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🍪 Christmas recipes for grown-ups

For when the children are in bed, or for the whole family table: festive starters, mains, desserts and warming drinks for the grown-ups.

Alcohol-free Christmas punch with cranberryA sparkling alcohol-free Christmas punch with cranberry, orange, rosemary and fizz. Festive for the whole family, ready in 10 minutes in a big bowl or jug. Baked French toast for Christmas morningAn overnight French toast bake with red berries and cinnamon. Assemble it the evening before and bake it on Christmas morning. Perfect for a family brunch. Baked side of salmon with a herb crustA whole side of salmon with a crisp crust of herbs, lemon and breadcrumbs, baked in 20 minutes. A festive Christmas fish main for 6, hard to get wrong. Beef carpaccio: an elegant Christmas starterWafer-thin beef carpaccio with rocket, Parmesan shavings, pine nuts and a lemon dressing. Learn the freezer trick to slice the beef thinly at home. Braised red cabbage with apple for Christmas dinnerSweet and sour braised red cabbage with apple, cloves and cinnamon. A classic Christmas side that tastes even better made ahead, and it freezes well. Cheese fondue for Christmas (with or without wine)How to make a smooth cheese fondue with white wine or an alcohol-free version for the whole family. Tips to stop it splitting and the best things to dip. Easy chocolate mousse without eggs for ChristmasA light chocolate mousse with just dark chocolate and cream, no raw egg. Ready in 15 minutes, made the day before and served in pretty glasses. Chocolate star bread for Christmas breakfastA festive pull-apart star bread with layers of chocolate spread to share at Christmas breakfast. Shape it the night before and bake it in the morning. Christmas brunch ideas: oven frittata and a planA relaxed Christmas brunch built around an oven-baked frittata with spinach and feta, plus what to prepare the day before and an easy timing plan. Christmas tiramisu with spices (no raw eggs)A festive tiramisu with cinnamon, ginger and orange, made without raw eggs. Ready in 25 minutes, set overnight, with an alcohol-free version for everyone. Classic prawn cocktail: an easy Christmas starterA retro prawn cocktail with crisp lettuce, cucumber and homemade Marie Rose sauce. Ready in 20 minutes, and the sauce can be made the day before. Creamy potato gratin for Christmas (make-ahead)A creamy potato gratin with garlic, thyme and a golden cheese crust. Oven times, plus how to bake it the day before and reheat it on Christmas Day. Creamy pumpkin soup with ginger for ChristmasVelvety pumpkin or butternut squash soup with a hint of ginger and toasted pumpkin seeds. Easy to make ahead and freeze for a relaxed Christmas starter. Easy chocolate yule log recipe (bûche de Noël)Make a chocolate yule log with a light sponge, mascarpone cream filling and chocolate ganache bark. Step by step, with tips to roll it without cracking. Easy Christmas trifle you can make the day beforeA classic Christmas trifle with sponge, berries, homemade custard and softly whipped cream. Make it the day before so Christmas Day stays relaxed. Homemade potato croquettes (and how to freeze them)Crisp homemade potato croquettes with a fluffy centre. Dry mash, double breading and frying at 175°C, plus how to freeze them weeks before Christmas. Homemade Christmas stollen with marzipanA classic Christmas stollen with raisins, candied peel and a marzipan centre. Explained step by step, with tips for a light, moist loaf dusted with snow. How to roast a turkey for Christmas, step by stepRoast a juicy Christmas turkey with herb butter, a cooking-time guide, the safe core temperature of 74°C and a simple gravy from the roasting juices. Make-ahead Christmas breakfast bake: sausage, egg and cheeseAssemble this cheesy sausage and egg breakfast bake on Christmas Eve, then pop it in the oven while the stockings are opened. Feeds 6-8 with no fuss. Easy mini mince pies to make with childrenBite-size mince pies with simple homemade pastry and star lids. A fun Christmas bake for kids, and the perfect pie to leave out for Father Christmas. Mini quiches for Christmas party food (freezable)Little quiches with bacon and leek or smoked salmon and dill, baked in a muffin tin. Easy Christmas party food that you can make and freeze weeks ahead. Mulled wine recipe (plus an alcohol-free version)A simple, warming mulled wine with orange, cinnamon and cloves, and a spiced alcohol-free version the children and drivers can enjoy as well. No-churn Christmas ice cream cakeA no-churn ice cream cake with vanilla and chocolate layers, cranberries and pistachios on a biscuit base. Make it up to two weeks ahead and freeze. Pork Wellington: an easy Christmas mainPork tenderloin wrapped in mushrooms, ham and puff pastry. An impressive Christmas main that you prepare the day before and bake in about 35 minutes. Proper hot chocolate: 4 Christmas variationsProper hot chocolate made with real chocolate, plus four Christmas variations for kids: snowy white, gingerbread spice, chocolate orange and spoons. Puff pastry Christmas tree with cheese (pull-apart)A cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree made from puff pastry. Quick to make and perfect for a Christmas party with children, plus more easy party food ideas. Stuffed roast chicken for a smaller Christmas dinnerA whole roast chicken with apple, chestnut and sage stuffing, crisp skin and easy pan gravy. Festive, affordable and simpler than a turkey for 4-5 people. Vegetarian mushroom Wellington with chestnutsA festive vegetarian Wellington with mushrooms, spinach, chestnuts and walnuts in golden puff pastry. A Christmas main that meat-eaters will want too. Rich venison stew for Christmas (with juniper)A tender venison stew with red wine, juniper, smoked bacon and mushrooms. Even better the next day, with an alcohol-free version for the whole family.