Christmas: Biscuits, Sweets and Little Cakes

Just when you thought you couldn't eat another thing....

There is always room for a home-made biscuit or chocolate, well after all, it is Christmas!

Alternative Mince Pies

This is both lighter than the traditional kind and so much faster to make if you’re short of time – but as ...

This is both lighter than the traditional kind and so much faster to make if you’re short of time – but as with traditional mince pies you’ll need to provide small pla...

18 minutes - 20 minutes

to cook

Chestnut Cupcakes

Since the craze for cupcakes has crept up on us, it seems appropriate to include a Christmas version. Al...

Since the craze for cupcakes has crept up on us, it seems appropriate to include a Christmas version. Along with the Italian Chocolate Nut Christmas Cake (see below...

35 minutes - 40 minutes

to cook

A picture of Delia's Chocolate Almond Crunchies recipe

Chocolate Crunchies

Although you can now buy really good-quality biscuits and American cookies, making them at home still has t...

Although you can now buy really good-quality biscuits and American cookies, making them at home still has the edge, and as biscuits are so easy, it's a very good place...

15 minutes

to cook

Chocolate-crunch Torte with Stem Ginger

This is the easiest chocolate recipe ever invented - and yet it tastes wonderful. I first made a more ba...

This is the easiest chocolate recipe ever invented - and yet it tastes wonderful. I first made a more basic version for children's TV. Since then it's got much more...

Coffee and Hazelnut Macaroons

You can also make very tiny biscuits and serve them in cases as petits fours. If you leave out the...

You can also make very tiny biscuits and serve them in cases as petits fours. If you leave out the coffee, these crunchy little hazelnut biscuits are excellen...

30 minutes - 35 minutes

to cook

Festive Sugar Plums

These are great to serve with coffee and drinks after dinner, and are so simple - they're literally made in...

These are great to serve with coffee and drinks after dinner, and are so simple - they're literally made in moments.

Florentines

If there was such a thing as a prize for the very best biscuit in the world, one bite of a Florentine would...

If there was such a thing as a prize for the very best biscuit in the world, one bite of a Florentine would tell you this was the winner. Absolutely top drawer and ...

10 minutes - 12 minutes

to cook

Grasmere Ginger Shortbreads

I will always be grateful to the Hunter family in Cumbria who served these in their lakeside hotel, and who...

I will always be grateful to the Hunter family in Cumbria who served these in their lakeside hotel, and who kindly gave me the recipe because I loved them so much.

45 minutes

to cook

Gruyere and Parmesan Allumettes

This recipe is courtesy of Mark Mitson and is an absolute winner to serve with drinks at Christmas or any t...

This recipe is courtesy of Mark Mitson and is an absolute winner to serve with drinks at Christmas or any time. I've never been keen on fiddly canapes, and these ar...

15 minutes

to cook

Hand-made Chocolates

People search the world over for the very best chocolates, but there's no need. The very best of all are...

People search the world over for the very best chocolates, but there's no need. The very best of all are those freshly made at home. Just the thing to serve with th...

Home-made Chocolate Truffles

This is a subject that experts get awfully fussed about and there are all kinds of rules and regulations ab...

This is a subject that experts get awfully fussed about and there are all kinds of rules and regulations about handling chocolate. Therefore what I have on offer he...

Irish Whiskey Truffles

Since everyone seems to want chocolate at Christmas it's a good excuse to make some real proper home-made t...

Since everyone seems to want chocolate at Christmas it's a good excuse to make some real proper home-made truffles. If you like you can use rum or brandy, but Irish...

Mini Mincemeat Muffins

As there are always lots of mince pies absolutely everywhere at Christmas, it's nice to have something a li...

As there are always lots of mince pies absolutely everywhere at Christmas, it's nice to have something a little different around as well, like these pretty little muff...

20 minutes

to cook

Pistachio Sables

This recipe was kindly given to me by the Head Pastry Chef, Mark Mitson, at The Blakeney Hotel in Norfolk, ...

This recipe was kindly given to me by the Head Pastry Chef, Mark Mitson, at The Blakeney Hotel in Norfolk, where they are served in the bar with drinks, but only if yo...

13 minutes - 13 minutes

to cook

Raisin Hazelnut Crunchies

You can almost imagine sneaking in to quickly grab one of these from under the cook's nose. But you don'...

You can almost imagine sneaking in to quickly grab one of these from under the cook's nose. But you don't have to tiptoe around to enjoy these fantastically moreish...

15 minutes

to cook

Vegetarian

Semolina Shortbreads

This will always be the very best shortbread I’ve tasted. The secret of its success is the inclusion of ...

This will always be the very best shortbread I’ve tasted. The secret of its success is the inclusion of semolina, which gives it that special texture. I will always...

1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes

to cook

Spiced Cranberry Muffins

I just couldn’t stop eating these when we tested them, so for me this is another reason to look forward to ...

I just couldn’t stop eating these when we tested them, so for me this is another reason to look forward to the Christmas season. They are great at any time, but wou...

25 minutes - 30 minutes

to cook

Star-shaped Biscuits

These edible tree decorations are guaranteed to charm your guests at Christmas. They'd also be a good wa...

These edible tree decorations are guaranteed to charm your guests at Christmas. They'd also be a good way of keeping the children amused in the school holidays as t...

10 minutes - 15 minutes

to cook

Walnut Shortbreads

These light, crumbly little biscuits are just the thing to serve with home-made ice creams. They could a...

These light, crumbly little biscuits are just the thing to serve with home-made ice creams. They could also be packed into boxes or jars for a home-made Christmas g...

45 minutes

to cook

A picture of Delia's White Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes with Silver Smarties recipe

White Rice Krispie Cakes

This recipe is so dead easy that anyone from 5 to 105 can knock off a batch of these little cakes in no tim...

This recipe is so dead easy that anyone from 5 to 105 can knock off a batch of these little cakes in no time at all. I’ve always found them to be a hit with childre...