BLOGGER'S FAVOURITE TREATS & DESSERTS for Christmas 2022

From spectacular through lower-cal to everyday delights: memorable beautiful treats and desserts for the festive season...

Merry Christmas all!

Some of these recipes are 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, there are 'cheats' treats using supermarket friends.

Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!

Many posted Prices do not reflect recent inflation; note the dates on the indidividual posts. 

1.  SPECIAL OCCASION -- Pure Indulgence

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

 

Ambrosial Mint Croissant Bread & Butter Pudding:

Truly to die for; usually served in winter but perfect for chilly April.  Cook's Delight: it’s made 3 days before  needed and forgotten until it's time to bake

Chocolate-Mint Croissant Bread & Butter Pudding: Ambrosial
'Wow! Excellent, really good.' 'Very chocolatey; it's nicely crusty & chewy.' 
'A great office hit!' Tasters

Rich, light, gooey, with a crispy top, the intensity of chocolate sends guests into raptures.  Households at Christmas have been known to make one for Christmas Mass supper and another for Christmas Day.  

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

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!

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

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

2.  FESTIVE FABULOUSLY FRUGAL & WALLET-FRIENDLY 

Creamy Pineapple Glazed Pudding, thrifty, easy

PENSIONERS' /SMALL HOUSEHOLDS CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS

(SAVE FOR DECEMBER WHEN 67GOINGON50 TAKES A BREAK) 

These recipes are aimed specifically at pensioners & small households, whose requirements for the Christmas season - if they're not dining elsewhere - differ from the usual.

Some are indulgent but wallet friendly; frugal recipes are also included.

Many are the Blogger's favourites from over the years.  Quite a few are easily prepped; some are make/prepare ahead.  Nearly all are low-fat/cholesterol.

And obviously, they are all  utterly delicious!

Merry Christmas!

Many posted Prices do not reflect recent inflation; note the dates on the indidividual posts. 

CANAPES:

  

Wallet-friendly double smoked-salmon dip: not everyone has deep pockets for the best smoked salmons; this is a delicious wallet-friendly compromise which is also low-cholesterol

Festive lower-fat sausage rolls (Palmiers): a different shape and texture but guests love them all the same.  Frozen puff pastry makes life easier.  Freeze half for another occasion.  

MAINS:  

Turkey leg/thighs: at markets, independent butchers and some large supermarkets in a size suitable for two or more; roast as you would any turkey joint or be adventurous with low-carb Stir-fried with cabbage & corn

Armagnac Partridges with Apple: boozy, fruity & fanciable: partridges are small meaty & lean; this recipe produces succulent flesh with scrumptious juices; slow cooker

Easy prepare-ahead One-stop chicken dinner: prepping ahead means all you have to do is turn on the oven, baste now and again, rest & serve.  Oh, and it tastes really good!

Exquisite Barbecued Pork: wonderfully tasty, tender, nearly fat-free indulgence;  lower-sugar & salt, easy-peasy; make ahead

 

HEALTHY CHRISTMAS DRINKS FOR ADULTS & KIDS

Apart from Egg Nog, these fruity low-sugar drinks have been designed to serve  with alcohol OR carbonated water.  It allows those who do drink alcohol to imbibe less without embarrassment, if they want to.  And it gives those who don't drink, and children, an opportunity to flash something pretty and appealling in their glasses.

Cheers!

ADULTS

Fabulous Egg Nog: creamy, boozy, no raw eggs; safe for oldies; slips down like a dream (here with Sophisticated Mocha Butter Cookies)

Cherry Cordial: no sugar syrup; bright as a Christmas bauble

Pomelo & Lemongrass Cocktail: mellow, mysterious & magical; low-sugar; alcohol-free option but sensational with champagne

Raspberry, Mango & Ginger Smoothie: Add vodka or champagne for a sublime cocktail 

SUGAR-FREE FIZZY DRINKS FOR KIDS

USE CARBONATED WATER, NO SUGARY FIZZY LIQUIDS 

AVOIDING SEASONAL MELTDOWNS

 Don't forget to have a look at Welcome to the Blog (Nav Bar)

Don't let this be you!!

What with the cost of living crisis, Ukraine and threatened blackouts, meltdowns are a threat to domestic life.  But  planning and preparation make life a lot easier.   

From 67goingon50's Christmas Archive, the following practical advice will help keep minds and bodies in your household in good nick.

PLANNING HELPS

• make Christmas Eve the day everyone gets involved in next day's preparations 
• be prepared for meltdowns
• reduce the risk of meltdowns (including cutting out sugary fizzy drinks) 
• maintain a healthy lifestyle despite the season

1.  GET THE FAMILY INVOLVED 

• Warn everyone they will have to help prepare the meal on Christmas Eve, starting in the morning
• On Christmas Eve MORNING, make a lovely breakfast of prep-ahead no-knead soft or cinammon rolls, with hot chocolate & marshmallows for the kids and Irish coffee for adults.  You will need lots of help this day and need to be in everyone's good books or they may resent being asked to help.  On the other hand, you could just threaten them -- get involved or no Christmas din-dins!

• Christmas Eve day is vegetable prep day; peel or clean carrots, parsnips & potatoes, remove tough outer leaves from sprouts - quarter or shred as per your recipe.  Chop or quarter carrots & parsnips if not leaving whole, oil & season and bag up dry. Bag up sprouts 
• If you like, start roasties today; par-boil potatoes 8 mins max, drain and shake to rough up the edges. Cool & refrigerate. See Jaimie's Roasties

• Set the table 

• Tidy 

2.  CHRISTMAS DAY

1. First thing after you get up, make a big jug of No-Added-Sugar Breakfast Smoothies (with oatmeal & nuts) to keep everyone going - especially the Commander-in-Chief.  Drink a small glass of this before you do anything else, even before coffee!  Dilute for kids. 

• Don't bother with a big-deal breakfast - everyone will be too excited.  After (or in some households, before) opening presents, a small bowl of granola porridge or a bit of toast might be in order.  If lunch is later than 1 pm, provide a few cheese straws, sausage rolls, mince pies, etc. (made and frozen earlier in the month or from supermarket)

• Find some willing competent kitchen helpers for salad prep, last-minute chores and service, if needed 

• Have on hand a large bottle of Rescue Remedy (most chemists and health food shops) for tears, tantrums, arguments, anxieties or general sulks - whatever the age of the sufferer

• If there's room, set aside a space in the house for tears, tantrums, arguments...see above.  It will be a kind of trauma room.  If you're lucky it won't be needed and adults will sneak into it for quiet 'me' time

• It's ok on Christmas Day to slump in front of the telly or play games after the Christmas meal but on Boxing Day, fit in a good long walk - at least 45 mins to an hour.  

• Have a read of this guide from the Daily Telegraph: Family Christmas without a breakdown

3.  STICKING TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

During the Festive season, eating healthily can be a struggle; overindulging will affect your mood and body.