dinner with These 6 Desserts

As the holiday celebration builds to its climax, desserts are the cherry on top. During this season of joy, cheer and overindulgence, Christmas simply cannot be complete without an ensemble of sweet treats. These desserts, from the deep, comforting flavor of chocolate to the light, airy elegance of mousse, will leave you with fond recollections long after the last carol has been sung. Let the Christmas celebrations have desserts that will add the ideal climax to your Christmas feast.

Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate pudding is a timeless treat that always manages to leave a lasting impression. Its smooth and creamy texture is simply lovely, evoking feelings of coziness and pure indulgence.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• A pinch of salt
• 2 ¼ cups whole milk
• 100g dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
• Gradually add milk, whisking to dissolve the dry ingredients.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
• Remove from heat, add chopped chocolate and vanilla extract, and stir until smooth.
• Pour into serving bowls and refrigerate until set.

Chocolate Pannacotta

The Italian classic dessert brings together the indulgent flavors of chocolate and the velvety texture of pannacotta, creating a refined and elegant delicacy.

Ingredients:

•  2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 120 g dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 ½ tsp gelatin
• 2 tbsp cold water

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, heat cream and sugar over medium heat until it almost boils.
• Remove from heat, add vanilla extract and chopped chocolate, and stir until smooth.
• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it bloom for 5 minutes.
• Add the bloomed gelatin to the chocolate mixture and stir until well combined.
• Pour into serving glasses and refrigerate until set.

Brownies

Brownies are a delicious treat that everyone loves. They have a rich and indulgent flavor, and their texture is wonderfully chewy. They are a great addition to the Christmas dessert spread.

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
• In a small pan, melt the butter and stir in sugar until well combined.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, and add vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, sift together cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and flour.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing well. Fold in chopped nuts if desired.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

Rum Cake

This cake is filled with the delightful essence of rum, giving it a cozy and inviting touch that pays tribute to long-standing traditions. It's the ideal way to wrap up a Christmas feast in a truly festive manner.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup milk , room temperature
• 1/3 cup sour cream, room temperature 
• 1/3 cup rum (your favorite kind)
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 2 ¼ cups cake flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• For the Glaze:
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup rum
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with oven rack in the center of oven.
• Measure out the milk, sour cream, and rum, then whisk them together and let them cool to room temperature.
• For one minute, beat the butter on medium speed in a big bowl or stand mixer. After you add the sugar, beat for another 4 to 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and stir.
• Add the egg whites and eggs one at a time, mixing just until everything is mixed together after each addition. Cleaning the bowl's sides is important.
• Salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cake flour should all be mixed together.
• Mix in ⅓ of the dry ingredients with the batter until everything is just mixed together. Mix in ½ of the milk and sour cream mixture.
• Add another ⅓ of the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Add the last ½ of the milk/sour cream mixture and beat until just combined.
• Add the last ⅓ of the dry ingredients and mix just until everything is mixed. If necessary, scrape the sides of the bowl.
• Grease and flour the bundt pan, making sure to cover every part of it. Spread the batter out evenly in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 50 minutes, or until a knife stuck in the middle comes out mostly clean.

Make the glaze: Put the sauce ingredients in a pan and set it over medium-low heat. Mix it well with a spoon until the butter melts and it's smooth. Stir the liquid as you bring it to a boil. Boil for two minutes.

First, let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Then, carefully turn it over. The cake should then be put back in the pan after cleaning it. Create holes all over the cake and carefully pour most of the sauce over it, saving a little for later.

Allow the cake to soak up the glaze and then invert it onto a plate or serving platter. Spoon remaining glaze on top. Store rum cake well-covered in the refrigerator.

Almond and Walnut Dry Cake:

With the healthy crunch of almonds and walnuts and the sweetness of dried fruits, this dry cake is a nut-filled treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup chopped almonds
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a cake pan.
• In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add milk, vanilla extract, and mix well.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
• Fold in chopped almonds and walnuts.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Strawberry Mousse

To wrap up the Christmas feast on a delightful note with this strawberry dessert recipe, why not indulge in a refreshing strawberry mousse? It's the perfect choice for a light and satisfying finale.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp gelatin
• ¼ cup cold water
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

• Puree strawberries with sugar and lemon juice in a blender.
• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it bloom for 5 minutes.
• Heat the bloomed gelatin in the microwave for 10 seconds or until melted.
• Add the gelatin to the strawberry puree and mix well.
• Fold in whipped cream and pour the mixture into serving glasses.
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.