Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Lord Jesus is a celebration of happiness and benevolence. Every year billions of people worldwide, irrespective of their religious views indulge in this year-end celebration in their own way. Be it hanging those mistletoes, singing aloud Christmas carols, gorging onto freshly baked desserts, or unwrapping gifts, Christmas does bring joy to everyone’s face.

With Christmas just around the corner, you probably might be adding some finishing touches to the house decorations, planning for the upcoming festive lunch or dinner or simply chalking out some travel plans with your besties. Although some people follow a strict diet throughout the year, Christmas is the time when you let go of those calorie counts and simply want to gobble some sugary delights or lip-smacking puddings and plum cakes.
Also Read: Merry Christmas! Try These Nutty, Fruity Cake Recipes

Although the Christmas yule log and pie might be extremely delicious and traditional, this year let’s try on something new for a change.
This article brings you two such delectable desserts which will not only be a treat for your soul but also impress your guests:

Lip-Smacking Christmas Treats

Glazed Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

4 cups flour

1 cup granulated brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp of cinnamon powder

¼ cup milk

3-4 tbsp cream

1-2 tbsp sunflower oil

1 cup soft butter (at room temperature)

1 tsp vanilla (can substitute almond extract)

For the icing:

2-3 cups of sugar

1/4 cup of milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Few drops of food colouring

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180 C.

Sift the flour and place it in a mixing bowl.

Add all the cookie ingredients in the sifted flour bowl and beat everything together to make a soft dough.

Cover it with a cellophane wrap and refrigerate the dough for an hour.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured working counter into a thickness of about 1/4^th inch.

To uplift the Christmas spirit, use cookie cutters in the shape of Christmas trees, snowman and other Christmas ornaments.

Place the cookies on a buttered paper and bake till done.

Remove the cookies from the oven as soon as the base of the cookies turns brown.

Allow them to cool completely.

Mix all the icing ingredients in a separate bowl using an electric beater.

Add separate colours to the icing mixture for the different ornament shaped cookies.

Use icing pipes to spread it on and your colourful cookies are ready to get devoured.

Nutrition:

Wheat flour has a rich source of minerals, nutrients and fibres that aids in digestion. The addition of cinnamon powder cuts the risk of heart disease, whereas butter, being abundant in beneficial fatty acids, reduces the risk of diabetes and obesity.

Yummy Oreo Truffles

Ingredients:

30 Oreo cookies

50 gm condensed milk

1 cup melted dark chocolate

1/2 cup melted white chocolate

4-5 tbsp colourful sprinkles (optional)

Method:

Scoop out the cream from between the oreo cookies and roll it into a sphere.

Crush the oreo cookies using a food processor.

Mix the condensed milk, crushed cookies and half cup of melted dark chocolate using a beater.

Place it in the freezer and allow it to cool.

Now scoop out some of the cookie mixture and make it into a ball.

Poke a hole using your thumb, put the oreo cream ball inside it and again roll in into a spherical ball in between your palms.

Once all the truffles are done, using a toothpick dip the balls into the desired melted chocolate bowls. (Note: You can have some balls of either dark or white chocolate or both)

Put the colourful sprinkles to decorate your treat.

Refrigerate and use it over the week or serve it instant to your guests.

Nutrition:

These delicious, easy to make oreo truffles balls are high on protein. The condensed milk loaded with calcium is good for healthy teeth and bones, whereas dark chocolate being a powerful source of antioxidants lowers blood pressure and improves healthy brain functioning.
Also Checkout: 5 Healthy Reasons To Eat Dark Chocolate-Infographic

Christmas Pudding

Ingredients:

1 cup mixed dried fruits

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup milk

¼ cup melted butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup flour

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). 

Grease a pudding basin or a heatproof dish.

In a mixing bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, melted butter, and milk. 

Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the dried fruit to soak up the liquid.

Beat the egg and mix it into the fruit mixture.

Add the mixed spices, baking soda, and flour to the bowl. 

Stir well and pour the mixture into the prepared pudding basin.

Cover the basin with a lid or foil and place it in a larger baking dish. 

Fill the larger dish with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the pudding basin.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until the pudding is firm and a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before turning it out onto a plate.

Serve the Christmas pudding warm, traditionally with custard, brandy sauce, or whipped cream.

Nutrition:

This easy Christmas pudding recipe is high on proteins and offers a quick and delicious dessert perfect for the festive season. While dry fruits are a fantastic source of excellent carbs, protein, and fibre that can rapidly boost energy levels, spice powders stimulate metabolism and digestion. The use of brown sugar in this dish makes it healthy for people with diabetes as well.

Netmeds Wishes Everyone A Joyful and Merry Christmas!

(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna Chief Content Editor)

Author Profile

Soumita Basu:

Soumita Basu holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and is keenly interested in Ayurveda, home remedies, yoga, fitness, diagnostics, and beauty. With nearly 6 years of experience, she produces evidence-based health content, including articles, videos, and infographics, to provide valuable insights to her audience.