Christmas is a culmination of many things; family, friends, shopping, gifts, decorations, and food make Christmas what it is. But as it draws near, we are filled with the stress of buying the rights gifts, organising Christmas get-togethers, and attending all the parties and carol services that we often forget to indulge ourselves with the goodness that comes with the season. So this year, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bring you an (almost) complete guide to all your favourite Christmas goodies. But before we get into that, here’s a look at Sri Lanka’s favourite Christmas food that’s stood the test of time. Christmas cake – A Christmas staple, the Sri Lankan Christmas cake is a blend of rich fruits, semolina, and, oftentimes, brandy. But just in case you don’t like alcohol, we’ve put together some non-alcoholic options. Many places also offer a choice of almond or marzipan icing to suit your preference [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14617"] Breudher – This unique dish has become such a big part of Sri Lankan Christmas thanks to the Dutch Burghers. This is buttery bread filled with raisins and baked to perfection and only really eaten during Christmas. Yule Log – This dessert is a French tradition. It is usually a soft sponge cake filled with chocolate and rolled to resemble a log, a festive Swiss roll if you will. [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14612"] Mince Pies – There was once a time when the mincemeat was actually a combination of minced lamb/beef, beef suet, and dried fruits. However, the version we get today is just minced fruit, spices and spirits in the form of little tarts. [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14608"] Christmas pudding – Much like Christmas cake, this is baked pudding made up of dry fruits and spices and is often boiled, steamed, or baked. This British introduction can be served hot or cold accompanied by vanilla or brandy butter. [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14615"] Cravings By Sue [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14620"] Cravings By Sue offers homemade goodies. Some of their items this season; Rich cake (without marzipan) (per kg) – Rs. 3,300 Rich cake (with marzipan) (per kg) – Rs. 4,000 Rich cake pieces (without marzipan) (each 70-80 g) – Rs. 310 Rich cake pieces (with marzipan) (each 70-80 g) – Rs. 340 Christmas brownies (each - min order 8 pieces) – Rs. 400 Dutch Breudher – Rs. 2,000 Nutcrackers (nutty milk toffees) (each, min. order 10 pieces) – Rs. 180 Christmas themed cakes – Rs. 6,000 upwards Love cake (per kg) – Rs. 3,300 Call 077 474 0211 to place orders FB: Cravings By Sue IG: @cravings.by.sue Ambrosia [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14621"] Heavenly tastes from their homely kitchen, created with care using premium ingredients. Some of their items on offer; Rudolph cake – Rs. 3,200 Almond tarts (pack of six) – Rs. 1,200 Christmas themed cupcakes (pack of six) – Rs. 1,400 Christmas cake (iced) (500 g) – Rs. 2,200 Breudher – Rs. 1,200 White Christmas cake – Rs. 3,600 Chocolate Christmas cake – Rs. 3,600 Ganache cake – Rs. 2,500 Nutella Drip cake (1.5 kg) – Rs. 8,000 Yule Log (large) – Rs. 3,600 Brandy Blaze – Rs. 4,000 Christmas pudding – Rs. 1,600 Call 077 777 2052/077 777 2825 to place orders FB: Ambrosia IG: @ambrosia_lk Website: www.ambrosia.lk 27 1/1 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07 The Sugar Shack [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14622"] Christmas cake (1 kg) – Rs. 2,000 Breudher – Rs. 1,000 Cookies – Rs. 150 Cupcakes – Rs. 150-200 Mini Cupcakes – Rs. 50 Call 077 771 1718 to place orders FB: The Sugar Shack IG: @thesugarshackcolombo 20, de Fonseka Road, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka Tasty Caterers [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="14623"] Celebrating 37 years since they began operation, Tasty Caterers are offering brand new menus to choose from this festival season. Their Festive Finger Food Cocktail Menu, made up of an assortment of scrumptious finger food, crisps and dips, and special sweet goodies is perfect for light affairs and Christmas parties. For more traditional dinners and parties they’re offering three different seasonal menus to choose from – Seasonal Indulgence, the Christmas Classic, and the Tasty Premium Festive Menu. Each menu comes with a grand selection of meat, seafood, and even vegetarian entrees along with salads, savoury starches, and sides complete with a mouth-watering choice of decadent desserts. Fans of their classic menus need not worry as they will be taking orders from their well-loved Sri Lankan Glory menu, Celebrations menu, International menu, Singaporean Fusion menu, Thai menu, Western menu, and Mongolian BBQ menu as well. Furthermore, Tasty are open to making changes to any of their menus to suit your needs this Christmas. Call 011 258 0844/011 208 1041-2 to place orders Sponge Christmas cake (with almond paste) (1 kg) – Rs. 4,400 Yule Log (large – 1450 g) – Rs. 4,800 Breudher (large – 800 g) – Rs. 2,400 Mince pies (regular) – Rs. 280 Mince pies (oval) – Rs. 260 Christmas pudding with cognac butter sauce (600 g) – Rs. 2,900 Marzipan Christmas figures – Rs. 460 Marzipan Santa Face – Rs. 200 Call 011 257 3321/011 257 4299 to place orders Divine Cakes [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14626"] Christmas gateau – Rs. 2,650 Ribbon cake with Christmas decoration – Rs. 1,350 upwards Christmas pudding with brandy butter (510 g) – Rs. 1,750 Butter cookies – Rs. 290 Breudher – Rs. 1,200 Breudher – Rs. 600 Yule Log – Rs. 2,000 Christmas cake gift basket 12 pieces – Rs. 2,500 Christmas cake (includes brandy) – Rs. 1,800 Love cake (non-alcoholic) – Rs. 1,350 Call 077 777 9406/077 350 4340 to place orders FB: Divine Cakes Bakes by Bella [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="14627"] Hot Chocolate mix – Rs. 950 Brownie mix – Rs. 1,500 Cookie mix – Rs. 1,500 Buttermilk pancake mix – Rs. 800 Brandy butter – Rs. 750 Christmas cake (100 g) – Rs. 350 Virgin Eggnog – Rs. 500 Caramelized onion chutney – Rs. 500 Salted caramel – Rs. 500 Chilli jam – Rs. 700 Chicken liver pate – Rs. 650 Bakes by Bella will also be offering a range of other items such as thambili wine, stollen, and other cookies, brownies, and blondies. Call 077 744 5449 to place orders FB: Bakes by Bella IG: @bakesbybella Website: www.bakesbybella.com/cafe 8, Alfred House Ave, Colombo 03 The Cake Factory Christmas cake (250 g) – Rs. 1,400 Christmas cake (500 g) – Rs. 2,300 Christmas cake (individual pieces) – Rs. 280 Yule Log (mini) – Rs. 1,400 Yule Log (regular) – Rs. 2,300 Call 077 738 2510 or visit www.cakefactory.lk to place orders online 25, Buthgamuwa Road, Rajagiriya Barista This Christmas, coffee house chain Barista is embracing the festive season with a range of new beverages that will be available at all Barista outlets and the signature Caramel Pumpkin café. The new Christmas menu includes the Ho Ho Ho-t Chocolate, the Jingle Latte, and the Christmas Frappe. Barista is also serving up honey ham and bacon sandwiches, turkey club sandwich, turkey and cranberry sandwiches, and even cranberry and almond pudding to get you in the Christmas mood. Perhaps their most interesting release, the “Kiri Kopi”, a twist on the Sri Lankan classic will be sold at Rs. 350. This year, every purchase of the “Kiri Kopi” will ensure that Rs. 100 is allocated to a fund that will purchase gifts for coffee farmers and their families, and school supplies for children of these families for the season. Call 071 999 9922 The Fab Breudher (1 kg) – Rs. 950 Rich cake (with almond paste) (400 g) – Rs. 1,350 Christmas rich cake (individual pieces) – Rs. 170 Christmas love cake (individual pieces) – Rs. 150 Jaggery cake (400 g) – Rs. 1,250 Date cake (500 g) – Rs. 900 Fruit cake (1 kg) – Rs. 1,400 Love cake (800 g) – Rs. 1,650 Butter cake (1 kg) – Rs. 1,000 Presentation rich fruit cake (1 kg) – Rs. 1,900 Presentation Christmas gateau – Rs. 1,800 Ribbon cake (with Christmas/New Year deco) – Rs. 1,800 Christmas plum pudding with vanilla butter (serves 10) – Rs. 1,500 Ginger pudding with cream cheese frosting (serves eight) – Rs. 1,650 Pineapple and apple crumble (serves eight) – Rs. 1,550 Almond Christmas stollen – Rs. 1,580 German Christmas stollen – Rs. 1,580 Call 011 205 7777 to place orders Website: www.thefab.lk/types/seasonal/#xmas2018 The English Cake Company Christmas pudding (with brandy) (1,200 g) – Rs. 2,800 Christmas pudding (plain) (1,200 g) – Rs. 2,500 Sticky toffee pudding (serves six-eight) – Rs. 2,500 Christmas cake (with brandy) (1 kg) – Rs. 4,300 Christmas cake (plain) (1 kg) – Rs. 3,900 Yule Log (with chocolate, lemon, or passion icing) (large) – Rs. 3,400 Gluten-free Squidgy Chocolate Yule Log – Rs. 4,400 Traditional Breudher – Rs. 1,900 Breudher with blueberries – Rs. 2,800 Decorated Christmas gingerbread biscuits – Rs. 180-280 Christmas cookies – Rs. 220-280 Meringue Snowmen – Rs. 200 Croquembouche Christmas trees (large) – Rs. 6,600 Brownie boxes (10 pieces) – Rs. 2,900 Caramel shortbread boxes (10 pieces) – Rs. 2,900 Mix & Match Boxes (10 pieces – a choice of brownies, caramel shortbread, honey-almond squares, mint-chocolate squares or flapjacks) – Rs. 3,800 Call 011 250 1344 to place orders 2a Sulaiman Terrace, Jawatta Road, Colombo 05