Christmas Recipes

Touted as the “Ultimate Winter Beverage for 2016”, you can be the first of a very merry crowd when you try this lovely Red Wine Hot Chocolate recipe. Perfect for when you’ve tucked the kids in bed and it’s time for a very festive wind-down in front of your cosy realistic Christmas tree. Like a massive cuddle in a mug, this red wine hot chocolate is the perfect medley of wholesome Christmas vibes and Friday night relaxation, wrapped into one. Ingredients (serves 4)

• 500ml milk (or soya)
• 240ml red wine
• 60g dark chocolate curls
• Whipped cream (optional)

Method

1. In a medium saucepan, mix together the milk and chocolate until fully melted and thick (resist licking the spoon!)
2. Pour in the best bit (the red wine) and mix

Nothing quite says Christmas like a enjoying a steaming mug of hot cocoa and wearing some snuggly slippers in front of a cosy snowy Christmas tree. Whilst we can’t supply snuggly slippers for you lovely lot, we do have something else up our sleeve – a white hot chocolate recipe, perfect for making with the kids on chilling winter nights! We love this twist on the traditional milk chocolate version, not only because white chocolate is super delicious, but also because even if it’s not snowing outside, you’ve got your White Christmas in a cup! Yum yum! Ingredients (serves 2)

• 150g white chocolate
• 250ml almond milk
• 250ml full-fat milk (or soya)
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• A squirt of whipped cream, a few tiny marshmallows,

Okay it may not even be December yet, but the days are getting darker, the clouds are getting greyer, and against the miserable backdrop there is that extraordinary feeling of festivity in the air. You might have thought of knocking together a few recipes come Christmas Eve, but everyone knows that’s just asking for a whole host of unnecessary stress come the Big Day. So save yourself the hassle and try out this delicious Fig Pudding recipe, straight from the “star bakers” here in our office (yes we are still into the Great British Bake Off like it’s still Summer). This clever take on a traditional Christmas Pudding uses no butter and more lovely sticky fruits than any shop-bought variety – give it a go this Christmas. Ingredients

• 200g figs, chopped
• 200g dates, chopped
• 100g prunes or apricots, chopped
• 100ml brandy
• 100g dark muscovado sugar
• 50g self-raising wholemeal flour
• 200g breadcrumbs