Christmas is a great time to spend with your loved ones and celebrate the festive cheer, and it’s also a great excuse to tuck into indulging in some tasty treats! If you are someone who has a bit of a sweet tooth, then you might enjoy sampling some delicious chocolates, cookies, and other baked goods at this time of year. If you also happen to enjoy baking as a pastime, here are some suggestions of some of the best sweet treats to make during the festive season.
- Christmas Cake
A special Christmas cake can often be the perfect way to finish your Christmas dinner, but it can also be ideal for serving up with cups of coffee or tea in the afternoon, too. Traditionally, Christmas cakes are prepared in advance, leaving the fruit to soak in brandy for two to three months before you bake the batter. This cake is rich and moist, and it’s usually topped with royal frosting that has a harder texture. You can choose to make a naked Christmas cake, though, or lightly dust it with powdered sugar instead. If you don’t like fruit cakes, then you can always opt for a light vanilla sponge if you prefer, and use festive decorating to reflect the season.
- Christmas Cookies
Cookies are always a welcome treat, and they are perfect for a snack at any time of the day. Another benefit of making cookies at Christmas is that they can work nicely as homemade gifts for colleagues or friends, too. Adding some festive spices like nutmeg or cinnamon to the mix will certainly capture the flavor of Christmas, and you can even use things like this Merry Christmas cookie stencil for some impressive decoration.
- Mince Pies
Mince pies are a classic festive treat in Britain, so if you want to try something a little different this year, why not give them a try? It’s not the savory mincemeat that you might be thinking of either, but this kind of mince is made up of dried fruit, nuts, sugar, and spices that have been soaked in distilled spirits. Put this pie filling into a large pastry crust or smaller ones for individual pies.
- Yule Log
This is one for the chocolate lovers out there! Yule log is a wonderful Christmas treat that is both rich and satisfying. A chocolate sponge with a chocolaty buttercream filling, and then covered with melted chocolate that has been left to set on top, or additional buttercream if you prefer. It might take some time to put this tasty treat together, but it will be worth it in the end!
- Gingerbread Men
Last but certainly not least, cute little gingerbread men are always a great addition to your Christmas sweet treat menu. These are great to make with the kids too, so if you are looking for some activities to do with the little ones during the festive break, this could be ideal. Decorating them is a lot of fun, and the combination of soft middles and crunchy outside is perfect to have with a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy winter’s night!
If you are looking forward to the festive season this year and you would like to get in the mood with some Christmas baking, why not give some of these a try?