MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS TREATS/DESSERTS 2021 (Archive)

A collection of memorable, beautiful, delicious treats and desserts for the festive  season...

Some are spectacular indulgences, perfect for a special occasion; some just fabulously tasty; some for the calorie challenged; some so easy the kids can make them; and some healthily vegetarian or vegan but so good you wouldn't know it!  And for the time-challenged, 'cheats' treats using supermarket friends.

Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!

1.  SPECIAL OCCASION -- Pure Indulgence

Fabulous Egg Nog, safe for oldies

& Sophisticated Mocha Butter Cookies

Egg Nog Truffles: boozy, creamy rich indulgence, surprisingly easy to make 

Pear, Date & Hazelnut Streusel Cake: rich, rewarding indulgence adapted from a Great British Bake-Off contestant

Neither a crumble nor a cake but a fabulous combo of the two ..

Blackberry Whiskey Ginger Cheese-cake: sophisticated, with kid's version

Upside Down Cheesecake: Adapted from Heston Blumethal's mother, this sensational classic cheesecake doesn't take long to put together but the cooling/wait time is virtually all day!  It is so worth every minute -- it's skinnier and lower in fat, and the crust is served separately to accommodate gluten-phobics

Triple Chocolate Truffle Brownies, WOW!

Triple Chocolate & Cointreau Shortbread, melts in the mouth, warms as it goes down!

Orange & Cointreau Cheesecake:  No-bake gorgeously creamy with a delicate layer of alcohol, this sophisticated healthier indulgence won't break the bank; lower-fat options

Choco-Mint Croissant Bread & Butter Pudding: To die for.  Families have been known to make one for Christmas Mass supper and another for Christmas Day.  Rich, light, gooey, with a crispy top, it's intensely chocolatey and sends guests into raptures.  Start 3 days in advance.

2.  GENERALLY FESTIVE;  FABULOUSLY TASTY

FRUGAL/LEFTOVERS 

Creamy Pineapple Glazed Pudding, thrifty, easy

Boozy Orange Bread & Butter Pudding: Inexpensive but yummy with an alcoholic twist 

Lower-Sugar Wallet-friendly 'Nutella' Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread: low preservative, so much better for you and completely sensational

 

TEA-TIME TREATS

Light Gingerbread Sheet Cake - gingerbread cake but not as we know it, Jim: it's lighter and less gummy but fine textured and 'scrummy' without losing its gingery-ness!

Spicy Plum Pineapple Crumble Cake: fab egg-free tea-time treat

Cherry Almond Bakewell: Slightly skinnier (no pastry) & utterly sensational; snowy powdered sugar adds seasonal touches  

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fingers: vegan option, easy-peasy

Plum & Cinnamon Swirl Cake: as pretty as it is scrumptious; popular twist on an old favourite 

3.  DIETERS' DELIGHTS

Skinny Chocolate Peppermint Mousse

Light & lovely but still intensely chocolatey;
no-bake, butter-free, cream optional

Tiramisu Pudding: slightly lower fat: fabulous layers of biscuit, creamy filling, coffee dipped ladyfingers & chocolate ganache;  less fat and fewer calories

Luscious Lemon Pudding: gloriously gorgeous; yoghurt lightens & enhances creaminess and flavour 

4.  Easy-Peasy

1 Recipe=2 Delicious Treats: Cinnamon Breakfast Twists & Blueberry Scones 
2-into-1 does go; double mouthwatering treats in one baking session 

Exquisite Emergency Almond Biscuits: delicious & delicate; gluten & dairy-free; unbelievably fast & easy, perfect for unexpected guests 

5.  VEGETARIAN/VEGAN 

Cherry Garcia Ice Cream: Vegan, easy-peasy; the nicest, tastiest, healthiest ice cream; no cream - just bananas...

'Irish Coffee' Chocolate Cake':

Vegan-glorious 

Orange Mini Cakes: kids love these fluffy cakes with a surprise filling

Pomelo (Chinese grapefrut) fruit platter with Cinnamon Vanilla Yoghurt Cream: wallet-friendly, low-fat 

6.  CHEATS' DELIGHTS

Cheat's Christmas Log with help from supermarket logs -- chocolate, passion fruit, peach & raspberry 

Cheat's Black Forest Trifle: so yummy & quick, assisted by supermarket pals

Chocomint Custard 'Poke' Sponge: kids will love this out-of-this world sponge liberally dotted with pockets of creamy minty chocolate custard ('cheat' with supermarket custard to save time & effort);  disappears in minutes.  

Fruity sponge: a simple popular and oh-so-'scrummy' dessert with tinned fruit and  a simple delicious sponge; so easy, the kids can do it 

These recipes have been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.