15 alternative Christmas desserts
Jazz things up this Christmas with an alternative dessert. Choose from showstopping chocolate puddings, cheesecakes, trifles and more
Not the biggest fan of Christmas pudding or Christmas cake? Fancy switching things up a little this year but don't know how? Fret not. We have a wide range of glittering Christmas desserts which stray from the traditional cake or pudding. Whether you're looking for a rich chocolate pudding, festive cheesecake or decadent trifle for the yuletide season, we've got them here on BBC Good Food. We also cover the most magnificent of festive sponge cakes and ice cream bombes so you can end your Christmas feast on a high.
If these ideas sound more up your street, see our best alternative dessert suggestions below. For more festive inspiration dive into these yule log recipes and make-ahead Christmas desserts.
Christmas desserts for chocolate lovers
1. Rocky road cheesecake pudding
We've elevated cheesecake to something with even more crowd appeal – this festive rocky road extravaganza. Drizzled with white chocolate and decorated with edible glitter, gold sprinkles and chocolate truffles, this truly is the alternative Christmas dessert of dreams.
Find more dazzling desserts to impress in our Christmas dessert collection.
2. Millionaire’s ice cream bombe
Finish your Christmas dinner with this festive ice cream showstopper. This recipe is best for those looking to master a more adventurous recipe, but we can guarantee it'll go down a storm with friends and family.
More like this
If you like of look of this, check out this Christmas pudding ice cream bombe and panettone cherry ice cream bombe with chocolate sauce.
3. Double chocolate cheesecake
Chocolate takes centre stage in this choc lover's cheesecake, featuring a biscuit base and creamy filling, as well as a chocolate sauce for drizzling and chocolate curls to finish. Perfect for those with a dislike for Christmas cake and a penchant for chocolate.
For more chocolate-flavoured desserts, see our collections of chocolate desserts, chocolate puddings and dark chocolate recipes.
4. Chocolate orange-tini trifle
We've crossed a Mississippi mud pie with a marmalade martini to create this stunning dessert showpiece. Layering madeira cake with orange posset, a vodka-laced fruit layer, chocolate custard and dark chocolate mousse, it's a perfect grown-up dessert to impress adults at a Christmas party.
Check out more trifle recipes and chocolate orange recipes.
5. Chocolate cream pie
Chocolate cream pie makes for a wonderful indulgent end to a festive menu, boasting a rich chocolate filling, whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Achieve chocolate heaven with our indulgent chocolate desserts, whether its indulgent tarts or elegant cakes you're after.
6. Christmas chocolate cake
Put a festive spin on chocolate cake with this alternative Christmas dessert. It may look like a regular chocolate cake, however the sponge and buttercream are spiced with warming ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Check out these chocolate sponge cakes for more indulgent bakes.
7. Chocolate & peanut butter pavlova
Pavlova is seen as a fruity dessert reserved for summer, but it doesn't have to be that way. We've combined sweet and salty peanut, crisp meringue and a chocolate crémeux mixed with rich peanut butter cream to make a Christmas-flavoured pavlova, and the result is a sensory delight!
Discover more of our best pavlova recipes.
8. Irish cream tiramisu
Indulge in this crowd-pleasing tiramisu for Christmas, pepped with Irish cream liqueur for a sophisticated twist. You can make this no-cook tiramisu ahead, meaning you can save time when hosting.
We've got plenty more tiramisu recipes, as well as no-bake desserts and make-ahead Christmas recipes.
9. Chocolate truffle & honeycomb torte
Using just five ingredients, this chocolate & honeycomb torte is great for cutting corners at Christmas. As well as making an impressive centrepiece, it's easy to carry to a gathering.
Find more in our chocolate torte recipe collection.
10. Melt-in-the-middle espresso martini brownies
Inspired by the popular espresso martini cocktail, these decadent brownies make an inspired choice if you want to shake things up this year with a unique bake.
Check out these brownie recipes and our top 5 twists on an espresso martini.
More alternative Christmas desserts
11. Pistachio tiramisu
Delight in wonderfully nutty flavours in this sophisticated twist on tiramisu. Featuring a pistachio cream filling and pistachio topping, it makes a perfect finish to a festive dinner party with friends.
Find more ways with pistachio in our pistachio recipe collection.
12. Christmas pavlova
Give pavlova a pretty Christmas makeover with the addition of clementines, pistachios, mint and dark chocolate, plus a rum-infused and mincemeat cream filling for extra-festive zing.
See more pavlova recipes.
13. Mince pie cheesecake
Partial to a mince pie? Take your love of this festive treat further by adding it to a cheesecake base. It's also a brilliant way to beat Christmas food waste if you're left with too many.
See more ways with mince pies, or check out these no-bake cheesecake recipes.
14. Black Forest Christmas fool
Transform Christmas cake into a fun and achievable dessert which can be rustled up in 10 minutes. It's simple and quick to assemble, however it doesn't cut corners when it comes to indulgence: Christmas cake is crumbled into glasses, topped with cherries, a dollop of cream and a drizzle of kirsch, then scattered over with chopped chocolate.
Find more creative ways to use up Christmas pud with our leftover Christmas pudding recipes.
15. Christmas pudding cheesecake
Level up your Christmas pudding with this festive twist on an all-year-round dessert: cheesecake. With a crunchy ginger base and creamy filling, it makes a fantastic Christmas alternative for hardcore cheesecake lovers.
Discover more fun cheesecakes twists in our cheesecake recipe collection.
