Make-ahead Christmas recipes
Cut the panic and stress with our make-ahead Christmas dishes including roast potatoes, mince pies and, of course, the Christmas cake. They'll give you more time to make merry!
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Make & mature Christmas cake
- Ready in 2 hrs 35 mins
Prepare this fruit cake in advance and feed it regularly with rum, brandy or whisky to build the flavour and keep it moist
17
ratings
Easy
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Spiced home-cured salmon
- Ready in 30 mins
Ever the versatile fish, this fresh, no-cook salmon starter can be made a few days ahead
0
ratings
Easy
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Mini turkey & cranberry pies
By
- Ready in 45 mins
These dinky pies are so versatile – try them with chopped ham and mustard, too
10
ratings
Easy
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Christmas spiced friands
- Ready in 40 mins
These light cakes may just be the perfect pudding after an enormous Christmas dinner
1
rating
Easy
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Christmas pudding strudel
By
- Ready in 35 mins
Give your Christmas pud leftovers a second life with this easy strudel recipe
2
ratings
Easy
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Chocolate fruitcake
- Ready in 2 hrs 35 mins
If anyone in your family isn't keen on traditional fruitcake, this might be the compromise you've been looking for
17
ratings
Easy
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Glazed pears with dolcelatte, rocket & pata negra
- Ready in 20 mins
Gordon Ramsay's super stylish but simple canapé can be made a few hours in advance so you can relax before your party
6
ratings
Easy
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Baileys banana trifles
By
- Ready in 10 mins
A quick and impressive make-ahead dessert with Baileys for grown-ups, or use extra toffee sauce for kids
15
ratings
Easy
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Creamy smoked salmon, leek & potato soup
By
- Ready in 40 mins
Creamy and low-fat aren't words you often hear together, but that's exactly what you get with this freeze-ahead starter
22
ratings
Easy
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Polenta & pancetta stuffing
By
- Ready in 1 hr 20 mins
Add this unusual, creamy stuffing to your Christmas banquet this year
2
ratings
Easy
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Wild rice, chestnut & squash stuffing
By
- Ready in 1 hr 5 mins
Add a colourful and healthy dish to your Christmas lunch table with this vegetarian stuffing
0
ratings
Easy
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Swede & parsnip bake
By
- Ready in 1 hr 15 mins
A mixed mash of favourite winter root veg with a crispy herb topping, which can be chilled or frozen ahead
9
ratings
Easy
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Red cabbage with Bramley apple & walnuts
By
- Ready in 30 mins
A sweet, crunchy cabbage dish with a superhealthy boost of vitamin C
11
ratings
Easy
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Squash & sage pithivier
By
- Ready in 50 mins
This simple pie for one makes a great veggie option for Christmas Day - make as many as you need and freeze ahead
3
ratings
Easy
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Brandy & vanilla butter
By
- Ready in 10 mins
Not just for Christmas pud, this brandy butter goes perfectly with mince pies or spread over toasted panettone
4
ratings
Easy
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Clementine & prosecco jellies
- Ready in 4 hrs 25 mins
James Martin's glamorous and refreshingly light dessert will be right at home at a festive dinner party
13
ratings
Easy
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Cinnamon shortbread
- Ready in 45 mins
Shards of this simple, Christmas-spiced shortbread add a professional finish to creamy desserts
2
ratings
Easy
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Iced nougat & raspberry terrine
- Ready in 1 hr 10 mins
This posh pud is much easier to prepare than it looks and can be made ahead of time
15
ratings
Easy
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Gravy for the Christmas turkey
By
- Ready in 25 mins
This simple recipe uses white wine for a pale, light gravy, but it can also be made with red wine or Port for a richer flavour
1
rating
Easy
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Figgy Christmas pudding
- Ready in 4 hrs
A classic that every Christmas table should have. Make ahead and simply steam the puds to reheat on the big day
7
ratings
Easy
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Traditional bread sauce
By
- Ready in 50 mins
Every Christmas lunch needs a big bowl of bread sauce on the table
4
ratings
Easy
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Cranberry & red wine sauce
By
- Ready in 25 mins
Keep this Christmas-spiced cranberry sauce in the fridge for up to a week before the big day
5
ratings
Easy
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Carrot & star anise purée
By
- Ready in 45 mins
If you fancy adding something a little different to the table on Christmas Day, this seasonal purée could be just the thing
5
ratings
Easy
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Fruity Christmas biscotti
By
- Ready in 1 hr 15 mins
The perfect make-ahead gift, these will keep for up to a month after baking and look really impressive
111
ratings
Easy
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Spiced cranberry & pear relish
- Ready in 40 mins
A Christmassy relish which will keep in the cupboard for up to six months, making it perfect for make-ahead gifts
6
ratings
Easy
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Mulling syrup
- Ready in 35 mins
This spiced syrup works equally well for mulled wine or cider. Make a batch ahead of time for entertaining or make up a gift kit for Christmas
20
ratings
Easy
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From-the-freezer mince pies
- Ready in 55 mins
Keep these festive favourites nice and simple or spice things up with some imaginative twists
0
ratings
Easy
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Fruity mincemeat with almonds
- Ready in 20 mins
Give your mince pies an edge this year with a nutty filling - ready in just 20 minutes
2
ratings
Easy
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Potted ham
- Ready in 25 mins
This simple starter is a great way to use up leftover ham and you can freeze it ahead
1
rating
Easy
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As-you-like-it Christmas cake
- Ready in 3 hrs 20 mins
Use your choice of dried fruit, nuts, citrus zest and booze (or even tea) and get your cake made up to six months in advance
25
ratings
Easy
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Mushroom, shallot & squash pie
- Ready in 3 hrs
A hearty vegetarian main dish that will keep in the freezer for up to two months
6
ratings
Easy
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Deep-filled mince pies
- Ready in 45 mins
These deep, decadent mince pies with a layer of almond frangipane cook brilliantly from frozen
8
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Chocolate marquise
- Ready in 45 mins
For the decadent dinner party - this rich chocolate dessert is for serious chocoholics only
48
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Simple gingerbread house
- Ready in 1 hr 12 mins
Use this gingerbread recipe to get the kids in the kitchen and create some magical memories
51
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Yule slice
- Ready in 2 hrs
Perfect for health-conscious people who still like a Christmas treat, this is dairy-free and full of fruit and nuts
13
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Traditional mincemeat
- Ready in 20 mins
Try making your mincemeat well in advance of Christmas to give the flavours maximum time to mature
12
ratings
Easy
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Cottage chilli hotpot
- Ready in 3 hrs 20 mins
The ultimate make-ahead comfort food dish - if you're spending a weekend in the country this dish will defrost as you travel
28
ratings
Easy
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Classic winter fruitcake
- Ready in 20 mins
This festive icing is easy to use, looks amazing and makes a lighter end to a meal. The perfect centrepiece for Christmas tea
5
ratings
Easy
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Pan-fried duck breast with creamed cabbage, chestnuts & caramelised pear
- Ready in 1 hr 10 mins
A restaurant-quality dish by Gordon Ramsay made using easily found ingredients
10
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Make-ahead mince pies
- Ready in 40 mins
It wouldn't be Christmas without mince pies, and you just can't beat homemade - these can be cooked from frozen for extra ease
0
ratings
Easy
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Double salmon roll
- Ready in 40 mins
Make this posh starter ahead of time and serve up with salad and melba toast
2
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Watercress & celeriac soup with goat's cheese croutons
- Ready in 55 mins
Feed your friends this simple freeze-ahead starter, topped with goat's cheese croutons for added crunch
10
ratings
Easy
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Cranberry jewelled mincemeat
- Ready in 25 mins
Cooking up batches of this festive, fruity mincemeat will fill your kitchen with the smell of Christmas
6
ratings
Easy
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Game terrine
- Ready in 2 hrs
John Torode shows how to prepare classic coarse set terrine with duck and mixed game of your choice
1
rating
Moderately Easy
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Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding
- Ready in 6 hrs 20 mins
Rich, dark and spicy - prepare enough mixture for two basins, one for Christmas day and the other to give as a gift
4
ratings
Easy
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