Fudgy Chocolate and Nut Logs or Bars
The filling for these delectable chocolate treats is super easy to make - ideal for little edible Christmas gifts. It’s also pretty stable once set, so the finished product is easy to wrap and store. You’ll need a mould of...
Almond Joy Fudge
Studded with almonds this fudge is looks like mosaic when sliced. Its easy enough for kids to make and adults will love it, its also very quick– a godsend when you realise at 9 pm on Friday night you were...
Pull-apart Wreath with Quick Pesto Dip
In the Christian tradition the wreath is a symbol of God's unending love and the wreath shape somehow always seems welcoming and generous to me. It's pretty simple to arrange you bread into a circle instead of rows; and it...
Christmas Tree Party Nibbles
Fun to make and far too easy to eat. If the tree part is too much faff, you could just twist the strips like a cheese straw. Ingredients 1 tsp oil 2 rashers bacon, finely chopped ½ an onion, finely...
Christmas Ginger Biscuits
Perfectly spiced with the ideal texture for stamping, cutting and shaping these biscuits will not only make the house smell like Christmas; but they'll keep for weeks to enjoy over the long holidays. Ingredients 125g butter, softened 1/2 cup golden...
Christmas Mince Pies
The thing that makes bought mince pies such a letdown and homemade ones so good, is that the bought ones are far too sweet. The pastry needs to be a contrast to the intensely sweet filling. I make a rich...
Pecan Vanilla Fudge
Luxurious and easy, fudge is perfect for Christmas gifting. Studded with pecans this combo has it all, creamy silky buttery fudge and festive nutty crunch.  Ingredients 1 cup pecan halves, toasted 115g butter 1⁄2 cup cream 1 cup brown sugar,...
Christmas Berry Wreath Pavlova
A wreath shaped pavlova is a show-stopping and inexpensive festive dessert. Use any fresh fruit that will look pretty and not turn brown. You can use regular whipped cream in place of maple cream or for more indulgence try a...
Apricot, Fig, Orange and White Chocolate Pan Forte
Pan forte is the ideal cake to make as a Christmas gift as it gets better over a week or two, so its perfect for making ahead or taking away on holiday after Christmas. The name simply means "strong bread"...
Pecan Tartlets
I often call these little tartlets my "anti Christmas mince pies", as they're a deliciously festive alternative to mince pies during the festive season (something to offer all the people who don’t like fruit mince) they're also are great with cuppa...
Pimms Classic Punch
By the glass or multiply the quantities to fill a jug - either way Pimms is the classic summer refresher. For a special event swap the lemonade for prosecco- lush! Ingredients per serve 50ml PIMM'S No.1 150ml lemonade sliced strawberries,...
Balsamic Roasted Vegetables with Garlic
Delicious as a side dish to roasted or bbq meats, these tasty roasties are also excellent added to a cous cous salad or scattered over a pizza or into a pasta sauce, so make the full amount even if it...
Really Good Roast Spuds
The best roast potatoes are crispy, golden and sticky on the outside and fluffy inside. I'm always asked how I get my spuds so crispy and fluffy so here it is. If you don't have a meat or main dish...
Christmas Cake Ice-Cream
Several years ago we ran a competition that asked people about their Christmas cake traditions, the results were a total surprise. Literally hundreds of the respondents admitted to buying, receiving or baking Christmas cakes every year religiously when not a...
Rich Chocolate Truffle Logs
Made from real chocolate, this truffle mixture is rich and luxurious. You’ll need a cardboard tube from the centre of a roll of cling wrap to use as a mould, the rest is easy. Kremelta is simply a flavourless vegetable fat...
Gin and Lemon Trifle
Trifle is great for an informal gathering or special event as it’s so easy to assemble. If making for a family dinner you could make in individual glasses (see tip below) and omit the gin from the kids ones. Ingredients...
Warming Spiced Orange Juice
Spiced orange juice is fragrant and delicious, and is an alcohol free special drink that will be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. It is the perfect drink for sleep-overs and chilly evenings or mornings. Ingredients 2 litres orange juice or...
Mulled Wine
My friend makes the best mulled wine. It simply smells like Christmas. There is no better aroma to greet you after a cold day skiing or any cold day for that matter. Mulled wine is also a good way to...
Mallowpuff Chocolate Puddings
These cute little treats are very decorative and easy enough for preschoolers to make. They are great table decorations or easy inexpensive Christmas party favours. Ingredients Mallowpuffs – however many you need White chocolate for melting Jaffa’s or red jelly...
How to Roast a Turkey
Turkey is very lean so basting with pan juices and covering with sliced bacon and a layer of foil is the usual method employed to keep the meat moist and succulent while imparting flavour into the flesh.  Frequent opening of...
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