12 Christmas baking ideas festive bakes to try over the holidays this Christmas
Guests on the way? Or enjoying a cosy afternoon in?
Whether you’re making a Christmas pudding or you want to switch it up this year, you’ll find 12 of our best festive bakes and desserts below.
And we’ll throw in a bonus history lesson - ever wondered where mince pies come from…?
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1. Lovely leftover Christmas pudding recipe
Christmas pudding hanging around? Turn it into this festive trifle, with fruits, nuts, chocolate, and plenty of (optional) brandy.
Pile it up into a family-sized dish for a Boxing Day pudding or enjoy a sneaky treat for one.
1. Lovely leftover Christmas pudding recipe
2. Free from Black Forest trifle
Here comes another festive trifle recipe… except this one’s totally vegan.
Cherries and chocolate make the classic Black Forest flavours, and you’ll get all the childhood nostalgia of trifle - vegan cream and fruity mousse included.
2. Free from Black Forest trifle
3. Vegan date and chai tea sticky toffee pudding
Not everyone’s a fan of Christmas pudding, so it’s great to have an alternative under your belt.
This vegan sticky toffee pudding has all the indulgence and warming spice you’d expect from a festive dessert.
3. Vegan date and chai tea sticky toffee pudding
Christmas gingerbread
Gingerbread is a Christmas staple and there’s no end of possibilities with it. We’ve included vegan gingerbread men, gluten-free cookies, and traditional Christmas tree decorations.
But why not mix and match with your dough of choice? Pull out your favourite festive cookie cutters, or even try your hand at a gingerbread house…
1. Vegan gingerbread cookies
Kids will love decorating these gingerbread men! This vegan recipe uses dark chocolate for the eyes (and an adorable bow tie), but you can add dried fruits, nuts, or sweets to customise yours.
1. Vegan gingerbread cookies
2. Gluten-free gingerbread biscuits recipe
Again, you can go wild decorating these biscuits! This gluten-free recipe uses traditional white icing.
They’re the perfect snack for a cold December day and best enjoyed with a cup of tea.
2. Gluten-free gingerbread biscuits recipe
3. Delicious gingerbread decorations for your tree
There’s nothing sweeter than homemade gingerbread decorations as you count down to the big day.
You don’t even need Christmas cookie cutters for these: just use a glass for perfect round Santas, baubles, and Christmas puddings.
3. Delicious gingerbread decorations for your tree
1. Vegan Christmas cake
No-one will miss out with this beautifully bright vegan and gluten-free Christmas cake.
You’ll want to get in early to mature the flavour and texture - we reckon about 2 months in advance.
1. Vegan Christmas cake
2. Vegan gingerbread cake recipe
This super-soft gingerbread sponge conjures up all the flavours of Christmas. Serve on its own or with a helping of plant-based custard, cream, or ice cream for ultimate comfort.
2. Vegan gingerbread cake recipe
3. Gluten-free vegan chocolate pie
Chocolate lovers listen up: this dark, hazelnutty pie is a vegan game-changer.
Silken tofu provides a gorgeously smooth texture, and dates add a boost of nutrition.
3. Gluten-free vegan chocolate pie
1. Vegan marshmallow rocky road
What little one won’t love mixing chocolate, biscuits, and mini marshmallows?
Conjure up this no-bake rocky road in 20 mins and pop it in the fridge. One Christmas film later, it’ll be ready to eat.
1. Vegan marshmallow rocky road
2. Cranberry & pistachio flapjacks
Use up leftover cranberries in this flapjack recipe, packed with festive fruits and nuts.
Older children will love to stir (and taste-test) this easy mixture - and it’s ready in just over an hour.
2. Cranberry & pistachio flapjacks
3. Mincemeat palmiers
Give standard mince pies a twist with these French-inspired palmiers.
They’re simple but impressive - just be sure to swap the brandy for orange juice if you’re baking for kids.
3. Mincemeat palmiers
The history bit
If you’re cooking with kids - or you’re curious yourself - you might want to know some trivia about the Christmas bakes we all know and love.
Origin of mince pies
Mince pies came about in the UK in the early Middle Ages and, as their name suggests, contained actual minced meat.
They were originally rectangular or oval-shaped to represent the manger that baby Jesus slept in in the story of his birth.
People would eat a mince pie every night from Christmas until the Twelfth Night to bring them good luck for the upcoming year.
In the Victorian era, we ditched the meat, and they became the spiced fruit pies we know today.1,2
Handpicked content: Dairy free mince pies / Delicious gluten-free mince pies recipe to make at home
Origin of Christmas pudding
Christmas pudding also used to contain meat! But, apart from that, it’s not too far from the dessert we drown in custard today.
Originally named “figgy pudding”, it began as a sort of porridge in the 14th century and was served as a savoury starter or main course.
Centuries later, the Victorians swapped meat for dried fruit and began the tradition of Stir Up Sunday. Every family member stirred the pudding from east to west to represent the Wise Men’s journey to Bethlehem.
The Victorian version is pretty much the same as the Christmas pudding we still eat today. And they liked a bit of custard and brandy butter too!3
Handpicked content: The ultimate vegan Christmas pudding recipe
The final say
Found a new dessert for Christmas? Or will you opt for a Victorian favourite?
Either way, you can stock up your cupboards with our home baking range.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Last updated: 24 October 2022