DIY British beef crostini

Elegant yet full-flavoured, guests will love putting together these bites – make the beef and crème fraîche topping in advance to get ahead

Freeze-ahead chocolate & chestnut parfait

This make-ahead festive dessert is deliciously different and incredibly simple to make, with amaretti biscuits, fresh oranges and double cream

Squidgy chocolate pear pudding

This hot, gooey chocolate pud, with dark chocolate and canned pears, can be made ahead and frozen – a perfect no-fuss dinner party dessert

Lime semifreddo cheesecake

This attractive frozen dessert can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months – perfect to get ahead for a Christmas dinner party

Mulled Port & lemon

If you find mulled wine too heavy, try this refreshing alternative Christmas drink, served in 'frosted' glasses

Brandy syrup cream

This fluffy, boozy whipped cream makes an indulgent topping for festive desserts – perfect with Christmas pudding or mince pies

Hazelnut crunch mince pies

Jazz up your homemade mince pies by adding grated apple and orange zest – try a pretty star shaped lid, finished with a crisp nutty topping

Chocolate orange & cranberry red velvet bombe

This stunning festive dessert makes a great alternative to Christmas pudding, with a hidden cream cheese and cranberry filling

No-fuss fish pie

Get the kids in the kitchen to help make this easy fish pie recipe. They’ll love the creamy filling and crisp topping, and it’s 2 of your 5 a day, too

Malaysian mess

Spiced pineapple compote and crunchy meringues are bound by a soft dollop of coconut cream in this indulgent fruity Asian dessert

Treacle apple tart

The apple and tangy lemon cuts through the syrup nicely in this pretty dessert – perfect if you normally find treacle tart too sweet

Nutty Florentine bars

This clever tray bake combines a buttery shortbread base with a Florentine inspired topping – finished with cherries and dark chocolate