Make-ahead Christmas recipes
Get ready for the festivities with our make-ahead Christmas recipes – and see our menu ideas at the bottom of the page too. We’ve got everything you need for an organised holiday season, including make-ahead starters, side dishes, mains and desserts.
Make your own Christmas cake, pudding or mincemeat with our tried-and-tested recipes. While they’re maturing nicely in the larder, clear some room in the freezer for our freeze-ahead roast potatoes, red cabbage, gravy and stuffing.
Save some room in the fridge for desserts you can whip out for those ‘here’s one I made earlier’ moments. Whether you’re planning a big family feast or an intimate celebration, we’ve got all the make-ahead recipes you need this Christmas.
Showing 1-16 of 97 recipes
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Canapés and cocktails
Rosemary negroni
Rosemary brings out the herbaceous notes of vermouth and Campari in this festive negroni. The perfect bottled cocktail to store in fridge.
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Easy
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Christmas cocktail recipes
Mince-pie old fashioned
This Christmas cocktail recipe makes a fabulous drink, as well as a flavoured butter for baking and an extra-boozy mincemeat for mince pies.
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Easy
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Redcurrant recipes
Redcurrant margarita
Ideal when you’re pining for a taste of sunshine in winter, this margarita is flavoured and turned bright red by an intense redcurrant syrup.
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Easy
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Canapés and cocktails
Santa’s sidecar cocktail
Like an upside-down Santa hat, this tangy, citrus-forward sidecar cocktail is balanced by the warming complexity of cognac.
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Easy
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Sausage roll recipes
Turkey and cranberry sausage rolls
These turkey and cranberry sausage rolls are perfect for preparing ahead and keeping in the freezer for those last-minute festive occasions.
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Easy
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Christmas gift recipes
Hot honey smoked nuts
Sweet, spicy and salty – the coating makes these a winner. Put the hot honey nuts in pretty jars as presents for friends.
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Easy
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Christmas cupcakes and small bakes
Gingercake bites
Sticky gingercake gets better with age, so it’s perfect for giving as a Christmas gift. We’ve coated each cube of cake with a lemony icing.
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Medium
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Christmas gift recipes
Bejewelled festive torrone (Italian nougat)
This version of torrone (Italian nougat) includes pistachios, almonds, dried apricots and candied peel to create a bejewelled festive treat.
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Medium
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Cabbage recipes
Braised red cabbage
This braised red cabbage offers a sweet-and-sour flavour combo with seasonal spice, cutting through the rich flavours of Christmas dinner.
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Easy
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Christmas trimmings, sides and sauces
Butter-roast parsnips with hazelnuts and sage
Dish up your best-ever roast parsnips this Christmas. Crisp sage and a scattering of toasted hazelnuts provide flavour and crunch.
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Easy
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Filo pastry recipes
Vegetarian filo Christmas wreath
Food writer Elly Curshen’s spectacular filo-wrapped wreath makes a perfect vegetarian Christmas main or Christmas buffet centerpiece.
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Easy
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Parfait recipes
Maple-peanut parfait with peanut brittle and boozy prunes
Parfait is the ultimate make-ahead dessert. This parfait recipe amps things up with crunchy peanut brittle and rum-soaked prunes.
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Medium
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Dark chocolate recipes
Dark chocolate mousse with blood orange gel and hazelnut crumb
Dark chocolate mousse is a delight with toasted hazelnut crumb and sweet-sharp blood orange gel in this festive make-ahead dessert.
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Medium
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Pear recipes
Beef carpaccio with pickled pear and parmesan mayonnaise
This carpaccio is a masterpiece on the plate, with butter-soft beef, pear, umami-rich mayo and crunchy nuts, A perfect make-ahead starter.
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Medium
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Christmas air fryer recipes
Air fryer eggnog cheesecake
Cheesecakes are brilliant baked in the air fryer. The top is less likely to crack, providing a cheesecake that looks as good as it tastes.
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Easy
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Preserves recipes
Wine jelly
Debora Robertson's wine jelly is a versatile condiment to have on hand. Serve with cheese and charcuterie, or stir into sauces.
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Medium
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