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.

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

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!

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

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.

Espresso Martini for Adults, selection box for kids

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.

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

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.

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 :)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

If they are old enough!

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

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!

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

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

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.

Semifreddo is also nice.

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?

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/

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.