Christmas recipes and ideas
It’s never too early to start planning what Christmas recipes to make this year – and begin thinking about festive menus! Take some stress out of the big day with our make-ahead recipes for starters and desserts, plus a pick-your-own menu that can be made almost entirely in advance. We have all of the traditional dishes covered too, from the classic dinner and turkey to trifles and mince pies.
Ready to party? Discover our favourite canapés and cocktails. We’ve also rounded up our best-ever festive baking recipes, including cinnamon buns, a gingerbread tree and Christmas cookies. You’ll find expert tips on everything from decorating your Christmas cake to how to make perfect roast potatoes and assemble a cheeseboard, too. Finally, come back for all the Boxing Day recipes and festive leftover ideas you need…
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Best of the best: how to make the ultimate Christmas pudding
If you’re looking for the best Christmas pudding recipe, your search ends here. Our best of the best series takes...
Mary Berry’s rich fruit Christmas cake
Mary Berry’s rich traditional Christmas cake recipe is filled to the brim with fruit, as well as almonds, brandy and...
Rhubarb and pink grapefruit possets with poppy seed and pistachio shortbread
These possets make the most of winter’s citrus and the pleasant tang of rhubarb. Meanwhile, the buttery shortbread on the...
Make-ahead Christmas menu
From freezable roast potatoes and stuffing balls to our get-ahead gravy, this pick-your-own make-ahead Christmas menu allows you to spend...
A Christmas Day lunch menu and time plan
Have a hassle-free Christmas Day with our lunch menu for 8 people. It comes with a shopping list for all...
20 ways to make Christmas easier
We’ve asked a few of our favourite chefs and food experts to reveal their best tips for making Christmas easier,...
How to make a beef wellington
Learn how to perfect this impressive classic with Nick Deverell-Smith’s step-by-step guide to succulent beef and flaky pastry. Find the...
12 delicious ways to have a greener Christmas
With a little creativity and planning, you can not only wow your guests this year but you can also have...
Make-ahead Christmas
Get ready for the festivities with our make-ahead Christmas recipes - and see our menu ideas at the bottom of...
Make-ahead Christmas desserts
No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen making pudding after a massive Christmas lunch – use one of...
Make-ahead Christmas starters
Need a festive head-start? Don't we all. Here's our round-up of the best make-ahead Christmas starters - from classic salmon...
Make-ahead Christmas sides
Don't spend Christmas Day in the kitchen, use these recipes for make-ahead sides and keep festive stress to a minimum....
Make-ahead stuffing
Jump-start your Christmas cooking or Sunday roast with some make-ahead stuffing. All of these recipes can be made-ahead, either in...
Canapés
Get your party off to a stylish start with our tempting canapé recipes. Try cheese and rosemary sablés, smoked salmon...
Christmas cakes
How early should you make your Christmas cake? It's a good question, and many of us love to celebrate each...
Christmas puddings
From the classics to the inventive, we've got Christmas pudding recipes guaranteed to please all your holiday guests. And you...
Smoked trout with potato rösti and beetroot cream
Crunchy-yet-soft rösti are great for Christmas parties – make two large ones, then chop them up into bite-size pieces. Topped...
Turkey and cranberry sausage rolls
A mini sausage roll is a good idea no matter the time of year, but they’re practically a necessity come...
How to create the ultimate Christmas buffet
A Christmas buffet is a serious affair. There’s more to it than canapés and crisps (although they definitely play a...
Baked camembert with harissa honey
Who doesn’t love baked camembert? Here oozy, gooey cheese is drizzled with a fiery, sweet honey. This speedy recipe is...
Sausage and cheese brioche wreath with ’nduja cranberry dip
Looking for an easy festive starter or nibble for a party? Hidden inside each of the dough balls in this...
Gochujang devilled eggs
Is it really a party without devilled eggs? This timeless canapé gets an on-trend glow-up by way of the savoury...
Air fryer sesame egg mayo vol-au-vents
Boiling an egg in an air fryer? Yep, it works! The shell protects the eggs from the heat, allowing them...
Trout cocktail boats
Impress your guests with a twist on everyone’s favourite retro dish, the timeless prawn cocktail. Prawns are swapped with homemade...
Halloumi in blankets
Firm halloumi gets wrapped up in a snug bacon blanket, with sweet honey and a little oregano as a nod...
Christmas canapés
Impress this Christmas and New Year's Eve with our round-up of the best canapé recipes. Find ideas for sweet and...
Christmas cocktails
We always push the boat out with Christmas food, but Christmas drinks are equally important! No matter how you're doing...
Christmas buffet
Stuck for ideas? If the kind of festive meal (and that could be Christmas, New Year or even between the...
Budget Christmas party food
Throw a fabulous Christmas party without breaking the bank. These Christmas party food recipes are perfect for entertaining on a...
Non-alcoholic drinks
Whatever the reason you don't drink alcohol, these non-alcoholic drinks, juices, smoothies and mocktail recipes are delightful for you to...
Black forest ‘forest’ trifle
This dramatic dessert embraces the elements of a black forest gateau – cherries, chocolate and kirsch – using layers similar...
Five magical Christmas cake decoration ideas by Lily Vanilli
For a Christmas showstopper, you need a cake that looks as good as it tastes. Iced-but-undecorated cakes are all the...
How to create a Christmas afternoon tea
Afternoon tea at Christmas? Why not! Gather friends and family and give your tea party a festive spin with our...
Mulled fig and apple Christmas cake
This lighter take on Christmas cake is packed with fruit, adding dried figs and apples to the classic raisins, sultanas...
Triple chocolate baubles
Decoration or dessert? These beautiful baubles require patience but they’re fairly easy to make. With a triple-threat of white chocolate...
Mince pie biscotti
These mince pie biscotti by The Hebridean Baker (Coinneach MacLeod) are studded with pistachios and cranberries and perfect for dunking...
Chocolate Baileys cake
Meet the ultimate bake for Baileys lovers. Our chocolate Baileys cake is layered with white choc sponge, Baileys ganache and...
Christmas bundt cake
Create a festive showstopper with our Christmas bundt cake. Master the base recipe, but feel free to adapt the recipe...
Show-stopping Christmas desserts
Make sure your Christmas guests save room for pudding. They won't want to miss out on one of these show-stopping...
Christmas baking
Warming spices, boozy sponges and plenty of sweet, dried fruit - plus some savoury baking ideas too, like our to-die-for...
Baileys
We don't need to be told twice to add a splash of Baileys into a dessert, especially around Christmas time....
Christmas chocolate
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without chocolate – would it? So we've put together a collection of our very best Christmas...
Christmas biscuits
There's nothing more festive than the aroma of Christmas baking wafting through your home. We can guarantee a full-on delight...
Christmas cupcakes and small bakes
Love the idea of small festive bakes instead of one large cake? These decorated cupcakes and small bakes would be...
Christmas gingerbread
Fancy learning how to make a gingerbread house? Or DIY gingerbread biscuits? They're a must-make at Christmas... Discover the very...
Bundt cakes
These stunning Bundt cakes will steal the show at any party. We've got... banana and caramel, lemon drizzle and a...
Trifles
A spectacular, retro-style Christmas trifle is a must on any festive table. Have a browse through our tremendous trifle recipes,...
Festive desserts
Don't like Christmas pudding? Try these festive dessert alternatives, including recipes for a salted caramel Yule log and a clementine...
Mince pies
There's nothing quite like a homemade mince pie. We've got plenty of recipes to pick from including gluten-free mince pies,...
Bejewelled festive torrone (Italian nougat)
Torrone (Italian nougat) has a pleasantly yielding bite. It’s essentially a honey meringue mixture filled with nuts and cooked to...
Gingercake bites
Sticky gingercake gets better with age. After a week or two it will taste richer and more syrupy because treacle...
How to create a Christmas hamper
A hamper stuffed with edible goodies is always a hit at Christmas. Why not have a go at creating your...
Hot honey smoked nuts
Sweet, spicy and salty – the coating makes these hot honey smoked nuts a winner. Put the nuts in pretty...
6 edible gifts that make lovely Christmas presents
It can be a challenge finding Christmas presents you know the recipients will love, so why not have a go...
Wine jelly
Debora Robertson’s wine jelly is a versatile condiment to have on hand at Christmas and can be made and stored...
Advent calendar chocolate truffles
There’s nothing better than a chocolate truffle a day for the month of December. Customise the recipe by coating the...
Dark chocolate bark with sea salt, rosemary, pistachios and candied citrus
Close your eyes and feel the Mediterranean sun beating down on you as you take a bite out of vegan...
Passion fruit snowball truffles
Just four ingredients are needed to create these pretty snowball truffles, boasting the tang of passion fruit and the rich...
Christmas gifts
Who doesn't love an edible homemade Christmas gift? Find all the inspiration you need here – sweet and savoury. We've...
Budget Christmas food gifts
Give a thoughtful present without breaking the bank this Christmas. Our collection of budget-friendly food gift ideas has something for...
Roast turkey
Roast turkey that’s beautifully presented, richly flavoured, tender and juicy – that’s what you want on Christmas Day. Best of...
Fondant sprouts with bacon and chestnuts
Crisp, buttery sprouts strewn with chestnuts and bacon will become your favourite festive side dish. This best-ever recipe uses a...
Vegetarian filo Christmas wreath
These days, vegetarians at the Christmas table are accustomed to main courses that look and taste extraordinary. Food writer Elly...
Rosemary roast potatoes
Roast potatoes are secretly everyone’s favourite part of Christmas dinner. Regardless of how tender your turkey is or how many...
Marmalade pigs in blankets
Always the first thing to disappear from the Christmas table, pigs in blankets are truly great if you make them...
Slow-cooked pork shoulder stuffed with orange and prunes
This roast pork shoulder boasts meltingly rich and tender meat, cut through with apple, orange and sweet prunes. The perfect...
Christmas roast goose
Make roast goose the star of Christmas dinner. Roasting the legs separately ensures everything is perfectly cooked, while the long...
Vegan Christmas dinner menu
If you’re going plant-based for your festive feast this year, make it bigger and better than ever with this complete...
Christmas dinners
Consider yourself truly spoilt for choice this year with our essential Christmas dinner recipes. We've got every Christmas main and...
Vegetarian Christmas dinners
Make the most of the season's fabulous winter ingredients such as squash, chestnuts, Jerusalem artichokes and parsnips to create these...
Vegan Christmas
For vegan Christmas recipes, you're in the right place. Find a stunning caramelised onion tart for a vegan main, winter...
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