10 most popular Christmas recipes from Better Homes and Gardens

Tens of thousands of Better Homes and Gardens viewers flocked to get their hands on Colin Fassnidge’s panna cotta trifle recipe when he unveiled the creation in 2024. Of the dessert’s many, decadent layers, Colin says, “Now if  that doesn’t sing of Christmas, I don’t know what does.”

Adam Dovile, who assisted Colin with the dessert making, was speechless when he was finally granted permission to taste the trifle: “that’s a heavenly dream.”

After desserts, Christmas side-dishes are one of the most popular categories on our site in the lead up to Christmas. The most popular salad, by far, is this mango, avocado and macadamia stunner. It’s the kind of recipe that just looks and tastes like summer.

We bet that once Christmas lunch is demolished, everyone will be asking you for the recipe! Need a nut-free alternative? Check out our roundup of the best mango salads.

When our food editor, Sarah Murphy, made Christmas crack, the video went viral on social media. And it’s easy to see why. It has everything: it tastes great, is popular with kids and adults alike, and can be made in a flash (no baking required). It’s also easy enough to make in bulk (which we recommend, because it’ll disappear before your eyes).

Prefer sweet treats to be more nutritious? Try our chocolate granola crack, which is packed with wholegrain fibre. 

Recipe number four confirms there’s a clear theme to our most popular Christmas recipes. They’re classic, but with a twist. Clarissa Fieldel’s Asian-inspired glazed ham is no exception. So move over honey mustard ham!

The beauty of this ham? It’s incredibly versatile. Pair it with potato salad, roast potatoes or even a generous scoop of steamed rice. Now that’s a crowd-pleaser!

Think a pavlova needs to be perfect to make an impact? Karen Martini’s meringue smash will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about this classic Aussie dish.

Here’s why this one’s a favourite: it uses store-bought meringues (no judgement, only genius), and honestly? The messier, the better. But do not skip those pomegranate arils – they’re the jewels that make this dessert absolutely stunning.

What do you get when you cross a pavlova with a cheesecake? This delectable creation, of course! This is another one of those desserts that looks more sophisticated than it really is, thanks to some store-bought saviours.

That zesty biscuit base? Made from blitzed Arnott’s lemon crisps! And that luscious cream cheese filling studded with chunks of cloud-like meringue? That’s store-bought meringue nests working absolute magic.

Bring this dessert to Christmas lunch and people will think you’re a kitchen magician. Say what you want about trifles, but you can’t deny they always look great positioned in the middle of the table. The thing readers love about this recipe is that it skips old-fashioned sherry for more contemporary flavours. Think: sparkling prosecco jelly and Aperol syrup.

Edible gifts are the ultimate Christmas win: personal, delicious, and always appreciated. But our most popular recipe for gifting? This peppermint brownie slice was developed by Great Australian Bake Off finalist, Aaron Hawton. It’s the little things that make this slice so good – the feather effect on top makes for a classy, yet understated look.

If you love holiday traditions, then there’s no passing up on making your own Christmas pudding. Fast Ed covers all the customary ingredients and steps, including soaking dried fruit for at least a week (so be warned!).

This dessert is always the show-stopper on the table, and your guests will love you for the time and effort you put into it!

White Christmas is as Aussie as it gets – with fruit, nuts, shaved coconut and a ton of Copha, it’s indulgent and full of festiveness.

Serve up a slab of this (cut up into pieces, of course) to your guests who are over for afternoon tea, and watch them delight in its rich, delicious taste.