9 festive recipes that will get you excited for Christmas

Sweet treats and desserts

If you’re anything like us and can’t say no to a sweet treat every now and again (or ever) then we’re sure you’re going to love these super sweet and flavoursome recipes that get our mouths watering just thinking about them.

Mince pies with a twist

When you think of classic Christmas treats, we’d bet that mince pies are at the top of the list. While we can’t fault a good mince pie from the bakery or a local farm shop, this Jamie Oliver mince pie pinwheels recipe puts a slight twist on conventional mince pies without totally changing the traditional flavour. Best of all, the recipe uses shop-bought dried fruit and ready-made pastry, so the process couldn’t be any easier.

Homemade Churros

A Christmas classic in its own way, churros are somewhat of a Christmas market staple, and we can confirm that they are truly delicious. We can’t count the number of times we’ve walked past the churros stand at the markets and drooled over the smell of those freshly cooked sugary sticks, but we know it’s not sustainable to buy churros every time you walk past them. Luckily, this recipe by Preppy Kitchen allows you to make your own churros at home for a fraction of the price and with no compromise on the taste – Winner!

Traditional English Trifle

While trying new desserts and putting twists on traditional ones is fun and can be so tasty, there’s something about traditional desserts that just can’t be beat, and for us that’s an English Trifle. We completely get that a traditional trifle varies from person to person, but the fundamentals are the same: a sponge cake layered with custard, whipped cream, and fruits. This recipe by Amanda’s Cookin’ not only nails the fundamentals but it also tastes absolutely amazing, and we can’t recommend it enough.

Savoury meals

Although we’d love to spend the entire festive season binge eating mince pies and churros, with a side of trifle, we do also know of some great recipes for warm and hearty savoury meals that’ll have you questioning whether you prefer sweet or savoury.

Turkey and cranberry burger

Every year we wait a long 12 months for restaurants to bring out their festive menus just so that we can enjoy the greatness that is a Christmas burger for a month and then not again for another year. Well, this is now a thing of the past as Hawksmoor, a British steakhouse and cocktail bar chain, has shared their Christmas burger recipe for us all to enjoy during the festive season and beyond. The recipe combines a juicy turkey burger with tangy cranberry ketchup to make the perfect mishmash of Christmas and pub grub flavours.

Crispy roast potatoes

One thing that we know always tastes the best when it’s homemade is roast potatoes, we’re talking about the ones that are perfectly golden and crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside – our mouths are watering just talking about it! If you’re one of those lucky people that just knows how to make your roast potatoes flawless each time then we admire you, but if you’re like us and need a little extra help then this perfect roasted potatoes recipe by Cookie and Kate will be your saving grace.

Chicken, Cranberry, and Brie Canapes

Hosting a Christmas party and want to impress? These Chicken, Cranberry, and Brie Canapes sound like a fine dining delight but are essentially just super tasty cheesy pastry bites that we can’t get enough of. Best of all, you only need 6 ingredients and less than 20 minutes to dish up this masterpiece.

Cocktails

Whether you’ve gone with a sweet or savoury recipe, every meal should be enjoyed with a nice drink, so here are some of our favourite cocktails to make this festive season.

Baileys cocktail

Baileys and Christmas go hand in hand, so it’s only right to make this creamy, slightly sweet, and completely delicious cocktail your go-to this Christmas. We particularly love this super simple recipe by Olive Magazine made up of just 4 ingredients: coffee liquor, vodka, double cream, and of course, Baileys.

Boozy Eggnog milkshake

While we’re on the topic of creamy cocktails, we have to mention the Eggnog Cocktail, this one is a little richer and creamier than the Bailey’s but still a must-have. We like to follow this recipe by Mantitlement, but it’s super easy, just shake some Amaretto, Vodka, and Eggnog together for a deep, nutty flavour and top it off with caramel sauce for a hint of sweetness.

Cranberry Mimosa

Red in colour, tart and fruity in flavour, with a sparkling finish, a cranberry mimosa is a great drink choice whether you’re throwing a Christmas party or just enjoying a glass with a meal. This tasty cocktail is a blend of cranberry juice, pineapple juice, sparkling wine, and a hint of orange. The best part? You can substitute the sparkling wine for a non-alcoholic version, it won’t change the flavour and you’ll have yourself a delicious mocktail.

Whatever you choose to cook up or shake up this festive season, we want to see it! Tag us in your creations on socials, or if you have another great recipe recommendation, let us know.