Desserts
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Plum Cake (or Christmas Cake)
A quintessential Christmas dessert across India, the plum cake is a rich, moist fruitcake made with dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, and currants), nuts, and spices, soaked in rum or brandy. The cake is baked for several hours and has a distinct flavor due to the mix of fruit and alcohol.
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Bebinca
A traditional Goan dessert, Bebinca is a rich, multi-layered coconut milk pudding made with eggs, sugar, and flour. It’s typically served cold and is a staple in Christmas celebrations in Goa.
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Kulkuls
A deep-fried sweet pastry, Kulkuls are popular in Goa and Kerala during Christmas. These are made from a dough of flour, sugar, and coconut, shaped into small curls, and then deep-fried and coated with sugar syrup.
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Neureos (or Karpatlis)
These are sweet, deep-fried dumplings filled with a mixture of coconut, sugar, and dry fruits, commonly made in Goa, Maharashtra, and parts of Karnataka. They are crispy on the outside and sweet on the inside.
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Rava Kesari or Suji Halwa
A semolina-based dessert flavored with cardamom, saffron, and garnished with cashews and raisins. It’s a popular sweet dish in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, during Christmas.
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Pazham Pori (or Ethakka Appam)
Fried banana fritters made with ripe plantains (bananas). This is a favorite snack or dessert in Kerala, often enjoyed during Christmas along with other festive foods.
Drinks
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Feni
A Goan specialty, Feni is a strong alcoholic beverage made from cashew apples or coconut sap. It is often consumed during Christmas celebrations in Goa, either straight or mixed into cocktails.
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Wine (especially homemade)
In several Indian Christian communities, homemade wine, often made from fruits like grapes, guavas, or even pineapples, is a traditional part of the celebration. Wine is consumed during Christmas dinner, and it's a mark of festive hospitality.
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Apple Cider or Sweet Lime Juice
In the absence of alcohol, many families opt for refreshing non-alcoholic beverages like sweet lime juice or apple cider, often spiced with cinnamon or clove, adding to the festive cheer.
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Milk-based Drinks
Milk-based drinks like Kesar Doodh (saffron milk) or Badam Milk (almond milk) are also commonly served in parts of India, especially in the north, during Christmas.
Conclusion
Indian Christmas cuisine is a vibrant blend of festive flavors, with each region adding its own unique touch. Whether it's the rich, spicy curries from Goa and Kerala, the sweet desserts from the South, or the hearty biryanis from Hyderabad, Christmas food in India offers a diverse and delicious feast to celebrate the occasion.
