Complete Christmas menu: Feed a crowd
Christmas can feel chaotic at the best of times, but if you are entertaining a crowd then you really will need a plan of action. Keep calm and carry on cooking with our complete Christmas menu for feeding a crowd...
Cooking for a crowd can feel like a daunting experience, but if you also feel like the weight of Christmas cheer is sitting on your shoulders, it's enough to send the most confident cook into hiding. Fear not, we have plenty of make-ahead recipes so you can get a lot of the hard work over and done with before the big day.
Christmas Day morning
Not content with a breakfast of Champagne and chocolate? We've got some luxurious recipes that will start the day is style.
Make on the day
Mix up these breakfast treats the night before, then all you have to do is bake and eat them warm from the oven on Christmas morning, oh and don't forget lots of real, melty butter.
No-knead brioche buns
These seasonally spiced maple and star anise roasted plums make a perfect accompaniment to yogurt and muesli. Simply place on the table and let everyone help themselves.
Maple & star anise roasted plums
These stollen spiral buns are a true Christmas treat, the recipe makes 12 and they are bound to disappear of the plate pretty quickly. They are freezable for up to six weeks so can be made way before the Christmas rush takes full speed. .
Stollen spirals
Make ahead
Add a bit of much needed good stuff to the celebrations with this speedy mango and banana smoothie for a fruity start to Christmas morning. This is especially great if there has already been an overdose on chocolate coins so you want to keep things light and fresh.
Mango & banana smoothie
These melon and crunchy bran pots look very pretty, taste light and fresh and make the perfect main or accompaniment to Christmas breakfast. These are all made individually and are so fast to assemble they can be made to order.
Melon & crunchy bran pots
Got a room of kids running riot? Restrain them from opening all their presents at once and enlist their help in making this simple breakfast. Dippy eggs are sure to be a favourite with kids and adults alike, and as they are made in individual portions it is easy to make exactly the right amount.
Baked dippy eggs
Guests arrive - midday
When it comes to crowd-control, keeping everyone from getting overly hungry is key to a calm and enjoyable day. If you make some nibbles ahead and just leave the simple jobs for the day itself, then you should be free to enjoy the crowd as well as the cooking...
Canapés
Make on the day
These moreish dolcelatte stuffed figs make a speedy, stylish canapé, and will fill everyone with the Christmas spirit without filling them up too much.
Dolcelatte stuffed figs
Crostinis make a great base for a variety of interesting toppings and then it's just a matter of assembling, we love these light crab and avocado nibbles.
Crab & avocado sesame toasts
These can be on the plate and ready to go in ten minutes or less, but everyone will think you've been hauled up in the kitchen for hours.
Salt beef on rye bread with mustard sauce
Barely any more effort than opening a packet of crisps, these creamy pesto with prosciutto dippers will be whipped off the plate in no time.
Creamy pesto with prosciutto dippers
Make ahead
There's no such thing as too much turkey and cranberry sauce, get mouths watering in anticipation with these scrumptious mini pies.
Mini turkey & cranberry pies
Make these Parmesan tartlets in advance then simply top with cream cheese and smoked salmon on the day, or entrust a helping hand to do it for you.
Savoury Parmesan tartlets
These freezable salt anchovy palmiers are very moreish and are sure to get the drinks flowing, which brings us on to the next stage of entertaining...
anchovy palmiers
Drinks
It wouldn't be Christmas without a tipple or two to see you through the turkey basting. These cool, classic yet Christmassy cocktails are knocked up in minutes and look super-stylish too:
Bitter orange & cardamom martinis
Read on for our complete feed a crowd Christmas lunch menu...
