These days we're all a bit time-poor. Between work, family, friends and all our other commitments, it's hard to find the time to prepare for Christmas. While there will always be a bit of last minute planning involved (there's not much point in cooking the turkey now, is there?) there are some things you can do now to make your Christmas delicious and hassle free.
The great thing about Christmas desserts is that many of them improve with age. You can make your mincemeat now and leave it to mature for a few weeks before turning it into buttery, flaky mince pies. And Christmas pudding, with its boozy dried fruits, benefits greatly from a few weeks in a dark room.
These five festive recipes from Recipe Guru are the perfect way to spend your weekend as the countdown to Christmas continues.
Orange and Pecan Mincemeat by Nessa Robins
This mincemeat recipe by Nessa Robins truly tastes like Christmas. It's packed with fruit and nuts, which give it a lovely texture. What makes it really special though, is the citrusy hit you get from using Grand Marnier, candied orange peel, orange juice and orange zest. It will keep for up to two months in sterilised jars in the fridge, but resting it for a few weeks will make such a difference, making it perfect for you Christmas mince pies. It would make a gorgeous gift too!
Find this recipe here.
Healthier Mince Pies by Aoife Whelan
These gorgeous little festive pies are proof that you can have it all! Aoife Whelan has created a mince pie recipe that is guilt-free and delicious. Using coconut oil and coconut sugar, Aoife's recipe is wonderfully spiced and full of zesty, fruity flavours. Leave it to mature for 2 weeks, and then mix up some gluten-free almond pastry to make the ultimate healthy festive treat.
Find this recipe here.
Christmas Pudding by Aoife Whelan
Christmas pudding can be made months in advance, and it's tastes even better with age. By soaking the fruit and zest together first, Aoife Whelan has created a recipe that doesn't need to be matured for months. It's delicious made in advance, or a couple of days before Christmas, so you have plenty of time to do some lazy weekend baking. This is a healthier, gluten-free and vegan version, so it's a real crowd-pleaser.
Find this recipe here.
Cranberry Sauce by Aoife Whelan
Christmas is not Christmas without delicious, sweet but slightly tart cranberry sauce. This version takes 20 minutes to make, and uses clementines to make it extra festive. Store it in the fridge in sterilised jars and you'll have one less thing to worry about come Christmas Eve.
Find this recipe here.
Christmas Chutney by Nessa Robins
If you're thinking of having a cheese board on Christmas Day (and you should!) then you need to make this Christmas chutney. It's packed with fruit which adds sweetness, while vinegar and spices add a gorgeous savoury bite. Keep in in sterilised jars (if you have any left after making the mincemeat and cranberry sauce) ready to add to your cheese board or leftovers sandwich on Christmas night.
Find this recipe here.
Check out this great video that shows you how to sterilise jars easily and safely.