Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (2024)

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (1)

Looking for the best Christmas baking recipes? After a year of baking banana bread and sourdough, turning our hands to festive baking comes as a welcome (and delicious) relief. Not only is it calming, creative and brilliant to do with the family, it also means you can tuck into something sweet, delicious and seasonal whenever the mood strikes (which is often during Christmas).

And if you've been struggling to get into the spirit of things this year, then there is something about the scent of fragrant cinnamon, ginger and cranberry filling the house, that will have you humming along to Jingle Bell Rock before you know it. Which is where our best Christmas baking recipes come in.

We've got a host of easy and inspiring cake recipes, festive brownies and even a modern take on the mince pie to get you breaking out the bundt tin. Some of these can become brilliant edible gifts, packaged up with ribbon in pretty jars, the sort of thing you can send to the people you know who already have everything — or who are just in need of a little extra TLC this year. Others you will want to devour yourself the moment you’ve taken them out of the oven — and lack of guests means there will only be more for you!

So, here is our pick of the best holiday-time sweet treats. Aprons, rolling pins and weighing scales at the ready.

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1

Brown sugar meringues with figs and cream

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (2)

This autumnal take on a summer dessert will have you feeling festive in no time. Using brown sugar gives the meringues a hint of toffee flavour, which complements the griddled figs beautifully.

Try our brown sugar meringues with figs and cream recipe

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2

Apple Cranberry Pie

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (3)

Quintessentially Christmas-y, the sweet taste of apple and cinnamon work wonderfully with traditional mince meat and shortcrust pastry in this mince pie recipe.

Try this apple and cranberry mince pie recipe

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3

Whisky and cherry bundt cake

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (5)

We're big fans of alcoholic desserts here at Red and this looks stunning, yet is easy to prepare. It also makes a lighter alternative to a traditional Christmas cake.

Try our whisky and cherry bundt cake recipe

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4

Mince pie tart

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (6)

The perfect party-pleaser, even though we're not having any large parties this year. Slice and serve warm with cream or brandy butter.

Try our mince pie tart recipe

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5

Mini sherry panettone recipe

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (7)

Panettone is a cake-like-celebration-bread, originally from Italy that's filled with dried fruit and mixed peel and can be toasted and served with sweet or savoury toppings. Ours also contains a good glug of sherry!

Try our mini sherry panettone recipe

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6

Chocolate Cranberry Brownies: Recipes

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (8)

If you have mastered the traditional chocolate brownie recipe then start experimenting with your mixture. Try this cranberry option that is packed with festive flavour and locks in extra sweetness.

Try our chocolate and cranberry brownies recipe

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7

Sticky Gingerbread

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (10)

If you want a strong, rich tasting gingerbread then opt for this dark and spicy recipe. For a more festive feel use themed cutters and allow the kids to get creative with the icing detail.

Try our dark and spicy gingerbread recipe

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8

Lemon and vanilla shortbread

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (12)

These tangy, festive and easy to bake shortbread make for a charming home-made present, pack the shortbread in pretty tins lined with waxed paper.

Try our lemon and vanilla shortbread recipe

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9

Pecan Puffs

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (13)

This light and nutty snack is the perfect treat alongside a warm beverage and is simple to make.

Try our pecan puffs recipe

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10

Xmas Festive Cupcakes

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (15)

These beautifully decorated cupcakes are great for children’s parties or simply for an afternoon tea treat.

Try Margaret Fulton's festive cupcakes recipe

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11

Dutch Christmas Bread

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (17)

Not to be confused with German stollen, this bread is a delicious alternative to Christmas pudding.

Try this delicious Dutch Christmas bread recipe

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12

Raspberry and marzipan friands

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (19)

Friands are small almond-based cakes which use egg whites as the raising agent. In France, they are known as financiers, and are a wonderfully light version of classic cupcakes.

Try our Raspberry and marzipan friands recipe

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13

Strudel

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (20)

If you have mastered apple strudel then start experimenting with your filling. Opt for this creamy, sweet pumpkin and cinnamon combination for a twist on a festive classic.

Try this delicious strudel recipe

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14

Shortbread

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (22)

Indulge in a thick wedge of comforting, traditional shortbread this winter. Or cut into thin fingers to have alongside a warming beverage as an after-dinner treat.

Try this delicious shortbread recipe

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15

Mulled Wine Loaf

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (24)

Put mulled wine to good use in this deliciously spiced and fruity bread – perfect for an afternoon treat.

Try this mulled wine and cranberry tea cake recipe

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16

Lebkuchen

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (26)

These traditional German Christmas cookies will really get you in the festive mood.

Try this Lebkuchen recipe

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17

Cinnamon Cookies

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (28)

The cinnamon sprinkled on these cookies gives them a wonderfully festive taste.

Try Trine Hahnemann's cinnamon cookie recipe

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18

Bacon Roly Polies

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (30)

These bacon roly-polies have a real more-ish taste to them and will go down a treat with starving guests alongside a glass of prosecco.

Try Marcus Wareing's bacon roly-polies

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19

Stollen

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (32)

This Christmas spiced bread, loaded with dried fruits and filled with a thick layer of marzipan, originates from Germany. It is the perfect treat on a cold winter day.

Try our stollen recipe

Christmas baking recipes to get you in the festive spirit (2024)

FAQs

What do you need for Christmas baking? ›

Holiday Baking Checklist
  • Salt. A pinch does wonders for flavor and texture in baked sweets and breads. ...
  • Flour. ...
  • Sugar, brown sugar, and powdered sugar. ...
  • Baking powder, baking soda, and yeast. ...
  • Ground cinnamon. ...
  • Cocoa powder. ...
  • Vanilla extract and food coloring. ...
  • Butter.
Nov 10, 2020

Why do people bake during Christmas? ›

Baking brings people together. It is a time to gather in the kitchen and make memories. Baking also represents the giving spirit of Christmas. It is a way to show love and appreciation, and it is a fun activity for the whole family – a great way to bond with loved ones.

How do you plan Christmas baking? ›

Top 10 Holiday Baking Tips
  1. The first step is always: THINK AHEAD. ...
  2. Bring all ingredients to room temperature before baking. ...
  3. Plan tasks for little helpers. ...
  4. Cut down on clean-up. ...
  5. Know your icing. ...
  6. Decorate cookies factory-style. ...
  7. Take pictures.

What special food is needed for Christmas? ›

  • 1Spice roasted turkey and gravy. ...
  • 2Gingerbread men. ...
  • 3Roasted root vegetables with fennel, garlic & thyme. ...
  • 4Mulled wine. ...
  • 5Baked ham with barbecue glaze. ...
  • 6Christmas pudding. ...
  • 7Easy muffin-pan Yorkshire puddings recipe. ...
  • 8Roast beef with sweet roasted garlic.

What is a festive bake? ›

1) The Festive Bake

Made from a delicious crumb topped pastry, filled with pieces of cooked chicken, sage & onion stuffing and cooked sweetcure bacon, covered in a creamy sage & cranberry sauce.

What was the first Christmas cookie? ›

History. Modern Christmas cookies can trace their history to recipes from Medieval Europe biscuits, when many modern ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, almonds and dried fruit were introduced into the west.

What do Americans bake for Christmas? ›

Christmas Cookies: Baking and decorating cookies is a widespread Christmas tradition in many American households. Sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and various shaped cookies are often made and shared during the holiday season. Fruitcake: While.

What do bakers like for Christmas? ›

Do you need to buy a Christmas present for someone who enjoys baking or wants to get into it? Here's the perfect gift guide for all things baking
  • Cookbooks. ...
  • Kitchen scale. ...
  • Cake decorating kit. ...
  • Sourdough kit. ...
  • Cute measuring cups. ...
  • Silicone baking mats. ...
  • Kitchen blowtorch. ...
  • 9-speed hand mixer.
Dec 16, 2023

How early to start Christmas baking? ›

You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.

Why are 13 desserts served at Christmas dinner? ›

In Provence, the 'thirteen desserts' are intimately associated with the Christmas festivities. But what are they, exactly? They are thirteen different desserts (dried fruits, candies, sweets and so on), which represent Christ and his twelve apostles at the Last Supper.

What do you need in order to bake? ›

essential Baking Ingredients
  1. Flour. Flour is a fine powder made from grinding grains, nuts, or other edible seeds. ...
  2. Bread Flour. ...
  3. All-Purpose Flour. ...
  4. Cake Flour. ...
  5. Sugar. ...
  6. Leaveners. ...
  7. Salt. ...
  8. Eggs.

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