By Akshara
December 19, 2025
After midnight mass, certain foods appear year after year across Indian Catholic communities. These items are prepared ahead of time and are closely linked to Christmas customs rather than everyday eating. They are served and shared immediately after mass, both in parish settings and nearby homes, and are recognised as part of how Christmas begins.
Plum cake is the most recognisable Christmas snack across India. Dense, dark and spiced, it is made with dried fruits and warm baking spices that give it depth and richness. Its flavour develops over time, and a slice of plum cake is widely understood as the taste of Christmas itself.
Kalkals are small, shell-shaped fried cookies flavoured with coconut milk and sugar. They are crisp on the outside with a slightly soft bite inside, and their shape and texture are immediately associated with Christmas in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa.
Rose cookies are thin, crisp and airy, with a delicate crunch that sets them apart from heavier Christmas sweets. Their distinctive flower shape makes them visually linked to the season.
Kuswar refers to a traditional assortment of Goan Christmas sweets rather than a single dish. This usually includes items like neureos, doce and coconut-based sweets, each with its own texture and flavour. Sharing kuswar after midnight mass is a long-standing custom in Goan Catholic households.
Tea or coffee completes the post-mass spread. Served hot and simply, it balances the sweetness of cakes and cookies. More than just a beverage, it is part of the shared pause after mass, accompanying conversation and marking the transition into Christmas.