The Best Christmas Treats To Chow Down On This Festive Szn

Christmas is the season for twinkling lights, merry tunes and prettily wrapped presents under the tree. Oh, and more unapologetically festive treats than you could ever hope to work your way through before Santa comes calling. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of must-try Christmas treats (some naughty, some nice) for you to enjoy this holiday season.

Here are the best Christmas treats in New Zealand in 2024 to get you in the festive spirit.

Best Interactive Christmas Treat

Luxury Smash Bark From The Remarkable Chocolate Co / Available For Nationwide Delivery & Also In-Store At Farro (Auckland Only)

Price: $19.90

Image credit: The Remarkable Chocolate Co / Facebook

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and also, quite frankly, the most stressful. And for occasions when a stress ball won't cut it, take out your troubles on this smashable chocolate block from The Remarkable Chocolate Co, featuring rich 53% dark chocolate topped with marshmallows, toasted coconut, and freeze-dried raspberry pieces, using the enclosed miniature hammer. Therapy never tasted so good. P.S. There's also a peppermint-infused version available.

Best Cookies To Leave Out For Santa

Christmas Collection From The Vegan Treatory / Available For Nationwide Delivery & Also In-Store (Auckland Only)

Price: From $7

Image credit: The Vegan Treatory / Facebook

Despite having eaten what we can only assume are millions of cookies in his time, Santa's appetite for a classic biccie remains strong. And we reckon he'll especially enjoy a little something from The Vegan Treatory, who are slinging cookies in unapologetically festive flavours like maple cinnamon, mint slice (pictured), and gingerbread white choc. Looks like that Santa belly ain't shifting any time soon...

Best Non-Traditional Christmas Treat

Christmas Tree Matcha Strawberry Mochi Tart From Fankery / Available From Selected Markets (Auckland Only)

Price: See In-Market

Image credit: Fankery / Facebook

RIP mince pies and Christmas pud, hello Christmas tree matcha strawberry mochi tart. This elaborate display of festive cheer from Fankery is a far departure from the Christmas treats of old (though ironically, is inspired by a trifle). Shaped like a Christmas tree (whose green hue comes from a matcha-flavoured ganache cream), it contains layers of creamy vanilla custard, soft chiffon sponge, chewy milk mochi, sweet strawberry compote and an entire fresh strawberry, 'potted' inside a pastry shell.

Best Yule Log/Roulade/Bûche de Noël

Ginger Bell Rock Roulade From The Pantry / Available In-Store (Auckland Only)

Price: $90

Image credit: The Pantry / Facebook

Let's be clear—no one in NZ is burning logs on a fire come December. They are, however, shoving them in their mouth with child-like abandon, courtesy of the country's top pastry chef Callum Liddicoat of The Pantry, who has crafted an incredible edible version comprising a spicy sponge filled with burnt vanilla cream and salted caramel, coated in various kinds of chocolate then topped with fresh cherries, whipped chocolate ganache, and carefully crafted Christmas decorations. We believe the word you're looking for is, in fact, 'fire'.

Best Christmas Treat To Leave The House For

The Santa Sleigh Cone From Giapo / Available In-Store (Auckland Only)

Price: See In-Store

Image credit: Giapo / suppied

For a holiday treat that slays (and indeed, sleighs), get your mitts on this showstopping creation from master ice cream maker, Giapo. Featuring a cone of choccy-dipped ice cream seated inside a cherry red sleigh, constructed entirely from chocolate—this is the ultimate Christmas treat and as such, definitely worth trekking into the city for.

Best Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House Kit From Otti & Olli / Available For Nationwide Delivery & Also In-Store At Farro & From Selected Markets (Auckland Only)

Price: $85

Image credit: Kathryn Steane

You may not be in the market for an actual house (join the club), but when it comes to the gingerbread version, you can snap up a bonafide mansion. Case in point: Otti & Olli's outrageously gorgeous edible homestead, which is already baked and covered in fondant—you need only put the pieces together and decorate (aka the fun bits). And if DIY's not your thing, they offer ready-made versions in varying sizes. Ed's note: These have sold out online, but you can still find them in-store at Farro and from selected Christmas markets.

Best Christmas Treat To Enjoy With A Cuppa

Scorched Almond Cookie Pie From Moustache / Available For Nationwide Delivery & Also In-Store (Auckland Only)

Price: $37.99 for a pack of 6

Image credit: Moustache / Supplied

A box of scorched almonds is always a good time, but howsabout a scorched almond cookie pie? Enter Moustache, who have whipped up this mouthwatering creation inspired by the quintessential Chrissy treat (and favourite stocking stuffer/secret Santa gift), which features the brand's signature cookie dough stuffed with crunchy roasted almonds and creamy milk chocolate. Get in our (burgeoning Santa) bellies.

Best Pavlova

The Banquet Pavlova From Sweet Talk / Available In-Store (Auckland Only)

Price: $195

Image credit: Sweet Talk / Facebook

If you've mastered the art of making your own pavlova, well done. For those of us who've failed the bowl-above-the-head-test (IYKYK), a pre-prepared pav—or in this case, a metre-long one with all the trimmings (think whipped cream, passionfruit curd, fresh strawberries, blackberry sauce, and freeze-dried kiwi berries)—is the only logical option. Add edible chocolate baubles for some extra coin, and make your guests' jaws drop even further to the floor.

Best Treat To Get The Kids Involved

Kit Kat Christmas Cabin Kit / Available In-Store At Selected Supermarkets Nationwide

Price: $35

Image credit: Nestlé / Supplied

Watch any Christmas movie, and you're 100% going to encounter a log cabin somewhere in the plotline (stat not scientifically proven). Which is why this DIY KitKat cabin, which you've no doubt seen doing the rounds on social media, is the perfect holiday treat. Super easy to put together (and not to mention super adorbs!), it contains log 'panels' (really KitKat chocolate bars), white choc melts for 'snow' and other details, Smarties and raspberry gummies for decoration, and a cheeky KitKat Santa to stand watch outside the door. Just magical.

Best Christmas Treat To Pop In The Santa Sack/Give As A Secret Santa Gift

Santa's Milk & Cookie Dragees From House Of Chocolate / Available For Delivery Nationwide & In-Store (Auckland Only)

Price: $25

Image credit: House of Chocolate / Supplied

Cookie dough has been having quite a moment in recent years, which is why these milk and cookie dragees from top chocolate makers, House of Chocolate, are guaranteed to go down a treat with at least 99% of the recipients on your gift list. Featuring nuggets of white chocolate ganache rolled in gold choccy and crushed choccy chip biccies, packaged in a cute Santa-emblazoned box—we reckon even the Grinch himself would approve of these cookie dough-like treats.

Want more festive goodness? Of course you do. Check out our sweet round-up of all the best Chrissy gifts under $50.

Main image credit: Moustache / Supplied.