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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Try our pecan puffs recipe

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

Try Margaret Fulton's festive cupcakes recipe

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

Try this delicious Dutch Christmas bread recipe

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

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

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

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

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

Try this Lebkuchen recipe

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

Try Trine Hahnemann's cinnamon cookie recipe

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

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