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Greek Holiday Sweets and Desserts

Christmas and New Year's Traditions

by Nancy Gaifyllia
for About.com

In Greece, Christmas and New Year's are celebrated with sweets: pastries, cakes, cookies, and more. Some are enjoyed in every corner of the country, and others are regional specialties. And several are included in my list of favorite sweet gifts.

In Greek life, these sweets are rarely served as desserts. They are, more usually, eaten at pastry shops, bought at bakeries or made in small quantities to enjoy at home, or made for special occasions and to offer to guests.

Since the Christmas and New Year's holiday season is a truly "special occasion," Greek homes will be filled with the smells of fabulous baked treats.

Learn more about these Greek holiday sweets including traditions and regional sources. Photo pages include links to the recipes.

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Photo of Greek Christmas Bread - ChristopsomoChristmas Sweet Loaf - ChristopsomoPhoto of Greek Christmas Sesame Spice Cookies - Koulourakia ChristouyennonChristmas Sesame Spice Cookie Rings - Koulourakia ChristouyennonPhoto of Greek Coiled Baklava Pastry - Souromenos BaklavasCoiled Baklava Pastry - Souromenos Baklavas Photo of Greek Custard-Filled Pastry - GalaktobourekoCustard Pastry - Galaktoboureko
Photo of Greek Diples - Thiples - Honey Fried PastriesFried Honey Pastries - Thiples (or Diples)Photo of Greek Honey Coconut Turnovers - Skaltsounes meh Karytha - KarydaHoney Coconut Turnovers - Skaltsounes me KarythaPhoto of Loukoumathes Greek Honey Puff DonutsHoney Puff Donuts - LoukoumathesPhoto of Greek Honey-Dipped Spice Cookies - Melomakarona - MelomacaronaHoney-Dipped Spice Cookies - Melomakarona
Photo of Greek Honey Spice Cookies with Sesame - Melomakarona from RhodesHoney-Dipped Spice Cookies with Sesame Centers - Melomakarona me SousamiPhoto of Greek Honey-Dipped Spiral Pastries - Xerotigana from CreteHoney-Dipped Spiral Pastries - XerotiganaPhoto of Greek Jam Tart - Pasta Flora - Pasta FrolaJam Tart - Pasta FloraPhoto of Greek BaklavaNut-Filled Phyllo Pastry - Baklava
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