Stir-up Sunday recipes

This child-friendly pud by reader Julie Prior is a classic twist on the traditional Christmas pudding

This lighter version of the classic Christmas pud is still full of festive flavours - citrus zest and brandy are added to this nutty spiced fruitcake

Not everyone likes a traditional Christmas pudding, and these smaller ones are much lighter than their bigger, traditional counterpart

Bake this festive fruit cake in advance of Christmas and feed it regularly with rum, brandy or whisky to build the flavour and keep it moist

Paul Hollywood prefers melt-in-the-mouth pastry for his fruity mince pies, so this recipe is nice and short

A good glug of ginger wine makes this cake a little different from the norm. It's also lighter than its predecessors, so you can have two pieces!

This pudding is so simple, you almost feel you've cheated - it looks like a Christmas pud but is altogether different

Not your traditional Christmas pud, but a winner with our food team. A cross between sticky toffee and Christmas pud with a lighter feel

This pretty twist on a classic German Christmas bake is lightly spiced, filled with mixed dried fruit and marzipan, then dusted with icing sugar

Give the classic Christmas fruitcake a makeover with cinnamon, rose, orange blossom and tropical mango for a fruity and fragrant cake

Impress your guests with this traditional, steamed pudding with a difference - cut to reveal a tender fruit centre and oozing citrus syrup

For a real treat this Christmas, try Sara's generously filled mince pies with a cup of tea. They are made with a no-need-to-roll pastry that is similar to shortbread

A twist on a festive favourite, adding a layer of creamy custard and a delectable crumbly topping makes an irresistible and more mellow mince pie

This pud is impressive, delicious and makes a great light alternative dessert to a traditional Christmas pudding

Forgotten to make your Christmas pud? These speedy cakes are the perfect alternative

A great last-minute alternative to a traditional Christmas pudding - plus it reheats in only five minutes

It wouldn't be Christmas without mince pies, and you just can't beat homemade - these can be cooked from frozen for extra ease

Packed with
almonds, both ground and whole, and fed with raisiny PX sherry, this is
intensely fruity - but not overly rich

Indulgent yet wonderfully light, these individual caramel sponges are baked with a sticky toffee sauce - keep in the freezer for a last-minute pud

This syrupy twist on Christmas pud takes no time to prepare and can be steamed or made in the microwave.

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

Bake a batch of these sweet German buns over Christmas and enjoy at breakfast or teatime... or both

An easy-to-make alternative to traditional Christmas cakes which requires no beating

Bake vegan mince pies for a Christmas party, with a cherry and hazelnut filling that everyone will love. We have a great tip for making flaky pastry as well