Make-ahead Christmas recipes
Get ready for the festivities with our make-ahead Christmas recipes – and see our menu ideas at the bottom of the page too. We’ve got everything you need for an organised holiday season, including make-ahead starters, side dishes, mains and desserts.
Make your own Christmas cake, pudding or mincemeat with our tried-and-tested recipes. While they’re maturing nicely in the larder, clear some room in the freezer for our freeze-ahead roast potatoes, red cabbage, gravy and stuffing.
Save some room in the fridge for desserts you can whip out for those ‘here’s one I made earlier’ moments. Whether you’re planning a big family feast or an intimate celebration, we’ve got all the make-ahead recipes you need this Christmas.
Showing 1-16 of 103 recipes
Show-stopping Christmas desserts
Mulled wine snowdrift meringue pie
Now here’s how you create some drama at the Christmas table! This mulled wine snowdrift pie is a festive twist on lemon meringue pie.
Patisserie
Tipsy snowman choux buns
These adorable bite-size choux snowmen are filled with a Baileys-spiked cream – which may explain why they’re so merry.
Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces
The best homemade turkey gravy
Homemade turkey gravy makes all the difference to your Christmas dinner. Prepare a flavoursome stock in advance and the rest is easy.
Cranberries
Ultimate homemade cranberry sauce
Our ultimate homemade cranberry sauce is ready in 20 mins and can be made ahead. It's the perfect balance between tart and sweet.
Wellingtons
Best-of-the-best beef wellington
Want to show off your cookery skills? Try our best-of-the-best beef wellington recipe for the ultimate take on this culinary classic.
Canapés and cocktails
Rosemary negroni
Rosemary brings out the herbaceous notes of vermouth and Campari in this festive negroni. The perfect bottled cocktail to store in fridge.
Christmas cocktails
Mince-pie old fashioned
This Christmas cocktail recipe makes a fabulous drink, as well as a flavoured butter for baking and an extra-boozy mincemeat for mince pies.
Redcurrants
Redcurrant margarita
Ideal when you’re pining for a taste of sunshine in winter, this margarita is flavoured and turned bright red by an intense redcurrant syrup.
Canapés and cocktails
Santa’s sidecar cocktail
Like an upside-down Santa hat, this tangy, citrus-forward sidecar cocktail is balanced by the warming complexity of cognac.
Sausage rolls
Turkey and cranberry sausage rolls
These turkey and cranberry sausage rolls are perfect for preparing ahead and keeping in the freezer for those last-minute festive occasions.
Christmas gifts
Hot honey smoked nuts
Sweet, spicy and salty – the coating makes these a winner. Put the hot honey nuts in pretty jars as presents for friends.
Christmas cupcakes and small bakes
Gingercake bites
Sticky gingercake gets better with age, so it’s perfect for giving as a Christmas gift. We’ve coated each cube of cake with a lemony icing.
Christmas gifts
Bejewelled festive torrone (Italian nougat)
This version of torrone (Italian nougat) includes pistachios, almonds, dried apricots and candied peel to create a bejewelled festive treat.
Cabbages
Braised red cabbage
This braised red cabbage offers a sweet-and-sour flavour combo with seasonal spice, cutting through the rich flavours of Christmas dinner.
Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces
Butter-roast parsnips with hazelnuts and sage
Dish up your best-ever roast parsnips this Christmas. Crisp sage and a scattering of toasted hazelnuts provide flavour and crunch.
Filo pastry
Vegetarian filo Christmas wreath
Food writer Elly Curshen’s spectacular filo-wrapped wreath makes a perfect vegetarian Christmas main or Christmas buffet centerpiece.
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