12 Festive Delicious Treats to Make this Christmas - Bakes, Cakes and Chocolate!

There are so many things we all love about Christmas! The family time, the pretty decorations, driving down the roads and seeing beautiful Christmas lights twinkling in windows and I am sure the kids would say the presents and Father Christmas too! But one other reason why so many of us enjoy the festive season is all of the delicious food that seems to be around! 

Growing up I always remember my nan letting us come round on weekends in the run up to Christmas and teaching us how to bake all sorts of Christmas delights such as chocolate yule log and gingerbread, and it is something I have tried to carry on with my own children. There is just something so comforting about that delicious baking smell at Christmas time and there are plenty of recipes out there to try if you enjoy baking too. 

Below I have put together a list of 12 "must try" recipes and bakes that you could try this festive season and they all look totally delicious! Check out the list below and let me know in the comments which ones you would love to try this Christmas -

 

Christmas Tree Brownies

Sometimes the simplest bakes are the best and that is definitely true when it comes to these delicious chocolate brownie Christmas trees! They can be made using a simple brownie recipe or even using a  brownie boxed mix too for an even easier bake. Once cooked and cooled the brownies can be cut into triangles and then you can get the kids involved in decorating them with all the icing, sprinkles and delicious toppings you can find! 

Cinnamon Honey Shortbread

Shortbread is such a classic and delicious biscuit, however the addition on cinnamon and honey in this fantastic recipe make these a perfect festive treat. This recipe substitutes sugar with honey as a refined sugar too which really gives these shortbread biscuits a delicious and distinctive taste. Not only are these biscuits hard to resist eating wise, baking these over Christmas will leave your whole house smelling festive too with the cinnamon! 

Cherry and Chocolate Meringue Wreath

Cherry and chocolate is one of those classic flavour combinations that is always a winner (in fact its one of my favourites personally!). And it is that classic flavour combination that tops this show stopping festive meringue wreath. This would make a great dessert to bring out after Christmas dinner or to take around a friends and since the meringue can even be made the day before it is before for when you won't have too much time too. Whilst this recipe shows a wreath shape you could actually shape your meringue any way you want including into mini meringues, star shapes or even in a yule log shape as an alternative to a chocolate yule log. 

Peppermint Oreo Bark

If you are looking for a festive recipe that even the kids can get involved with and doesn't involve lots of baking then this peppermint oreo bark is ideal. It only requires 3 simple ingredients and can even be wrapped up in cellophane and a ribbon for a super cute gift idea. I think the chocolate and peppermint flavour combination is a winner but you can of course get creative and add any of your festive festive treats to make a chocolate bark that is irresistible. 

Vegan Gingerbread Muffins

Gingerbread is such a classic Christmas scent and flavour and whilst it mat usually come in the shape of a gingerbread man or a gingerbread latte, these vegan gingerbread muffins are a great adaption of the flavour is a yummy muffin! As well as being vegan this recipe is also soya free, nut free and dairy free too, you could even replace the plain flour for a gluten free variety to make these gluten free. The black strap molasses gives these muffins a distinct yet delicious flavour and you can make them in bathes and freeze if you want to make them ahead of time. 

Orange and Cranberry Rocky Road

Many of us will have made or tried rocky road in the past but the addition of orange and cranberry in this delicious recipe adds so much festive flavour and really elevates this recipe to another level. The fruity flavours really break up the sweetness from the chocolate and marshmallows too. The recipe used chocolate orange as the chocolate as well as cranberries, marshmallows and a classic digestive base. 

Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge

If you are looking for a recipe that is delicious, easy to make AND virtually mess free to make then this super simple slow cooker chocolate fudge ticks all those boxes. This slow cooker fudge recipe is perfect to use all year round as the sprinkles or toppings that you add on are what makes it festive. I love these super cute holly and berry sprinkles or you could use edible glitter or even crushed up candy canes for an added minty flavour. One thing is for sure though, using the slow cooker to make your fudge and 3 ingredients makes it easy peasy to make and will have the whole house smelling of delicious fudge! 

Gingerbread Tree Decorations

Many of us will have heard of hanging chocolates on the tree, but what about gingerbread? Well this recipe will help you to great amazing tasting gingerbread shapes that you can also hang on your tree for fun, novelty idea that the kids will love. The recipe uses a classic gingerbread recipe and once baked you will need to make a small hole for the string on ribbon to be put through so you can hang them. The great thing about these biscuits is once baked you can let the kids get creative with icing sprinkles and toppings to decorate. Not only will these biscuits loo great on your tree but they will make your home smell super festive too. 

Christmas Cupcake Tree 

Looking for a recipe that will create a table showstopper or something perfect for a festive buffet? Then this Christmas cupcake tree is perfect for sharing around since it is made up of individual cupcakes and is easy to put together. Kids can get stuck in with making the simple cupcake recipe and then, once cooled you just ice the cupcakes (you could even use green icing the create the tree leaves) and then decorate with festive decorations and sweets to create the tree decorations. 

Festive Chocolate Truffles

I always think truffles feel like such an indulgent treat and always have some in the cupboard over Christmas, however this recipe shares how to make your very own chocolate truffles with a variety of flavours too. To make these truffles you can either use a silicone mould or just use your hands (which will be a little more messy, but lots of fun!). These chocolate truffle is super simple to make and requires just a few ingredients (and no baking, yay!) but when it comes to the toppings you can really get creative, choosing things like cocoa powder, chopped nuts or even dried fruit. Truffles can also be boxed up and shared as a delicious gift idea too. 

Christmas Amaretti Biscuits

Amaretti biscuits are a classic Christmas treat but these Christmas amaretti biscuits have a delicious twist that make them even more festive and even more morish! They still follow a classic recipe but with spices, brandy, walnuts and a hidden mincemeat centre as a modern twist. These soft almost biscuits filled to the brim with mincemeat, nuts and spices are a great alternative to mince pies (or as an alternative to leave out for Father Christmas) and can actually keep for up to two weeks when stored in an air tight container. 

Homemade Stollen Wreath

Stollen has been a traditional sweet bread that has been eaten around Christmas time for many years, it actually originated in Germany but is now widely enjoyed in the UK too. It is made using an sweet yeast risen enriched dough and packed full of dried fruit and delicious marzipan flavours. However this recipe takes tradition and makes it delicious and beautiful in a stunning wreath design that is perfect for Christmas. This stollen wreath is packed full or dried fruit, nuts, dried peel and grated marzipan and when cooked and cooled it is topped with melted butter and icing sugar for a super indulgent taste. 

Forget the 12 days of Christmas, this 12 bakes of Christmas will keep you busy throughout the festive season with plenty of delicious goodies to have a go at baking and making. There are lots of goodies here that can be enjoyed over Christmas, shared with family and friends or even given as gifts! 

Do you have any go to recipes that you like to make at Christmas Or do any of the above recipes catch your eye to have a go at making? Let me know in the comments below. 

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