It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and with it comes plenty of socialising with friends, being with loved ones, and indulging in delicious food. Whether you’re hosting Christmas Day or throwing a party to kick of the festivities, we have created a list of show-stopping recipes that are guaranteed to impress your guests while keeping things stress-free for you!
First, a classic and a sure crowd pleaser is a delicious mac and cheese. But why not try make it with a festive twist?
Ingredients
400g macaroni pasta
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp plain flour
500ml milk
200ml vegetable stock
200g grated cheddar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Festive toppings:
50g dried cranberries
50g chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tbsp breadcrumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Instructions
Boil the macaroni in salted water util al dente and drain and set aside.
In a large pan, melt the butter over a medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until it forms a smooth paste.
Slowly add the milk and vegetable stock, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Once the mixture thickens, stir in the grated cheese, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, cranberries, walnuts and olive oil.
Spread the mac and cheese into a baking dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over it.
Preheat your oven to 200°C. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the topping is golden and crispy.
Garnish with fresh rosemary and enjoy your festive mac and cheese!
This sweet and savoury recipe is a great twist on a traditional mac and cheese, perfect for the holidays!
Another delicious dish to serve for your guests is this delicious festive Brie and Bacon stuffed pastry wreath.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry
200g brie, sliced
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tbsp cranberry sauce
1 egg, beaten
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
Set the oven to 190°C.
Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into a large circle. Use a smaller circle (like a bowl) to create a ring by cutting out the centre.
Spread slices of brie around the ring. Top with crumbled bacon and a small dollop of cranberry sauce on each piece.
Gently fold the outer edges of the pastry over the filling, pressing to seal it underneath.
Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and puffy.
Let it cool slightly before placing fresh rosemary sprigs around the wreath for decoration.
This delicious pastry not only makes for a yummy treat but also a gorgeous table display!
Lastly, for savoury options, soup is a great addition and easy to prep the day before! This yummy Spiced Parsnip and Apple Soup has a hint of sweetness and festive spices, making it perfect for Christmas.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
500g parsnips, peeled and chopped
2 apples, peeled and diced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
750 ml vegetable stock
100 ml double cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
Stir in the parsnips, apples, cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavours to combine.
Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the parsnips are tender.
Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender and purée until smooth.
Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Heat gently, without boiling, for a few minutes.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or chives.
This delicious soup is a festive and easy meal to serve all of your hungry guests!
And you can’t forget your sweet treats! First up we have a gorgeous Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Ingredients
For the Pudding:
200 g dates, chopped
250 ml boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
75g unsalted butter, softened
150 g dark brown sugar
2 eggs
200g self-raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Toffee Sauce:
100 g butter
150 g brown sugar
200 ml double cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
To Serve:
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
Preheat to 180°C. Grease a deep baking dish.
Place the chopped dates in a bowl. Pour over the boiling water, stir in the baking soda, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Mash with a fork.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour and mixed spice. Add the date mixture and vanilla extract, stirring until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
In a saucepan, melt the butter and sugar together. Stir in the cream and vanilla, simmering for 3–5 minutes until smooth and glossy.
Drizzle the warm pudding with toffee sauce and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
This indulgent sweet treat is sure to keep your guests happy.
Or if you’d rather bite size treats, these Coconut Truffles are a great choice.
Ingredients
200 g sweetened condensed milk
250 g desiccated coconut
100 g white chocolate, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, desiccated coconut, melted white chocolate, and vanilla extract. Stir until well mixed and the texture is firm enough to roll into balls.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.
Scoop small portions of the mixture (about a teaspoon) and roll them into bite-sized balls.
Roll each ball in desiccated coconut to coat completely.
Place the truffles on a tray lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
These truffles are a delicious mix of creamy and crunchy and perfect addition to any Christmas party!
The Christmas season is all about making memories with your loved ones. But hosting festive parties doesn’t have to be overwhelming! With these quick, easy and delicious recipes, everyone will enjoy the celebration – including you. This Christmas, let the joy of the season shine, not the stress of the cooking!