Steal the show at Christmas lunch with these six desserts

ABC Everyday

Topic:Christmas Food

Tuesday 21 December 2021Tue 21 Dec 2021 at 7:00pm

There's nothing like getting to the end of a Christmas feast, feeling both full and exhausted.

You think there's not a chance you could eat anymore.

Enter, the desserts. As soon as you see them, it's like you've found your second wind.

Here are six show-stopping desserts that you'll have no choice but to make room for.

Raspberry meringue roulade with mascarpone cream

Pavlova roll with mascarpone cream and raspberries inside with a cream and raspberry topping, a delicious summer dessert recipe. — Don't be afraid to make a roulade (a fancy way of saying a rolled meringue). They're quicker and easier than a traditional pavlova. (ABC News: Thalia Ho)

This golden, blushing meringue — with a hint of lemon — is crisp on the outside, and soft and marshmallow-like on the inside.

It's light, sweet and perfect for summer. Raspberries can be substituted for strawberries, blackberries and even blueberries in this recipe.

Chocolate cream pie

This is a DIY version of the classic Bavarian chocolate pie you might find in the supermarket freezer.

It's a nostalgic, triple-layered affair, with a slightly salty chocolate biscuit base, a creamy chocolate custard filling and whipped cream on the top.

Baked cheesecake with honey, ricotta and a hint of thyme

Slice of honey cheesecake on a patterned plate, topped with bee pollen and dried thyme, a light and creamy summer dessert recipe — Lightly golden and sweetened by honey, this fluffy cheesecake with bee pollen to finish is subtly sweet. (ABC News: Thalia Ho)

This cheesecake is simple to make, but needs a bit of time because it is baked low and slow to stop cracks and enhance lightness.

There is a touch of fresh thyme in the pie crust which adds a special touch.

Toasted coconut lamington cake

Who doesn't love lamingtons? This never-fail classic is elevated in this recipe with a few upgrades.

Think intense dark chocolate coconut cream ganache, coconut sugar syrup and fresh raspberries.

Raspberry and crème fraîche semifreddo

A slice of raspberry and creme fraiche semifreddo on a plate with a side of raspberries and red currants. — Serve in slices or scoops with a side of fresh fruit. (ABC News: Julia Busuttil Nishimura)

Making ice cream at home can be fiddly, and you usually need special equipment like an ice cream churner.

Not for this semifreddo (which literally translates to "semi-frozen"). It is an incredibly creamy, frozen mousse dessert that can be scooped or sliced onto a plate.