For slimmers and weight-watchers, one of the great delghts of the Festive Season is having an excuse to indulge in desserts and treats normally off limits the rest of the year. Any of these terrific recipes is guaranteed to wow guests and family.
Some are easy, some healthier than most; some 'never-mind-the-calories; just enjoy the sensation!' Prices range from wholly indulgent to frugal/wallet-friendly.
But all are mouthwatering and utterly delicious.
An added bonus? Many of these recipes can be made in advance
Many have not appeared in previous compilations.
Note: some of the prices are historical; refer to the postng date at the rop right hand corner of the photo
1. SPECIAL OCCASION -- Pure Indulgence
Luxury Pistachio Cheesecake: Blogger rates it 5-star! Pale richly creamy fillling, studded with bright green chopped pistachios, slathered over a generous crumb crust.
Singleton's Quick & Easy Chocolate Coconut Cream Torte: full size option is very much a special occasion in terms of calories but the ingredients are wallet-friendly; the prep takes just 15 minutes. Apologies for slightly blurry photo but tasters cheered its 'Restaurant quality; sublime airiness.'
Egg Nog Truffles: boozy, creamy rich indulgence, surprisingly easy to make
Choco-Mint Croissant Bread & Butter Pudding: Truly To die for. Households have been known to make one for Christmas Mass supper and another for Christmas Day. Rich, light, gooey, with a crispy top, the intensity of chocolate sends guests into raptures. Cook's Delight: it's made 3 days before it's needed and and forgotten until it's time to bake.
Upside Down Cheesecake: Skinner, lower in fat, and the crust is served separately to accommodate gluten-phobes. Adapted from Heston Blumethal's mother, this sensational classic cheesecake doesn't take long to put together but the cooling/wait time - virtually all day - is more than worth it! It is absolutely delicious with fabulous textures.
2. FABULOUSLY FRUGAL & WALLET-FRIENDLY FESTIVE TREATS
Two-stage prepare in advance Sensational Apple Crumble with crunchy to topping: low sugar, fresh fruit; part-cook now; combine before finishing in oven before serving
Creamy Pineapple Glazed Pudding, thrifty, easy; replace pineapple with other fresh fruit
Boozy Orange Marmalade Bread & Butter Pudding: Inexpensive but yummy with an alcoholic twist
3. TEA-TIME TREATS
Twisted Scone Wreath stuffed with Chocolate & Nuts, Orange & Cinnamon; drizzle with melted white chocolate or buttercream for a snowy finish
Blueberry Orange Sponge: tastes even better made 2-3 days ahead; butter/dairy free option; fresh fruit; spelt option; choice of low sugar topping or fully fledged rich buttercream
Pineapple, Walnut Blueberry Cake: rich, fine-crumbed cake stuffed with fresh fruit and nuts is the perfect indulgence for visitors/guests. Tasters loved it.
4. DIETERS' DELIGHTS
Skinny Chocolate Peppermint Mousse: No cream unless you want it as a topping - and the pudding's choolate flavours are still deep & dark
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| Light & lovely but still intensely chocolatey; no-bake, butter-free, cream optional |
Tiramisu Pudding: less fat and fewer calories: fabulous layers of creamy filling, coffee dipped ladyfingers & chocolate ganache; making it will be fun and quick if family is involved
Luscious Lemon Pudding: gloriously gorgeous crowd-pleaser; yoghurt lightens & enhances creaminess and flavour; Foolproof lemon curd instead of shop-bought elevates the dish
4. EASY-PEASY
Fruit 'n Nut Flapjacks: truly fabulous and wallet-friendly, with a winning difference; option for dairy free
1 Recipe=2 Delicious Treats: Cinnamon Breakfast Twists for breakfast & Blueberry Scones for Tea: mouthwatering contrast of flavours
5. VEGETARIAN/VEGAN
Special Occasion Vegan Lemon Drizzle Cake: Indulgent, fat & egg free. Easily the best of the vegan cake recipes tested by 67goingon50. Truly fabulous taste & texture but the cake has a maddening tendency to sink in the middle; just fill the dip with fresh fruit! Financial indulgence unless you have shares in a maple syrup farm!
Cherry Garcia Ice Cream: Vegan, easy-peasy; the nicest, tastiest, healthiest ice cream ever; no cream - just bananas...
'Irish Coffee' Chocolate Cake': Vegan-glorious; dark, rich and gorgeously chocolate, the cake is fine-crumbed and hints of whiskey. The frothy topping is served on the side or turned into icing
Orange Berry Plate: fresh, colourful, guilt-free, budget friendly
6. CHEATS' DELIGHTS
Cheat's Black Forest Trifle: with cherries, brandy, custard & cream
Simple, light but ever-so-delicious, so yummy & quick. Tasters thought it tasted fantastic and praided the 'light' cream and lovely texture of chocolate sponge. Not frugal.
Cheat's Christmas Log: When the pressure's on, a good supermarket Swiss Roll, whether chocolate or fruit, smothered in simple home-made chocolate ganache, makes a great impression.
For more Christmas dishes, see How to...on the Nav Bar above; they're 2/3 of the way down the page
These recipes have been developed by B Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.
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