international desserts and snacks -- I need your help!

[Whippet]

In a few weeks, some friends and I will be hosting a large party with an international desserts and snacks theme, mostly desserts. We'd like to focus especially on foods associated with religious festivals, and it would be best if these could be readily made in bulk. I'm really struggling with coming up with a menu. I'm thinking hamestaschen, latkes (I'm Jewish), maybe kheer, Chinese walnut soup....
I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas. I know I can count on 'hounds.

Chava

[BigSal]

Some typical treats served on Nochebuena and throughout the Xmas season in Spain are turron (almond nougat is one type, but many other flavors exist ) and polvorones (almond cookies). Both of these can be made in advance. You could also try your hand at Roscon de Reyes (a bread-like cake) served for Three Kings Day in Spain. Regardless of what you make, sounds like it will be a fun event.

[JungMann]

Pączki/Fasnachts (Fat Tuesday)
King cake (Mardi Gras)
Pancakes (Shrove Tuesday)
Bibingka/ensaimada (Christmas)
Turron (Christmas)
Tamales/pasteles (Christmas)
Baumkuchen/Lebkuchen/Gingerbread (Christmas)
Lamb cake (Easter)
Macaroons (Passover)
Katayif/Mamoul/Jalebi (Ramadan)
Mithai (Diwali)
Pretzel (Lent)
Advent crescents (Advent)
Zeppole/Sfinge (Feast of St. Joseph)
Lussekatter (Feast of St. Lucy)
Speculaas (Feast of St. Nicholas)

[amy_wong]

How about Galette de Rois? It's for the feast of the epiphany, and has a charm baked inside. The New Orleans version is more cake-like whereas the French version is made with puff pastry and a nut filling. Actually, the latter is like Pithiviers (not sure if they're identical.)

Buche de Noel would make a nice dessert too. Or how about the 13 desserts of Provence?

[ipsedixit]

Fruitcake :-)

[dumpycactus]

second the moon cakes as they should be on sale now, and they keep forever (mid-autumn festival just passed)
boterletter (Dutch Christmas)
baklava (Nowruz)
stollen (German Christmas)
makowiec (Polish Christmas)
King Cake (Mardi Gras/Carnival)

...? sugar overload!

[goodhealthgourmet]

don't forget the sufganiyot (jelly donuts) to go with those Hanukkah latkes! oh, and honey cake for Rosh Hashanah...and mandelbrot & macaroons for Pesach.

[janeh]

Pan de muertos (Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead)

[tastesgoodwhatisit]

Chinese moon cakes (mid autumn festival).
Individual pumpkin tarts (Thanksgiving, US and Canada)
Mincemeat pies (Christmas)
Mochi (Japanese New Year)