Christmas in the Philippines is always a feast. We prepare so much food to share with family, friends, and even neighbors who drop by. With so many dishes already cooking on the stove and filling the table, I find it comforting to have desserts that don’t take up too much time or effort. That’s why quick and easy no bake treats have become our go-to.
Most Filipino households don’t have ovens, which is probably why many of our desserts are simple but comforting. Some are just a quick mix of creamy all purpose cream with different flavors, while others are rice cakes that are steamed or cooked on the stovetop. These are the kinds of treats we’ve grown up with, and they’ve become part of every celebration, especially at Christmas.
These are my tried and tested no bake desserts that my family enjoys every Christmas, and they never fail to make the celebration extra special.
Fruit Salad
No Filipino Christmas table is complete without fruit salad. It’s a simple mix of fruit cocktail, all purpose cream, and condensed milk, but it brings so much joy. Every family has their own little twist, some add cheese, some add fresh fruits, and it’s always one of the first bowls to be emptied. You can find my full Filipino Fruit Salad Recipe here.
Peach Mango Float
This is one of the easiest desserts I make during the holidays, and it’s always a hit. Layers of graham crackers, sweet cream, peaches, and mangoes come together into a chilled cake that tastes so refreshing. It’s light but still feels indulgent, which makes it perfect after a big Christmas meal. See the step by step Peach Mango Float Recipe here.
Ube Float with Macapuno
If you love ube, this float is a must. It’s creamy, purple, and festive, with the rich flavor of ube paired with sweet macapuno on top. It looks beautiful on the table and feels so special without needing much effort. Check out my Ube Float with Macapuno Recipe here.
Maja Blanca
Maja Blanca is a classic coconut pudding made on the stovetop. It’s soft, creamy, and usually topped with toasted coconut or latik. My mom always made this for Christmas, and just a slice brings back so many memories of childhood celebrations.
Puto
Steamed rice cakes like puto are another holiday favorite. They’re soft, fluffy, and often served with cheese on top. I love putting a plate of these on the table because they pair so well with savory dishes too.
Coffee Jelly
Coffee jelly is such a fun and refreshing dessert to serve during Christmas. Made with cubes of coffee-flavored gelatin mixed with sweet cream, it is both light and satisfying. Grownups especially love it for the coffee kick. It is one of those quick desserts that looks fancy in a glass but only takes a few steps to prepare.
Buko Pandan
I can still recall the first time we made buko pandan, not to give away how old I am, but it was about 20 years ago. Honestly, it was mind blowing back then. We usually had fruit salad for celebrations, but this one was different. The combination of soft young coconut, fragrant pandan jelly, and creamy sweetened all purpose cream felt so fresh and special. Every bite was fun, and even now, it is one of those desserts that disappears fast whenever I serve it at Christmas.
