White Christmas (food)

White Christmas (food)

A traditional White Christmas slice

White Christmas is a popular dessert in Australia and New Zealand, often associated with the Christmas season. It is a no-bake slice made primarily from coconut, dried fruit, and rice bubbles (known as Rice Krispies in some countries), bound together with hydrogenated coconut oil or copha.

Ingredients

The traditional ingredients for White Christmas include:

• Copha or hydrogenated coconut oil
• Rice bubbles
• Desiccated coconut
• Dried fruit such as sultanas, currants, or glacé cherries
• Icing sugar
• Powdered milk
• Vanilla extract

Preparation

White Christmas is prepared by melting the copha and mixing it with the dry ingredients. The mixture is then poured into a rectangular or square pan and allowed to set in the refrigerator. Once set, it is cut into squares or slices for serving.

Variations

While the traditional recipe is quite popular, there are several variations of White Christmas that include additional ingredients such as:

• Nuts like almonds or macadamias
• Chocolate chips or white chocolate
• Marshmallows

Cultural Significance

White Christmas is a staple at Christmas parties and gatherings in Australia and New Zealand. Its name and appearance evoke the idea of a snowy Christmas, which contrasts with the typically warm and sunny weather experienced in the Southern Hemisphere during December.

Related pages

• Christmas cake
• Christmas pudding
• Lamington
• Anzac biscuit