The 13 desserts of Christmas – a French tradition (2024)

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The 13 desserts of Christmas – a French tradition? ›

In Provence, the 'thirteen desserts' are intimately associated with the Christmas festivities. But what are they, exactly? They are thirteen different desserts (dried fruits, candies, sweets and so on), which represent Christ and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper.

Combined with the religious element, this tradition gave the Christmas season its festive character well before gifts inundated households. The thirteen desserts are in reference to Jesus and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper. As tradition goes, there must be at least thirteen sweets available.

Christmas Dinner

Another celebration, in some parts of France, is that 13 different desserts are eaten!

Bûche de Noël is a traditional French Christmas dessert shaped and decorated like a log. This recipe takes some time, but we promise it's worth it.

In Provence, the 'thirteen desserts' are intimately associated with the Christmas festivities. But what are they, exactly? They are thirteen different desserts (dried fruits, candies, sweets and so on), which represent Christ and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper.

1. Crème brûlée. Crème brûlée is arguably the most well-known French dessert outside of France, a staple on menus from Paris to New York. Its popularity comes from its elegant simplicity - a rich, creamy custard capped with a brittle burnt sugar crust.

The thirteen desserts of Christmas are a well known tradition of the people living in Provence, who every year renew this ancestral and convivial tradition by gathering families around delicacies at the end of the 'Great supper' (Christmas dinner).

In France, the main festive Christmas meal is enjoyed on the Christmas Eve - December 24th. The tradition has its name - it's called Le Réveillon - and basically it's a long dinner followed by staying up all night for the arrival of Père Noël: Father Christmas - French Santa Claus.

Fruitcake was named by 35.8 percent of respondents as an essential Christmas dessert..

What do the French drink at Christmas? ›

Families usually kick things off by opening a bottle of fine Champagne, like the Champagne Paul Michel. Others may choose to begin with a traditional method French Crémant from the Loire, Limoux or Burgundy and bring out the Champagne later in the meal.

Oeufs en Cocotte are great as a hearty breakfast or brunch dish. While most people are fussing about what they'll serve for dinner on Christmas Day, I tend to focus more on what I'll serve for brunch.

Following midnight mass, it is time for the 13 desserts. The amount has nothing to do with a baker's dozen but rather is equal to the number of participants around the table at the Last Supper; Jesus and his 12 apostles.

While most families in France enjoy a Yule log (bûche de Noël) for dessert, in Provence the table is spread with dried and fresh fruits, nuts, nougat, and a popular orange-flavoured brioche cake known as “oil pump”.

Bûche de Noël is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. This one is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream and decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a yule log. It doesn't just look beautiful — it tastes wonderful, too!

Bûche de Noël is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. This one is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream and decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a yule log. It doesn't just look beautiful — it tastes wonderful, too!