Budget Christmas dessert recipes
If you’re looking for ways to do Christmas on a budget, we’ve pulled together some desserts that are not necessarily ‘traditional’, more just all-round gorgeous to finish off your Christmas dinner. We’ve found options where the ingredients aren’t too pricey, and if possible where the recipe doesn’t need a long cooking time, to help save on energy.
If you love a combo, you’ll adore our mince pie apple crumble that unites the best of both. If chocolate is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with our self-saucing Ferrero Rocher pud. Our demerara rough puff pastry mince pies make the perfect sweet treat, whilst our 5-minute chocolate banana split is perfect for a last-minute fix.
We’ve got plenty more budget Christmas ideas – discover our full collection.
Showing 1-16 of 27 recipes
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Apple desserts
Mince pie apple crumble
Apple crumble gets a festive makeover in this easy make-ahead dessert recipe. Mincemeat and a spiced crumble topping bring the festive vibes.
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Easy
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Christmas air fryer recipes
Air fryer eggnog cheesecake
Cheesecakes are brilliant baked in the air fryer. The top is less likely to crack, providing a cheesecake that looks as good as it tastes.
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Easy
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Christmas chocolate
Ferrero Rocher self-saucing chocolate pudding
Give chocolate pudding a festive twist. This melt-in-the-middle pudding is filled with hazelnuts and topped with Ferrero Rocher.
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Easy
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Apples
Easy caramelised apples
Serve this 10-minute pudding recipe for caramelised apples with ice cream, custard or just as they are (with a dash of extra maple syrup!).
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Easy
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Dinner party desserts
Crème caramels with caramel oranges
These vegan crème caramels with caramelised orange slices make a spectacular (and easy) dinner party dessert – just sprinkle with pomegranate seeds to serve
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Easy
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Make-ahead Christmas desserts
Clementine, pomegranate and cranberry jelly
We've combined lots of festive flavours including clementine, pomegranate and cranberry to create this fruity Christmas jelly.
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Easy
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Bananas
Banana, peanut butter and caramel pavlova
If you fancy something less traditional for a Christmas dessert, this banana pavlova comes sandwiched with peanut butter, whipped cream and...
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Easy
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Christmas baking
Demerara rough puff pastry mince pies
Mince pies made with flaky puff pastry are really special, but rather time-consuming. For a slightly quicker version, try this rough puff pastry recipe.
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Medium
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Quick puddings
5-minute chocolate banana split
We've put a healthy spin on banana split by swapping ice cream for frozen yoghurt, chocolate sauce for dark chocolate and dousing it all with almond butter
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Easy
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Apples
Apple and pear tart
This apple and pear tart uses ready-made puff pastry and can be rustled up in no time. We're sold. It's also just as good served cold as it is hot.
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Easy
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Italian desserts
Easy affogato
An Italian classic with a Vietnamese twist. No churn condensed milk ice cream pairs with strong coffee in this five-minute affogato recipe.
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Easy
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Bananas
Banana, coconut and caramel pavlova
Passion fruit lifts the sweet combination of banana, meringue and caramel in this crowd-pleasing dessert recipe.
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Easy
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Make-ahead summer desserts
Strawberry and lemon curd arctic roll
Arctic roll is a perfect dessert recipe for a summers day – and for showing off the best of the season's strawberries.
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Easy
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Chocolate mousse
Easy chocolate mousse
Rachel Allen's simple chocolate mousse recipe, served with these mint biscuits, is a great make-ahead dessert for a dinner party.
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Easy
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