The beauty of a trifle is all in the layering. Fruit and jelly; custard or cream; and sponge cake softened with liqueur, you can bet Nana Trusses’ trifles are bound to make a statement. Saga's Andy Bowdy is inspired once again by a “boozed up bowl” of custard, Madeira cake, multi-coloured Aeroplane Jelly and whipped cream that his nan used to serve up and it's basically a cake in a bowl, plus it's easy to transport, too. Available in four flavours: Tiramisu, Jacoby's (pineapple, rum and coconut, Ted (chocolate, cherry bomb) and Philly (peach, maple, pecan and biscuit crumb).
178 Enmore Rd, Enmore 
The 'Philly' trifle is one of four new flavours on offer. Vanilla sponge, maple custard, peach and bourbon jelly, brown sugar pecans, vanilla Chantilly, Anzac crumb, peach and rosemary compote, fresh peaches and raspberries. Source: Saga Enmore
From freshly baked cakes and biscuits to home-cooked meals, Sweet Greek is on a (log) roll this silly season thanks to loukoumi, pistachios, figs, almonds, rich dark cacao and chocolate. And while you're visiting, don't hold back from grabbing some of Kathy Tsaples' Greek biscotti, koulouria or her baklava cheesecake, because you're worth it.
Shop 702, Prahran Market - 163 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Messina has shaken their cake range up once again and it's coming in just in time for celebrating. While their Christmas Coma 2018 gelato trifle has already sold out (apparently there's a for you diehards out there), there are now (Dr Evil's Magic Mushroom is the only one sticking around) that can be eaten from either the fridge or freezer. The luxe Golden 8 channels Ferrero Rocher, How Now is all about that jersey cow (including one super-sweet print), Strawberries & Cream, a celebration of the bond between strawberry and marsala and of course piped Italian meringue and chocolate spray in their one and only Tiramisu Tart.
Layers of hazelnut gelato, hazelnut mousse with chocolate coated rice crispies, hazelnut fudge, chantilly cream & caramel sponge finished with rocher glaze and a gold velvet chocolate spray. Source: Gelato Messina
You've probably joined the queue for her loaves of sourdough, but Emma Shearer isn't relegating the public to only starter perfection. Enter The Lost Loaf fruit mince pies made with Australian apricots, sultanas, currants, almonds, cinnamon, spices, apples caramelised in brown sugar and all soaked in French brandy for the past two months. Now they're here and inside buttery pastry dusted with a Davidson plum sugar.
Plant 4 Bowden, Third Street, Bowden.
Source: The Lost Loaf
From handmade stollen and snowmen choux to giant gingerbread houses and candy cane melting moments, the Hilton Sydney pastry team are getting festive with their handmade creations this month and we're reaping the rewards. All these one-off treats will be available up until Christmas Day, so #lastminute has never been better.
Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney
Christmas Religieuse. Source: The Hilton Sydney
Winner of Best Patisserie in the ACT last year, Space Kitchen is a cafe spanning communal tables, wagyu cheeseburgers, Friday after-work-drinks and Saturday brunches. It's also home to a glass cabinet brimming with decadent looking desserts for the taking. Cakes in the shapes of ice-cream, mousse mayhem, jelly creations and rows of macarons, all with a healthy dose of colour. This year they've upped the ante on the hollow Christmas bauble by recreating it with popping candy, salted caramel sauce and a wicked gingerbread trifle centre - two festive favourites all-in-one.
3g/12 Furzer St, Phillip ACT
When your decorations also double-up as a gingerbread trifle. Source: Space Kitchen
Santa’s Belly is back in action and this time it's bringing elves as well. Dark chocolate mousse, cherry compote, caramelised puff pastry, chocolate sponge and coconut dacquoise all come together to create the stretchy pants of Christmas cakes. You can also find their exclusive (and very adorable) Rudolph baked choc chip cookie with banana cream, white choc milkshakes mousse and caramel glaze, one for the kids big and small.
38 Toorak Rd, South Yarra and 28 Katherine Place, Melbourne
Santa's belly has never looked better. Source: LuxBite
All the way from Bologna and produced daily from their Sydney laboratorio, chances are you've had RivaReno gelato straight from their stainless steel cylinders and into your mouth. This Christmas they're stuffing their hiding their fresh-made gelato in Italian panettone, before topping it in gianduia (think homemade Nutella, Italian-style) and caramelised nuts. All you'll need to choose is what two gelato flavours you're going to wield.
280 Crown Street, Darlinghurst and Shop 4, 33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo.
Panettone filled with gelato. Source: Rivareno
The pastry juggernaut responsible for the is also a Melbourne institution that doesn't shy away from those limited-edition and wow-factor ticket items, case-in-point, the croissant, anyone? This December, the croissanterie is riding a cruffin (the lovechild of the croissant and a muffin) all the way to the dessert pole. Filled with fruit mince, this combo may have just saved Christmas and also Boxing Day brekkie.
119 Rose St, Fitzroy VIC
Fruit mince cruffins Source: Lune croissant
And where would that table be without some gingerbread dancing all over it? With eleven locations to choose from (), the Sydney bakers are back once again with their classic fruit mince pies and supreme gingerbread people. And don't worry, their tart selection is still on high rotation with chocolate ganache, ginger brulée lemon curd and mango meringue all vying for their spots on your table, too.
Gingerbread grooves from Bourke Street Bakery Source: Alan Benson
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