Chimneys are important in December.
Not only do families hang Christmas stockings by the chimney with care, but chimneys are also Santa’s entry point for delivering gifts. And then there are chimney cakes sold at Christmas markets in countries like Germany, Hungary, Lithuania and Poland.
A staple at Eastern European markets, chimney cakes have simple ingredients like butter, eggs and flour. Market vendors wrap dough around a wooden spool which they rotate over a fire until the chimney cake achieves a crunchy exterior. It’s fun to watch the process and even more fun to take that first bite.
18. Fruit Cake (USA)
You’re not a ‘fruitcake’ if you like homemade fruit cake. We like it too. | Image: sarsmis /Deposiphotos.com
American fruit cake gets a bad rap.
Despite being the butt of many a joke, the dense cake made with fruits, nuts, spices and liquor has kept its spot at the Christmas table for more than a century. It’s also wiggled its way into a Jimmy Buffett song aptly called Fruitcakes and Truman Capote’s autobiographical A Christmas Memory.
Much of its dubious reputation emanates from mass produced alcohol-free Fruit Cakes given as corporate Christmas gifts and to random relatives. However, homemade fruit cakes baked with brandy ensure that fruit cakes are here to stay.
19. Christmas Candy (Everywhere)
Candy is dandy all year long but especially during the Christmas season. | Image: ©2foodtrippers
Christmas candy makes the holiday season sweeter for kids of all ages. Candy canes and Santa chocolates are probably the most popular Christmas candies. However, other Christmas candies includ peanut brittle, peppermint bark and seasonal M&M’s
20. Bolo de Mel (Portugal)
Honey is money when it comes to Madeira’s Bola de Mel. | Image: ©2foodtrippers
If you only have time to eat one dessert when you visit the Portuguese island of Madeira, that dessert should be a bolo de mel. A sweet cake made with molasses as well as spices like cinnamon and clove, it dates back to the 15th century when Portugal was a major player in the spice trade. The traditional Christmas dessert is available year round on the island at local bakeries, markets and tourist shops.