Alternative Festive Traditions To Try

**Collaborative post**

Whether it’s a family cookie recipe that has been passed down through generations or festive cupcakes, the Christmas season is full of baking ideas to help you celebrate the end of the year or any religion! If you are hosting a party, giving sweet treats as gifts, or simply enjoying them for yourself, there is no better time to indulge in all the festive flavours…

With this in mind, we spoke with our favourite bakers in London at Anges De Sucre for the fun, alternative traditions that they have been looking at trying. The team there creates the most bold, beautiful and out of this world cakes that we consider art as well as edible. From extra memorable birthday cakes to three-tiered celebration designs, nobody does it better than the Anges De Sucre team. If you are looking for decorating inspiration or even flavour ideas, check them out here.

A visit from Sinterklaas

This Dutch celebration for Saint Nicholas Day, is celebrated on December 5, when sweet gifts are left in the shoes of young children. These sweet gifts are often disguised as other objects, so get creative. Chocolate sprouts anybody?

The Good Night

Looking to Christmas eve in Latina countries, where typically a whole roast pig to hot noodle soup can be eaten. There is dancing, fireworks and drinking – a whole celebration with an excellent feast! Think Tamales, empanadas and barbeque ribs. Not so sweet, but still delicious.

Egyptian Christmas

Christians in Egypt participate in a Holy Nativity Fast for the 43 days before Christmas. They eat a strict vegan diet, which contains no foods that come from animals. Following the Christmas Eve service, everyone goes home to indulge in the big Christmas meal, which contains meat, butter, and most ingredients that weren’t included in their fast. The most popular dish in Egypt for the Christmas feast is Fata, a soup that contains rice, bread, garlic, and boiled lamb. Followed up with seasonal spices – its tempting warm flavours have inspired us to try a variety of spices in our winter bakes!

Delicious desserts from Provence

Christmas dinner is followed by 13 desserts in this region of France. This serves as a reference to Jesus and his 12 apostles, one we can definitely get behind! The deserts often vary due to each families tradition but common flavors include figs, raisins, walnuts and almonds. Candied fruit and ground almond are also popular, so why not include them in one of your many festive cakes!

Animal treats

Let’s not forget our furry friends this time of the year. Why not bake a cat/dog/reptile friendly cake for your loving pet to indulge in, after all they are family members too! Simply look up the ingredients first to ensure they are pet-proof and get experimental. Trust us, your pets will thank you.

Create your own traditions

As this is the season of indulgence, why not create your own traditions? Ice cream for breakfast? Why not! Simply include all your favourite flavours – there is no rule at this time of year, and that is why we love it. The most important rule is that you and everyone else has fun!