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India: Gulab Jamun
Gulab jamun is a popular Indian dessert made from deep fried dough soaked in sugar syrup and flavored with cardamom seeds, saffron and rosewater. It’s enjoyed during important Indian festivals, marriages, birthdays and Diwali (the Indian festival of light). The dough is made mainly of milk and then rolled into a ball with some flour. It’s a delightful dessert for those who enjoy the texture of spongy foods.
Korea: Tteok
Tteok (pronounced duk) are Korean rice cakes made with glutinous rice flour. A favorite during celebrations, especially weddings and birthdays, tteok has been a part of Korean culture dating back over 2,000 years, going back to the Three Kingdom?s Period. There are about 200 forms of rice cakes which vary in terms of size, shape and color, however, there are only four basic methods of preparation – boiling, steaming, pounding and frying. Korea has an actual Tteok Museum where visitors can learn about the rich history and tradition of Korea’s favorite dessert.
Germany: Lebkuchen
Also known as honey cake, lebkuchen is a traditional German baked Christmas cookie that resembles gingerbread with main ingredients that include honey, flour, sugar eggs and spices like cinnamon and ginger. It was invented by Medieval monks in Franconia, Germany back in the 13the century and can be traced back to the early days in Europe when sugar was an expensive luxury, so honey was used as a sweetener. These chewy cookies are the perfect holiday treat for the person who enjoys something sweet and spicy.
Italy: Panforte
Similar to a Christmas fruitcake, panforte (which means “strong bread”) is a traditional Italian dessert that’s packed with fruits and nuts. Originating in Siena, Italy, this chewy cake is also made of sugar which is dissolved in honey before all the nuts, fruits and spices get mixed in together with flour. Wonderfully aromatic, this confection is said to have been paid to monks and nuns of an Italian monastery as a tax or tithe.
France: Bûche de Noël
Bûche de Noël is a traditional dessert that originated in France which is very popular during Christmastime. The cake resembles a log and is cut off on one end so that it looks like it’s been chopped off. To mimic snow, powdered sugar is sprinkled on top and the cake is decorated with branches, berries and mushrooms made out of meringue. The origins of this dessert can be traced back to the ancient Celtic tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. On the shortest day of the year, the Celts would search for a large trunk and burn it as a symbol of the rebirth of the sun. It is typically made of a yellow sponge cake that’s frosted and filled with chocolate buttercream.
