If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional Christmas desserts, we’ve got loads of ideas for special dishes that really make an impact.
And we’ve got so much to choose from. Keep it traditional with Jamie’s Nan’s fail-safe Christmas pudding and a great Christmas cake with ideas for how to use up any leftovers. Or, go decadent with our Winter bombe and Scrumptious yule log. We’ve got something for everyone here, including some great gluten-free and vegan options, so you won’t be short of ideas.
Kicking off with the traditional and inspired by Jamie’s dear Nan, this beautiful recipe gives you a much lighter result than many Christmas puds. It’s the perfect finishing touch after a turkey feast. We have a beautiful gluten-free version, too.
Packed with stout-soaked fruit and festive spices, this cake is a real joy. Plus, you’ll have so much fun decorating it – get the whole family involved. Our Gluten-free apple Christmas cake is also a stunner, and for something a bit fancier, try this Spiced chocolate & dried fig Christmas cake from the duo behind Honey & Co. And, you can use up any leftovers in a delicious Christmas cake trifle.
This frozen classic is a Christmas essential in the Oliver household – and for good reason. Think summer pud meets Arctic roll, plus it can be made ahead and stashed in the freezer ready for the Big Day. Sparklers, optional.
Chocolate and cherries are best friends, so with the addition of cream and the zing of clementine, you know this is a flavour match made in heaven. Throw in a chocolate biscuit base and it’s the ultimate treat. Another one you can prep the night before and freeze until needed.
Tiramisù means ‘pick me up’ in Italian, and that’s exactly what this coffee-infused pud will do. Jamie’s take on the popular Italian dessert is given a festive twist with orange and Vin Santo, and lightened up by mixing mascarpone with ricotta cheese. Get ahead and have it waiting in the fridge or freezer for that perfect pud moment. Delicious!
For something fruity at your festive feast, this five-ingredient pud is a simple but elegant choice. The pears are infused with Armagnac then chocolate is stirred in to make the silkiest sauce. Serve with ice cream and toasted hazelnuts for crunch.
An Italian dessert that’s a taste sensation of nuts, dried fruit and spices. It’s perfect for rounding off a meal with a shot of espresso or a little sweet wine. We like to make an extra one to give away as a delicious present, or it makes for the perfect portable pud if you’re on dessert duty.
Jamie doesn’t do Christmas without his mum’s epic trifle. Soft sponge, sweet fruity jelly, creamy custard… It is a labour of love, as each layer needs to set, but it’s totally worth it. And if you’re looking for something even more fancy, try Taron’s mum’s Christmas trifle. It’s a thing of beauty.
For those who love chocolate, you can’t go wrong with this triple chocolate yule log. Think chocolate sponge, chocolate hazelnut spread, topped with chocolate buttercream… Factor in the maraschino cherry-spiked filling and it’s a total treat.
Let’s get ready to crumble this Christmas with Jamie’s recipe! He adds cranberry sauce and a drop of sherry to the filling, and the topping includes chopped nuts and a crumbled mince pie – it doesn’t get much more festive than that.
This is a perfect Boxing Day or Twixtmas pud that will use up some of those lovely leftovers. Basically wrap your favourite sweet treats – from mince pies to chocolate coins, roasted nuts to ginger biscuits – in filo pastry, bake until golden and you have a stunning dessert.
Fancy the flavours of a Christmas pudding in a fun new form? May we introduce our seasonal sundaes. Limoncello-soaked fruit, meringue, ice cream and mincemeat are layered with citrus-spiked whipped cream for a dessert with a difference.
Taking the classic chocolate orange flavour combo to the next level, this gluten-free torte has just 5 ingredients. Silky, rich, zingy and utterly delicious, make this on the 24th and store in the fridge ready for the Big Day.
And now for something completely different! For those of you wanting a very un-traditional pud, may we introduce this marriage of a banoffee pie and baked Alaska. With frozen ice cream in the middle, a perfectly golden meringue top and a hidden layer of caramel, it’s one stunner of a dish.
You won’t believe this beauty is vegan! The combo of chocolate, sweet honeycomb and cherry and almonds works so well, and it’s so easy to make. Just pop it in the freezer until you’re ready, removing it 30 minutes before you want to tuck in.
Finally, for those who aren’t really ‘dessert people’ or have really left things to the last minute, this is the pud to make. The trio of ingredients just work so well together, your guests will love it. Simple but so effective.
For more festive recipes and ideas, visit our Christmas hub andsign up to Jamie’s Christmas Masterplan for more tips and tricks to help you manage the Big Day.