With Christmas well on its way, it’s time to turn your attention to family traditions. From Christmas cocktail parties to cosy afternoons spent baking, Christmas is the perfect opportunity to spend time together.

Therefore, we’ve pulled together a few of our favourite Christmas baking ideas to help you celebrate the season in style. Above all, baking is meant to be a bit of fun so don’t worry if you’re not an expert. Almost every recipe we’ve chosen is simple and easy to make. However, as every Christmas deserves an extra dose of wow factor, we've included a couple that require a little more skill and attention. But the result is well worth any extra time and effort, promise!

From fabulous Christmas canapes to impressive sweet treats and the ultimate festive dessert, these Christmas baking ideas are guaranteed to impress. So, grab a glass of mulled wine and get ready to bake…

 

Christmas Canape Ideas

Canapes are essential for any Christmas party or seasonal soiree. First of all, Christmas is the busiest time of year so there’s not always time for a sit-down meal. While we have good intentions of an extravagant feast, often more casual drinks and nibbles are the perfect way to celebrate. Also, canapes are quick and easy to make and are therefore the perfect party food! So, for any pre-Christmas parties with friends and family, opt for a few festive canapes. After all, everyone loves a canape, especially when paired with a boozy Christmas cocktail or glass of bubbles…

Image credits: Pancetta Crisps with Goats Cheese & Figs from Taming of The Spoon, Filo Samosas with Smoked-Salmon, Spinach and Mascarpone from House & Garden

 

Filo Samosas with Smoked-Salmon, Spinach and Mascarpone from House & Garden

Because sales for smoked-salmon soar at Christmas, it's the perfect choice for a canape! When thinking of Christmas baking ideas, its important to think of fabulous flavours your friends will love. Therefore, salmon is always a great choice. Also, you really can’t go wrong with crisp, buttery filo pastry! While ultra-indulgent, these beauties are baked rather than fried for a slightly healthier approach to seasonal samosas. However, with mascarpone and crème fraiche included, there’s no denying these canapes are decadent and delicious…

For the samosa:

• 450g fresh spinach leaves
• 250g smoked-salmon slices, roughly chopped
• 175g mascarpone
• Grated zest of 2 lemons
• 12 large sheets filo pastry
• 60g unsalted butter, melted

For the sauce:

• 250g crème fraiche
• 50g salmon caviar
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill

Pancetta Crisps with Goats Cheese & Figs from Taming of the Spoon

Another glorious Christmas baking idea is pancetta crisp canapes with goat cheese and fig. First of all, the only baking involved is to create the pancetta crisps. Therefore, this has to be the best canape recipe for every baking ability. Also, the recipe combines three of our favourite flavours and is therefore a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients:

• 12 thin pancetta slices
• 12 generous teaspoons soft fresh goat cheese
• Fig jam, to taste
• 12 small baby rocket leaves
• 6 small fresh figs, sliced
• Fresh thyme leaves

 

Sweet Treats

One of the many joys of Christmas is the chance to indulgence your sweet tooth. While we might all suffer for it in January, Christmas is a time to be enjoyed. So, treat yourself and never feel bad for that extra slice of yule log or Christmas cake! From biscuits to mince pies and extravagant desserts, Christmas baking is a great way to spend time with loves ones. Also, another benefit of baking is that you get to eat your hard work afterwards…

Image credits: Winter Berry Star Tarts from Homes & Gardens, Chocolate Truffles with Sloe-Gin Blueberries from House & Garden

 

Winter Berry Star Tarts from Homes & Gardens

A beautiful dessert for festive dinner parties, the star tarts are one of our favourite Christmas baking ideas for 2019! First of all, who doesn’t love the sweet and tart flavours of winter berries?! Furthermore, anything with pastry and star motifs gets our vote at Christmas. Therefore, for a fabulous festive dessert, we recommend adding these individual tarts to your menu!

For the pastry:

• 100g blanched hazelnuts
• 400g white spelt or plain flour, plus extra for rolling
• 200g salted butter
• 120g golden caster sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1-2 tbsp iced water, or as needed

For the filling:

• 1 tbsp orange juice
• 3 tbsp cornflour
• 100g light muscovado sugar
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 2 pared strips of orange zest
• 500g mixed frozen berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and cherries, defrosted
• icing sugar, to dust

Chocolate Truffles with Sloe-Gin Blueberries from House & Garden

While there is technically no baking involved, these sloe-gin chocolate truffles still deserve a mention for Christmas baking ideas. Above all, these are a great gift for friends and family at Christmas. Also, they’re fun to make and are delicious with coffee or hot chocolate. So, wrap them up as a gift or enjoy as a sweet treat in the evenings. Another reason we love these is because of the boozy sloe gin blueberries. Probably the most seasonal spirit around, sloe gin adds fabulous flavour and complements the chocolate perfectly!

Ingredients:

• 50g dried blueberries
• 50ml sloe gin
• 300g plain chocolate, 70 per cent cocoa solids
• 90g unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 55g runny honey
• 250ml double cream
• 30g cocoa powder, sifted

 

Showstopping Christmas Dessert Ideas

As our favourite part of any meal, you can’t beat a decadent dessert! While Christmas pudding is a classic on Christmas day, there are some amazing alternative Christmas baking ideas out there. Maybe you prefer something with tons of chocolate? Or perhaps you're looking for something a little fruitier? Either way, there’s no reason why you can’t break from tradition. So, don’t be afraid to have fun when planning your Christmas pud!

Image credits: Christmas Tree Meringue Tower from Twigg Studios

 

Christmas Tree Meringue Tower from Twigg Studio

Finally, no Christmas baking extravaganza is complete without a decadent dessert idea. Therefore, we couldn’t resist including this showstopping Christmas Tree Meringue Tower! In contrast to quick Christmas cookies, this dessert is perfect as the main event on Christmas day. Also, as a tower of meringues stacked together, it isn’t actually too tricky to make. As a result, this dessert ensures maximum impact without all the usual stress of a showstopper.

For the meringue

• meringue
• 6 egg whites room temp
• 375 grams caster sugar
• 1 tbsp corn flour

For the filling

• 150 grams fresh raspberries plus more for filling
• 5 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tbsp water
• 250 ml double cream
• 5 tbsp icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or use coconut extract
• 100 ml coconut cream

 

Gifts For Baking Lovers

Set of 3 Gold Metal Sieves, Set of 3 Cookie Cutters - Bell, Set of 3 Cookie Cutters - Christmas Tree

 

If you’re looking for a present for the baker in your life then look no further! While kitchen utensils are a must-have, we love the idea of introducing a little extra glamour. So, go for gold with our brass kitchen and baking essentials. First of all, you can’t go wrong with Christmas cookie cutters! A great gift for anyone that likes to bake over Christmas, choose from our Set of 3 Christmas Tree or Bell Cookie Cutters. Furthermore, gorgeous kitchen accessories that make everyday routines extraordinary are the perfect present. Therefore, we know any baker will love our Set of 3 Gold Metal Sieves! Aside from adding an extra special element to baking, these sieves look amazing hung on the wall in the kitchen. Also, they’re super glamorous, so what’s not to love?!