Christmas Down Under is a unique blend of summer sunshine and festive cheer, and the perfect way to celebrate is with delightful vegan desserts that capture the essence of Australian flavors. Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or looking for a guilt-free sweet treat, these Australian vegan Christmas dessert recipes will impress your family and friends.
Embracing fresh, vibrant ingredients and plant-based alternatives, these recipes offer a delicious way to honor tradition while keeping things cruelty-free. From tropical fruit pavlovas to rich chocolate tarts, these desserts are as beautiful as they are tasty, ensuring everyone at your table can indulge in holiday spirit without compromise.
This blog post will share three iconic Australian vegan Christmas dessert recipes that are easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. Plus, you’ll find helpful tips, equipment lists, and serving ideas to make your holiday baking stress-free and joyful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Australian vegan Christmas dessert recipes are perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the festive season with delicious, plant-based sweets. They combine traditional Australian favorites with vegan ingredients, making them inclusive for all dietary preferences.
The recipes are:
- Fresh and vibrant: Using seasonal fruits like mango, passionfruit, and berries.
- Simple to make: Minimal fuss with easy-to-find ingredients.
- Healthier alternatives: Free from dairy and eggs, with natural sweeteners.
- Perfect for summer: Light and refreshing desserts ideal for the warm Australian Christmas climate.
Ingredients
Vegan Pavlova
- 1 cup aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 1 cup coconut cream (chilled)
- Fresh fruit: mango, passionfruit pulp, kiwi, and strawberries
Macadamia & Lime Cheesecake
- 1 1/2 cups raw macadamia nuts (soaked overnight)
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Zest of 2 limes
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Beetroot Cake
- 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup grated raw beetroot
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Equipment
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls (various sizes)
- Spatula
- 9-inch springform cake pan
- Food processor or high-speed blender
- Baking tray lined with parchment paper
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
Instructions
Vegan Pavlova
- Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Whip the aquafaba with an electric mixer until soft peaks form (about 5-7 minutes).
- Gradually add caster sugar while continuing to whip until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Fold in the vanilla extract, vinegar, and cornflour gently with a spatula.
- Spoon the meringue mixture onto the baking tray, shaping it into a 20 cm circle with slightly raised edges.
- Bake for 1.5 hours, then turn the oven off and leave the pavlova inside to cool completely (overnight is best).
- Whip the chilled coconut cream until fluffy and spread over the cooled pavlova base.
- Top with sliced fresh mango, passionfruit pulp, kiwi, and strawberries. Serve immediately.
Macadamia & Lime Cheesecake
- Prepare the crust: In a food processor, pulse macadamia nuts, desiccated coconut, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup until the mixture sticks together.
- Press the crust mixture into the base of a 9-inch springform pan and place in the fridge to set.
- Make the filling: Blend soaked macadamias, coconut cream, lime juice, lime zest, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the filling over the crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
- Before serving, remove from freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes for easier slicing.
Chocolate Beetroot Cake
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a large bowl, sift together the self-raising flour and cocoa powder.
- Add grated beetroot, brown sugar, vegetable oil, almond milk, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool the cake on a wire rack before serving. Optionally, dust with cocoa powder or serve with vegan cream.
Tips & Variations
“For a lighter pavlova, ensure your mixing bowl and beaters are perfectly clean and grease-free.”
- Vegan Pavlova: Experiment with different tropical fruits like pineapple or passionfruit for a unique flavor twist.
- Macadamia & Lime Cheesecake: Substitute macadamias with cashews or almonds if preferred.
- Chocolate Beetroot Cake: Add a handful of vegan chocolate chips to the batter for extra indulgence.
- Make ahead: Both the cheesecake and pavlova can be prepared a day in advance to save time on Christmas day.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free self-raising flour for the beetroot cake.
Nutrition Facts
Dessert | Calories (per serving) | Fat (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Protein (g) | Fiber (g) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vegan Pavlova | 220 | 8 | 30 | 1 | 2 |
Macadamia & Lime Cheesecake | 350 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 3 |
Chocolate Beetroot Cake | 280 | 12 | 40 | 4 | 4 |
Serving Suggestions
These Australian vegan Christmas desserts pair beautifully with a variety of drinks and side treats. The light and airy Vegan Pavlova is perfect with a chilled glass of sparkling rosé or a fresh Green Goodness Juice Recipe for a refreshing contrast.
The creamy Macadamia & Lime Cheesecake complements tropical cocktails or can be served alongside a fruity compote or vegan whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Enjoy the rich and moist Chocolate Beetroot Cake with a cup of rich coffee or try pairing it with the vegan-friendly Goat Milk Ice Cream Recipe No Eggs for an unforgettable dessert experience.
Conclusion
Celebrating Christmas with vegan desserts is not only kind to animals but also a delicious way to showcase the vibrant flavors of Australia’s summer season. These three recipes — Vegan Pavlova, Macadamia & Lime Cheesecake, and Chocolate Beetroot Cake — offer something for everyone at the table, from light and fruity to rich and indulgent.
With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create memorable holiday treats that everyone will love.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or simply looking to try something new this festive season, these desserts bring joy, flavor, and inclusivity to your Christmas celebrations. For more delightful recipes, check out our Grandma’S Old Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe or our Glazed Twist Donut Recipe for other treats to enjoy throughout the year.
📖 Recipe Card: Australian Vegan Christmas Pavlova
Description: A light and fluffy vegan pavlova topped with fresh summer fruits, perfect for an Australian Christmas. This dessert combines a crispy meringue shell with a creamy coconut topping.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT1H15M
Total Time: PT1H35M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup aquafaba (chickpea brine)
- 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 cup coconut cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 cup fresh kiwi, sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup fresh passionfruit pulp
- 1/2 cup blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 120°C (250°F).
- Whip aquafaba and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually add caster sugar while continuing to whip.
- Fold in vanilla extract and white vinegar gently.
- Spread meringue mixture into a 9-inch circle on baking paper.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then turn off oven and cool inside.
- Whip coconut cream with powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Spread whipped coconut cream over cooled pavlova base.
- Top with sliced kiwi, strawberries, passionfruit pulp, and blueberries.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition: Calories: 250 kcal | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 30 g
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