Christmas Day dessert?

[marshmallowkittycat]

I'm making Christmas dinner this year and it's just going to be me, DH and two sons. I'm not a Christmas pudding fan and neither are they.

What's your go to Christmas Day dessert? Preferably not too heavy, can be made ahead and not boozy as kids eating.

[TheAnnoyingSatsuma]

Trifle, but it’s not the same without booze.
Pavlova?
Ice cream bombe, that resembles am Xmas pud?

[MustardScreams]

A bought one from M&S or Waitrose. They do ridiculously fancy and tasty ones now I never see the point making extra work for myself!

[Mummydoctor]

Home made Sticky toffee pudding here - make the pudding in advance and sauce only takes minutes to put together.

[HelenaJustina]

Steamed chocolate sponge (shop bought and cooked in the microwave!) served with ice cream. Looks like a Christmas pudding turned out and kids love it. Will probably also get a mini Christmas pudding for DH who is the only person who likes it.

[allthegoodusernameshavegone]

Espresso Martini for Adults, selection box for kids

[Bluebell9]

I'll be making white chocolate panna cotta this year. You make it ahead so it has time to set and it's not too heavy. It's really nice with strawberries or raspberries.

[WisestIsShe]

Pavlova and Yule log. We're not fans of Christmas pud either.

[Movinghouseatlast]

I do chocolate steamed pudding with chocolate sauce. It is a Nigella recipe from her Christmas book.

I always do a Yule Log too.

The Magnolia Bakery banana pudding is AMAZING. It's so calorific yet light tasting that I think it would be perfect for Christmas. I'm doing it for a dinner party next week. The recipe requires a box of vanilla pudding which you can buy from Amazon or you can make it yourself.

[cricketmum84]

We do one small Xmas pud for me as I'm the only one who likes it, something light like a strawberry cheesecake or a roulade and then warm mince pies and baileys cream :)

[paddingtonbearsmarmalade]

Last year I made a strawberry & creme patisserie tart with nutmeg for the Christmas flavour. I think this year I’m going to do a profiterole wreath (I bake!) - www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/marys_christmas_choux_11022

[Ricekrispie22]

Last year I did a Ferraro rocker cheesecake for the dc
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/no-bake-chocolate-hazelnut-cheesecake
I did this ice cream cake for New Years www.taste.com.au/recipes/choc-caramel-maltesers-ice-cream-cake/96680e8e-b072-48d0-a727-886baf80dee1

[notnowlater]

I'm doing a berry pavlova this year (plus we will have a yule log, and Christmas pudding, and ALL the cream!).

But think pavlova checks the not too heavy and make in advance boxes.

@MustardScreams I have the M&S food brochure and some of them look amazing!

@paddingtonbearsmarmalade the wreath will look gorgeous! But too much effort for my ungrateful loved ones, they won't appreciate it

[TheSandgroper]

My family asked for steamed golden syrup pudding. I usually have raspberries with it. Icecream, cream and custard all go with it. Rhubarb works well, too early.

[marshmallowkittycat]

Thanks for all the ideas. As I'll be cooking the main course for the first time I am quite tempted to go down the 'something nice from M & S route!

I'm trying to think of a crowd pleaser. Or possibly mince pies and lots of whipped cream.

[HollowTalk]

Why not let the kids loose with the M&S food catalogue?

[HollowTalk]

If they are old enough!

[Oblomov19]

Yum. Drooling at all these deserts.
Trifle and/or Eton mess here.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I do a lemon meringue ice cream which I freeze in a bowl and when you turn it out it resembles a white Christmas pudding. It is very easy to make just whisked double cream, half a jar of lemon curd, lemon juice and rind and crumbled up meringues and then freeze. It is a Mary Berry recipe.

You can have it with raspberry sauce but I have it with brandy butter, but I am weird!

[kateandme]

lemon mirangue pie(buy greens packet)
baked alaska always goes down well.
treale sponge.
choc or toffee yule log
pavlova

[hotdogwoof]

@Mummydoctor could you tell me your recipe for both the sponge and the sauce?

[Stravapalava]

I like something light and fruity to contrast with the rich dinner. I often make a strawberry and mango eton mess type thing with compote swirled through it.

I've also done a passionfruit meringue wreath and a lemon tart that have gone down well.

[Stravapalava]

Semifreddo is also nice.

[Nextphonewontbesamsung]

Surprised at all the summer fruits featuring in Christmas puddings!

If you don't like actual Christmas pudding, there are a million seasonal alternatives. How about something with apples, oranges or preserved/tinned fruit instead?

[quince2figs]

Not make ahead, but I love lemon surprise pudding, with cold pouring cream. Perfect contrast to the main meal, rich but light.

www.vivrelereve.co.uk/lemon-surprise-pudding-with-cream/

[SunshineAngel]

Since my brother and I were little, there have always been 3 options for dessert. Christmas pudding, mince pies, and he will always make a yule log as well (which recently my brother has started making instead - although that's scary as he's always a bit experimental with his cooking ha ha).

It's a good selection, and all of it will keep for a few days, or people can take it home, if it's not eaten on the day.