We love a festive spice, think cardamon, cinnamon, clove, gingerbread, orange…. the list is endless. The hard part is choosing your favourites to create delicious desserts. More than any other time of the year your customers will indulge in desserts after their Christmas meal, so make it a meal to remember. From the classic panettone or Christmas pud to the tastebud tantalising orange, cranberry and dark chocolate, read on for some menu inspiration.
With our Italian roots, how could we not kick off our gelato ideas with anything other than Panettone Gelato! With flavours of candied orange and lemon, raisins, and vanilla this classic Italian Christmas sweetbread oozes Christmas and is a real delight for the tastebuds. For an added festive feel, why not add chopped mixed peel or even chopped panettone to the mix.
A classic British dessert, this gelato should feature all the Christmas Pudding ingredients and flavours you would expect (if you want to make this quickly, you can buy Christmas Pudding flavouring, we won’t tell anyone). Think raisins, dark sugar, cinnamon, mixed spice and glace cherries and don’t be afraid to experiment with a little brandy or even amaretto for a kick to your gelato.
Gingerbread has become a culinary staple for the festive period and has been popular for centuries. A true Christmas essential, with flavours of molasses/treacle, dark chocolate and candied ginger. There is no doubt that this will be a festive favourite.
Now we’re talking, a rich and creamy gelato with vanilla and brandy. This velvety treat is like nothing you’ve tasted before and is the perfect accompaniment to mince pies or even on top of an eggnog drink. Can you have too much eggnog? We think not.
There really is no limit to the flavours that can be used to create amazing gelato, personally, we’d draw the line at Brussel Sprout flavour (but that’s just a personal preference). Think mince pies, cranberry, vanilla, candied fruit, brandy, etc etc. And of course, you’re not just limited to gelato. Treat the little ones (or big ones) to a festive flavoured shake, masala chai with cinnamon and honey is delicious and a perfect sweet treat.