8 Unique Christmas Sweets From Across India And Where To Order Them

The celebration of Christmas in India cannot be imagined without the traditional sweets that are an excellent representation of the country's cultural, historical, and family values. The variety of Christmas decorations in India is just as diverse as its population. Some of them are; rich fruit cakes, steamed coconut desserts, etc. Below is a presentation of eight distinct Christmas sweets from various parts of the country along with tips on how to get them.

Allahabadi Cake

The Allahabadi cake, which is made with ghee instead of butter, is a rich, spiced, and fruity cake. It is a classic treat for the Anglo-Indian community. Besides, the unique flavor of the cake is due to the usage of candied ash gourd (petha) in place of the usual citrus peel. Home baking has always been practiced, so it has become a cherished family recipe that has been handed down through centuries.

Brazo de Mercedes

Coming from the Philippines originally, Brazo de Mercedes is a light meringue roll that is filled with custard. The dessert of choice at Christmas and has already reached Goa via the Filipino families who make it daily on order, thus becoming a festive favorite among sweet lovers.

Neuris

Neuris are layered or crescent-shaped pastries found in Catholic homes across India. Among the diverse types are mawa-stuffed butterfly neuris from Mumbai besides sesame-coconut stuffed another variety from Mangalore. It is a passionate undertaking that requires much time and toil, but ultimately it is rewarding: crispy outside and velvety inside.

Christmas Plum Cake

A cake that celebrates Christmas is one of the most popular and beloved sweets in Kerala, and the Christmas plum cake is its finest example. Dried fruits, spices, and soaking in rum or wine are the basic elements of this cake which is then slowly baked to perfection. Therefore, the cake has become a must-have during the holidays especially among the plantation communities.

Chhangban

Chhangban is an old-fashioned Christmas sweet in Mizoram. It is prepared from glutinous rice and is sweetened with sugar. Steamed in banana leaves and served with jaggery and black tea, it is often enjoyed after Christmas Mass and sometimes lightly fried for added texture.

Naga Doughnuts

Nagaland celebrates Christmas with these fluffy deep-fried doughnuts, which have a soft and light crisp texture. The doughnuts are made in giant quantities and given away to the guests as well. Nowadays, these doughnuts are also available from a few home bakers in Dimapur during the Christmas season.

Sakkin Gata and Jakkep

These winter delicacies from Meghalaya are the result of the combination of glutinous rice, jaggery, and sesame seeds. Sakkin gata is a mountain of rice flour dough and palm sugar mixture wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, whereas jakkep is a type of rice pancake filled with a sweet mixture of sesame and jaggery.

Thali Sweet

A classic Christmas treat from East India originating in Mumbai, thali sweet is a coconut steamed cake that combines semolina, eggs, sugar, cream, and fresh coconut. It was prepared on the stovetop before ovens were available, hence the nostalgia it carries as a festive dish.

Where To Order

Naga Doughnuts – Alila Homemade, Dimapur

Goan Kuswar Sweets – The Goan Kitchen, Goa

East Indian Sweets – Freny’s, Mumbai

Kerala Plantation Cakes – Kallivayalil Bakes, Vanilla County (Kottayam)

Brazo de Mercedes – Elle’s Kitchen, Goa

With these traditional Christmas sweets, the celebration of taste is accompanied by the preservation of stories, memories, and regional identities—making them not only delicious but also highly significant.