Anna Simon 
This Christmas cheese ball combines creamy cheese, sharp cheddar, sweet dried cranberries, toasted pecans and fresh herbs. Its red, green and golden coating gives it a naturally festive appearance. The appetiser can be prepared one or two days ahead, making it useful for Christmas parties, holiday buffets and New Year celebrations. Serve it with crackers,
These cranberry pistachio biscotti are crisp, lightly sweet and filled with festive red-and-green colour. Orange zest complements the dried cranberries, while toasted pistachios add flavour and crunch. Biscotti are baked twice: first as complete logs and then as individual slices. The second baking creates their characteristic dry, crisp texture, making them perfect for dipping into
These red velvet crinkle cookies have soft, fudgy centres, lightly crisp edges and a striking red-and-white appearance. Cocoa powder gives the dough a gentle chocolate flavour, while a thick coating of icing sugar creates the snowy cracks. The cookies are especially suitable for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges and homemade gift boxes. Their colour also makes
These Christmas Rice Krispie treats are soft, chewy and filled with buttery marshmallow flavour. White chocolate, red-and-green sprinkles and festive sweets transform the simple cereal bars into an easy holiday dessert. The recipe requires no oven and can be prepared in approximately 20 minutes before setting. Children can help add the decorations with appropriate supervision.
These cranberry meatballs are coated in a glossy sauce with sweet, tangy and gently smoky flavours. Cranberry sauce gives the dish a festive colour, while barbecue sauce makes it savoury enough for a Christmas party appetiser. Using fully cooked frozen meatballs keeps preparation quick. Add everything to the slow cooker, stir and allow the sauce
This eggnog French toast casserole combines soft, custardy brioche with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and a crisp brown-sugar streusel. It has the familiar flavour of eggnog in an easy breakfast designed for sharing. Assemble the bread and custard on Christmas Eve, then refrigerate the dish overnight. Add the crumb topping and bake it on Christmas morning
This Christmas tree pull-apart bread is made from soft pizza-dough balls filled with melted mozzarella. The pieces are arranged in a festive tree shape and brushed with garlic butter after baking. It makes an interactive appetiser for Christmas parties, family dinners and holiday film nights. Guests can pull away individual bread pieces and dip them
This Christmas sugar cookie fudge is creamy, sweet and filled with buttery biscuit flavour. White chocolate and condensed milk create a smooth base, while vanilla, almond extract and sugar-cookie crumbs give the fudge its familiar festive taste. Red-and-green sprinkles make every square suitable for Christmas parties, cookie boxes and edible gifts. The recipe requires no
These snowball cookies are tender, buttery and filled with finely chopped toasted pecans. Each biscuit receives two coatings of icing sugar, creating its classic snowy Christmas appearance. Also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, these festive biscuits have a delicate, crumbly texture that seems to melt in your mouth. The dough uses
This Christmas breakfast casserole combines savoury sausage, fluffy eggs, melted cheddar and cubes of soft bread in one comforting dish. Red pepper and green onions add festive colour and fresh flavour. Assemble the casserole on Christmas Eve and refrigerate it overnight. On Christmas morning, simply place it in the oven and bake until golden, puffed