From panettone to kransekake, these are our favourite (international) Christmas treats

<p>As the Christmas lights start popping up and the warmer layers are making an appearance from the backs of our wardrobes, we're really starting to feel the Christmas spirit.</p><p>And what better way to celebrate the festive season than with some holiday bakes? From Italian panettone to Scandinavian kransekake, there are plenty of delicious Christmas cakes and bakes form around the world to tuck into this winter. Scroll on to find out our top 6…</p><h2>Panettone</h2><p>A sweet, enriched bread from Italy, <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/masterclass-panettone" target="_blank">panettone</a> is enjoyed in many countries around the world over the festive period. The light bread is sweetened with sugar, studded with raisins and mixed peel, and has a slightly golden colour thanks to the butter and eggs inside.</p><p>Panettone is traditionally served either warm or cold, cut into triangles and eaten alongside coffee for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack. Our recipe makes 6 individual miniature panettones, which you can either freeze and defrost as needed, or give as gifts! If baking isn't your thing, our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/swiss-roll-sponge-cakes/asda-extra-special-italian-panettone/1000065199129" target="_blank">Extra Special Panettone</a> has done all the hard work for you so you can concentrate on putting the kettle on and tucking in!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="masterclass-pannetone__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/masterclass-pannetone__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Stollen</h2><p>Germany knows a thing or two about Christmas treats. Classic spiced biscuits, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-biscuits/asda-lebkuchen-hearts/1000079530582" target="_blank">Lebkuchen</a> and crunchy, flavour-packed <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/view-all-cake-bars-slices-tarts/create-a-treat-gingerbread-house-cookie-kit/1000105142276" target="_blank">gingerbread houses</a> are both German creations - but our favourite has to be <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/stollen" target="_blank">stollen</a>!</p><p>Slightly heavier than airy panettone, this enriched bread is jam-packed with dried fruits, and has a core of marzipan that runs through the log-shaped loaf. A dusting of icing sugar finishes off this Christmas time treat. Serve with some warmed <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/how-to-make-mulled-wine-cider-or-juice" target="_blank">mulled wine</a>, or "glühwein", for the ultimate German Christmas market experience!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="stollen__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/stollen__square_GL?scl=1"></p><p>For stollen with a special twist, you have to try our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/fruit-malt-loaves/asda-extra-special-chocolate-hazelnut-amaretto-stollen-loaf/1000072843060" target="_blank">Chocolate, Hazelnut & Amaretto Stollen Loaf</a>. The traditional marzipan middle is taken to the next level with added chocolate hazelnut and infused amaretto syrup. Delicious. </p><h2>Speculaas</h2><p>Sweet, snappable and spicy, these Dutch Christmas biscuits are famous all around the world for their buttery taste and crisp texture. <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/speculaas-spiced-cookies" target="_blank">Speculaas</a> are traditionally baked just before St. Nicholas Day (5 or 6 December, depending on the country) in the Netherlands and Belgium, and around Christmas time in Germany and the rest of Europe.</p><p>Traditionally, speculaas are flavoured with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and cardamom, and we've decorated ours with some flaked almonds for an extra flourish. It's Christmas - why not!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="speculaas-spice-cookies__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/speculaas-spice-cookies__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Kransekake</h2><p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/kransekake" target="_blank">Kransekake</a> is a Scandinavian bake often made for big celebrations like weddings, christenings, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Translated as "wreath cake", this towering sweet is made of rings of a chewy almond-based mixture - like a cross between a biscuit and a macaron - which are stuck together with icing and adorned with a star on top.</p><p>While this may look like a daunting bake, kransekake is surprisingly easy to make at home -- just check out our recipe! All you need is a good selection of baking trays (there are 18 rings to bake…) and some patience.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="kransekake__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/kransekake__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Mince pies</h2><p>Soft and sweet on the inside, buttery and crumbly on the outside, <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/tag/pies" target="_blank">mince pies</a> are a true favourite in the UK. And no wonder - these tasty morsels contain everything we love most about Christmas: warming spices, sweet dried fruits, a glug of booze and pastry to boot!</p><p><a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/sweet-shortcrust-pastry-for-mince-pies" target="_blank">Our perfect sweet shortcrust</a> is the only pastry recipe you need for your mince pies this winter. Fill with homemade mincemeat, or just use <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/baking-ingredients/asda-christmas-mincemeat/910000839839" target="_blank">a jar of our fruity filling</a> - go on, we won't tell!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/imageRecipeSweetShortcrustPastry-2x__square_GL?scl=1"></p><p><em>Fancy getting into the festive spirit of things with one of our Christmas bakes from around the world? Make sure to stock up on everything you need to make these sweet treats at home <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/" target="_blank">online</a> or <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">pop into your local store.</a></em></p>

Sweet Christmas treats from around the world

By ASDA Admin,26th November 2018

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