By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Pavlova, pudding and fruit mince pies have long ruled the Christmas dessert table. This year, a new contender is set to sleigh the sweet status quo… faster than Santa on a sugar high.
The (glamorous) grinch set to steal the Yule spotlight is Miilk Cake Studio in Melbourne’s CBD - which is putting its signature Southeast Asian spin on festive favourites and decking the halls with sugar, spice and all things delightfully naughty-but-nice.
Traditionalists might cling to their candy-cane comfort zone. A place where pavlova puffs up proudly, pudding sits smugly, soaked in spirit and gingerbread men stand at attention, icing swords drawn, ready to defend their buttery turf.
Then Miilk’s North Pole Neapolitan dances onto the scene like Mariah hitting her December high note. Layers of fluffy pandan sponge stacked with strawberry jam and decadent chocolate cream, crowned with vintage-style piping – it’s making spirits bright!
If that doesn’t send tinsel flying, enter Dubai Chocolate, stage left. Think chocolate mud cake meeting airy buttercream, with a Kinder Bueno-flavoured kataifi filling for that irresistible crunch. It may be wrapped in festive charm, but underneath, this cake is pure yuletide mischief. Pavlova glares, pudding sulks, but Dubai Chocolate sashays past, spreading joy like it’s 24 karat cocoa.
Miilk isn’t stopping at cakes. The Christmas Cookie Box is Santa’s snack tray reimagined – a festive medley of matcha, pandan and ube mochi cookies, perfect for gifting or eating straight from the tin while you pretend to "just be wrapping presents.”
Limited-edition Dubai Bueno Brookie Cups are fudgy, decadent and almost too beautiful to eat…but come on, it’s Christmas – treat yo’elf. It’s a little sweet, a little cheeky and guaranteed to make every gathering rock around the dessert table.
Then, because Miilk Cake Studio clearly checked the innovation list twice, the Brûlée Ube Matcha and Brûlée Pandan Matcha arrive with torched sugar tops that crack more satisfyingly than Christmas crackers at the kids’ table. Beneath? Matcha lattes infused with ube and pandan, best paired with chewy mochi cookies. One spoonful and even Grandma’s pudding might concede its crown.
This is one Christmas where the classics can puff, preen and parade, but Miilk’s creations are here to jingle all the way. The North Pole Neapolitan flirts with tradition, Dubai Chocolate dares you to be bold and the Cookie Box ensures no one leaves without their recommended daily dose of merry. It’s a playful dessert showdown where everyone wins – even the fruit mince pie.
Miilk Cake Studio has always had a sprinkle of magic, blending family baking traditions with Southeast Asian flavours and fearless creativity. This year’s range is no exception. Every bite is a reminder that the festive season is for indulgence, adventure and the occasional midnight fridge raid.
Whether you’re gifting, sharing or sneaking a slice before the carols have even started, these creations are decadent, delicious and may just rein(deer)vent the way you think about Christmas desserts forever.
