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Christmas Baking Ideas

Icing powder on a worktop
From vegan Christmas cake to the classic centrepiece Christmas pudding, check out our festive baking ideas for some inspiration this holiday season.

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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Christmas Desserts

1. Lovely leftover Christmas pudding recipe

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.  

2. Free from Black Forest trifle

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.  

3. Vegan date and chai tea sticky toffee pudding

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.  

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

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.  

2. Gluten-free gingerbread biscuits recipe

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.  

3. Delicious gingerbread decorations for your tree

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.  

Vegan Christmas baking ideas 

1. Vegan Christmas cake

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. 

2. Vegan gingerbread cake recipe

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.  

3. Gluten-free vegan chocolate pie

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.  

Christmas bakes to make with kids

1. Vegan marshmallow rocky road

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.  

2. Cranberry & pistachio flapjacks

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. 

3. Mincemeat palmiers

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.  

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

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